Advice Request Lenovo Duet 5 2 in 1 Chromebook

[Divine_Barakah]

I hope this is the right forum to ask this question.


I found the Lenovo Duet 5 2 in 1 Chromebook for sale.

Chrome OS - Updates support until 2031Screen: 13.3" OLED 1920 x 1080 60Hz TouchscreenCPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 (2 performance cores, 6 efficiency cores, up to 2.55GHz)128GB - 8GB RAMGPU: Qualcomm Adreno 618 (integrated

I intend to use it for Office work (documents and zoom meetings) as well as Canva online.

The device is for sale for about $280 and it comes with the USI Stylus.


What do you think?

 

[Bot]

I hope this is the right forum to ask this question.


I found the Lenovo Duet 5 2 in 1 Chromebook for sale.



I intend to use it for Office work (documents and zoom meetings) as well as Canva online.

The device is for sale for about $280 and it comes with the USI Stylus.


What do you think?

For the use you described (documents, Zoom, Canva in the browser), that Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook should be perfectly adequate as long as you’re happy living in the browser/Google/online Office world.

How well will it handle your tasks?

• Office / document work
  The Duet 5 is fine for:
  • Google Docs, Sheets, Slides
  • Microsoft 365 (Word/Excel/PowerPoint) in the browser or as PWAs
  The Snapdragon SC7180 + 8GB RAM is enough for multiple tabs, docs, and some light multitasking. Just don’t expect Windows‑laptop levels of power for very heavy multitasking or big spreadsheets.
  
• Zoom meetings
  It can run Zoom via:
  • Zoom PWA (Progressive Web App) from the Chrome Web Store
  For normal meetings (1:1 or small groups) it should be fine. In very large meetings or with screen sharing at high resolution, you might notice:
  • Higher CPU usage
  • Fanless design = it may get warm but should stay quiet
  If possible, look up user reports about “Duet 5 Zoom performance” to confirm it matches your expectations.
  
• Canva (online)
  Canva is web-based, so it’s a good match for a Chromebook. The Duet 5 should handle:
  • Simple to moderately complex designs
  • Social media posts, basic flyers, slides, etc.
  Very complex designs with many layers/elements may feel a bit slower, but for typical Canva use it’s generally OK.

Hardware & usability

• Screen: 13.3" OLED 1080p is a big plus – sharp, vibrant, and excellent for reading and design work in Canva.
• RAM & storage: 8GB RAM is good for ChromeOS, much better than 4GB. 128GB storage is fine if you mainly use cloud storage (Google Drive/OneDrive). If you store lots of local files, check whether this model has a microSD slot – I’m not fully sure, so worth verifying.
• CPU/GPU: Snapdragon SC7180 + Adreno 618 is mid-range ARM hardware. Great for light office, browsing, media consumption. Not for heavy gaming or serious local video editing.
• Stylus (USI): Nice bonus for:
  • Annotation
  • Note-taking
  • Simple drawing/design work in Canva and other apps
• Keyboard & form factor: Being a 2-in-1 detachable is nice for portability and tablet mode, but:
  • The keyboard will feel different from a traditional laptop – some users love it, some don’t.
  • If you type a lot, check reviews of the Duet 5 keyboard comfort.
• Ports: Chromebook 2‑in‑1s can be minimal on ports. Check:
  • How many USB‑C ports it has
  • Whether there is a headphone jack (I’m not 100% sure; some Duet models don’t have one)

Support & updates

You mentioned ChromeOS updates until 2031. If that Auto Update Expiration date is accurate for this exact model, that’s very good — you’d get:

• Several more years of security updates
• Low maintenance, automatic updates
• Good security profile (ChromeOS is generally one of the more secure consumer OS options)

Is $280 a good price?

Assuming:

• It’s in good condition (or new/like new)
• Keyboard cover is included (as it usually is)
• USI Stylus included, as you said

Then $280 is a quite reasonable deal based on typical pricing I’ve seen. New units usually go for more, especially with OLED and 8GB RAM.

When might it NOT be a good choice?

You might want to skip it if:

• You absolutely need full Windows desktop Office with advanced macros/add‑ins.
• You plan to do heavy video editing, gaming, or very large Canva projects all the time.
• You need specific Windows-only or x86-only apps (many Linux/x86 tools don’t run natively on ARM).

Bottom line

For:

• Browser-based Office/Google Docs
• Zoom calls
• Canva online
• Reading, media, light multitasking

…the Lenovo Duet 5 at $280 with OLED and a USI stylus looks like a solid buy, especially if you’re comfortable living mostly in the browser and with ChromeOS.

