Of the best products
We judge laptops on a scale of 10, analyzing the categories we consider most important: design, display, and performance. This is how Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet accumulates.
I have always firmly believed that sometimes less is more. As much as I love reviewing extremely powerful computers with state-of-the-art processors and edge-to-edge displays like the brilliant new Dell XPS 13 laptop, I also have a soft spot for smaller, less expensive devices.
The Chromebook Duet is a new budget two-in-one laptop from Lenovo that takes full advantage of its limited specifications. Although it has some minor flaws, the device is much better than other tablets and computers in its price range.
Key specs
• MediaTek Helio P60T processor
• 10.1 inch screen
• 4 GB of RAM; 64GB or 128GB of eMMC storage
• A USB-C port
I spent a few days testing the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. My conclusion is that it is the best cheap Chromebook that money can buy. If you are looking for an affordable computer to get the job done on the go, or just want a secondary device for watching videos and surfing the internet, you won’t be disappointed. This is why!
Design: 6.5 / 10
A lightweight and highly portable machine.
The Chromebook Duet is a hybrid of laptop and tablet that is perfect for getting work done on the go or lounging at home on the couch. The device is primarily made of aluminum alloy and has a unique, adjustable back fabric cover that includes a kickstand. The stand makes it easy to shore up the Duet to watch YouTube or make video calls without your keyboard connected.
The computer feels well made, and if you’re using it like a tablet, it’s comfortable to hold. Despite being twice as thick as the Microsoft Surface Go 2, it is still very portable and small enough to fit virtually any bag. I found that its support is weaker and more difficult to deploy than the Surface Go, but I’m happy to see that Lenovo includes a keyboard. This accessory gives Surface Go 2 owners an additional $ 100.
The removable keyboard connects to the Duet with magnets, which stayed in place when it struck, responding to Slack messages. However, given the device’s smaller size, the keys are a bit narrow, and it took a while to get used to. The built-in trackpad worked fine, but then again, it was definitely smaller than most I’ve used.
Screen: 7/10
Its bright screen does the job
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10.1 inch touch screen
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16:10 aspect ratio
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2MP front camera, 8MP rear camera
The Chromebook Duet’s 10.1-inch screen is sharp and bright, but it feels small if you’re trying to do serious work. Although the screen size was adequate for writing text in Google Docs, things start to feel a little tight when the browser tabs start to accumulate. I wouldn’t even consider using the tablet to compare spreadsheets or scroll through long PDF documents. I liked that the screen offers a 16:10 aspect ratio, which gives it some extra vertical space.
With a resolution of 1,920 by 1,200 pixels, its screen is vivid and perfect for watching Netflix videos in tablet mode. The screen has some glare when in direct sunlight, but it’s still bright enough to read and work outside.
I appreciated that the Duet made a seamless transition between laptop mode and tablet mode. If you pull your keyboard apart or fold it back behind the screen like holding a magazine, the device automatically adjusts the screen and hides the cursor from view. That way, you can touch and interact with your touch screen.
It even supports gestures. Instead of tapping the small back button on the internet browser, you can swipe left (or right) to return to a different web page. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and you’ll see a list of your favorite apps.
Performance: 5.5 / 10
Good performance for the price
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7,000 mAh battery
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Up to 128 GB of storage.
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4 GB of RAM
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Dual speakers and microphones
The Chromebook Duet won’t surprise you with performance, and that’s fine, you shouldn’t expect it to. It’s fast enough to surf the web in general, connect with friends and colleagues via email or social media, and do some light photo editing. I was able to have 15 tabs open while streaming music on Spotify without any problem.
I recommend that you choose the variant that comes with 128GB of storage space instead of the slightly cheaper variant that has 64GB. The duet does no It has a Micro SD card slot, which means that once you run out of space, you will need to consolidate the files to download more media.
My biggest complaint about the Chromebook Duet is its lack of ports. There is a single USB-C connector on board. That’s. There is also no headphone jack. Although the laptop’s 2 MP camera was decent enough for a working Zoom call, I had no way to use my wired headphones. I tried using the included adapter, and it only resulted in the audio from my microphone making crackling noises.
The good news is that the Chromebook Duet has incredible battery life. I was able to get over 11 hours of use before I had to recharge it. I would feel totally comfortable using the computer on a long flight to keep myself entertained.
Wrap
I did not have high expectations for the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and I was surprised by the capacity of this small machine Really it is. Its long battery life and reliable performance were pleasant surprises.
Given its convenient support, included keyboard, and affordable starting price, the Duet is well worth it. The computer has a few minor drawbacks, like its single USB-C port, but few devices offer as much as this Chromebook for as little as it costs.
BUY THE LENOVO CHROMEBOOK DUET
Read more:
Do you need more power? Consider the Surface Go 2 instead
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Buy these other top rated Chromebooks
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