![]() That puts it ahead of its competition like the Detachable CM3 (1,412) and even the Chromebook X2 11 (1,691), which uses the same processor. The Geekbench 5 overall performance test doesn’t offer quite as rosy a picture with an overall score of 1,727. A dedicated mouse like the Logitech MX Anywhere 3 or MX Master 3 would certainly speed things up, but if you want the most portable package, you’ll be fine without one. As is often the case with 2-in-1 laptops, I still rely on the touchscreen often, but that’s a personal preference and not a fault of the built-in touchpad. The touchpad is large enough at 4.2 x 2.4-inches that I didn’t have any trouble navigating or using basic gestures. That’s certainly far better than I fared with any of its competitors as it is a full-size keyboard. Testing my speed using the typing test, I managed 85 words per minute with 97% accuracy, just barely off my typical 86 wpm with 98% accuracy. While the keyboard is unbelievably thin and can’t offer much key travel as a result, it’s sturdier than I expected and allows for easy use on a desk or on my lap. Pogo pins on the bottom ensure a solid connection compared to a wireless solution and two small nubs help keep the keyboard locked in place. The Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook has the aforementioned fabric keyboard that magnetically snaps into place. (Image credit: Laptop Mag/Sean Riley) Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook keyboard and touchpad Particularly considering its price range, the deeper blacks and outstanding color reproduction of OLED in this 2-in-1 make it hard to pass up. While it may not win in every category, the Duet 5 display is a pleasure to behold. The Detachable CM3 (0.34) and Chromebook X2 11 (0.3) came in a distant 3rd and 4th. It managed 0.22 on our Delta-E color accuracy test (lower is better), which lumbered behind the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (0.2). If color accuracy is important to you, then the Duet 5 belongs on your shortlist. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet (372 nits), the Detachable CM3 (386 nits) and the Chromebook X2 11 (425 nits) all just happen to be standouts in this regard. That’s well beyond the Chromebook average (270 nits) and enough to overpower a reasonably sunny environment, but comes in behind its nearest competitors. The brightness test was solid, with the Duet 5 hitting an average of 361 nits. Only the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 (93.6%) has managed a better result in this price range, with the Duet 5 finishing well ahead of the Lenovo Chromebook Duet (74.9%), the HP Chromebook X2 11 (71%), and the Chromebook average (70%). The colorimeter in the lab was similarly impressed with the Duet 5 reproducing 85.2% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. That’s frequently a downfall of detachable 2-in-1 laptops and I had no issues typing with the Duet 5 in that position. I’ll go into more detail on the keyboard later, but I was shocked at how well this combination worked with the Duet 5 in my lap. ![]() The hinged stand on the back cover allows you to place the display at almost any angle and holds it there reliably. Looks aside, the cover and keyboard are remarkably effective at transforming this Chrome OS tablet into a great laptop. The Duet 5 fabric has a stippled surface that looks more like denim to me, but critically, it still offers a much more comfortable feel than cold aluminum. It may be the dark “Abyss Blue” color, but it also lacks the stitched finish of the original Chromebook Duet or Detachable CM3, which was a big part of the charm to me. We were enamored with both in our reviews, comparing them to a notebook and a tweed journal, respectively.ĭespite its similar magnetized fabric back cover and keyboard, the Duet 5 doesn’t pull off the look quite as well. Microsoft deserves a lot of credit for popularizing fabric-based designs with its Alcantara-wrapped Surface products, but last year’s Lenovo Chromebook Duet and the Asus Chromebook Detachable CM3 brought that look to a more affordable realm. While the Snapdragon processor upgrade isn’t significant, doubling the RAM and storage is worth the $70 price difference. ![]() The color carries through from the tablet’s aluminum chassis to the cloth back cover and snap-on keyboard. The base model is Storm Grey, while the higher-end model only comes in Abyss Blue. ![]()
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