Intel's Dual-Screen Tiger Rapids PC Concept Sets Groundwork For Adaptable Computing
It's only a matter of time before we see dual-screen laptops emerge in force. We already caught a glimpse of one this week, ASUS's Project Precog, a dual-screen AI notebook concept that can be used in four different modes, including Book, Tablet, Flat, and Tent for a variety of interesting use-case scenarios. However, ASUS is not alone here. Intel is laying the groundwork for dual-display laptops with Tiger Rapids, a two-screen PC that could serve as a blueprint of sorts for the company's hardware partners.
This is not a concept that is being shown off only to later disappear and never be talked about again. Gregory Bryant, senior vice president and general manager of Intel's Client Computing Group, explained to PCWorld that there are at least two designs in the making that are inspired by Tiger Rapids. One is the aforementioned Project Preconfig, and other is an unannounced system from Lenovo.
Tiger Rapids is not completely new, either. Intel has been working on the concept for around two years now. According to Bryant, the goal was not to create a one-size-fits-all design, but something that companies like ASUS and Lenovo can run with and build our their own versions. In that respect, it reminds us of when Microsoft released its initial Surface product, which helped sparked the 2-in-1 movement.
"You're going to see secondary products of different shapes and sizes, people are going to do secondary displays, obviously we're going to work on longer-term things like bendables and foldables," Bryant said. "It's not doing it because you can do it. It's creating these adaptable form factors that fit the work that you're trying to do."
In other words, Tiger Rapids (and whatever else Intel is cooking up) is not meant as a gimmick. Just as pen and paper are purpose built products, Intel feels the same way about its dual-screen concept. The form factor might not be for everyone, but it doesn't have to be, just as not everyone wants a convertible laptop or a clamshell notebook. Different strokes for different folks.
Tiger Rapids opens up like a book and has a cloth loop on the right side to hold the digital pen/stylus. It's a thin machine, on the level of an iPhone 8 (slightly thinner, actually). Inside the machine, beneath the two displays, is a Kaby Lake processor of some sort, paired with a solid state drive. Wi-Fi connectivity is obviously part of the package too.
It's a neat concept, and we're eager to see what Intel's hardware partners come up.
Thumbnail and Featured Images From PCWorld via Mark Hachman/IDC
