Lenovo doubles up on 2-in-1 Chromebooks at CES 2020

Whether you want a detachable or a convertible, Lenovo has you covered now.

Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice

Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.

Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials

More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.

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Joshua Goldman

Jan. 6, 2020 11:30 a.m. PT

2 min read

With Android apps able to run on Chromebooks, it's become increasingly valuable to have one that not only has a touchscreen, but can convert into a tablet. That's what the Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook and IdeaPad Duet Chromebook have in common. As shown at CES 2020, it's how they do it that separates them.

The IdeaPad Duet is a detachable two-in-one, so it's essentially a tablet Chromebook with a bright 400-nit, 10.1-inch FHD display. It's bundled with a full-size removable keyboard with a touchpad. The Duet comes with a cover with a built-in kickstand when you want to work or play games or stream video hands-free and there's an optional active pen for drawing or writing on the screen.

Available in May starting at $280, its specs suggest it won't be for power users, with components such as the MediaTek Helio P60T processor that's best for battery life (Lenovo says it'll run for up to 10 hours), up to 4GB of memory and up to 128GB eMMC flash memory for storage.

Watch this: Lenovo's future-forward laptops are packed with folding screens, E ink displays and 5G

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19-ideapad-flex-5-chromebook-13-graphite-grey-flat-left-with-back-side — The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook.
Lenovo

The Lenovo Flex 5 Chromebook would be the way to go if you need better performance. The Flex 5 is one of the first Chromebooks to be part of Intel's Project Athena program and is built around a 13-inch FHD 300-nit touchscreen with pen support. Inside you'll find:

Up to 10th-gen Intel Core i5-10210U processor
Intel integrated UHD graphics
Up to 8GB of memory
Up to 128GB PCIe SSD

Lenovo says the Flex 5 will also have a water-resistant backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 and up to 10 hours of battery life. It weighs in at just 3 pounds, too (1.4 kg). It's expected in June for around $360.