Lenovo Stack Review: Modular Gadgets For Road Warriors
Lenovo Stack Intro and Specifications
There's a reason the Lenovo Stack has a ThinkPad logo emblazoned on each component. Over the years, the name ThinkPad has become synonymous with mobile professionals. For the most part, ThinkPad has been reserved for tablets and laptops, but with the Lenovo Stack the company is introducing the brand to an entirely new category: accessories.
First unveiled at CES 2015, Stack is as much a new concept as it is a product line. In a nutshell, this is Lenovo's take on a line of peripherals that all work with one another - or stack together - via a custom connector. It's applying the modular computing concept to the world of peripherals. Razer did likewise with its Christine modular PC, and Xi3's Piston followed a similar path. The notion of modularity in computing isn't novel, but in practice, few have made it work well. One of the core problems is that hardware evolves rather quickly, which can make the underlying architecture to support a modular framework outdated before it ever has time to gain real traction.
The peripheral market may be different, and it could be the ideal place for a set of modular products. Stack's initial four products include a wireless router, a 1TB USB 3.0 hard drive, a Bluetooth mic + speaker combo unit, and a 10,000mAh battery pack / charger. The foursome is sold for just under $390, though each component can be purchased separately as well.
First unveiled at CES 2015, Stack is as much a new concept as it is a product line. In a nutshell, this is Lenovo's take on a line of peripherals that all work with one another - or stack together - via a custom connector. It's applying the modular computing concept to the world of peripherals. Razer did likewise with its Christine modular PC, and Xi3's Piston followed a similar path. The notion of modularity in computing isn't novel, but in practice, few have made it work well. One of the core problems is that hardware evolves rather quickly, which can make the underlying architecture to support a modular framework outdated before it ever has time to gain real traction.
The peripheral market may be different, and it could be the ideal place for a set of modular products. Stack's initial four products include a wireless router, a 1TB USB 3.0 hard drive, a Bluetooth mic + speaker combo unit, and a 10,000mAh battery pack / charger. The foursome is sold for just under $390, though each component can be purchased separately as well.
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Storage |
1TB USB 3.0 HDD; USB 3.0 connector; Door Locker software |
| Sound |
Bluetooth 4.0 Speaker with 2x2-watt speakers Noise-reducing microphone 3.5mm aux audio input Charged by micro-USB Digital Signal Processor |
| Connectivity |
Remote access with Access Point accessory 10M/100m RJ45 Ethernet input 2.4GHz / 5GHz Supports LTE USB modems micro-USB input Supports 802.11a/b/g/n/ac |
| Battery |
10,000mAh in Power Bank Two USB ports Max charging up to 5V (2.1A) |
| Stack Management |
Hotspot: Setup and configuration Wi-Fi HDD: File management; cloud sync |
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Weight |
1.9 pounds (all four items stacked together) |
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Dimensions |
5.3- x 2.9-inches (all four items stacked together) |
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Price |
$389 as a bundle |
The Lenovo Stack is designed for a specific set of users and use cased. We'll explain on the pages ahead...
