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I’m testing out the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 and I’m loving it!

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On this Mobile Monday, I’m delighted to have the latest foldable laptop on our test bench. This device, eagerly anticipated since its announcement, is finally here, and it’s thrilling to see it in action. The company has made significant strides in mobile computing, refining and enhancing the usability of foldable technology. This model blends versatility, performance, and portability, improving upon previous iterations. Its bold design and powerful specifications make it a compelling choice in a niche market, aiming to redefine how we work and play on the go. Let’s dive into the details and explore what makes this foldable marvel impressive.

Designer: Lenovo

Design and Build Quality

The foldable laptop showcases a striking bell-shaped hinge that allows the device to fold flat, eliminating any significant gap and maintaining the OLED display’s integrity. Handling the device, the hinge feels robust and well-engineered, ensuring durability and smooth operation. When closed, it’s a compact 0.69 inches thick, 10.87 inches wide, and 6.94 inches deep, weighing in at 2.89 pounds. When open, it transforms into a sleek 0.34-inch thick, 13.61-inch wide, and 10.87-inch deep workstation.

This hinge distributes mechanical stress evenly, reducing strain on the OLED panel and preventing debris and dust from entering, which could damage the screen or interfere with its operation. The build quality and choice of materials give it a premium feel, ready to handle the rigors of daily use while maintaining a professional appearance.

Display Quality

The 16.3-inch OLED touchscreen is a joy to use. With a resolution of 2560 x 2024 pixels and support for HDR 600, the display delivers vibrant colors and sharp details. From hands-on experience, the screen impresses with its clarity and richness, making it ideal for media consumption and professional tasks. The fold crease is virtually invisible to the naked eye and can only be seen if you’re really looking for it in certain lighting conditions. Otherwise, running your fingers through the center is the only way to detect it.

The OLED panel’s ability to produce deep blacks and vibrant colors enhances the viewing experience, whether watching high-resolution videos, editing photos, or reviewing detailed documents. The high resolution ensures text and images are crisp and clear, reducing eye strain during prolonged use. The display’s 100% DCI-P3 color gamut coverage makes it suitable for color-critical tasks like graphic design and video editing. HDR support further boosts the display’s capabilities, making it versatile for professional and entertainment purposes.

Performance

Powered by an Intel Core i7-1250U processor, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD, this setup provides robust performance for multitasking and handling intensive applications. Hands-on use proves the device is efficient in managing complex tasks like video editing, software development, and large-scale data analysis. The Intel Core i7 processor and high-speed RAM ensure smooth operation, even under heavy loads.

The PCIe 4.0 SSD delivers fast read and write speeds, significantly reducing load times and enhancing overall system responsiveness. This makes it an excellent choice for professionals who require a reliable and powerful device for demanding applications.

Versatile Stand and Keyboard

A key feature enhancing the device’s flexibility is its integrated kickstand and optional Bluetooth TrackPoint Keyboard. The kickstand allows the device to be used in landscape and portrait modes, providing stable support for various viewing angles. This is particularly useful for different work scenarios, such as presentations, coding, or media consumption.

The Bluetooth keyboard can either be attached magnetically to the device or detached for more flexibility. It includes a TrackPoint and haptic touchpad, offering a familiar and comfortable typing experience. This keyboard is essential for productivity tasks, transforming the device into a traditional laptop when needed. The keyboard’s ergonomic design ensures comfortable typing, whether drafting emails, writing reports, or coding. The detachable nature of the keyboard allows for a more flexible setup, enabling you to position the screen at a comfortable viewing distance while keeping the keyboard on your lap or desk. The TrackPoint and touchpad provide precise control, especially useful in tight spaces where using a mouse might be impractical. Additionally, the integrated fingerprint reader on the keyboard enhances security, allowing for quick and secure logins.

Use Cases in Landscape and Portrait Modes

The foldable design allows the device to switch between landscape and portrait modes, each suited to different tasks:

Landscape Mode:

  • Media Consumption: Ideal for watching movies and videos, thanks to the large, high-resolution OLED screen. The HDR support enhances the visual experience by providing richer colors and deeper contrasts.
  • Productivity: It supports multitasking with multiple windows open side by side, perfect for simultaneous work on documents, web browsing, and video calls. This setup maximizes screen real estate, making managing different applications and workflows easier.
  • Desktop Replacement: When used with the stand and keyboard, it is a compact desktop, suitable for extended work sessions. This mode allows for a more ergonomic setup, reducing the strain on your neck and eyes during long periods of use.

Portrait Mode:

  • Document Reading and Editing: It provides a natural reading experience, similar to a printed page, enhancing productivity for reviewing and annotating documents. The taller aspect ratio is beneficial for viewing long documents or web pages without frequent scrolling.
  • Coding and Development: This mode allows more lines of code to be visible on the screen, reducing the need to scroll and improving programmers’ workflow. This mode helps maintain context while working on complex projects, making it easier to navigate through code.
  • Social Media and Communication: Aligns well with the layout of social media platforms, making browsing feeds and video calls convenient. The portrait orientation is also ideal for video conferencing, providing a more natural framing of the participants.
  • Stock Market: Its large, high-resolution OLED screen and versatile design make it an excellent tool for day traders. In portrait mode, traders can easily monitor long lists of stocks or detailed news articles, while landscape mode can be used for broader market analysis and multi-window setups. The device’s portability and performance ensure that traders can stay connected and responsive, whether at their desks or on the move.

