We answer these and other questions in the Android Authority Lenovo Chromebook Duet review. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 performs terribly in the Basemark GPU benchmark. There are two color schemes: Storm Gray and Abyss Blue; however, this only changes the color of the keyboard and back cover, not the tablet itself. It mostly struggles with direct reflections, so it's best to avoid having bright lights shining right at it. I appreciate the row of function keys that allow you to page forward/backward, multitask, control brightness, and manage media volume. The back cover and the back of the keyboard have a fabric finish that makes the laptop more comfortable to hold when carrying it around. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is available with 4GB or 8GB of memory. I really like how easy it is to convert from Chromebook to slate mode with a firm pull against the keyboard. You can get easily through a typical 8-hour workday of light productivity with some charge to spare.
Most importantly, its affordable. That said, we expect the Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 SoC to perform poorly in CPU rendering tasks. Lenovo was able to cram a reasonably-sized trackpad onto the keyboard and I found it to be a lifesaver. 2020 coverage is great, even better than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2019)'s, but as mentioned earlier, the Duet 5 can't play any content in HDR. While permanent burn-in is unlikely for those who watch varied content, it might be a problem if you always have the taskbar shown at the bottom. Trinocular Microscope with DIN Objective and Camera 40x - 2000x, Microscope Blank Glass Slides, 50 cover slips, Trinocular Co-Axial 1500x Metallurgical Microscope with Top-Bottom Light with 2MP Camera, Junior Medical Microscope with Wide Field Eyepiece & LED 100x - 1500x, Trinocular Inverted Metallurgical Microscope 100x - 1200x, Binocular Inverted Metallurgical Microscope 100x - 1200x. Do not expose the battery pack to water, rain, or other corrosive liquids. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021) and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2020) are very different. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is a tablet with a kickstand built into the back cover and a detachable keyboard. Its hard to open from the sides, which means you sometimes have to reach over the top of the Duet and pull the stand out from the very bottom edge. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is only available with the Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 SoC, also known as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2. Perfect black uniformity is great dark room viewing. Yank the Duet away from the keyboard and you have Chrome OS on a slate form factor. The design is simple but much sleeker and more modern-looking than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020) due to its thinner bezels. It has a nice, denim-like fabric on board thats meant to make it feel comfortable and fit in at home. The contrast ratio can vary between individual units. A multitasking master the Duet is not. Chrome OS mostly makes no adjustments for the small nature of web-like UI elements, which means you can easily mis-touch things depending on how deft (or not) your digits are. However, the keyboard feels cramped, and the touchpad doesn't track well. The Duet 5 is larger but still very portable, and its battery lasts longer. However, it doesn't always register two-finger clicks (right-click), and any action over long distances, like dragging and dropping items, is hard. We purchase our own laptops and Like most 2-in-1 devices with a kickstand and detachable keyboard, you can't set the tablet at less than 90 degrees because it would slam shut. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021) is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop with a detachable keyboard and a kickstand built into the back cover. This means you can't install any x86 applications like the full Adobe Premiere suite or DaVinci Resolve without a third-party solution like Parallels. The speakers fire sideways, so they may get muffled depending on how you hold the tablet in landscape mode. Want a Chromebook? The rest of the hardware is direct and purposeful. The Flex 5 is better for productivity as its CPU can handle heavier workloads, and it provides a better user experience, like a betterkeyboard, touchpad, and port selection. ), which is far lighter than most other Chromebooks on the market particularly at this price point. For only $279, you get a fine display, class-leading battery life, and a compact and portable form factor that converts from laptop to tablet on a whim. These took me longer to get used to than I expected. The Duet 5's screen also gets brighter to combat glare, and it displays much deeper blacks for a better dark room viewing experience. This means it's best suited for media consumption, web browsing, and light productivity tasks like text formatting. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 has decent build quality, similar to the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020).
Lenovo claims the 7,000mAh power cell will run for 10 hours, but we often scored closer to 11 hours. Although the Duet 5's screen has a lower pixel density, it can display more colors thanks to its wider color gamut, and it delivers much deeper blacks because it's an OLED panel.
