Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google. ZDNET's key takeaways Lenovo debuted a new proof of concept laptop with a 14-inch rotating display. It goes from a landscape to portrait orientation by physically rotating the screen. There are some design elements, like the fabric backing, that raise concerns about its longevity. Earlier this year at CES, we saw Lenovo's wild "rollable" laptop proof of concept -- a computer with a screen that rolls out from under the keyboard to make a 17-inch display. It seemed like a pie-in-the-sky idea, but it was released to market this summer. I recently tried it out and found its vertical display surprisingly useful. In fact, I kind of loved it. So when I saw Lenovo's next proof of concept laptop, I suspended my judgment that it would be something to never make it to production. The new ThinkBook VertiFlex is a 14-inch laptop with a similar concept, but instead of the display unfurling out from under the keyboard, it simply rotates, like turning a tablet from landscape mode to portrait. Also: I went hands-on with Lenovo's white ThinkPad X9 at IFA, and it's the coolest laptop yet The display on VertiFlex looks deceptively simple. There are no gestures or remote controls here -- you simply physically rotate the screen with your hands, and it pivots into position, seamlessly swapping between landscape and portrait mode, with the content on your screen automatically adjusting -- just like your smartphone. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET The display is a separate component from the laptop's chassis, allowing it to rotate while the laptop's physical frame remains stationary. In portrait mode, it rests against the back of the clamshell. Again, it looks very simple, but behind the scenes, the mechanics of this feature are complex. During a demo, I got a peek at the engineering at work here, and it's more elaborate than you'd think. One of the best things about working with the rollable laptop was how convenient it was to work on a vertical display. The orientation allows for a lot more room working with text files, reading websites, and if you're a programmer, it's optimal for coding. Even if you're just working in Google Docs, having the space to see entire pages in one glance feels great. Also: Lenovo's new Legion Go 2 could be the ergonomic handheld I've been waiting for The concept behind the VertiFlex takes this but makes it just a little more accessible. Instead of a huge, 17-inch display that plays music to alert everyone around you, the VertiFlex is far more subtle. Physically, there isn't much to indicate the laptop's superpower unless you look carefully at the design. It's still a thin and light laptop, weighing three pounds and measuring .70 inches thick. Otherwise, it looks like any other ThinkBook. If you have questions about its design, you're not alone. For one thing, the proof of concept model I got to test out used a black fabric backing for the texture between the screen and the clamshell, and it's one of the first design elements to stand out. Fabric, on a laptop? It's strange. Kyle Kucharski/ZDNET I always think about longevity with laptops -- how it's going to look in two years, not just as a brand new model -- and the felt texture seems like a problematic choice. However, making it all aluminum might not be the play, either. This is a new design, so Lenovo may still very well be figuring out what exactly to put there. Also: I tried Lenovo's $3,000 rollable ThinkBook and can't go back to regular-sized screens It should be noted that the VertiFlex is a proof of concept, and there isn't a price or release date just yet. However, if Lenovo can bring the rollable laptop to market, this should be a more realistic feat. It's certainly something we could see in the next year, and the price will likely be less than the $3,300 rollable. We'll be keeping a close eye on the VertiFlex's progress.