Hands-On: Lenovo's IdeaPad Duet 5i Takes on the Microsoft Surface Pro
Lenovo is building on the appeal of one of its successful Chromebook 2-in-1 offerings by pivoting it into a new Windows- and Intel- based detachable tablet, the IdeaPad Duet 5i.
Based on the excellent IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook, the Duet 5i is a Windows 11 machine with more impactful Intel processing chops. The “i”, indeed, stands for Intel. These changes have turned the base design into a much more Surface-like PC for true productivity.
This device will launch in July starting at $749.99, with the keyboard included. We were able to check out the 5i in person at a preview event in New York; see our first impressions in the video below...
While the original Duet 5 Chromebook variant will also remain available as a lower-powered, more affordable option, the 5i is looking to be Lenovo’s equivalent to the Surface Pro. A big part of that are the components, which we’ll get to, but as far as the design as concerned, it features a nice metal build, a built-in kickstand, and a removable keyboard.
The Duet 5i measures 0.37 by 11.4 by 7.6 inches (HWD) and 1.78 pounds. (The keyboard adds another 0.79 pound.) That’s quite portable for a full-fledged Windows machine, living up to the concept of the tablet/laptop hybrid and ready for your bag, airplane tray, or coffee-shop table.
Crucially, the keyboard can still function when you detach it from the machine. It can stay connected with Bluetooth, letting you type from a distance, which can be useful for comfort in less-traditional workspaces you may find yourself in while traveling. Lenovo rates the battery life of the keyboard for up to 28 hours on its own.
For a machine aspiring to professional use, a nice screen is a must. The 12.4-inch display is set up in a 16:10 aspect ratio with
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