In a world the place worth is king and performance is secondary, Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet sequence has reigned supreme for years. It all began with the unique Duet again in 2020, earlier than it was refreshed in 2022. Keeping with the two-year cadence, there is a new Duet on the town with the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11.
It comes as little shock that Lenovo launched a refreshed model of the Chromebook Duet. Not solely has it been two years because the earlier iteration, however, I used to be to see what sort of enhancements Lenovo would make. More importantly, Google shared that the Duet is the “best-selling Chromebook of all time.” So to be able to maintain that prepare shifting, a brand new model was inevitable.
I used to be lucky sufficient to spend a while with this new Chromebook pill as a part of Google’s Chromebook Fall Event. At which level I got here away feeling as if Lenovo has principally hit its stride on this kind issue. After spending extra time with it for this overview, I nonetheless largely really feel the identical, however with a couple of caveats that it’s best to have in mind.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11: Price and availability
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 was introduced alongside the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus on October 1, 2024. There are two fashions obtainable for order, with a 4GB/64GB mannequin and an 8GB/128GB model. Pricing for the previous is available in at $339, whereas the latter is available in at $399.
As an added bonus, whichever variant you determine to go along with, Lenovo consists of the Folio Keyboard with stand and the Lenovo USI Pen 2. This may not be the case with each retailer, however it ought to be obtainable at lots of them.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11: What I like
Before we check out the Duet 11 itself, it is essential to speak about one thing that I’m extraordinarily pleased about. In my hands-on, I mentioned, “I can not assist however really feel as if Lenovo missed a chance by not together with the stylus within the field.”
It seems that this is not the case, as Lenovo is together with each the Folio Keyboard with Stand and the Lenovo USI Pen 2 within the field. This makes me pleased as a result of it signifies that you may get all the pieces it’s good to begin utilizing the Duet 11, with out making separate purchases.
| Category | Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 |
|---|---|
| Display | 10.95-inch IPS, 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA), 400 nits, 60Hz, 16:10 |
| Processor | MediaTek Kompanio 838 |
| Memory | 4GB / 8GB LPDDR4X |
| Storage | 64GB / 128GB eMMC |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Rear Camera | 8MP w/ Auto Focus |
| Battery | 29Whr; Up to 12 hours |
| Ports | 2x USB-C (5Gbps) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Audio | 2x 1W audio system, 3.5mm Audio Combo Jack |
| Extras | USI 2.0 Compatible, Folio Keyboard with Stand and Lenovo USI Pen 2 included |
| Security | Physical Privacy Shutter for entrance digicam |
| Protection | MIL-810H, spill-resistant chassis |
| Dimensions | 255.30 x 166.84 x 7.59mm |
| Weight | 510 grams (pill); 1093 grams (pill, keyboard, case) |
| AUE Date | June 2034 |
When Lenovo launched the IdeaPad Duet 3, the largest improve got here within the type of an extremely improved show. Thankfully, Lenovo did not actually attempt to make too many variations with the Duet 11, because it nonetheless sports activities a ten.95-inch 2K display. While my ageing eyes aren’t what they as soon as have been, it is nonetheless a pleasure with the ability to modify the show and textual content measurement to suit extra on the display, whereas offering a crisp display.
Speaking of the display, Google defined that the palm-rejection has been improved on the OS degree. It’s not likely one thing that may be measured, however I’ve loved utilizing the Duet 11 as a digital pocket book. Most of the time, it is proper subsequent to my mouse, so I can begin jotting down notes every time I want.
I’ve used my justifiable share of USI pens over time, however I did discover one thing in regards to the Lenovo USI Pen 2 that is included with the Duet 11. I believed one thing was completely different in comparison with the final one which I purchased, and after digging in my desk drawer, it turned out that I used to be proper.
There’s nothing functionally completely different than earlier than, however Lenovo ditched the pen cap-like design with the clip on the top. Instead, it is extra just like the Penoval USI 2.0 Pen, apart from the replaceable AAAA battery.
I’m not a lot of an artist, outdoors of simply drawing stick figures, however I’ve principally loved utilizing the Duet 11 paired with NiceNotes. It’s nonetheless not as easy in comparison with utilizing Samsung’s S Pen with the Galaxy Tab, or the Apple Pencil with an iPad. But it is actually only a stable expertise, and I doubt you may run into any points.
As a pill, the Duet 11 feels similar to some other 11-inch pill that I’ve used over the previous couple of years. If Lenovo was aiming to create a premium system, the corporate positively nailed it. Although hefty, you will not discover something that feels low-cost when holding and utilizing the pill.
This extends to the bodily webcam change discovered on the highest, which occurs to even be one other change over final yr’s mannequin. There’s an consideration to element right here that I actually did not count on, however I suppose that is what occurs when a tool reaches its third technology.
One of the largest upgrades I hoped for out of a brand new Chromebook Duet could be an up to date processor. Not simply because the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 is getting lengthy within the tooth, however we’d like a bit extra “oomph” with the entire AI options being carried out into ChromeOS.
For essentially the most half, the Dimensity 838 appears to ship, a chip that was launched in May 2024. Along with merely being extra highly effective than the Snapdragon 7c Gen 2, the Kompanio 838 additionally has an “AI-enabled NPU,” which ought to imply that the Duet 11 should not wrestle whenever you’re utilizing the on-device Gemini AI options.
I’m additionally a fan of the brand new “Welcome Recap” function that seems every time I wake the Duet 11 from sleep. Although I do not use it the entire time, I take pleasure in having the choice to both decide up from the place I left off or get the day began with a clear slate. It’s essential to level out that though the Welcome Recap function was introduced alongside the Duet 11, it isn’t restricted to the Duet, and is coming to all Chromebook homeowners.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11: What I do not
So far, I’ve been fairly darn optimistic on the Chromebook Duet 11, and for good purpose. However, it isn’t been all sunshine and rainbows, Since I sort of left off with efficiency within the final part, I’ll contact on a few issues that caught out.
