Although I spend a significant amount of time reviewing tablets and laptops at CNET, I’m sometimes pleasantly surprised when I encounter devices that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Take, for instance, this tablet-laptop combo that’s not only affordable but a reliable hybrid that you’ll have plenty of uses for. It’s still on sale for Cyber Monday, and you can save some serious cash by picking one up.
For me, its 11-inch touchscreen paired with a detachable keyboard cover, a rear cover with a kickstand, and stylus pen make it perfect for creating an on-the-go workstation that helps get the job done.
There are two main reasons this device works better for me than most standard laptops. First is its compact, lightweight size. Second is that it’s multifunctional. Since I regularly commute to work by train, both of these factors make the Duet Chromebook especially convenient. On occasions when I do need a bigger screen or a wider keyboard for faster typing, I’ll usually switch to my standard laptop. But the Duet 11, which functions both as a laptop and tablet, is the machine that fits my daily life the best and most often.
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, such as Windows or MacOS, and a mobile OS that your phone uses, such as Android.
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 weighs only about 2 pounds with all of its accessories.
Like a lot of people, I unwind on my commute home with some entertainment, and the Duet 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.
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