![]() ![]() The Surface Go 2’s larger 10.5-inch display is just slightly higher resolution at 3:2 and 1,920 x 1,280, but the difference isn’t noticeable. The 16:10 aspect ratio makes for comfortable portrait use, and the 1,920 x 1,200 resolution is sharp on the 10.1-inch panel. You can get a better display on other tablets. And that’s OK because you wouldn’t want to do work like that on this tablet in any event. The display’s colors appear sufficient for web browsing, productivity work, and watching Netflix, but they’re likely not wide nor accurate enough for pro-level photo editing. Lenovo rates the display at 400 nits, and while I can’t measure it with my colorimeter thanks to a lack of Chrome OS support, the screen does seem bright enough for all but working outside under direct sunlight. The keyboard isn’t perfect, but the fact that Lenovo includes it in the Duet’s low price makes things far more palatable. You’ll spend hundreds more on a Surface Go 2 or iPad to enjoy the same functionality - and value is the real story. You can pick up an active pen as an optional purchase. The touch display is responsive and, again, everything feels natural. Then, detach the rear cover and the keyboard and you’re left with a svelte tablet that’s eminently comfortable to use for swiping through web pages and reading e-books and other documents. Mousing around and using Chrome OS multitouch gestures felt natural and precise. It’s rather small, by necessity given the tablet’s overall dimensions, but it’s smooth in action and has a satisfying click. Unlike Microsoft’s excellent Type Cover, the Duet’s keyboard doesn’t prop up at an angle, leaving flat as the only option. The key mechanism was clicky and quiet, though, which is great. The layout, though still felt cramped - especially the tiny punctuation keys on the right. It’s secure, the key pitch (the distance between the center of each key) is a healthy 18mm, and the travel is good at 1.3mm. It connects to the tablet via pogo pins and more magnets. The keyboard itself is a little less impressive. You’ll spend hundreds more on a Surface Go 2 or iPad to enjoy the same functionality. Like most detachable tablets, though, it’s clumsy in a lap. It also holds the tablet at a good angle on a flat surface. That matches the Surface Go 2’s and lets the tablet lay at a comfortable angle for inking. The kickstand extends out to an impressive 135 degrees. The kickstand cover attaching to the rear of the tablet with an amazingly strong magnet that makes for a surprisingly secure combination. The question is, how’s the quality of these included components? You’ll spend a minimum of $130 more with the Surface Go 2 and iPad to equip the same functionality. Keyboard and touchpadĪs mentioned earlier, the Duet ships with a kickstand cover and a detachable keyboard in the box, making the tablet a tremendous value. Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2 are there to keep you connected wirelessly. There’s also no SD card slot, another disappointment. That’s one area I wish it hadn’t followed the lead of the iPad. There’s no 3.5mm audio jack and no included adapter - that’s a bummer, limiting you to connecting a headphone or speaker via Bluetooth. One disappointment is the single USB-C port serving as the only connection. It’s a conservative design that’s neither boring nor outlandish, landing it right in the Goldilocks zone of good looks. The Duet is also an attractive tablet in its Ice Blue and Iron Gray color scheme that’s carried over to the cloth covering on the kickstand cover (the gray at least). You have to upgrade to the much more expensive iPad Pro and add on the Magic Keyboard to get a touchpad built into the keyboard cover. Note that both the Duet and the Surface Go 2 solutions include a touchpad while the iPad’s does not. That’s thicker and heavier than the Surface Go 2 with its integrated kickstand and $130 Type Cover and the iPad with its $159 Smart Keyboard. In that case, the Duet becomes quite chunky at 0.71 inches thick and 2.03 pounds. Things change a bit when you add the rear kickstand cover and keyboard. ![]() New Lenovo IdeaPads look like the Chromebooks to beat Lenovo’s IdeaPad 5i is the first Chromebook with a 120Hz refresh rate Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i: which 2-in-1 is best? ![]()
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