I’m not totally certain if it is only a “me” factor, however I can not assist however really feel just like the cursor is not as easy correctly. There appears to be the slightest little bit of stutter, no matter whether or not I’m utilizing the trackpad that is constructed into the keyboard case or a Bluetooth mouse. It might have one thing to do with being on the ChromeOS Beta Channel, however I’ve already tried to Powerwash it for a unique purpose, and the stutter remains to be there.
Another drawback that I bumped into was that the Duet 11 simply fully froze whereas I used to be engaged on this overview. There have been about 10-15 Chrome tabs open, on one aspect of the window, with the Obsidian app open on the opposite.
I used to be going forwards and backwards between the completely different tabs after which tried to open the Slack PWA solely to finish up with a frozen display. The bizarre factor was that after I left Panera and bought house, I grabbed the Duet 11 out of my bag, opened it up, and all the pieces was nonetheless proper the place it was.
While which may appear to be rather a lot happening all on the identical time, there’s actually no excuse because the mannequin I’m utilizing is supplied with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There should not have been any bottle-necking to talk of, however that leaves me a bit frightened about Duet 11 with 4GB of RAM.
Having a number of configurations of a Chromebook is nice, and I fully perceive that the 4GB/64GB mannequin ought to be enough for a lot of. But is that basically going to be the case a couple of years from now? Frankly, I might have preferred to see the 8GB/128GB model as the place to begin, after which both an 8GB/256GB or perhaps a 16GB/256GB variant.
This is not one thing directed solely at Lenovo, as there are many Chromebooks on the market with simply 4GB of RAM. We already know the way fashionable Chromebooks are in lecture rooms, so maybe reserve the lower-end fashions for offers Google makes with college districts. In relation to the Duet 11, I can not assist however really feel prefer it takes away from the premium {hardware} expertise.
Even with the 8GB Chromebook Duet 11, you may end up bumping up towards the 128GB restrict. There are methods to work round this, however not everybody has quick web speeds to make the most of cloud storage options resembling Google Drive or Microsoft OneDrive. Of course, there’s additionally the choice of counting on a transportable SSD or exhausting drive, and whereas that is handy, it does not assist when you left it behind and also you want an essential file.
This might have been solved by implementing a microSD card slot, and it isn’t like there is not room within the chassis. Not solely did Lenovo add a 3.5mm headphone jack, however there’s additionally the bodily webcam change on the highest. At the top of the day, it appears like a missed alternative, even when some firms are attempting to section out expandable storage.
Lastly, it’s kind of disappointing to see one other new Chromebook launched in 2024 with out some type of biometrics. There are quite a lot of ways in which ChromeOS makes an attempt to maintain undesirable individuals from utilizing your Chromebook, however all it takes is only one time for the partitions to return crashing down.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11: The competitors
As I’ve talked about a couple of instances right here, there’s not a lot standing in Lenovo’s approach relating to Chromebook tablets. The ASUS Chromebook Detachable CM3001 is the latest contender and is sort of $100 cheaper. However, it additionally has some fairly thick bezels and is not almost as highly effective with the Kompanio 520 on the helm.
Your subsequent finest wager could be to get both the Chromebook Duet 3 or the Duet 5, regardless of these being a bit older. And when you like the concept of a ChromeOS pill, however desire a bigger display, then the Duet 5 remains to be your solely selection. We have been hoping to see a successor to Lenovo’s bigger Chromebook pill, however I suppose it simply is not within the playing cards.
The variety of alternate options shortly begins to develop, offered that you just’re okay with a extra conventional design. Acer’s Chromebook Plus 515 prices the identical quantity because the higher-end Duet 11, coming in at $399. But due to the Intel Core i3, you may take pleasure in the entire new and upcoming Chromebook Plus options that will not be obtainable on the Duet 11.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11: Should you purchase it?
You can buy this if:
- You need the most effective Chromebook pill.
- You’re able to improve from the IdeaPad Duet 3.
- You a light-weight and moveable system to take with you wherever.
- You’re on the lookout for a Chromebook that is a step above the price range choices.
- You desire a companion system that is extremely versatile.
You should not purchase this if:
- You want the quickest and strongest Chromebook on the market.
- You need to benefit from the numerous Chromebook Plus options which are obtainable.
- You do not need to be restricted to only two RAM and storage choices.
There’s no such factor as the right system, however it feels as if Lenovo is getting nearer and nearer to creating the right Chromebook pill. The authentic Duet offered a stable basis, and it was one which Lenovo has simply been constructing on since then. The Chromebook Duet 11 is a superb instance of when an organization makes significant enhancements, listens to suggestions, and implements modifications within the “proper” approach.
Sure, there are gripes and complaints available, however in actuality, I totally count on this new mannequin to promote simply in addition to its predecessors. It additionally would not shock me if it flies off of the cabinets as quickly as the primary spherical of reductions arrives.
I can (and can) wholeheartedly suggest the Duet 11 to anybody who asks, with one caveat — pay the additional $40 so you will get double the RAM and storage. We do not know what the longer term holds, however I might enterprise to guess that it will not be too lengthy earlier than efficiency takes a success with the entry-level model.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11
It’s unimaginable, when you get the proper one
There are two fashions of the Chromebook Duet 11, however solely one in every of them ought to be in your radar. The entry-level 4GB/64GB variant will most likely begin to really feel a bit sluggish a lot prior to the 8GB/128GB mannequin. So simply spring for the additional $40 and thank your self later.
