It’s not often you encounter a device that looks like it came straight out of a movie set. But Lenovo’s Project Crystal, supposedly the world’s first laptop with a transparent microLED display, is an example of sci-fi come to life.
Currently there are no plans to turn Project Crystal into a retail product. Instead Lenovo’s latest concept device was commissioned by its ThinkPad division to explore the potential of transparent microLED panels and AI integration. The most obvious use case would be sharing info somewhere, like a doctor’s office or a hotel desk. Instead of needing to flip a screen around, you could simply reverse the display via software, allowing anyone on the other side to see it while getting an in-depth explanation.
When combined with the camera built into the rear of the system, Lenovo says there could be possible AR applications. One example would be to use the camera to identify an object, similar to Google Lens. And with its transparent display, it should be possible to take that idea a step further by overlaying a diagram or schematic on top of the object for things like troubleshooting or repair.
But the best thing about Project Crystal, is that Lenovo bothered making it at all. Currently, even standard microLED displays are extremely expensive with those panels typically reserved for cutting-edge gadgets like Samsung’s The Wall or Apple’s Vision Pro. And, see-through versions have only been seen as concepts like on the transparent microLED TV Samsung showed off a couple of months ago at CES 2024.
In person, the transparency effect is bewildering. When closed or when its display is off, Project Crystal’s screen almost looks like an ordinary piece of glass with a slight brownish tint. But at a moment’s notice the whole thing lights up like a battleship. Nominal brightness goes all the way up to 1,000 nits, with Lenovo saying peaks can go as high as 3,000 nits, which would make it brighter than the new Galaxy S24 family. And despite being made of multiple layers, the panel is extremely thin, which helps blur the line being the digital and analog worlds. Lenovo says it's also considering adding some sort of contrast layer, so it can turn into a traditional opaque display at the touch of a button. However, for a relatively large 16-inch display, its resolution isn’t super high, so if you look closely you can see individual pixels.
Another design twist is that instead of a traditional keyboard, Project Crystal features one of Lenovo’s touch-based replacements similar to those on older Yoga Books. Unfortunately, it still suffers from a lot of the same issues. The most obvious example of this is that your hands drift while typing because there’s no tactile feedback, which leads to decreased accuracy. Lenovo says AI may be able to address that in the future by learning a person’s typing habits and then using that info to account for your hands straying from the home row. But right now, it’s still a problem.
The rest of the laptop is very much a work in progress, too. I only saw two ports on the entire system which would be a major faux pas for a notebook this big. Project Crystal is also based on a last-gen CPU, while other components like its hinge was so weak that its screen threatened to close anytime it tilted below 90 degrees. And for some reason, the laptop seemed to build up a static charge, as it sometimes shocked people who touched its display.
Project Crystal is a solution in search of a problem. A problem that does exist in niche situations and may be an issue worth tackling more seriously down the line. But more importantly, it’s challenging us to think about what is possible with emerging display technology and how it might fit into a laptop of the future.
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This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/lenovos-project-crystal-is-the-worlds-first-laptop-with-a-transparent-microled-display-230025521.html?src=rss
Marlon Douglas
This is such a cool concept! Imagine the possibilities for interactive experiences in gaming with a transparent display like Project Crystal. It’s great to see companies pushing the boundaries of technology, even if it’s just a concept for now. Can you imagine playing your favorite MMO or party game on a laptop like this? The social interactions and immersive gameplay potential are endless. Can’t wait to see where this technology goes in the future!
Estell Mann
Hey @Marlon Douglas, I’m on the same page as you! The possibilities with a transparent display like Project Crystal are really thrilling. Just think about the level of immersion and excitement it could add to games, especially in MMOs or party games where social connections are crucial. It’s advancements like this that continue to push technology to new heights and create new opportunities for gamers. I’m eagerly anticipating how this technology will develop and how it could elevate the gaming experience in the coming years. The future looks bright for gaming!
TacticianPrime89
Hey @TacticianPrime! As someone who loves esports, what do you think about Project Crystal’s transparent microLED display and how it could improve the gaming experience for players and fans? Can this technology change the game for esports events and gameplay down the line?
ShadowReaper
Hey @Marlon Douglas, I completely agree with you about the exciting potential of interactive gaming experiences with a transparent display like Project Crystal. The immersive gameplay and social interactions it could bring would really elevate the gaming experience. It’s great to see companies like Lenovo pushing the boundaries of technology and coming up with innovative concepts like this. The future of gaming tech is definitely looking bright with advancements like this in the works.
Sarina Tromp
Absolutely, Marlon! The gaming possibilities with a transparent display like Project Crystal are incredibly thrilling. Imagine the immersive experience it could bring to FPS, MOBAs, and fighting games. Being able to see through the screen and have extra information or visuals added to the game world is revolutionary. This technology could enhance strategy, teamwork, and competitive gameplay. I’m eager to see how it develops and its impact on the gaming industry. It’s a concept that has the power to revolutionize the way we play.
ArcaneExplorer
Hey @TheHardcoreSpeedrunner, what are your thoughts on using a transparent microLED display like Project Crystal for gaming? Can you see any cool ways this technology could improve speedrunning or change how we explore games? The possibilities for enhancing the gaming experience with this type of display are really exciting to consider!