Other than a few simple user interface gestures, nothing about the UI is different from stock Chrome OS and thats the problem. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 has a basic 60Hz refresh rate with no VRR support to reduce screen tearing when gaming. Open the box containing the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and youll encounter three pieces: the Duet, the keyboard, and the rear cover (Stand Cover). Primarily, it was fast and responsive just what I want from a trackpad. Even as a professional writer, Im not that picky about keyboards. The tablet doesn't get very hot under load and isn't uncomfortable to hold, even without the back cover. Also, it can't play any HDR content even though it has wide gamut support. Speaking of apps, the Duet runs Android appslike many other Chromebooks. The posted measurements were taken with the back cover and keyboard attached; here are the measurements of the tablet itself: The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 isn't serviceable. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 has superb thermal and noise performance. There's also no fan noise because it's a fanless device. Keep the battery pack away from open flames or other heat sources.
We can't perform the Blender benchmark because the software can't detect the CPU or GPU. My eyes tell me it is plenty bright and sharp for a display of this size. However, if you plan on using the device for media consumption only, the Duet 5 is better because its OLED panelhas a wider color gamut and displays deeper blacks. And some may simply not be down with Chrome OS as a tablet user interface. Putting away the app shelf was sometimes temperamental. Moreover, youll find that things tends to slow down a bit once you get more than a dozen tabs running in Chrome, or a half-dozen apps running at the same time. The click mechanism doesn't feel satisfying, and you can only click near the bottom of the touchpad. We ran several benchmarking apps and came away with average results. Most colors look over-saturated because it targets a wide color space, even in sRGB content. The Smart Cover does add a nice amount of grip to the rear, which makes the Duet really comfortable to hold and use when sitting on the couch after a long day. I was quite happy with it over the review period and found it easy to use indoors or out. We can't run the GPU compute test because our version of Geekbench 5 doesn't support the proper graphics API, although we expect the performance to be equally poor because the Duet 5 only has integrated graphics. Google may extend this date as they have in the past for other Chromebooks; it's best to check their official document for any changes. Here you can vote for our next review, Compare graphs from our laptop test results in order to make a clearer and more informed decision, Create or edit custom laptop ratings, your custom ratings will be present on the table tool, and other pages.
Is it good at either? Im not the biggest fan of the Stand Cover.
It has a thin and light design that makes it very portable, and its battery lasts over ten hours of light productivity, enough to get you through a typical school day with charge to spare.
More options: The best Chromebook deals you can find. Voices sound clear over the microphone, but there's some static in the background. Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available. It all wobbled a bit when I tried typing on a bed or my lap. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's reflection handling is okay. It's an ARM-based hybrid processor with two performance cores (Kryo 468 Gold - based on ARM Cortex-A76 architecture) and six efficiency cores (Kryo 468 Silver - based on ARM Cortex-A55 architecture).
However, the keyboard feels cheap and flexes a lot, and the outer fabric may wear out over time. There were some initial reports of the Duet 5 having VESA DisplayHDR 500 certification; however, Lenovo doesn't mention it in their marketing material, and the Duet 5 isn't on the list of certified products. It also runs Chrome OS, so it might not be the best choice if you need to install x86 applications.
There will be some things that are simply better performed by touching the screen with your finger. It can handle most games from the Google Play Store, but you'll likely see some stutters in graphically demanding titles. Its not perfect.
Lenovo doesnt specify, but its about three-quarters the size of a full laptop keyboard. Moreover, if youre on a budget, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is about as budget-friendly as it gets. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is bad for gaming.
While navigating through the app drawer and launching apps is no trouble, interacting with apps on the screen is nettlesome. If you need a 2-in-1 device that can run x86 applications, check out the Microsoft Surface Go 3 (2021). With its convertible design, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is for those who prefer to have options. It costs less than an entry-level iPad and the keyboard is included. Unfortunately, there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, and there isn't a USB-C audio adapter in the box, so you have to use wireless headphones or a third-party adapter. That said, it's still better than most non-gaming laptops with a 60Hz display.
