I’ve tested and used lots of different tablets over the years, but I’ve never fit one into my daily life. I either use my phone or step up to my laptop when I need a bigger screen or a keyboard for faster typing. However, since I regularly commute by train for work, having a device that’s compact, lightweight and multitalented is incredibly handy.
The Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook has this versatility, and it’s on a massive sale right now for Black Friday. It’s an 11-inch tablet paired with a detachable keyboard cover, a rear cover with a kickstand and, if you want, you can pair it with an active pen for drawing or writing on the screen. You can save $110 right now as it’s on sale for $269 at Best Buy.
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On the surface, you might think it’s no different than an iPad or any number of Android tablets. But the big differences are the operating system, ChromeOS, and its price. If you’ve never used ChromeOS, it’s sort of a mix between a traditional desktop OS like Windows or MacOS and a mobile OS that your phone uses. The combination makes it easier for me to get work done with a keyboard and trackpad or mouse, but it also uses apps from the Google Play Store, so it has a mobile device feel, too. The only hiccup might be if your work relies on software only available for MacOS or Windows. That’s never been an issue for me, as there’s typically a web or mobile app I can use in its place.
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The Duet 11 helps me stay busy during my train commute
The Duet’s size is really nice for my train commute, letting me easily edit docs or respond to emails on my way to work. It has a fantastic front-facing 5-megapixel camera, too, so I can use it for a Zoom chat when necessary, and the camera has a physical privacy shutter to block it out the rest of the time. I especially like the Duet 11’s zippy performance. It wakes as soon as I drop the keyboard open, and I can quickly tether to my Pixel phone for an instant internet connection. Battery life is strong, too, at up to 11 hours in my use of it.
Using the Duet on your lap can be a little bit of a balancing act, but it’s doable. Its compact size makes it ideal for cramped coffee shop tables and other places where a full-size laptop might be awkward. It also only weighs about 2 pounds with all of its accessories.
Read more: Why a Chromebook Is Probably All You Need
Like a lot of people, I unwind on my commute home with some entertainment, and the Duet also shines for that. Pop off the magnetically attached keyboard and ChromeOS switches to a more touch-friendly experience. The tablet supports cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now, which means that with a strong web connection, you can play all kinds of games. I love to play mobile games on it from the Play Store, too.
The Duet’s versatility is what makes it a great gift
In addition to being ideal for commuting and cramped spaces, the Duet is also a good e-reader. I use it for reading manga with the Viz and Shonen Jump apps, and I regularly dip into my library’s collection of ebooks and magazines via the Libby app. The device is good for streaming video and music, too, though I prefer Bluetooth headphones over the tablet’s little speakers.
While I mainly use it for travel and on my commute, the Duet is equally great around the house. I wouldn’t recommend the Duet as your only laptop unless you simply don’t need to do more than basic home office work and can connect to a larger display, keyboard and mouse. The 11-inch touchscreen, while great-looking, is a little too small for all-day, everyday use. But as a secondary device to a larger, more powerful desktop or laptop, it’s just about perfect.
Will the Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook be on sale for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
The Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook is currently on sale, and we expect it to stay on sale through the holiday.
For additional gift ideas, here are the best tech gifts under $100. If you want to discover the best Chromebooks on the market, here are CNET’s top picks.