Among the handful of new products Lenovo announced at MWC 2022 is the IdeaPad Duet 5i, a detachable 2-in-1 Windows laptop that goes up against Microsoft's Surface Pro 8, which already had several contenders such as the Huawei MateBook E. The 2-in-1 laptop space is a very competitive one with options that cater to different price points.
Those looking to pick up a 2-in-1 are not limited to only Windows, as there are plenty of options on the Chrome OS side as well. Lenovo's lineup of 2-in-1s covers both categories, and in some cases, it is not unusual to find an almost identical Chrome OS equivalent to a Windows 2-in-1 or vice versa. For example, the Lenovo 10W Tablet can be considered a Windows alternative to the popular Chromebook Duet. Lenovo is not the only manufacturer that has adopted this business strategy. Asus also does the same, and a perfect example is the Windows 11-powered ExpertBook B3 which shares both its features and a striking resemblance to the Chromebook Detachable CM3.
The IdeaPad Duet 5i has a metal body with a grill that runs across the top side of the frame. Unlike the IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook, the Duet 5i has a built-in kickstand that enables it to be used in laptop mode, tablet mode, or pen mode. The power and volume buttons along with a headphone jack are on the right side, while the left is where the two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C (full-function) ports are located. Lenovo will sell the tablet in Stone Blue and Storm Gray colors. The Surface Pro 8 also has a metallic build, a built-in kickstand, two USB-C (Thunderbolt 4) ports on the right, an audio jack, and a Surface Connect port. It is available in Platinum and Graphite colorways.
IdeaPad Duet 5i Vs Surface Pro 8: Features And Price
The IdeaPad Duet 5i has a 12.25 inch 2.5K (2,650 x 1,600 pixels) IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and Dolby Vision support. It is also protected by Gorilla Glass. Microsoft's tablet is not only larger at 13-inches, but it also has a higher 2,880 x 1,920 resolution and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. It has a 3:2 aspect ratio and supports Dolby Vision. Above the display of the Lenovo 2-in-1 is a 5MP infrared camera for Lenovo Smart Login. It also has a 5MP rear camera. The Surface Pro 8 also has a 5MP 1080p infrared camera with Windows Hello Face Authentication, but its rear camera is a 10MP sensor with support for 4K video recording. Microsoft's Surface Pro 8 is powered by 11th-Gen Intel Core processors and can be configured with up to a Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. The base model has an Intel Core i5 chip, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD.
The IdeaPad Due 5i is powered by the newer 12th-Gen Intel processors (up to Core i7), up to 16GB RAM (dual channel), and up to 1TB SSD storage. The base model has a Pentium 8505 chip, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD storage. The Lenovo laptop also has WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and 2 × 1W speakers with Dolby Atmos. Its 50WHr battery is said to last up to 11 hours and it supports Rapid Charge Express, which provides three hours of use after a 15-minute charge. The Surface Pro 8 has WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, and 2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos. Microsoft advertises 16 hours of battery life but reviews have shown it is lower than this. While both devices support a detachable keyboard, Lenovo's keyboard is bundled with the tablet and connects via Bluetooth 5.0, allowing users to detach it and still use it with the device. The two computers also have stylus support, but the pens need to be bought separately.
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 has a better display and speakers, a higher-resolution rear camera, and faster and more useful Thunderbolt 4 ports. It can also be configured with up to 32GB RAM, plus its advertised battery life is better. However, it is more expensive with a starting price of $999 and buyers have to purchase the keyboard separately which starts at $139. The $129 Surface Slim Pen 2 stylus also needs to be bought separately. The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i has Intel's new 12th-Gen chips, WiFi 6E, and is cheaper with a $750 starting price. It also comes bundled with the backlit keyboard cover, but the Active Pen 3 stylus (price not yet announced) has to be bought separately.