This new 4K Lenovo monitor lets you see and work in crisp 3D, no glasses needed

Image of the Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D monitor.
(Image credit: Lenovo)

What you need to know

  • Lenovo revealed a ton of new hardware during IFA 2023.
  • One unveiling was for the new Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D creative monitor.
  • Real-time eye tracking and a crisp 4K resolution lets the monitor create a realistic 3D image.
  • Lenovo wants to enable creators to work in both 2D and 3D seamlessly without the need for special glasses.

ThinkVision 27 3D overview

Display info: 27-inches, IPS LCD, 16:9, anti-reflective
Resolution: 3840 x 2160p (UHD) / 1920 x 2160p (3D)
Display quality: 310 nits max brightness, 99% DCI-P3 / 99% Adobe RBG / 100% sRGB color gamut, 1,000:1 contrast, 60Hz refresh rate
Ports: HDMI 2.1 (2x), DisplayPort 1.4 (1x), USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 upstream (1x), USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 1 downstream (1x), USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 downstream (4x)
Required specs: Intel Core i5-7400 or equivalent, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 or equivalent, 16GB DDR5 RAM

Lenovo is well-known for offering various unique and interesting products, sometimes through wild experiments. One niche market that doesn't receive much mainstream attention but is still the focus of many professional creators is 3D content, and it's here that the company is focused on the Lenovo ThinkVision 27 3D, a 4K monitor unlike any other.

On the surface, the ThinkVision 27 3D seems like a fairly standard monitor, with a 27-inch IPS LCD panel rocking a crisp 4K panel with great color accuracy, a 60Hz refresh rate, built-in speakers, and a helpful USB hub to help you connect more devices to your laptop or desktop effortlessly. Lenovo and other manufacturers have plenty of other monitors like this among the best computer monitors, but Lenovo is setting itself apart by including some clever 3D technology.

This unique monitor can split its panel into two independent 1920 x 2160 images displayed simultaneously to create a convincing stereoscopic view. Real-time eye tracking ensures the image is always accurate, and the illusion isn't broken. The result is a crisp, realistic 3D image that you can manipulate and control as you wish. If it works as advertised, it's impressive stuff and mirrors what we saw from ASUS earlier this year.

The ability to project two independent images aimed with intelligent eye tracking creates a realistic 3D image. (Image credit: Lenovo)

Lenovo is also baking in its 3D Explorer software to tie the monitor together. It offers a foundation through which creators can access all their 3D creation apps, view their 3D files and projects, and even build new 3D applications using Lenovo's SDK. Lenovo also promises to improve the 3D Explorer experience over time, adding further value to the complete package Lenovo is offering with the ThinkVision 27 3D monitor.

If you're someone already invested in 3D content or interested in experimenting with it, you'll need to ensure your computer is up to it. 3D creation is already a demanding experience, but Lenovo's latest 3D monitor has its own minimum requirements, like an Intel Core i5-7400, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050, and 16GB of DDR5 RAM. To have a great experience with this monitor and interact with 3D content, you may want to invest in one of the best gaming laptops or a powerful, creative-focused laptop among the top Windows laptops.

You'll also need to be prepared to pay for this advanced 3D technology, as it doesn't come cheap. Lenovo's pro-grade creative 3D monitor will run for $2,999 when it launches in select markets starting in Jan. 2024.

Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.