Linus Sebastian Recounts On-Air Laptop Failure on The Tonight Show
Linus Sebastian, host of the popular YouTube channel Linus Tech Tips, recently opened up about a technical issue he faced during a recent appearance on NBC’s The Tonight Show. On January 15, Sebastian attempted to showcase a Lenovo laptop with an expandable screen, but the feature unexpectedly failed to activate during the live segment.
Sebastian reported feeling "mortified" and in "panic mode" during the incident.
The On-Air Malfunction
The device in question was a Lenovo Legion Pro Rollable Concept gaming laptop, which is currently in its proof-of-concept phase. This prototype is designed to expand its OLED display from 16 to 24 inches through specific keystrokes. When the display failed to expand, guest co-host Marcello Hernández and Jimmy Fallon deftly made light of the unforeseen situation.
The Tonight Show chose to edit the segment for its television broadcast. However, an extended version made available online revealed that the live taping included multiple attempts to resolve the issue, including restarting the laptop.
Sebastian's Theory on the Malfunction
Sebastian's leading theory for the malfunction points to the prototype laptop overheating. He suggests the device, stored in his backpack prior to the segment, triggered a thermal fail-safe in its motors, preventing the rollable display from opening. He observed that the laptop began functioning correctly approximately one minute after the segment concluded, once it had sufficiently cooled down.
Reflection and Unexpected Success
Sebastian emphasized that the incident was "not anyone's fault," acknowledging the challenges of working with prototype technology. He specifically credited Fallon and Hernández for their quick thinking and improvised comments, which he felt ultimately "saved" the segment.
Beyond the laptop's hiccup, Sebastian's appearance featured another notable moment. A separate demonstration of a "Lollipop Star" musical lollipop during his segment garnered significant online attention. This short achieved over 56.7 million views on The Tonight Show’s TikTok channel, making it one of the show's most-watched shorts.