Both Apple and Microsoft are planning to launch new tablets later this month with new features including OLED displays, new processors and in the case of Microsoft, adding AI features to temporarily get the jump on Apple who will be introducing some of their new AI features and/or functionality at WWDC24 in June.

Beyond Microsoft and Apple, the PC industry is looking for new form factors and features in 2024 and beyond. Perhaps the most anticipated form factor is that of the hybrid tablet-notebook. HP and Lenovo are early adopters.

While they're both nice first and second generation devices, they just happen to be more expensive than Apple's Vision Pro Spatial Computer that critics are complaining about. For instance, Lenovo is selling their unit at US$5,300. Unless we see prices crash by Q4-24, this trend isn't going to win over the market any time soon. 

Earlier this month, Patently Apple posted a report covering Lenovo's next-gen Notebook with a transparent display that included the image below. It's only a concept and likely years away from coming to market. Yet it's thinking outside the box that could be appreciated. 

Recently rummaging through both US and European patent office filings, I found that Asus and Lenovo are shown to be working with a few more concepts for future notebooks.  

While Microsoft introduced their Surface Studio accessory the "Surface Dial' seven or so years ago, little effort has been given to updating the device.

An Ausus  patent published in November 2023 reveals that they're considering adding a similar, yet smaller dial, right into the notebook just beneath the keyboard as presented below. The functionality mirrors that of the Surface Dial. You could review Ausus patent # 20230367469 here for details.  

Lenovo is always pushing the envelope with future notebook form factors. They have the foldable tablet-notebook hybrid, the notebook with a transparent display and a few new patent-pending concepts starting with the images presented below from their patent application 2024003660.

Lenovo's patent FIG. 5 above illustrates a notebook with an accessory attached to it. Lenovo's patent FIG. 6 shows the accessory #400 separated from the notebook. It could be an independent accessory with it's own CPU etc.

Lenovo notes that accessory device #400 may be referred to as a modular clamshell dock.   The accessory could include one or more display panels. In such an example, a display panel may be utilized for writing digital sticky notes, taking notes, viewing emails and text messages (e.g., from phone or another source), moving menus over from a primary display, viewing two applications side by side, etc.

Lenovo may decide to make the accessory device a very large Clamshell Flip-phone. Lenovo's patent states: "The device #400 may itself be a smartphone with a flip phone form factor. In such an example, a user may utilize the device to make phone calls, to connect to a network, etc. Also, Lenovo notes that area #450 of the accessory could be a smartphone charging pad. You could review more of the patent here.

Lenovo is also considering adding a fingerprint button to a future notebook, copying (oh, borrowing) the idea from Apple's MacBook Air with Touch ID.

Without a doubt the PC industry needs to shake things up in order to increase shipments. Lenovo, HP and Apple PC shipments fell in 2023 as compared to 2022 According to a January 2024 Counterpoint chart below.

Apple just released their new 13 and 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 processors and an update to their iPads are coming soon. They'll be introducing their first iPads with an OLED display which Apple fans will appreciate.

Microsoft is rumored to be releasing new mobile devices on or around March 21. Microsoft's Surface PCs will be the first to ship with new Intel Core Ultra and Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite-based processors (with Oryon CPU) with next-gen NPUs (neural processing units) for enhanced AI performance. 

As for new ideas for Macs and iPads, you could always check out our patent archives here and here. While there are many patented concepts on the table, my favorite remains Apple's Glass iMac as presented below.

While changes are coming to PCs and tablets, they're coming at glacial speeds. Here's to hoping that the industry will wake up and push harder in trying to excite consumers in the not-too-distant future.