The Lenovo also has a much longer battery life, lasting threehours longer than the Microsoft for productivity and video playback. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's storage drive performs poorly. The Qualcomm Adreno 618 is an integrated GPU designed for light, everyday tasks like web browsing and media consumption. No cherry-picked units sent by brands. Colors shift fairly quickly as you move off-center. Its 16:9 aspect ratio is well suited for media consumption, but some people might find it too short for productivity, and it also feels too narrow when using it as a tablet in portrait mode. In any case, Lenovo clearly states in the specifications that everything is soldered onto the motherboard and non-upgradeable. Video playback drains the battery faster, but it's still enough for a couple of full-length movies. The Duet 5 has a brighter and more colorful OLED panel, and its SoCperforms better overall while being more power-efficient, resulting in longer battery life. Its not iPadOS, but its not terrible, either.
to the weight. The keyboard may simply be too small for some, and performance can be hit or miss, depending on what youre doing. Our Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 SoC, Qualcomm Adreno 618 integrated graphics, 4GB of memory, and 64GB of storage. If theres one more thing to complain about, its the lack of backlighting. Learn more.
You have to look at the screen almost straight on to get the best accuracy, which doesn't leave much room to tilt the display to your preference. It also has a more powerful CPU that can handle heavier workloads and longer battery life.
An included keyboard accessory snaps onto the bottom edge, giving the Duet the ability to act like a Chromebook. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 supports pen input.
Update, July 29: Updated to include the latest pricing from Amazon. Lenovo's little Chromebook isn't perfect, and in fact has a few significant drawbacks, but almost nothing else competes on value. While most OLED panels have a near-instantaneous response time, it isn't the case here, as there's visible ghosting in fast-moving scenes. On the other hand, the Flex 5 has a more comfortable keyboard, a larger and more responsive touchpad, and a wider port selection. Do not leave the battery in an environment with extremely low air pressure.
If theres one place the device struggles, its with gaming. The tablet is a mix of aluminum and plastic, and it feels well-built and of high quality. In a word, compromised. Unfortunately, the gamma doesn't follow the sRGB curve at all, causing almost all scenes to appear darker than they should.
In fact, plugging it in for an hour will only net you a 25% charge. Sign up for newsletter today. Some people might like this over-saturated look, but it isn't the most accurate. Also, it only has two USB-C ports and no 3.5mm headphone jack. Its also, ahem, a fine display for word processing but spreadsheeting felt a bit hemmed in. Keep the battery pack out of reach of small children and pets. If you intend to use the device mainly for media consumption, the Lenovois better because it has an OLED panel with better picture quality. Its ARM-based SoC isn't powerful enough to handle demanding workloads like video editing or 3D rendering, and since it runs Chrome OS, you can't install any x86 applications. Its ARM-based SoC can handle productivity tasks like text formatting, web browsing, spreadsheets, and presentations, but it isn't ideal for heavy multitasking or demanding workloads. However, the Microsoft has a 10.5 inch screen and runs Windows, while the Lenovo has a 13.3 inch screen and runs Chrome OS. There are only two USB-C ports, and both support USB 3.2 Gen 1 data transfer speed (up to 5Gbps), Power Delivery 3.0, and video output via DisplayPort 1.4. 4GB of RAM is enough if you only perform light tasks like media consumption and web browsing, but if you tend to have many tabs or applications running simultaneously, it's best to get 8GB for the extra headroom. Long swipe up to go home, short swipe up to see recent apps, swipe from the left to go back. Battery life, on the other hand, is outstanding. We tested the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (model 82QS001DUS) with a Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 SoC, Qualcomm Adreno 618 integrated graphics, 4GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. However, it struggles in processor-intensive workloads like video editing or 3D rendering. It scores even lower than the older Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020). The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is sub-par for business use. Even though it's larger than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020), it still feels cramped compared to most 13 inch laptops. Its ARM-based SoC can handle simple tasks like web browsing and text formatting, but it isn't powerful enough for demanding workloads like graphic design or 3D rendering. LEARN ABOUT CINEBENCH R23 (CPU RENDERING), LEARN ABOUT COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE. Whatever the name and however you choose to view it, the Duet can be used as a Chromebook or as a slate-style tablet when removed from the keyboard. Opening the laptop or changing the hardware may void the manufacturer's warranty. Expect to leave it charging for hours to fill the battery. put them under the same test bench, The front is all black glass, while the rear is a combination of slate gray aluminum and blue plastic. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Of course, the keyboard adds 6mm to the overall thickness and 250g (0.55lbs.) The speakers get reasonably loud, but they sound a bit unnatural.