If you want, you can share whether it’s new or used and the exact model number, and I can point out any model-specific things to double-check before you commit.

 

[LinuxFan58]

For the use you described (documents, Zoom, Canva in the browser), that Lenovo Duet 5 Chromebook should be perfectly adequate as long as you’re happy living in the browser/Google/online Office world.

That for me is the breaking point. I tried Google Office Onlne for a while, but it feels awkard. It is low price with high value for money and high security, so what is the problem with using a lean client? Well I just bought a hybrid car with in stead of an electric, because I don't like the charging dependancy. Same experience I had with a Chrome book it is great, just the internet connection dependancy and the different working made me pay 400 euro's more for a fat client laptop.

@Divine_Barakah
Can you try out a Chrome book to see whether it works for you?

 

[Bot]

That for me is the breaking point. I tried Google Office Onlne for a while, but it feels awkard. It is low price with high value for money and high security, so what is the problem with using a lean client? Well I just bought a hybrid car with in stead of an electric, because I don't like the charging dependancy. Same experience I had with a Chrome book it is great, just the internet connection dependancy and the different working made me pay 400 euro's more for a fat client laptop.

@Divine_Barakah
Can you try out a Chrome book to see whether it works for you?

Your reasoning makes a lot of sense, and many people have the same “breaking point” with Chromebooks: the mix of web dependency and different workflow compared to classic desktop apps.

ChromeOS vs “fat client” laptops

• Internet dependency
  Even though ChromeOS does have offline features (offline Docs, offline Gmail via PWA, local Android apps, Linux apps on some models), the whole experience is clearly designed around:
  • Always-on connectivity
  • Browser/PWA-based work
  If your comfort zone is “I want my apps and files locally, and I don’t want to think about whether this tab will work offline”, then a Windows “fat client” absolutely fits better.
  
• Office workflow
  You nailed the main difference:
  • Google Docs/Sheets/Slides feel different (and somewhat limited/awkward) if you’re used to full desktop Word/Excel/PowerPoint with plugins, macros, etc.
  • Office web apps (Word/Excel/PowerPoint Online) are also cut-down versions. They’re fine for light use, but not everyone enjoys them as a primary tool.
  Paying more for a laptop that runs the classic apps you like is a very reasonable trade-off.
  
• Your hybrid vs EV analogy
  That’s actually a good way to describe it:
  • Chromebook ≈ EV: efficient, low maintenance, secure, but very dependent on “infrastructure” (good internet + cloud services + Google account).
  • Windows “fat client” ≈ hybrid: more complexity and local maintenance, but much more self-contained and flexible for different environments.
  If you value independence from connectivity and a familiar workflow, choosing the “hybrid” is completely rational.

For someone like @Divine_Barakah

If you’re unsure whether a Chromebook will work for you, the smartest move is to test one before fully committing:

• Try one in a store if possible:
  • Open Google Docs/Sheets
  • Try the Zoom PWA
  • Pretend to do 15–20 minutes of your normal daily work
• Borrow or buy with a good return policy:
  • Use it as your only machine for a few days
  • Pay attention to what frustrates you:
    • Missing apps?
    • Offline limitations?
    • Keyboard/touchpad vs your usual laptop?
• Check offline capabilities explicitly:
  • Enable offline mode in Google Docs
  • Try working on a doc, presentation, or spreadsheet with Wi‑Fi off
  • Test how it syncs when you go back online

Bottom line

You’re not “wrong” to prefer a classic laptop at all. Chromebooks are fantastic for people who:

• Live mostly in the browser
• Are almost always online
• Don’t need heavy desktop apps

But if you dislike feeling dependent on connectivity and you prefer full desktop Office, then paying extra for a Windows laptop (your “fat client”) is a very reasonable and defensible choice.

For anyone unsure (like @Divine_Barakah), hands-on testing for a few days is the only real way to know whether ChromeOS’s way of working “clicks” or feels awkward.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Chromebooks are no fuss low maintenance machines with good security, Google Docs and Zoom should be fine, unsure what Canva is?

The problem is they are cheap and disposable so you won't get good webcam resolution or much DDR to multitask.

Lenovo is a good brand but any Chromebook will suite your purpose, reputable brand.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

That for me is the breaking point. I tried Google Office Onlne for a while, but it feels awkard. It is low price with high value for money and high security, so what is the problem with using a lean client? Well I just bought a hybrid car with in stead of an electric, because I don't like the charging dependancy. Same experience I had with a Chrome book it is great, just the internet connection dependancy and the different working made me pay 400 euro's more for a fat client laptop.

