Lenovo wants other companies to make accessories for its modular laptops | The VergeSkip to main contentThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.The VergeThe Verge logo.TechReviewsScienceEntertainmentAICESHamburger Navigation ButtonThe homepageThe VergeThe Verge logo.Hamburger Navigation ButtonNavigation DrawerThe VergeThe Verge logo.Login / Sign UpcloseCloseSearchTechExpandAmazonAppleFacebookGoogleMicrosoftSamsungBusinessSee all techGadgetsExpandLaptopsPhonesTVsHeadphonesSpeakersWearablesSee all gadgetsReviewsExpandSmart Home ReviewsPhone ReviewsTablet ReviewsHeadphone ReviewsSee all reviewsAIExpandOpenAIAnthropicSee all AIVerge ShoppingExpandBuying GuidesDealsGift GuidesSee all shoppingPolicyExpandAntitrustPoliticsLawSecuritySee all policyScienceExpandSpaceEnergyEnvironmentHealthSee all scienceEntertainmentExpandTV ShowsMoviesAudioSee all entertainmentGamingExpandXboxPlayStationNintendoSee all gamingStreamingExpandDisneyHBONetflixYouTubeCreatorsSee all streamingTransportationExpandElectric CarsAutonomous CarsRide-sharingScootersSee all transportationFeaturesVerge VideoExpandTikTokYouTubeInstagramPodcastsExpandDecoderThe VergecastVersion HistoryNewslettersExpandThe Verge DailyInstallerVerge DealsNotepadOptimizerRegulatorThe StepbackArchivesStoreSubscribeFacebookThreadsInstagramYoutubeRSSThe VergeThe Verge logo.Lenovo wants other companies to make accessories for its modular laptopsComments DrawerCommentsLoading commentsGetting the conversation ready...TechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsLaptopsCloseLaptopsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All LaptopsLenovo wants other companies to make accessories for its modular laptopsThe company is expanding its Magic Bay magnetic accessories to more laptops and opening the system to third parties.The company is expanding its Magic Bay magnetic accessories to more laptops and opening the system to third parties.by Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiJan 22, 2026, 3:32 PM UTCLinkShareGiftImage: LenovoAndrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew Liszewski is a senior reporter who’s been covering and reviewing the latest gadgets and tech since 2006, but has loved all things electronic since he was a kid.Two years ago, Lenovo introduced a collection of modular Magic Bay accessories for its ThinkBook 16p. They attached to a magnetic pin connector at the top of the laptop’s display and added functionality like an improved 4K webcam, or LTE connectivity. The company has since expanded Magic Bay compatibility to more of its laptops and demonstrated concepts for additional accessories, but it’s now opening the system to third-party accessory makers, as spotted by VideoCardz.com.According to an update a Lenovo product manager shared to the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Lenovo has “opened up support for third-party accessories.” There’s no mention of specific companies that have expressed interest or signed on to create Magic Bay accessories, or what kind of hardware they may release, but the move could potentially help further popularize the feature if there are more options available.The manager also says the new ThinkBook 14 Plus and 16 Plus will support Magic Bay accessories, expanding availability beyond the company’s more premium laptop offerings.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.Andrew LiszewskiCloseAndrew LiszewskiSenior Reporter, NewsPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Andrew LiszewskiGadgetsCloseGadgetsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All GadgetsLaptopsCloseLaptopsPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All LaptopsLenovoCloseLenovoPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All LenovoTechCloseTechPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All TechMost PopularMost PopularWhat a Sony and TCL partnership means for the future of TVsVolvo aims for an EV reset with the new EX60 crossoverHow much can a city take?Everyone can hear your TV in their headphones using this transmitterAnthropic’s new Claude ‘constitution’: be helpful and honest, and don’t destroy humanityThe Verge DailyA free daily digest of the news that matters most.Email (required)Sign UpBy submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice. 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Lenovo’s expansion of its Magic Bay magnetic accessory system represents a strategic move toward a more adaptable and customizable laptop ecosystem. Initially launched in 2024 with the ThinkBook 16p, the Magic Bay system utilized a magnetic pin connector at the top of the laptop’s display to attach various accessories, immediately addressing needs like enhanced webcam quality – upgrading from a standard 720p to a crisp 4K – and the addition of cellular LTE connectivity. This initial implementation demonstrated Lenovo’s ambition to provide immediate, practical upgrades without requiring users to replace the entire laptop. The company's subsequent expansion of Magic Bay compatibility to additional ThinkBook models, particularly the ThinkBook 14 Plus and 16 Plus, broadened the system's accessibility beyond the traditionally higher-end offerings, signaling a commitment to a wider range of consumers.

Crucially, Lenovo's decision to open the Magic Bay system to third-party accessory makers represents a significantly heightened level of ambition. This action, confirmed through an update shared on the Chinese social media platform Weibo by a Lenovo product manager, effectively creates a platform for external innovation. While the announcement currently lacks specific details regarding which companies have expressed interest or what accessories will eventually be released, the scope of this shift suggests a concerted effort to foster a more diverse and vibrant ecosystem around the Magic Bay technology.

The rationale behind this change is clear: by inviting external developers, Lenovo aims to accelerate the development and availability of new accessories tailored to specific user needs and preferences. This approach allows Lenovo to leverage the expertise and resources of other companies, potentially leading to a wider variety of accessories—ranging from specialized peripherals to niche tools—that wouldn't have been conceived internally. The open platform approach aligns with broader trends in consumer electronics, where modularity and adaptability are increasingly valued, and users seek to personalize their devices with carefully selected components. This represents a departure from a solely controlled design approach, potentially boosting the overall appeal and utility of the Magic Bay system. The move is further supported by Lenovo’s broader strategic direction toward providing customizable solutions, aligning with the growing demand for devices that can be adjusted to precisely fit the user’s workflow and lifestyle.