Chrome OS is designed to run web-based applications through the Chrome browser, Android apps from the Google Play Store, and Linux apps. Does the Duet work better as one device or the other? Stereo speakers and mics are drilled into the top edge, while copper pogo pins line the bottom for connecting to the keyboard. I found the included 10W charger was slow to rev up the battery. The SoC isn't configurable. Civilization VI doesn't run on Chrome OS. Moreover, it fits into small travel bags quite easily, making it a cinch to tote around. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 performs poorly in Geekbench 5, with low single- and multi-thread scores. Do not leave the battery in an environment with extremely high temperature. Its not entirely stable on your lap, though it works well on a table or desk. Both are included in the box. The Duet is more flexible and more affordable than much of the competition, and that makes it a powerful foe.
The posted number is too low due to our light meter's limitations. Get all the latest information on Events, Sales and Offers. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is a very portable thin and light laptop, and its power adapter is also compact and easy to fit into most bags. They sound relatively well-balanced despite the lack of bass extension, but they aren't the most natural-sounding speakers.
We can't open the tablet without risking permanent damage.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 has a disappointing keyboard. The most critical factor to me is space, however, and thats something the Duets keyboard lacks. Most Chromebooks in the sub-$300 space are clunky 14-inchers that offer little in the way of flexibility. Theres no microSD slot, nor is there a headphone jack. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 has mediocre color accuracy out of the box. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5's touchpad is sub-par. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. It has slow read and write speeds, so it can take a while to transfer files or install and launch a large app. It has full sRGB and DCI P3 coverage, as well as near-full Adobe RGB coverage. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021) is a larger and newer version of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020). 4GB is enough for media consumption and web browsing, but it's best to opt for an 8GB model if you plan on doing some work on the device with multiple tabs open at once. The Duet 5's battery life is shorter than the original Duet's for productivity, but it lasts just as long for video playback and gaming. ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED (2021) Review, ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED (2021) Test Results, Having trouble deciding between two laptops?
The port can handle charging, data, and DisplayPort connection duties. Palm rejection is okay and isn't a problem for the most part. It's bigger than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020)'s but still on the small side. Both? However, you can still share the screen with someone else if image accuracy isn't important. No fan noise under load due to fanless design. Does it work well as either? It's only available with an ARM-based SoC and integrated graphics, which aren't powerful enough to handle graphically demanding games. Our unit doesn't include a stylus, but you may be able to find a bundle that does. It's a thin and light device that's easy to carry around, and its battery lasts easily over ten hours of light productivity.
Also, you can't install any DirectX games, so you're limited to titles from the Google Play Store, and the display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate with no VRR support. The experience varies from app to app, as some support the full screen and others support only a phone-sized window. It has an OLED panel that displays a sharp image with deep, inky blacks, making it a fantastic choice for dark room viewing. Why not both in the same machine! Turn the volume down if you cant hear people speaking near you.
Its 13.3 inch screen is sharp and colorful, and like all OLEDs, it displays deep, inky blacks. Although they're both 2-in-1 convertibles, the Duet 5 is a Chrome OS tablet with a kickstand and detachable keyboard, while the Flex 5 is a Windows clamshell laptop with a 360-degree hinge. I appreciate the strong magnet holding the two together. It has a good amount of resistance, and it feels solid regardless of the angle. The plastic keycaps feel okay, and there's a good amount of travel and tactility. Here's a thermal image of the tablet itself. Want a tablet? Six keys, in particular, are about half the size of the rest of the keys and I couldnt get used to the size even after a week of typing on the keyboard. Most Chromebooks in the sub-$300 space are, shall we say, restrained when it comes to certain aspects of performance. Our display and performance results are only valid for the configuration we tested. Suffice it to say, with no backlighting typing in the semi-dark can/will be a challenge. The Duet 5 has a much better webcam, its SoC can handle heavier workloads, and its battery lasts much longer. The webcam's video quality is excellent, though, and the microphone sounds loud and clear with only a bit of static in the background. Also, we tried to measure the maximum HDR brightness, but we couldn't play any content in HDR, whether the content is stored locally or streaming from a service like YouTube. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's port selection is bad. It looks like a tablet with an optional keyboard accessory, but Lenovo calls it a Chromebook with a detachable keyboard. Laptops store-bought and tested, supported by you via. However, the system still feels reasonably responsive because Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system with minimal background processes, and most tasks are web-based.
