With rollable laptops (featuring extendable screens) set to become the latest breakthrough in portable computing, we look at what they are and the unique benefits they offer.
From Basic Clamshell To Rollable
For decades, it seems laptops have adhered to a basic clamshell design. The industry may have seen incremental advances in processing power, battery life, and screen resolution, but the fundamental form has remained unchanged. In 2025 though, rollable laptops look set to disrupt this status quo with their transformative technology.
What Are Rollable Laptops?
Rollable laptops are devices with screens that can vertically extend, i.e. the screen literally unfurls from within the laptop, offering an almost 50 per cent increase in usable space. With rollable laptops, users can choose to switch from a conventional-sized display to one that is significantly larger. For example, Lenovo’s newly unveiled ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable expands from a standard 14-inch display with a 5:4 aspect ratio to a 16.7-inch screen with an 8:9 aspect ratio.
The Big Idea
The idea behind them is that users get the flexibility of a larger workspace when needed, without sacrificing portability or significantly increasing device weight and bulk. It’s a game-changer for multitaskers, professionals, and anyone who’s ever struggled with a cramped laptop screen.
What Are The Benefits For Users?
Unlike foldable laptops, which hinge open to provide a larger display, the ability of rollable laptops to expand the screen real estate by vertically extending the display can be particularly beneficial for tasks that require scrolling or a vertical orientation, e.g. coding, document editing, or data analysis. It’s claimed that the extended screen may also encourage better posture and reduce neck strain, as the taller display means users can keep their heads up.
In essence, the rollable laptop idea creates an entirely new workspace dynamic. For example, split-screen multitasking becomes more efficient, as users can comfortably arrange multiple windows without overlapping, and the added height is also ideal for creative professionals who work with vertical timelines or need extra space for tools and palettes.
The Technology Behind the Rollable Feature
The tech at the heart of this innovation is the rollable OLED display technology developed by Samsung Display. These screens use Samsung’s Eco² OLED™ technology, which reduces panel thickness and power consumption by integrating the polariser function directly into the panel. This approach not only makes the screens thinner and lighter but also enhances energy efficiency (a key factor for portable devices).
The display’s ability to roll out and retract seamlessly is supported by advanced materials and a robust mechanical design. According to Youngseok Kim, Vice President and Head of Samsung Display IT Sales, “As the rollable display extends, it may experience stress, but based on our foldable mass-production experience, we have designed to ensure durability in our rollable products.”
This rollable mechanism relies on precision engineering, ensuring the screen remains smooth, wrinkle-free, and durable even after repeated use. Samsung’s expertise in foldable smartphone screens has clearly informed their approach, allowing them to tackle challenges such as material flexibility and long-term reliability.
Who’s Making Them?
Samsung and Lenovo are at the forefront of the rollable laptop revolution. For example, Lenovo showcased its ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable at CES 2025, describing it as the “world’s first rollable display AI PC.” The company plans to launch the laptop globally in June 2025.
This collaboration highlights the intersection of cutting-edge hardware and software. Lenovo’s expertise in creating productivity-focused laptops, combined with Samsung’s pioneering display technology, has resulted in a device that promises to set new standards for mobile computing.
Unique Benefits
Rollable laptops, therefore, will offer users several unique benefits, which are:
– Enhanced productivity. The ability to expand the screen gives users additional space for multitasking, making it easier to work on multiple documents, spreadsheets, or creative projects simultaneously.
– A compact design despite the larger screen space. When not in use, the rollable screen retracts, maintaining the laptop’s slim and portable profile.
– Improved ergonomics. The taller screen encourages better posture by allowing users to raise their gaze, reducing neck and shoulder strain.
– An innovative user experience. Features such as gesture controls and AI integration (like Lenovo’s AI assistant, Lenovo AI Now) should make rollable laptops more intuitive and adaptable to users’ needs.
Costs and Availability
As may be expected of a major innovation, rollable laptops are entering the market at a premium price. At $3,499, the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable is significantly more expensive than most traditional laptops. This price reflects the cutting-edge technology and engineering involved in creating such a device, as well as its premium positioning within the market.
Samsung Display says it will begin mass production of rollable OLED panels in April 2025, a crucial step in bringing these devices to consumers. Lenovo’s global launch, scheduled for June 2025, suggests that the company aims to capitalise on early interest and establish itself as a leader in this niche market.
Potential Challenges
Despite the excitement, rollable laptops are not without their potential drawbacks and challenges. For example, durability is a concern, as moving parts and flexible screens are inherently more vulnerable to wear and tear. While Samsung assures that its rollable displays are built to withstand stress, their long-term reliability remains to be seen. There may also be concerns about how well the rollable mechanism will hold up under daily use, and whether the software experience can fully leverage the benefits of the extended screen.
Another issue is, of course, the price. At nearly £3,000, these devices are likely to be out of reach for many consumers, limiting their appeal to a niche market of professionals and early adopters.
Also, the technology itself could be considered to be still in its infancy, relatively speaking.
What Could It Mean For The Market?
If rollable laptops prove popular, they could set a new standard for portable computing. By blending compact design with versatile functionality, these devices could attract professionals, creatives, and business users looking for an edge in productivity. Their success could also encourage further innovation in flexible display technology, potentially leading to more affordable and durable solutions over time.
Eric Yu, SVP of Lenovo’s Intelligent Devices Group, has conveniently summed up the company’s vision for rollable and its positioning, saying: “With devices like the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, we’re delivering cutting-edge AI capabilities, sleek designs, and unparalleled performance for today’s hybrid workforce.”
As this technology gains traction, it could, therefore, usher in a new era of laptops that adapt to the needs of their users in ways that were previously unimaginable.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
With rollable laptops poised to hit the market in 2025, their arrival could be a transformative moment in portable computing. These devices are designed to blend innovative design with practical benefits in order to address the perennial demand for more screen ‘real estate’ without compromising portability. Yet, as with any major technological leap, there are some complexities to consider.
One of the most compelling aspects of rollable laptops is their promise of enhanced functionality for a diverse range of users. From professionals managing intricate workflows to creative minds seeking expansive digital canvases, the versatility offered by an extendable screen is likely to be very tempting. At the same time, the technology’s ability to improve ergonomics, by promoting better posture through taller displays, speaks to a thoughtful design ethos. However, these benefits clearly come at a cost, both financially and possibly in terms of durability concerns (we don’t know yet). Early adopters will need to weigh the allure of cutting-edge innovation against the practicalities of daily use and long-term reliability.
As the ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable prepares for its global launch, Lenovo and Samsung Display have staked a significant claim on this emerging market. Their collaboration highlights a blend of hardware ingenuity and display technology expertise, setting a high benchmark for competitors. But the relatively high price point (around the £3,000 mark) suggests this initial wave of rollable laptops is aimed squarely at a premium audience. While this may limit accessibility, it also establishes rollable devices as aspirational products that showcase the potential of flexible display technology.
The road ahead for rollable laptops will likely hinge on how well manufacturers address challenges like durability and the ability to perfect the software to fully exploit the expanded screen’s potential. It’s worth noting, however, as the technology matures, economies of scale should make these devices more affordable, opening the door for broader adoption. The success of rollable laptops may also inspire further innovation in flexible displays, potentially influencing other categories of consumer electronics.
Rollable laptops, therefore, may represent more than just a new product category, i.e. they signal a shift in how we conceptualise portable computing. They offer a glimpse into a future where technology adapts seamlessly to the diverse needs of its users. Whether this potential can be fully realised remains to be seen, but it’s clear that rollable laptops are a bold step forward in the evolution of personal computing.
