Foldable laptops: function, advantages and disadvantages of the foldable trend

Following foldable smartphones, foldable laptops are now also coming onto the market. However, besides the great flexibility that the devices bring, there are also disadvantages, such as performance and price, which you should weigh up.

Foldable laptops: functionality and advantages

The development of new technology, such as that built into foldable laptops, brings with it a host of new uses and benefits.

• Feature: The new foldable laptops have a specially processed spot in the display where you can fold or bend the screen of the device. You usually get an accompanying Bluetooth keyboard that can be placed on the lower part of the screen and thus connected to it.
• Applications: The foldable display of the laptop offers many different application modes, making the device exceedingly versatile. When unfolded, the laptop can be used as a large tablet or screen. Attach the keyboard to the device and it transforms into an almost ordinary-looking laptop.
• Transportability: Fold the display and you get a very handy device without having to sacrifice a large screen, making foldable laptops great for people on the go or travelling.
• Reading: A foldable laptop is also good for reading books, magazines or newspapers. Due to the size of the display, the font is sufficiently large and the half-opened shape of the device is very reminiscent of regular books or magazines.
• Screen: Due to the bendable screen, the devices have OLED displays made of plastic instead of glass. The advantage of this is that the screen cannot break or shatter in the event of a fall.
• Touch screen: In order to be able to use foldable laptops without a keyboard, touchscreens are installed. This makes using the device particularly easy and you can decide at any time whether you prefer to work via touchpad, mouse and keyboard or directly via the display.

Foldable laptops: disadvantages

Along with the many advantages, there are also some disadvantages that you should look out for before buying.

• Unknown bugs: Since this is a new technology, the laptops currently available are still first generation models. It is therefore quite possible that, over time, bugs or problems may still show up on the devices that have not yet been identified.
• Price: The foldable laptops have not been on the market for long, which is also reflected in the price. Before buying, you should therefore first consider whether the purchase is worthwhile for you.
• Performance: The laptops are rather unsuitable for gaming or the like. The devices are primarily work laptops, which is why you have to cut back in the areas of graphics and performance. For normal everyday use, however, the performance should be sufficient
• Software: The most commonly used software on the laptops is currently Windows 11, which has not yet been optimised for the foldable devices. The strengths of the new technology are therefore not yet fully exploited and when switching between the different display modes there may be small errors or delays in the animation.