Most importantly, its affordable. That said, we expect the Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 SoC to perform poorly in CPU rendering tasks. Lenovo was able to cram a reasonably-sized trackpad onto the keyboard and I found it to be a lifesaver. 2020 coverage is great, even better than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (2019)'s, but as mentioned earlier, the Duet 5 can't play any content in HDR. While permanent burn-in is unlikely for those who watch varied content, it might be a problem if you always have the taskbar shown at the bottom. Trinocular Microscope with DIN Objective and Camera 40x - 2000x, Microscope Blank Glass Slides, 50 cover slips, Trinocular Co-Axial 1500x Metallurgical Microscope with Top-Bottom Light with 2MP Camera, Junior Medical Microscope with Wide Field Eyepiece & LED 100x - 1500x, Trinocular Inverted Metallurgical Microscope 100x - 1200x, Binocular Inverted Metallurgical Microscope 100x - 1200x. Do not expose the battery pack to water, rain, or other corrosive liquids. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021) and the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 14 (2020) are very different. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is a tablet with a kickstand built into the back cover and a detachable keyboard. Its hard to open from the sides, which means you sometimes have to reach over the top of the Duet and pull the stand out from the very bottom edge. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is only available with the Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 SoC, also known as the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2. Perfect black uniformity is great dark room viewing. Yank the Duet away from the keyboard and you have Chrome OS on a slate form factor. The design is simple but much sleeker and more modern-looking than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020) due to its thinner bezels. It has a nice, denim-like fabric on board thats meant to make it feel comfortable and fit in at home. The contrast ratio can vary between individual units. A multitasking master the Duet is not. Chrome OS mostly makes no adjustments for the small nature of web-like UI elements, which means you can easily mis-touch things depending on how deft (or not) your digits are. However, the keyboard feels cramped, and the touchpad doesn't track well. The Duet 5 is larger but still very portable, and its battery lasts longer. However, it doesn't always register two-finger clicks (right-click), and any action over long distances, like dragging and dropping items, is hard. We purchase our own laptops and Like most 2-in-1 devices with a kickstand and detachable keyboard, you can't set the tablet at less than 90 degrees because it would slam shut. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021) is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop with a detachable keyboard and a kickstand built into the back cover. This means you can't install any x86 applications like the full Adobe Premiere suite or DaVinci Resolve without a third-party solution like Parallels. The speakers fire sideways, so they may get muffled depending on how you hold the tablet in landscape mode. Want a Chromebook? The rest of the hardware is direct and purposeful. The Flex 5 is better for productivity as its CPU can handle heavier workloads, and it provides a better user experience, like a betterkeyboard, touchpad, and port selection. ), which is far lighter than most other Chromebooks on the market particularly at this price point. For only $279, you get a fine display, class-leading battery life, and a compact and portable form factor that converts from laptop to tablet on a whim. These took me longer to get used to than I expected. The Duet 5's screen also gets brighter to combat glare, and it displays much deeper blacks for a better dark room viewing experience. This means it's best suited for media consumption, web browsing, and light productivity tasks like text formatting. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 has decent build quality, similar to the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020).
Lenovo claims the 7,000mAh power cell will run for 10 hours, but we often scored closer to 11 hours. Although the Duet 5's screen has a lower pixel density, it can display more colors thanks to its wider color gamut, and it delivers much deeper blacks because it's an OLED panel.
Other than a few simple user interface gestures, nothing about the UI is different from stock Chrome OS and thats the problem. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 has a basic 60Hz refresh rate with no VRR support to reduce screen tearing when gaming. Open the box containing the Lenovo Chromebook Duet and youll encounter three pieces: the Duet, the keyboard, and the rear cover (Stand Cover). Primarily, it was fast and responsive just what I want from a trackpad. Even as a professional writer, Im not that picky about keyboards. The tablet doesn't get very hot under load and isn't uncomfortable to hold, even without the back cover. Also, it can't play any HDR content even though it has wide gamut support. Speaking of apps, the Duet runs Android appslike many other Chromebooks. The posted measurements were taken with the back cover and keyboard attached; here are the measurements of the tablet itself: The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 isn't serviceable. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 has superb thermal and noise performance. There's also no fan noise because it's a fanless device. Keep the battery pack away from open flames or other heat sources.
