Laptop computer systems commerce utility for portability. That’s a part of their very design DNA, a sacrifice so elementary that we barely even give it some thought anymore. But Lenovo is making an attempt out a few new concepts that would bridge that utility hole, creating a brand new sort of laptop computer accent that effortlessly expands the gadget’s functionality. It’s known as “Magic Bay,” and it’s coming to market…or at the very least a part of it’s. Brad Chacos received to strive it out on the CES present ground.

Magic Bay provides a modular growth to the highest of a regular laptop computer design, simply above the place the webcam normally rests. The newest iterations of the ThinkBook 13X and ThinkBook 16P are geared up with this dock, which mixes sturdy magnets and POGO pins (as seen on tablets and a few smartwatches) to simply connect and take away additional devices with a quick USB 3.0 information connection. The first showcase for this tech is an add-on that provides the laptop computer a much more highly effective webcam and further audio system.

The “Magic Bay Studio” accent provides a 4K digital camera with a 90-degree subject of view, HDR processing, 4X digital zoom, auto-focus, auto publicity, auto white stability…you get the image. It’s a pleasant digital camera, the sort that usually requires much more area and a full USB connection. It additionally provides an additional pair of two-watt audio system, which act in tandem with the laptop computer’s current audio system so as to add a fuller voice profile. While retaining this factor hooked up to your laptop computer full-time would make it much more cumbersome, it’s simple to pop on and off and slide proper into your bag.

The souped-up digital camera is the one Magic Bay attachment that Lenovo has confirmed will come to market. Other concepts on show at CES are a extra premium directional microphone, an add-on card reader, an additional round display apparently used solely for emoji, and even a cooling fan (for you, not the pc) and aromatherapy scent spreader. Neat. All of them will be put in and eliminated just by putting them on the magnetic port.

Lenovo

But if I placed on my crucial pondering cap for a second, I’ve to say I can’t see this method catching on. In phrases of pure functionality, the Magic Bay connector is only a barely sleeker technique to plug in a USB cable. And USB already covers so many of those sensible instruments with out the necessity for a particular format with additional magnets (to not point out a licensing price to Lenovo, if third events needed to affix in). Similar modular designs have did not catch on earlier than, because the market merely gravitates to what’s smallest, least expensive, and best to make use of. Even the Magic Bay Studio isn’t doing something greater than a Logitech webcam may, and prices bit extra for a similar functionality.

But that’s only one tech author’s opinion. And I’d be an actual sourpuss to dismiss the concept earlier than it involves market, when the ThinkBook 13X Gen 4 and ThinkBook 16P Gen 5 launch someday within the first quarter of 2024, beginning at $1,399 and $1,599 respectively. The Magic Bay Studio might be obtainable in April for $199.99. To see extra of the most recent and biggest tech at CES, remember to subscribe to PCWorld on YouTube.