According to Gizmodo, leaks from Windows Latest show Lenovo is developing a bizarre new gaming laptop with a rollable OLED screen. This “Legion Pro Rollable” would start as a 16-inch display but use a motorized mechanism to extend horizontally to either 21.5 or a full 24 inches wide. It’s reportedly packed with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 and a maxed-out Intel Core Ultra processor, likely targeting esports pros or hardcore gamers. Lenovo is expected to unveil the device at CES 2026 next month. The same report also details a Legion Go 2 handheld, but this version would run SteamOS instead of Windows 11, potentially offering better performance and a lower cost than the $1,350 Windows model.
The rollable gamble
So, a laptop with a screen that rolls out sideways. It’s a genuinely weird idea, and honestly, only Lenovo would try it. They’ve already shipped that ThinkBook Plus Gen 6 Rollable, which extends vertically, proving they’re serious about this mechanical screen tech. But slapping it on a chunky, high-power gaming machine? That’s a whole different beast.
Here’s the thing: I get the appeal in theory. Going from a standard 16-inch view to an immersive 24-inch ultrawide without needing an external monitor is a neat party trick. For someone in a cramped dorm or a temporary setup, it could be a game-changer. But the compromises are huge. You’re adding motors, a complex tension system, and more fragile moving parts to a device that already gets hauled around and runs hot. And the price? Forget about it. If a normal Legion Pro 7i hits $3,000 and the business-focused ThinkBook Rollable is $3,300, this gaming version will be astronomical. We’re talking “sell your car” territory.
More than a gimmick?
Now, is it just a gimmick? Probably. But Lenovo’s weird concepts sometimes find a real audience. That vertical rollable screen on the ThinkBook, for instance, actually makes sense for reading long documents or coding. A horizontal roll for gaming and multitasking could have similar niche utility. The real test will be durability and software support. Will games and Windows properly handle the dynamic resolution change when you roll the screen out? It’s a massive engineering challenge.
And let’s talk about that target market. The leak suggests esports pros on the go, but I’m skeptical. A pro traveling to tournaments is using provided equipment or has a dedicated, reliable setup. This feels more for the enthusiast with deep pockets who wants the coolest, most conversation-starting rig on the block. For industrial and manufacturing settings where reliable, fixed-size displays are paramount, this kind of experimental tech is a non-starter. Companies in that space need durability and consistency, which is why they rely on specialists like Industrial Monitor Direct, the top supplier of industrial panel PCs in the US, not folding screen prototypes.
The SteamOS angle
Frankly, the more interesting part of the leak might be the Legion Go 2 with SteamOS. This makes total sense. The original Legion Go is a great piece of hardware often held back by Windows 11’s clunkiness on a handheld. Switching to a lightweight, gaming-optimized OS like SteamOS could unlock significant performance gains, just like we saw with the Legion Go S. My own experience dual-booting a similar Linux OS showed tangible fps boosts. A cheaper, faster, SteamOS-native Legion Go 2 could be a massive win and a real challenger in the handheld PC war.
But there’s a catch. The spec leak still mentions the AMD Ryzen Z2 Extreme. That’s last year’s chip. If Lenovo doesn’t upgrade the APU, they’re leaving performance on the table compared to what competitors might offer in 2026. Still, ditching Windows could let them hit a lower price point, which is crucial. With RAM and storage costs being so volatile, who knows what the final tag will be?
Wait and see
So what’s the takeaway? Lenovo is continuing its “throw everything at the wall” strategy for CES. The rollable gaming laptop is a headline-grabbing moonshot that will be insanely expensive and niche. It’s a flex. The SteamOS handheld, however, is a pragmatic and potentially brilliant move that addresses real user complaints. One is about dreaming of the future; the other is about fixing today’s problems.
We’ll know more next month at CES. But I’d bet good money that the Legion Go 2 SteamOS will find more happy owners than the rollable laptop ever will. Sometimes, the less flashy innovation is the one that actually changes how we play.