We can't perform the Blender benchmark because the software can't detect the CPU or GPU. My eyes tell me it is plenty bright and sharp for a display of this size. However, if you plan on using the device for media consumption only, the Duet 5 is better because its OLED panelhas a wider color gamut and displays deeper blacks. And some may simply not be down with Chrome OS as a tablet user interface. Putting away the app shelf was sometimes temperamental. Moreover, youll find that things tends to slow down a bit once you get more than a dozen tabs running in Chrome, or a half-dozen apps running at the same time. The click mechanism doesn't feel satisfying, and you can only click near the bottom of the touchpad. We ran several benchmarking apps and came away with average results. Most colors look over-saturated because it targets a wide color space, even in sRGB content. The Smart Cover does add a nice amount of grip to the rear, which makes the Duet really comfortable to hold and use when sitting on the couch after a long day. I was quite happy with it over the review period and found it easy to use indoors or out. We can't run the GPU compute test because our version of Geekbench 5 doesn't support the proper graphics API, although we expect the performance to be equally poor because the Duet 5 only has integrated graphics. Google may extend this date as they have in the past for other Chromebooks; it's best to check their official document for any changes. Here you can vote for our next review, Compare graphs from our laptop test results in order to make a clearer and more informed decision, Create or edit custom laptop ratings, your custom ratings will be present on the table tool, and other pages.
Is it good at either? Im not the biggest fan of the Stand Cover.
It has a thin and light design that makes it very portable, and its battery lasts over ten hours of light productivity, enough to get you through a typical school day with charge to spare. More options: The best Chromebook deals you can find. Voices sound clear over the microphone, but there's some static in the background. Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available. It all wobbled a bit when I tried typing on a bed or my lap. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's reflection handling is okay. It's an ARM-based hybrid processor with two performance cores (Kryo 468 Gold - based on ARM Cortex-A76 architecture) and six efficiency cores (Kryo 468 Silver - based on ARM Cortex-A55 architecture).
However, the keyboard feels cheap and flexes a lot, and the outer fabric may wear out over time. There were some initial reports of the Duet 5 having VESA DisplayHDR 500 certification; however, Lenovo doesn't mention it in their marketing material, and the Duet 5 isn't on the list of certified products. It also runs Chrome OS, so it might not be the best choice if you need to install x86 applications.
There will be some things that are simply better performed by touching the screen with your finger. It can handle most games from the Google Play Store, but you'll likely see some stutters in graphically demanding titles. Its not perfect.
Lenovo doesnt specify, but its about three-quarters the size of a full laptop keyboard. Moreover, if youre on a budget, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is about as budget-friendly as it gets. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is bad for gaming.
While navigating through the app drawer and launching apps is no trouble, interacting with apps on the screen is nettlesome. If you need a 2-in-1 device that can run x86 applications, check out the Microsoft Surface Go 3 (2021). With its convertible design, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet is for those who prefer to have options. It costs less than an entry-level iPad and the keyboard is included. Unfortunately, there's no 3.5mm headphone jack, and there isn't a USB-C audio adapter in the box, so you have to use wireless headphones or a third-party adapter. That said, it's still better than most non-gaming laptops with a 60Hz display.
The Lenovo also has a much longer battery life, lasting threehours longer than the Microsoft for productivity and video playback. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's storage drive performs poorly. The Qualcomm Adreno 618 is an integrated GPU designed for light, everyday tasks like web browsing and media consumption. No cherry-picked units sent by brands. Colors shift fairly quickly as you move off-center. Its 16:9 aspect ratio is well suited for media consumption, but some people might find it too short for productivity, and it also feels too narrow when using it as a tablet in portrait mode. In any case, Lenovo clearly states in the specifications that everything is soldered onto the motherboard and non-upgradeable. Video playback drains the battery faster, but it's still enough for a couple of full-length movies. The Duet 5 has a brighter and more colorful OLED panel, and its SoCperforms better overall while being more power-efficient, resulting in longer battery life. Its not iPadOS, but its not terrible, either.
to the weight. The keyboard may simply be too small for some, and performance can be hit or miss, depending on what youre doing. Our Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 SoC, Qualcomm Adreno 618 integrated graphics, 4GB of memory, and 64GB of storage. If theres one more thing to complain about, its the lack of backlighting. Learn more.