Comparison with the 2020 Model

The latest model builds upon the foundation set by its 2020 predecessor, introducing several key improvements. The original featured a smaller 13.3-inch display, whereas the new model boasts a larger 16.3-inch OLED screen with higher resolution and better color accuracy. The enhanced display makes a significant difference in both productivity and entertainment applications.

In terms of performance, the 2020 model was equipped with an Intel Core i5-L16G7 processor, which, while innovative at the time, struggled with more demanding tasks. The latest version steps up to an Intel Core i7-1250U, providing a noticeable boost in processing power and efficiency. The RAM and storage have also seen upgrades, with the new model featuring faster LPDDR5 RAM and a PCIe 4.0 SSD for improved responsiveness.

The hinge design in the 2020 model was innovative but had room for improvement. The new bell-shaped hinge offers better durability and a smoother folding experience. I don’t miss being able to pack the keyboard in the middle and fold the device, which allows for a creaseless and seamless display. Additionally, the new model’s integrated kickstand and optional Bluetooth keyboard enhance its versatility and ease of use, making it a more practical option for a broader range of tasks.

Workflow Enhancement

This foldable laptop can significantly enhance your workflow by providing a versatile, high-performance device that adapts to various tasks. Its design allows seamless transitions between modes, supporting various professional activities from coding and document editing to media consumption and presentations. Combining a high-quality display and versatile accessories ensures you can maintain productivity at your desk, in a meeting, or on the go. The fanless design, enabled by its efficient processor, is necessary to achieve this, ensuring quiet operation and a sleek form factor.

The flexibility of switching between landscape and portrait modes allows you to optimize your workflow based on the task at hand. For instance, you can use the landscape mode to create and present slideshows, while the portrait mode can be utilized to read and annotate lengthy documents. The integrated kickstand and detachable keyboard enhance this flexibility, providing a comfortable and ergonomic setup that adapts to your working style.

This forward-thinking laptop combines thoughtful design with powerful performance. Its versatility and adaptability make it an excellent choice for professionals looking to optimize their workflow across different environments and tasks. Whether you need a compact device for travel, a powerful machine for intensive applications, or a flexible setup for various work scenarios, it delivers on all fronts, making it a valuable addition to your tech arsenal.

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Timekettle’s $699 translator device can simultaneously translate between 20 people in 5 separate languages

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Timekettle CEO Leal Tian compares it to an entire UN General Assembly meeting being translated by a simple $699 device…

Over the past few years, Timekettle has really carved its niche into the translation industry. Translating speech is usually seen as a feature, not an entire category in itself, as companies like Google and Microsoft have integrated it into their larger offerings for meetings and calls… however, Timekettle solidified its vision as a company that puts translation front and center. First building their repertoire with TWS earbuds like the M3 and the WT2 Edge before moving onto handheld translator devices like the Fluentalk T1 Mini, the company is now broadening their hardware lineup and their horizons with the X1 Interpreter Hub, a multi-device translation solution that offers multi-language translation both online as well as offline for business ad education.

Timekettle has a history of advancing translation hardware, and the X1 Interpreter Hub is a culmination of user feedback and technological advancements. The device offers an all-in-one design that requires no additional apps or complex setups. Its primary function is to enable real-time translation for one-on-one conversations or multi-language meetings, making it a versatile tool for various communication needs.

The individual modules pair simply by touching them to connect.

At its core, the X1 boasts an advanced simultaneous translation engine capable of handling multiple languages both online and offline. This flexibility is crucial in a world where internet access can be unreliable. The device’s patented Vector Noise Reduction algorithm is a standout feature, ensuring that translations are not only swift but also clear and accurate, even in noisy environments.

The X1 offers five versatile translation modes:

  1. Face-to-Face Conversation Mode: This mode allows two people to speak back and forth in their native languages, with the X1 providing instantaneous translation.
  2. Group Meeting Mode: Designed for multilingual meetings, this mode can connect multiple X1 devices, allowing each participant to follow and contribute in their preferred language.
  3. Listen Mode: Ideal for lectures or speeches, this mode translates what’s being said into your language in real-time.
  4. Speak Mode: This turns the X1 into a handheld translator, useful for quick translations in informal settings.
  5. Voice Call Translation: For remote communication, this mode translates phone conversations on the fly, making every word clear and comprehensible.

Understanding the need for record-keeping in business and education settings, the X1 comes with a built-in recording feature. This allows users to save important conversations, lectures, or meetings for later review. Privacy is also a paramount concern, and the X1 addresses this with a secure data erasure feature, ensuring that all recorded content can be permanently deleted as needed.

Moreover, Timekettle is also promising exciting additional features via OTA upgrades, including the ability to actively audio-translate videos in real-time (something that Spotify and YouTube still haven’t figured out), as well as AI voice cloning, which allows translated speech to play in the same voice as the speaker. This makes real-time arguments more fun, suggests Timekettle CEO Leal Tian!

The X1 Interpreter Hub sports a sleek, compact design that belies its powerful capabilities. It’s built to be portable, ensuring that effective communication isn’t confined to a single space. The device’s intuitive interface allows for easy operation, a critical feature when navigating the complexities of multiple languages. Additionally, its robust construction means it’s designed to withstand the rigors of travel and frequent use, making it a reliable companion for business professionals, educators, and travelers alike.

“Our vision at Timekettle sets us apart from other players in the market, focusing on differentiation in product design and development direction. We strive to develop the best communication solutions to address real-life user cases and encourage proactive engagement in different languages,” says Leal Tian.

Priced at $799, the X1 Interpreter Hub is a premium offering in the translation device market. This price reflects its advanced features and the value it provides in professional and educational settings. Set to be released at CES 2024, it will be available on Timekettle’s official website and Amazon.

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