Although I spend a significant amount of time reviewing pills And laptops At CNET, I'm sometimes pleasantly surprised when I come across devices that don't cost a lot of money. Let's take this for example tablet-laptop combination This is not only an affordable, but also a reliable hybrid that will find many uses for you. It's still on sale for Cyber ​​Mondayand you can save some serious money by picking it up.
Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebookwinner of a CNET Editors' Choice award, it ticks all the boxes you might be looking for when it comes to a budget computer. Sure, it might not be powerful enough to replace your desktop computer, but for work on the go or as an entertainment device, it's more than worth it.
In my opinion, its 11-inch touchscreen combined with a removable keyboard cover, back cover with kickstand, and stylus make it ideal for creating a mobile workstation that helps you get work done.
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Why I like this tablet
There are two main reasons why this device performs better than most standard laptops. Firstly, it is compact and lightweight in size. Secondly, it is multifunctional. Since I regularly commute by train, both of these factors make the Chromebook Duet especially convenient. In cases where I need a larger screen or a wider keyboard for faster typing, I usually switch to my standard laptop. But the Duet 11, which works as both a laptop and a tablet, is the machine that suits my daily life best and most often.
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At first glance, you might think it's no different from an iPad or any number of Android tablets. But the big differences lie in the operating system, ChromeOSand its price. If you've never used ChromeOS, it's sort of a mixture of a traditional desktop OS like Windows or MacOS and a mobile OS that your phone uses, like Android.
This combination makes it easier for me to get work done with a keyboard and trackpad or mouse, but it also uses apps from the Google Play Store, so it also feels like a mobile device. The only problem may be that your work or school uses software that is only available for MacOS or Windows. This has never been an issue for me as I can usually use the web app or mobile app instead.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 Specifications
|
Price |
US$399 |
|---|---|
|
Display size/resolution |
11″ LCD touch screen with 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution |
|
CPU |
2.6 GHz MediaTek 838 |
|
Memory |
8 GB LPDDR4X |
|
Graphics |
Integrated Graphics |
|
Storage |
128 GB eMMC |
|
net |
Intel Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 |
|
Ports |
USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (x2), 3.5mm combo audio jack |
|
operating system |
ChromeOS |
Duet 11 helps me stay busy while traveling by train
The Duet's size is very convenient for train travel, allowing me to easily edit documents or respond to emails on the way to work. It also has a fantastic 5MP front camera so I can use it for Zoom chats when needed, and the camera has a physical shutter that blocks it out the rest of the time. I especially like his dynamic performance. It wakes up as soon as I open the keyboard and I can quickly connect to my Pixel phone for instant Internet connection. The battery life in my use is up to 11 hours.
Using the Duet on your knees can be a bit of a balancing act, but it is doable. Its compact size makes it ideal for cramped cafe tables and other places where a full-size laptop might be awkward. It only weighs about 2 pounds with all the accessories.
Read more: Why a Chromebook Is Probably All You Need
Like many people, I relax on the way home by having fun, and the Duet does that very well. Remove the magnetic keyboard and ChromeOS switches to a more touch-friendly interface. The tablet supports cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass And NVIDIA GeForce nowwhich means that as long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can play any game you want. I also love playing mobile games from the Play Store on it.
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Duet 11 also works as an e-reader.
In addition to being ideal for commuting and tight spaces, the Duet is also a good e-book reader. I use it to read manga with Viz and Shonen Jump appsand I regularly browse my library's collection of e-books and magazines via Libby app. The device is also good for streaming videos and music, although I prefer Bluetooth headphones through the tablet's small speakers.
While I mostly use it for traveling and commuting, the Duet is equally good at home. I wouldn't recommend the Duet as your only laptop unless you just need to do more than just home office work and can connect to a larger display, keyboard, and mouse. The 11-inch touchscreen, while great, is too small for everyday, all-day use. But as a companion device to a larger, more powerful desktop or laptop, it's nearly ideal.
If you want to check out more ChromeOS devices, here are CNET's best picks for them. best chromebooks on the market. And if you're wondering what other models you can get for cheap right now, don't miss our reviews best chromebook deals And best laptop deals.
