Taking on the Microsoft Surface Pro, we get our hands on Lenovo’s IdeaPad Duet 5i.

With the IdeaPad Duet 5i, Lenovo hopes to capitalize on the popularity of its popular Chromebook 2-in-1 by repurposing it as a Windows and Intel-based detachable tablet.

The is a Windows 11 laptop based on the excellent Chromebook Duet 5, but with a more powerful Intel CPU. Intel is, in fact, represented by the “i.” For actual productivity, these improvements have transformed the base design into a Surface-like PC

The keyboard will be included when this device goes on sale in July for $749.99. Check out our initial thoughts of the 5i during a preview event in New York; see the video below…

Lenovo’s alternative to the Surface

The Duet 5 Chromebook will still be available, but the 5i is Lenovo’s answer to Microsoft’s Surface Pro, with a more powerful processor and more storage. We’ll get to the components later, but the design offers a good metal frame, a built-in kickstand, and a detachable keyboard are all noteworthy features.

The Duet 5i weighs 1.78 pounds and is 0.37 x 11.4 x 7.6 inches (HWD). (The keyboard adds an additional 0.79 pounds.) A full-featured Windows laptop that’s small enough to fit in a suitcase, on an airplane tray, or on a coffee shop table, is a true testament to the tablet/laptop hybrid concept.

When you remove the keyboard from the computer, it still works. A Bluetooth connection lets you type from a distance, which can be beneficial in less-traditional workspaces you might encounter when traveling. The battery life of Lenovo’s keyboard is rated for up to 28 hours.

If a machine is to be used professionally, it must have an attractive display. The native resolution of the 12.4-inch display is 2,560-by-1,600 pixels. If you’re looking for an ultra-bright, high-definition display with excellent color accuracy, this is it. When these devices are available, we’ll have to verify the promises made about their performance and battery life for ourselves. Aside from two 5-megapixel cameras, a dual microphone configuration, two speakers with Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi 6E compatibility, and Bluetooth 5.2, the device also has two 5-megapixel cameras and a dual microphone arrangement. Don’t bring your USB-A devices unless you have an adaptor with you, because the only USB-C port you get is for charging.

Windows and Intel ‘Alder Lake’ have formed a new partnership.

Although the look and functionality are enticing, the Duet 5i’s leap to Windows 11 and the most up-to-date Intel components distinguish it from its competitors. In addition to a wide range of processors, Lenovo will provide a low-power Intel Pentium 8505 chip in this system.

The more powerful Intel Core processors, on the other hand, are more likely to be popular. The latest 12th Generation “Alder Lake” Core processors will be available from Lenovo, with three alternatives to choose from. The Core i3-1215U is the entry-level processor, followed by the Core i7-1233U and Core i7-1255U, which are more powerful. Intel’s 12th Generation U-series CPUs were recently released last week.

It’s important to keep in mind that the last two Core i7s are U-series chips, which are expected to deliver great performance (definitely better than the Core i3 or Pentium alternatives). In thin and light PCs, this line has less power potential than the H or P series, which have higher wattage configurations. Even if you don’t need the power of a desktop or a workstation laptop, this should be just as powerful as any other ultraportable.

With the exception of the processor, the Duet 5i may be outfitted with up to 128GB of SSD storage and up to 16GB of RAM. Instead of relying on a standalone GPU, the processor’s integrated graphics are used.