You have to look at the screen almost straight on to get the best accuracy, which doesn't leave much room to tilt the display to your preference. It also has a more powerful CPU that can handle heavier workloads and longer battery life.
An included keyboard accessory snaps onto the bottom edge, giving the Duet the ability to act like a Chromebook. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 supports pen input.
Update, July 29: Updated to include the latest pricing from Amazon. Lenovo's little Chromebook isn't perfect, and in fact has a few significant drawbacks, but almost nothing else competes on value. While most OLED panels have a near-instantaneous response time, it isn't the case here, as there's visible ghosting in fast-moving scenes. On the other hand, the Flex 5 has a more comfortable keyboard, a larger and more responsive touchpad, and a wider port selection. Do not leave the battery in an environment with extremely low air pressure.
If theres one place the device struggles, its with gaming. The tablet is a mix of aluminum and plastic, and it feels well-built and of high quality. In a word, compromised. Unfortunately, the gamma doesn't follow the sRGB curve at all, causing almost all scenes to appear darker than they should.
In fact, plugging it in for an hour will only net you a 25% charge. Sign up for newsletter today. Some people might like this over-saturated look, but it isn't the most accurate. Also, it only has two USB-C ports and no 3.5mm headphone jack. Its also, ahem, a fine display for word processing but spreadsheeting felt a bit hemmed in. Keep the battery pack out of reach of small children and pets. If you intend to use the device mainly for media consumption, the Lenovois better because it has an OLED panel with better picture quality. Its ARM-based SoC isn't powerful enough to handle demanding workloads like video editing or 3D rendering, and since it runs Chrome OS, you can't install any x86 applications. Its ARM-based SoC can handle productivity tasks like text formatting, web browsing, spreadsheets, and presentations, but it isn't ideal for heavy multitasking or demanding workloads. However, the Microsoft has a 10.5 inch screen and runs Windows, while the Lenovo has a 13.3 inch screen and runs Chrome OS. There are only two USB-C ports, and both support USB 3.2 Gen 1 data transfer speed (up to 5Gbps), Power Delivery 3.0, and video output via DisplayPort 1.4. 4GB of RAM is enough if you only perform light tasks like media consumption and web browsing, but if you tend to have many tabs or applications running simultaneously, it's best to get 8GB for the extra headroom. Long swipe up to go home, short swipe up to see recent apps, swipe from the left to go back. Battery life, on the other hand, is outstanding. We tested the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (model 82QS001DUS) with a Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 SoC, Qualcomm Adreno 618 integrated graphics, 4GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. However, it struggles in processor-intensive workloads like video editing or 3D rendering. It scores even lower than the older Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020). The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is sub-par for business use. Even though it's larger than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020), it still feels cramped compared to most 13 inch laptops. Its ARM-based SoC can handle simple tasks like web browsing and text formatting, but it isn't powerful enough for demanding workloads like graphic design or 3D rendering. LEARN ABOUT CINEBENCH R23 (CPU RENDERING), LEARN ABOUT COUNTER-STRIKE: GLOBAL OFFENSIVE. Whatever the name and however you choose to view it, the Duet can be used as a Chromebook or as a slate-style tablet when removed from the keyboard. Opening the laptop or changing the hardware may void the manufacturer's warranty. Expect to leave it charging for hours to fill the battery. put them under the same test bench, The front is all black glass, while the rear is a combination of slate gray aluminum and blue plastic. Product was successfully added to your shopping cart. Of course, the keyboard adds 6mm to the overall thickness and 250g (0.55lbs.) The speakers get reasonably loud, but they sound a bit unnatural.
