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What we can learn from the Lenovo X1 -1

12:51 10-Jan-16


Another interesting product family from Lenovo that came out at CES is the modular ThinkPad X1.  This is yet another tablet with an optional add-on keyboard, but the specs are impressive enough to use it as a full-on laptop, and it offers other add-on modules as well.  There may be a lot investors can learn from these.  For starters, the X1 will be available in February, but many of the modules will not.

The Productivity module essentially adds an extra battery and ports.  $149 is a steep price to pay for that.  At a projected 15 hours of usage, though, it would be best in class for any mobile computing device.  What's of interest to me here is how that will scale to an AMOLED version, which should be available in April.  Unlike virtually everything else here, pricing on that model is not yet available, which tells me that negotiations with the supplier(s), which almost certainly includes Samsung, are ongoing.

Those who have been paying attention to my projections on Intel will also want to note that the X1 has a 3D Imaging module, which utilizes Intel's RealSense camera array.  Everything about the X1 is pricey, but the $149 price tag and May availability for this module makes me wonder if Intel is managing a hefty premium on its product.  RealSense developer kits went for $99 each, and I suspect that somebody is making a very healthy margin here.

Most important, at least for MVIS investors, is that my analysis of the documents and demos for the $279 Presenter module, which will be available in May, indicate to me that it is NOT an LBS system of the sort that MicroVision offers.  Specifically, the projection ratio is different than other Microvision modules that we have seen, and there is no mention of the typical always-in-focus selling point.  So, I think MVIS investors are out of luck, at least where Lenovo is concerned.