Lenovo Launches ThinkVision Displays With USB-C Docking At CES
by Brett Howse on January 3, 2016 10:32 PM EST- Posted in
- Monitors
- Lenovo
- Trade Shows
- UHD
- ThinkVision
- USB 3.1
- CES 2016
As soon as the USB-C connector and alternate modes were announced with DisplayPort adding support, I instantly envisioned a monitor with USB-C as the single cable to allow docking. With the added Power Delivery v2.0 available with USB-C, this single cable could offer video, peripherals, and laptop charging, since Power Delivery v2.0 can offer up to 100 Watts of power. Since most laptops come with somewhere around 30-65 Watts only, the new cable would have plenty of capability for a single cable docking solution. Today Lenovo is announcing two displays which offer this, meaning the wait is over.
The first is the ThinkVision X24 Pro monitor. This is a 1920x1080 borderless (well, nearly) display with an IPS panel. If you don’t quite have USB-C yet, there are also mDP ports as well. The monitor also features an Intel RealSense 3D camera, so it should be ready to go for Windows Hello facial recognition login.
In addition, the X24 Pro offers a couple of well thought out accessories, including a Wireless Phone charging base, so you can just set your phone on the base of the monitor to have it charge – assuming you have a phone with support. Lenovo doesn’t specify but it’s likely Qi. Correction: I'm told it is Rezenence and not Qi. We should be able to find out more with hands-on time this week at CES.
The other optional accessory removes the need for the cable at all. You can outfit the X24 Pro with a WiGig bar which means that you can dock a support laptop with WiGig support (see pretty much all of the just refreshed ThinkPads) and have docking with no cables at all.
Also, the monitor features 2 x 3W speakers, and a dual-array mic which should help with noise cancelling. This can be all had for a starting price of $399 when it begins shipping in May. The WiGIg bar will be $250, and the wireless charging stand will add another $150.
The second display is the 27-inch ThinkVision X1. If you’ve noticed, it shares the X1 branding with the ultra-thin laptops and tablet lineup from Lenovo, and for good reason. The ThinkVision X1 is just 7.5 mm thick. This display steps up the resolution to 3840x2160 (UHD) and it also offers the single USB-C docking ability. DisplayPort 1.2 supports UHD at 60 Hz, so this resolution will be no problem. It is also a borderless model (once again, nearly, with 2mm bezels on the top and sides), and the display is the first monitor to receive the TUV Eye-Comfort certification.
This is a 10-bit panel, with 99% sRGB coverage. It also offers HDMI 2.0 support in addition to USB-C and DisplayPort 1.2 ports. It is rated for 1300:1 contrast, and 300 nits brightness. The ThinkVision X1 will be available for $799.
I’ll be looking forward to seeing these at the Lenovo booth, and If anyone has any additional questions please comment here and I’ll be sure to check in with Lenovo at CES.
Source: Lenovo
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SeleniumGlow - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
10-bit panel with 99% sRGB coverage doesn't sound right. Most panels I know that have 10 bit are usually supporting gamuts in adobe RGB range. Is this using a look up table of sorts to give a 10bit like output?HollyDOL - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
Ye, it sounds weird to me as well. 99% sRGB wouldn't be anything I'd be boasting about these days. Guess it should be AdobeRGB, but (very) brief check on Lenovo site didn't find this model...Pantsu - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
There's plenty of 10-bit sRGB panels out there. AdobeRGB isn't useful for 99.99% of users. I think panel manufacturers are prepping up for HDR which requires at least 10-bit colors.edzieba - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
Bit depth and colourspace are two completely different things. While increasing colourspace without increasing bit depth can lead to banding, there is otherwise no link between the two.xthetenth - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
Any word on which of the other add-ons the X1 supports? Is it all of them?gte619n - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
Can anyone confirm that a single, USB-C cable can serve all three power, USB and display functions? Please let it be true...SirKnobsworth - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
It can, but AFAIK if you need 4k@60Hz, you are stuck with USB 2.0 speeds.jhoff80 - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
Based on the article at: http://www.anandtech.com/show/8558/displayport-alt...It depends on the DisplayPort technology being used for the USB-C alternate mode. If it's DP1.3 / HBR3, it supports 4k with just the two lanes. But I assume this is DP1.2 / HBR2, which would mean that it would need more lanes for 4k.
radcapitalist - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
Can all folks in the tech media please start indicating in all discussions of monitors whether or not they are touchscreen?stephenbrooks - Monday, January 4, 2016 - link
Certain features don't seem to have made the jump to "as standard" on big monitors. Touch and passive (polarised) 3D are two that I'd enjoy having, but they're rare on bigger screens. I think with touch it's partly because large monitors can be quite far away, possibly more than arm's length, and people don't like getting them smudged either.