SIGNALS

When you think about portable loudspeakers, the first name that comes to mind is Lenovo. Well, maybe not. On the other hand, Lenovo might might come up in a conversation about data storage. The name might also appear when talking about innovation. Enter the ThinkPad Stack—a new product that hits all three categories: portable loudspeaker, storage, and innovation.

The storied ThinkPad name is justifiably famous from its IBM days, and Lenovo has strongly upheld its reputation. Just as one example, the ThinkPad X1 Carbon (my personal weapon of choice) just shipped its 100 millionth unit. Lenovo doesn't put the ThinkPad name on just any product. That's why the ThinkPad Stack attracted my attention.

If you consider Lego blocks, you'll understand how the Stack works. Each brick has bubble connectors (Pogo Pins) that connect that brick with one above it. Moreover, the bricks are magnetized and have slight indentations and protrusions that smartly guide one brick onto the other. The interlocking design lets you quickly build the product you want, with fewer cables and smaller size than otherwise possible.

Specifically, consider a stack comprising these modules: a 10,000 mAh Power Bank, a 1 terabyte USB 3.0 Hard Drive, a Wireless Access point, and a Bluetooth Speaker. You've got a mobile speaker with Wi-Fi access and 1 TB of local storage. All in the palm of your hand. The power bank can also keep phones and tablets powered, the drive yields additional storage, the access point gives you Wi-Fi, and the speaker gives audio playback. Pretty cool. Yes, you can add additional 1 TB drives, but there's a complication that needs a workaround; ask Lenovo to clarify that.

ThinkPad Stack accessories will be available from mid-April 2015, with ThinkPad Stack Bluetooth Speaker at $89.99, ThinkPad Stack 10000mAh Power Bank at $49.99, ThinkPad Wireless Access Point /1TB Hard Drive Kit at $199.99.