Lenovo Duet 5: Complete Review

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook is still among the top laptops and stands out as one of the best Chromebooks, even after three years.

Its premium experience sets it apart, especially with its stunning OLED display that rivals pricier laptops.

Chromebooks require less power, so they last longer than Windows 11 laptops.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook proves this with its impressive specs, including 8GB RAM, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2 chip, and Wi-Fi 6. 

These features made it a strong performer in 2021, and continue to deliver excellent performance.

Specifications

The Duet 5 Chromebook has a 13.3-inch keyboard that feels more like those on Ultrabooks.

While not the most spacious, it is more accessible and comfortable than the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook.

With its 16:9 screen ratio and larger size, the device functions like a laptop that can turn into a tablet.

However, it is less convenient to use as a tablet than last year’s 10.1-inch model with a 16:10 ratio, which had a cramped keyboard but worked better as a tablet.

The keyboard on the Duet 5 Chromebook lacks backlighting and remains flimsy, similar to its predecessor.

The trackpad also has room for improvement, as it creates friction that affects swiping and gestures. However, users can adapt by adjusting the pressure applied.

The magnetic kickstand issue from the previous model persists. It can be difficult to extend, and adding a pull tab or lanyard could resolve the problem. Unfortunately, the design remains unchanged.

Lenovo includes a small slot on the backplate for the Active Pen. You need to buy the pen separately, which costs extra if available.

Last year, buyers found great value in the Duet Chromebook, which started at $279 / £279 / AU$424.

In comparison, Lenovo prices the Duet 5 Chromebook at $429 ($499 as tested) and AU$799 in Australia.

The UK price is much higher, starting at £899. Lenovo will share updates after explaining the price difference.

The increased price of the Duet 5 Chromebook reflects its larger size and improved hardware, though the UK pricing remains a notable concern.

The hardware improvements start with the display. The previous Duet Chromebook featured a 1,920 x 1,200 LCD IPS panel, which was excellent for a 10.1-inch screen.

The Duet 5 Chromebook lowers the resolution to 1,920 x 1,080 but upgrades to an OLED panel. This change makes the display much brighter and more vibrant.

Both models are rated 400 nits of brightness, but the OLED panel delivers a far superior visual experience.

The OLED display alone makes the higher price worth it. The starting price of $429 in the US offers excellent value.

Even the upgraded version with 8GB RAM for $499 provides a 13.3-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook with a 1080p OLED display, which is rarely available under $500.

The Duet 5 Chromebook also improves on the processor. It replaces last year’s MediaTek P60T chip with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen2.

Both processors are ARM-based and focus on efficiency rather than raw power.

While they don’t match the performance of Intel Core i3 processors in more powerful Chromebooks, the Snapdragon 7c Gen2 offers a significant upgrade.

In the Kraken JavaScript benchmark, the Snapdragon 7c Gen2 achieved 1,845ms, nearly twice as fast as the MediaTek P60T’s 3,940ms. This performance boost is noticeable during use.

The Snapdragon 7c Gen2 lags behind other Chromebooks in benchmarks but feels responsive in daily tasks.

Performance issues are unlikely to stand out unless you compare them directly to models like the Asus Flip C536 or Acer Spin 713.

Performance Tests

The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook showed the following results in our benchmark tests:

• Kraken JavaScript: 1,845ms

• Octane 2.0 JavaScript: 23,798

• Jetstream 2: 83.4

• Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 16 hours and 20 minutes

Buy it if…

• You prefer the top 2-in-1 Chromebook.

The lightweight design is easy to convert and offers excellent comfort, solid performance, and battery life.

• You want a Chromebook with OLED.

Getting an OLED screen in a Chromebook is rare but impressive.

• You need long-lasting battery life.

Few Chromebooks offer battery life like this, reaching 18-19 hours with the correct settings.

Don’t buy it if…

• You are looking for a budget-friendly Chromebook.
  Premium features on the Duet 5 increase its price, making it a high-end option.
• Accessibility is a key factor for you.
  The larger keyboard is better than the earlier version, but the kickstand may still be rugged for those with limited hand strength or dexterity.
• You want a tablet-focused device.
  This 2-in-1 leans more towards a laptop, and its 16:9 screen and 13.3-inch size make tablet mode less convenient.

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