I've tested and owned a lot of tablets and laptops over the years. The Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook, which functions both as a laptop and tablet, is the one I use the most and fits my daily life perfectly. If I need a bigger screen or a wider keyboard for faster typing, I'll step up to my standard laptop. But because I regularly commute to work on the train, I love having a smaller device that's compact, lightweight and multitalented.
I particularly like the versatility of the Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook. It has an 11-inch touchscreen paired with a detachable keyboard cover, a rear cover with a kickstand and, if you want, you can pair it with an active pen for writing or drawing on the screen. Right now the Duet is marked down by 8% on the last day Amazon's Big Spring Sale. While that might not seem like deep savings, the Duet is already affordable for a two-in-one device, so any discount feels like a win.
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Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 specs
| Price | $349 |
|---|---|
| Display size/resolution | 11-inch 1,920x1,200-pixel, LCD touchscreen |
| CPU | 2.6GHz MediaTek Kompanio 838 |
| Memory | 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Graphics | Integrated graphics |
| Storage | 128GB eMMC |
| Networking | Intel Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (x2), 3.5mm combo audio jack |
| Operating system | ChromeOS |
Why I like this tablet
On the surface, you might think it's no different than an iPad or any number of Android tablets. But the big differences are the operating system, ChromeOS, and its price. If you've never used ChromeOS, it's sort of a mix between a traditional desktop OS, such as Windows or MacOS, and a mobile OS that your phone uses, such as Android.
The 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 has a mobile device feel too. The only hiccup might be if your work or school relies on software available only for MacOS or Windows. That's never been an issue for me, as there's typically a web or mobile app I can use in its place.
The Duet 11 helps me stay busy during my train commute
The Duet's size is really nice for my train commute, letting me easily edit docs or respond to emails on my way to work. It has a fantastic front-facing 5-megapixel camera, too, so I can use it for a Zoom chat when necessary, and the camera has a physical privacy shutter to block it out the rest of the time. I especially like its zippy performance. It wakes as soon as I drop the keyboard open, and I can quickly tether to my Pixel phone for an instant internet connection. Battery life is strong at up to 11 hours in my use of it.
Using the Duet on your lap can be a little bit of a balancing act, but it's doable. Its compact size makes it ideal for cramped coffee shop tables and other places where a full-size laptop might be awkward. It weighs only about 2 pounds with all of its accessories.
Read more: Why a Chromebook Is Probably All You Need
Like a lot of people, I unwind on my commute home with some entertainment, and the Duet shines for that. Pop off the magnetically attached keyboard and ChromeOS switches to a more touch-friendly experience. The tablet supports cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now, which means that with a strong web connection, you can play all kinds of games. I love to play mobile games on it from the Play Store too.
The Duet 11 also works as an e-reader
In addition to being ideal for commuting and cramped spaces, the Duet is also a good e-reader. I use it for reading manga with the Viz and Shonen Jump apps, and I regularly dip into my library's collection of ebooks and magazines via the Libby app. The device is also good for streaming video and music, though I prefer Bluetooth headphones over the tablet's little speakers.
While I mainly use it for travel and on my commute, the Duet is equally great around the house. I wouldn't recommend the Duet as your only laptop unless you simply don't need to do more than basic home office work and can connect to a larger display, keyboard and mouse. The 11-inch touchscreen, while great-looking, is a little too small for all-day, everyday use. But as a secondary device to a larger, more powerful desktop or laptop, it's just about perfect.
If you're interested in checking out more ChromeOS devices, here are CNET's top picks for the best Chromebooks on the market. And if you're still on the hunt for more deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale, don't miss the best picks under $25.