Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i review 2024: premium 2-in-1 laptop

The new Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i, for example, comes with a keyboard that can be used separately via Bluetooth and has a 12th-generation Intel CPU inside. This new 2-in-1 Windows tablet from Lenovo beats Microsoft’s Surface Go 3 to the top spot as the best cheap mid-range Windows tablet. It’s basically everything the Surface Go 4 should be when it comes out next year.

The Surface Pro 9 might be the best Windows 11 2-in-1 you can buy, but it is also one of the most expensive. There is a line of Surface Go devices, with the most recent one being the Surface Go 3, which came out in 2021 and is starting to show its age. You don’t have to go to Microsoft to get a cheap Windows computer, which is good news. Many OEMs, like Lenovo, have tried to copy Microsoft’s almost-perfect Surface Go design, but with changes that make the devices more appealing.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i Specifications

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i: Design

The style of a Lenovo is pretty simple, which isn’t a bad thing. Considering how much it costs, the tablet feels and looks well-made. The blue color is nice, and the frame feels strong. It’s a step up from cheaper devices and not too far from the style of the Surface Pro and XPS 13 2-in-1, which both start at $999. The Duet 5i isn’t quite as slim, but at 0.35 by 11.22 by 7.36 inches (HWD) and 2.53 pounds, it’s still very small and easy to carry.

Of course, the best thing about it is that it can be used as both a tablet and a laptop. Like the Surface Pro, the IdeaPad has a kickstand built into the back and a keyboard that can be taken off. We like this better than 2-in-1s with kickstands built into the keyboard, which can be hard to set up and aren’t as sturdy. When you use the kickstand to prop up the Lenovo tablet, it stays perfectly still. You can buy this tablet from its official website

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i: Display

The Surface Go 3’s 10.5-inch screen is too small, which is one of its problems. This is also available on less expensive Windows computers. When you have too many tabs open at once, you can’t work. But the IdeaPad Duet 5i’s 12.4-inch screen is great for working with a computer.

Intel Core i3-1215U is the processor in our IdeaPad Duet 5i study unit. It has two high-performance cores and four low-power cores and uses 15 watts. Even though this CPU isn’t the best for gaming or editing pictures, you shouldn’t think it isn’t good enough.

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard is probably the best thing about the IdeaPad Duet 5i. Microsoft’s Type Covers are great because they turn a tablet into a laptop and have great key movement and typing experience. However, the keyboard that comes with the IdeaPad Duet 5i is much better because it works via Bluetooth.

It might seem like a small thing, but many people will care about it. We don’t always use my tablet as a laptop; sometimes I dock it to my monitor and turn it into a desktop PC. You don’t need a second keyboard or mouse.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i: Software

Windows 11, which is the latest operating system from Microsoft, runs on the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i. Windows 11 has a lot of software tools that help users be more productive, have more fun, and have a better overall experience. With its easy-to-use interface, users can quickly switch between apps and get to the Windows Store, where they can find a wide variety of apps and games.

Windows 11 also has better speed and security features, like the built-in Microsoft Defender Antivirus and Windows Hello, which lets you log in securely by recognizing your face. The IdeaPad Duet 5i also works with the Microsoft Office suite, so users can easily make, edit, and work together on documents. The IdeaPad Duet 5i is easy to use and flexible to use because of its software environment.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i: Performance

The Intel Core i3-1215U is the CPU in our IdeaPad Duet 5i study unit. It runs at 15 watts and has two speed cores and four efficiency cores. Even though this CPU isn’t very good for games or editing photos, you shouldn’t think it’s not good enough. The IdeaPad Duet 5i’s CPU and 8GB of RAM make it great for productivity jobs, but it won’t do well with anything else.

It’s still better than what you get on the Surface Go 3 or other Windows computers. That one’s dual-core 10th-generation CPU is much slower and less powerful than the one in this Lenovo. Lenovo basically did Microsoft’s job here by putting out a 2-in-1 that has the same specs as the Surface Go 4.

Pricing and availability

Usually, we tell people to go straight to the manufacturer’s website, but the IdeaPad Duet 5i isn’t on Lenovo’s website right now. The model we talked about can be bought at Best Buy. It can be bought for $789.99. We couldn’t find the tablet on Lenovo’s U.S. site. Lenovo’s reviewer’s guide mentioned a model with an Intel Core i7-1255U CPU and 16GB of RAM.

Final Words

Lenovo’s IdeaPad Duet 5i (Windows) is a fantastic laptop that provides excellent value for the money. Microsoft’s Surface Pro is the best in class in this category, followed closely by Dell’s XPS 13 2-in-1. The Lenovo isn’t as premium as those detachables, and its Core i3 processor and 128GB of storage may restrict your workflow.

But the craftsmanship is superb, and the functionality is a pleasant surprise for the price and features included. These are fair trade-offs that allow for a lower price, but they aren’t substantial enough to prevent it from being our top pick in this price bracket.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i review: The good and The bad

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