@Divine_Barakah
Can you try out a Chrome book to see whether it works for you?

I already have an Acer Spin 714 and I'm happy with it.

I'm considering the Lenovo Duet 5 because it is very light to carry with me, but what concerns me is the CPU as it's Snapdragon.

My Acer has i5 12th but its bulky.

 

[LinuxFan58]

Canva is a graphics (drawing) tools which you can use for all sorts of things, from Business Model Canvas to making rich wireframes. It is popular with students

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Chromebooks are no fuss low maintenance machines with good security, Google Docs and Zoom should be fine, unsure what Canva is?

The problem is they are cheap and disposable so you won't get good webcam resolution or much DDR to multitask.

Lenovo is a good brand but any Chromebook will suite your purpose, reputable brand.

My Acer Spin 714 camera is decent and the screen is amazing.

The Lenovo Duet screen is Oled and the device is very light which is a plus for me. What concerns me is the CPU as I have never used a snapdragon powered laptop before.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

Ahhh OK, sounds GPU/CPU intensive. I'd check system requirements before buying a Chromebook.

Snapdragon should be fine depending on task, how much ram does it have?

 

[LinuxFan58]

I already have an Acer Spin 714 and I'm happy with it.

I'm considering the Lenovo Duet 5 because it is very light to carry with me, but what concerns me is the CPU as it's Snapdragon.

My Acer has i5 12th but its bulky.

I use an Andriod tablet (I commute to work by train) for reading stuff and email. For this light office work Snapdragons are fine, When you are used to Google docs than you will like the long battery life your chrome book probably has.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

I use an Andriod tablet (I commute to work by train) for reading stuff and email. For this light office work Snapdragons are fine, When you are used to Google docs than you will like the long battery life your chrome book probably has.

It seems that I'm going to take my chances and get it and see how it goes.
I already have a powerful Windows laptop that I mainly use at home along with a powerful Chromebook.

But I'm getting the Lenovo Duet because of its portability and nice screen. I hope it does not let me down.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Ahhh OK, sounds GPU/CPU intensive. I'd check system requirements before buying a Chromebook.

Snapdragon should be fine depending on task, how much ram does it have?

8 GBs of Ram.

 

[Zero Knowledge]

8 GBs of Ram.

8GB is plenty with a Snapdragon, if it was 4 or 6 I'd be worried. Tablets like the Lenovo you listed are disposable, use for a year or two then throw away and buy new.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

So I was able to try the device, but I did not like it. It is basically a tablet disguised as a laptop. Maybe that's what a 2 in 1 device is like?

Opening multiple tabs on Chrome degraded the performance of the device and I'm sure it was not ram, but rather the CPU.

The screen is very very nice and the sound is amazing. Battery life is great too.

My final thought is I should stay away from Chromebooks that are not powered by Intel CPUs.

 

[Divergent]

So I was able to try the device, but I did not like it. It is basically a tablet disguised as a laptop. Maybe that's what a 2 in 1 device is like?

Opening multiple tabs on Chrome degraded the performance of the device and I'm sure it was not ram, but rather the CPU.

The screen is very very nice and the sound is amazing. Battery life is great too.

My final thought is I should stay away from Chromebooks that are not powered by Intel CPUs.

Chromebook Plus on up is the only way to have enough juice to get things done. My 14 inch Asus Chromebook plus is lightweight easy to carry around, touch screen, powerful Intel I-series processor that will turbo to 4.50 GHz with 8 GB of RAM. It more than gets the job done. That Intel i5 in your Acer should be the same.

I do not live in the browser solely because the Linux Environment is quite useful. It's the best of all worlds iny eyes, although the tight security restrictions can hamper certain aspects of tool use, it's a trade off that's necessary due that level of security.

 

[Divine_Barakah]

Chromebook Plus on up is the only way to have enough juice to get things done. My 14 inch Asus Chromebook plus is lightweight easy to carry around, touch screen, powerful Intel I-series processor that will turbo to 4.50 GHz with 8 GB of RAM. It more than gets the job done. That Intel i5 in your Acer should be the same.

I do not live in the browser solely because the Linux Environment is quite useful. It's the best of all worlds iny eyes, although the tight security restrictions can hamper certain aspects of tool use, it's a trade off that's necessary due that level of security.

I have Acer Spin 714 Chromebook Plus with Intel Evo Core 15 12th gen and I do like it, but it is not that lightweight.