Lenovo Chromebook Duet: The best Chromebook of 2020
If you are looking to purchase a low-cost laptop or tab due to COVID-19, it is worth checking out Lenovo’s new Chromebook Duet. Before getting into the details, we would like to say that there are shortcomings with the device, but it packs a serious punch starting at $279. When the price is that low, you are definitely not looking for a premium device, are you? The point is: “Is the Chromebook Duet better than other laptops you can get for this price?”
Chromebooks available in this price range are clumsy and gaudy, just like Chromebook x360 12b or HP’s Chromebook 14. If you wish to go for a Windows alternative, you’re good to go with Acer Swift or Acer Aspire. But again, there is an iPad mini and other entry level Android tablets. The only catch, these don’t come with a keyboard. Lenovo has tried to get away with a lot of things to bring the Chromebook Duet down to this price. The look and feel is more like a Surface Go than a budget laptop.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet Specifications
Comparing the Lenovo Chromebook Duet with higher-end Chromebooks like the Pixelbook Go isn’t the smartest thing to do. These devices are pricey, especially when you consider the keyboard covers. Coming to the specs, Chromebook Duet has a base model available with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. It comes with a keyboard and kickstand unlike Surface Go or any iPad. The next model up comes with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage. This is a better option and extra $20 won’t hurt you.
The Chromebook is cute and how, at 10.1 inches, it is similar to a normal tablet but a bit cramped for room when you use it as a laptop computer. The display comes with a 16:10 aspect ratio, as opposed to the usual 16:9 ratio on a 13-inch laptop.
Weight and Battery Life
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is extremely compact and portable. The tablet just weights 449g and with the keyboard and kickstand it comes to about 921g, which is a steal. Despite slacking in some parts, Lenovo has done a fairly good job, the tablet is made up of Aluminium alloy which gives a sturdy look and feel. The outer cover is made up of gray fabric which gives a rich feeling when the laptop is closed.
If you are planning to use a range of peripherals, please ensure that you have splitters and dongles. The Chromebook Duet comes with a single USB-C port which will take up the charging port. It would be a bonus to include a headphone jack, however Lenovo has included a cool headphone dongle. The next place where the Chromebook Duet is excellent is its battery life. Lenovo claims the battery life of 10 hours, however early users admit that it is way over 11 hours. It is like a breath of fresh air when a low-cost laptop battery runs for 10+ hours at a stretch.
Chromebook Duet Price and Availability
The Chromebook Duet is modestly priced at $279 for the basic version with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage capacity. The next version is priced at $299 with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage capacity. Lenovo Chromebook Duet is now available in store and on Best Buy. If you are looking to buy a laptop for kids or to watch Netflix and sending emails or work on the go it would be perfect. That being said, it is one of the best midrange laptops/chromebook you can get from a trusted brand like Lenovo.
Dhruvil is a Writer & Marketeer for Nimblechapps, joining December 2014, based out of Sydney, Australia. He has worked briefly as a Branding and Digital Marketing Manager before moving to Australia. At Nimblechapps, he worked on Social Media Marketing, Branding, Email Marketing and Blogging. Dhruvil studies Business at University of Western Sydney, and also handles Operations for the company in Australia.