Lenovo’s new device concept is a stunning attempt at imagining what the laptop of the future may look like. The device, called Project Crystal, was presented at the 2024 Mobile World Conference in Barcelona, and features what the company claims is the first laptop to feature a transparent microLED display.
While the 16-inch transparent display is the most prominent feature, Project Crystal is also outfitted with full AI integration and a touch-enabled virtual keyboard in place of a traditional keyboard. The display is protected on both sides with Gorilla Glass, and can achieve near-blinding brightness–1,000 nits when cranked all the way up with peaks of 3,000 nits, according to Lenovo.
WATCH: Eye-tracking transparent display gives sightseers context about whatever they are viewing
That virtual keyboard? It seems to be more style than substance currently, with those who have interacted with the device saying it was difficult to type on and lacks any haptic feedback. The transparent display also doesn’t immediately bring to mind any practical applications, but Lenovo suggests that the unique outward-facing camera on the back of the laptop could be used in tandem with AI for object identification, or possibly enterprise use cases.
At the moment, Lenovo says there are no plans for Project Crystal to make the transition to retail availability, but is rather a concept piece that pushes the boundaries of conventional hardware by packing in cutting-edge innovations taking place in the tech industry. Be sure to watch the video above from Engadget showcasing a hands-on demo of the concept device.
