5G isn't just for phones. Starting this week, you can buy a real, actual laptop that connects to the ultra fast wireless network.
Verizon announced the Lenovo Flex 5G would go on sale on June 18 exclusively from the mobile carrier. It's a 2-in-1 laptop and tablet hybrid that, as its name suggests, is capable of connecting to Verizon's 5G (and LTE) networks for those who really, really need to do work or download large files on the go. They're billing it as the first commercially available 5G laptop, but that doesn't mean it's commercially accessible, as it'll cost you $1,399.99.
Verizon says it can run on the company's "Ultra Wideband" and low-band 5G networks, as well as LTE and WiFi. In layman's terms, that means it should theoretically have access to faster 5G networks wherever they're available, but can also connect to less fast ones. Of course, this all depends on whether or not you happen to be in one of the cities where Verizon has turned on its 5G network.
You'll also need to be on Verizon's "Connected Device Plan" for 5G support. That gets you unlimited 5G and LTE access for $30 per month on an existing line and $90 per month otherwise.
As a laptop, it has respectable specs. The 14-inch 1080p display is joined by the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx 5G processor to run Windows 10. Lenovo is claiming up to 24 hours of battery life thanks to that new processor, which would be great if that ended up being even close to true. Last but not least, it features 8GB of RAM and a fairly modest 256GB of storage.
Verizon's announcement made it clear this is mostly intended for business-minded folks who need to get a lot of enterprise work done while moving around. The high financial barrier to entry reflects that. Regardless of whether you fit into that category or you just really want a 5G-compatible laptop, Verizon's got your back now.
UPDATE: June 17, 2020, 4:25 p.m. EDT Corrected the name of the laptop's processor.