Chrome OS is designed to run web-based applications through the Chrome browser, Android apps from the Google Play Store, and Linux apps. Does the Duet work better as one device or the other? Stereo speakers and mics are drilled into the top edge, while copper pogo pins line the bottom for connecting to the keyboard. I found the included 10W charger was slow to rev up the battery. The SoC isn't configurable. Civilization VI doesn't run on Chrome OS. Moreover, it fits into small travel bags quite easily, making it a cinch to tote around. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 performs poorly in Geekbench 5, with low single- and multi-thread scores. Do not leave the battery in an environment with extremely high temperature. Its not entirely stable on your lap, though it works well on a table or desk. Both are included in the box. The Duet is more flexible and more affordable than much of the competition, and that makes it a powerful foe.
The posted number is too low due to our light meter's limitations. Get all the latest information on Events, Sales and Offers. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is a very portable thin and light laptop, and its power adapter is also compact and easy to fit into most bags. They sound relatively well-balanced despite the lack of bass extension, but they aren't the most natural-sounding speakers.
We can't open the tablet without risking permanent damage.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 has a disappointing keyboard. The most critical factor to me is space, however, and thats something the Duets keyboard lacks. Most Chromebooks in the sub-$300 space are clunky 14-inchers that offer little in the way of flexibility. Theres no microSD slot, nor is there a headphone jack. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 has mediocre color accuracy out of the box. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5's touchpad is sub-par. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. It has slow read and write speeds, so it can take a while to transfer files or install and launch a large app. It has full sRGB and DCI P3 coverage, as well as near-full Adobe RGB coverage. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021) is a larger and newer version of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020). 4GB is enough for media consumption and web browsing, but it's best to opt for an 8GB model if you plan on doing some work on the device with multiple tabs open at once. The Duet 5's battery life is shorter than the original Duet's for productivity, but it lasts just as long for video playback and gaming. ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED (2021) Review, ASUS ProArt Studiobook Pro 16 OLED (2021) Test Results, Having trouble deciding between two laptops?
The port can handle charging, data, and DisplayPort connection duties. Palm rejection is okay and isn't a problem for the most part. It's bigger than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (2020)'s but still on the small side. Both? However, you can still share the screen with someone else if image accuracy isn't important. No fan noise under load due to fanless design. Does it work well as either? It's only available with an ARM-based SoC and integrated graphics, which aren't powerful enough to handle graphically demanding games. Our unit doesn't include a stylus, but you may be able to find a bundle that does. It's a thin and light device that's easy to carry around, and its battery lasts easily over ten hours of light productivity. Also, you can't install any DirectX games, so you're limited to titles from the Google Play Store, and the display is limited to a 60Hz refresh rate with no VRR support. The experience varies from app to app, as some support the full screen and others support only a phone-sized window. It has an OLED panel that displays a sharp image with deep, inky blacks, making it a fantastic choice for dark room viewing. Why not both in the same machine! Turn the volume down if you cant hear people speaking near you.
Its 13.3 inch screen is sharp and colorful, and like all OLEDs, it displays deep, inky blacks. Although they're both 2-in-1 convertibles, the Duet 5 is a Chrome OS tablet with a kickstand and detachable keyboard, while the Flex 5 is a Windows clamshell laptop with a 360-degree hinge. I appreciate the strong magnet holding the two together. It has a good amount of resistance, and it feels solid regardless of the angle. The plastic keycaps feel okay, and there's a good amount of travel and tactility. Here's a thermal image of the tablet itself. Want a tablet? Six keys, in particular, are about half the size of the rest of the keys and I couldnt get used to the size even after a week of typing on the keyboard. Most Chromebooks in the sub-$300 space are, shall we say, restrained when it comes to certain aspects of performance. Our display and performance results are only valid for the configuration we tested. Suffice it to say, with no backlighting typing in the semi-dark can/will be a challenge. The Duet 5 has a much better webcam, its SoC can handle heavier workloads, and its battery lasts much longer. The webcam's video quality is excellent, though, and the microphone sounds loud and clear with only a bit of static in the background. Also, we tried to measure the maximum HDR brightness, but we couldn't play any content in HDR, whether the content is stored locally or streaming from a service like YouTube. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5's port selection is bad. It looks like a tablet with an optional keyboard accessory, but Lenovo calls it a Chromebook with a detachable keyboard. Laptops store-bought and tested, supported by you via. However, the system still feels reasonably responsive because Chrome OS is a lightweight operating system with minimal background processes, and most tasks are web-based.