Lenovo Duet Convertible Chromebook (2025)

An Amazing Device, Lightweight yet durable But Not Your Average Laptop: Understanding the Chromebook Duet ​The Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 is a great device a truly excellent piece of kit, I must say. When I was told it was somewhat different from a traditional laptop, I didn't quite grasp the full extent of the difference, but having now purchased it, I've come to a firm conclusion about what those differences are. ​While it is superb, there are a few things to note for anyone used to a standard laptop keyboard: ​No Caps Lock: There isn't a dedicated Caps Lock key like on a regular keyboard. ​Touchpad 'Right-Click': You won't find a conventional right-click button. To perform this function using the touchpad, you need to double-tap with both fingers instead. ​Missing Delete Key: There is no dedicated Delete button on the keyboard, meaning familiar shortcuts must be performed in a different manner. ​Because of these differences, you'll need to learn or become much more familiar with keyboard shortcuts to manoeuvre around different pages and sites. This is a bit of a learning curve, which can be quite fun if you're keen on shortcuts, though perhaps less so if you're not! ​Versatility and Value: Why the Duet Stands Out ​Setting up the Duet was simply magic, operating almost like the click of a button—fast and effortless. This ease of use ties perfectly into the Google ecosystem. With Google being the main operating system, backing up anything from an old device, or moving data from this Duet to a future device, is reassuringly simple and seamless. This process already looks far easier than with my old tablet keyboard kind of laptop. ​The device itself is fantastic because it works great as both a laptop and a tablet. In fact, it has successfully replaced my old tablet keyboard kind of laptop, which I was very attached to! The Duet is very similar in shape and feel to that device, but it is arguably a better device and was certainly cheaper than the newest upgrade to that kind of laptop. ​If your primary usage is watching YouTube, connecting to your Bluetooth speaker for music and videos, Google searching, and playing light games from the Google Play Store, this is the perfect option for you. It's also great for drawing or writing out notes by hand because it can effortlessly turn those handwritten notes into text documents. If you love Google as a browser engine and enjoy the look and feel of how the Google ecosystem works, this device is a fantastic fit. ​In terms of value, this is your best, cheapest bet for similar functionality. If you are not looking to spend thousands or even a thousand on a new laptop or a more formidable tablet keyboard kind of laptop, this is a great upgrade that offers the same core functionality without the hefty price tag. ​A quick note on gaming: Some games you find in the Google Play Store are designed specifically for the standard phone format, so they may not look terribly great on the larger screen here. On a much brighter note, it does come with a built-in camera privacy cover, which is awfully convenient and means you don't have to bother buying an additional accessory! ​The Stylus Situation ​If, like me, you purchased a stylus pen separately as an addition to this device, be warned about the magnet. While it's lovely to have the function of the pen sticking to the back of the Chromebook so you don't misplace it when it's stationary, the magnet itself is simply not very strong. If you pick up your Chromebook with the pen attached, it will come tumbling off. Expecting it to stay put like a fridge magnet while you're either walking around or even just picking it up for a quick second is definitely not the case. If you intend to carry the stylus around, you will certainly need to invest in a case with a dedicated pen holder. ​A Word of Warning on Accessories ​Do be warned that the accessories for this particular device are very specifically fitted. If you're like me and assume that accessories for a similar-sized device might fit, be cautious! A mere few millimetres' difference will absolutely make all the difference. You are much better off purchasing accessories that specifically state they are for the Lenovo Duet Chromebook Gen 9 rather than something in a similar category, otherwise, you'll likely find yourself returning and exchanging things.