4 votes

US review of the Ideapad Duet 5i

Posted by DanielB
Tags: lenovo, surface.pro, pc, tablets, hardware, reviews, usa
https://www.bestbuy.com/site/lenovo-ideapad-windows-duet-5i-12-3-2560x1600-touch-2-in-1-tablet-core-i3-1215u-8gb-ram-128gb-ssd-with-keyboard-stone-blue/6510099.p?skuId=6510099

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Title
Lenovo Ideapad Windows Duet 5i 12.3" (2560x1600) Touch 2-in-1 Tablet Core i3-1215U 8GB RAM 128GB SSD with Keyboard Stone Blue 82TQ0007US - Best Buy
Word count
499 words

5 comments

  1. [5]
    DanielB
    (edited )
    Link
    Here are my thoughts on the Duet 5i: In the US, only the baseline i3-1215u 8/128GB variant is available. It is frequently on sale for $520 new, even less at times. It comes packaged with a...

    Here are my thoughts on the Duet 5i:

    • In the US, only the baseline i3-1215u 8/128GB variant is available.
    • It is frequently on sale for $520 new, even less at times.
    • It comes packaged with a keyboard.
      • The keyboard also connects via Bluetooth and can be used while detached.
    • the 12th gen Intel CPUs are significantly better than the 11th gen, such as the ones in the Surface Pro 7. The i3-1215u outperforms 11th gen i7 CPUs.
    • Contrary to many reviews, this little tablet is user serviceable, much more so than the newest Surface lines.
      • The screen can be removed with a T5 screwdriver and clips, to access the battery and 2242 SSD.
      • However the RAM is soldered on.
    • Only two USB-C ports on one side and a headphone jack are on the device.
    • The keyboard can be used as a Bluetooth keyboard even when detached.
    • The lack of support, user popularity and accessories could be a dealbreaker for some, and could cause potential issues in terms of repairs down the road.
      • A relevant side note; there is an Ideapad Duet 5 that is a chromebook but the screen size is larger/different than the 5i and uses a phone/ARM CPU. Things like screen covers and/or cases are not compatible!

    https://www.notebookcheck.net/i3-1215U-vs-i7-1165G7-vs-i3-1125G4_14098_12118_12740.247596.0.html

    https://download.lenovo.com/consumer/mobiles_pub/ideapad_duet_5_hmm.pdf?clickid=UuBSp5ViQxyNW-rQgf0ZdzR3UkFzcpzpUzxtUc0&irgwc=1&PID=10451&acid=ww%3Aaffiliate%3Abv0as6&cid=us%3Aaffiliate%3Acxsaam

    3 votes
    1. [2]
      autobulb
      Link Parent
      Nearly 800 dollars is way too much for 8GB of non-upgradable memory. Can't wait for laptops to start being released with the 7040U series AMD processors. They are much more interesting than the...

      Nearly 800 dollars is way too much for 8GB of non-upgradable memory.

      Can't wait for laptops to start being released with the 7040U series AMD processors. They are much more interesting than the latest Intel ones.

      3 votes
      1. DanielB
        Link Parent
        I agree with you 100%, and part of the reason I picked this up was the cost - got it for less than $500 open box, and it also includes the keyboard! Within the spectrum of computers 8GB is...

        I agree with you 100%, and part of the reason I picked this up was the cost - got it for less than $500 open box, and it also includes the keyboard!

        Within the spectrum of computers 8GB is criminal however I believe the market leader in this segment (Microsoft Surface) has to do better for others to follow suit.

        1 vote
    2. [2]
      chou
      Link Parent
      I'm sure it's a lovely machine, but the not-on-sale price for this thing is just a testament to hubris. No wonder the thing is unpopular - who on earth would pay that much for this when you can...
      • The lack of support, user popularity and accessories could be a dealbreaker for some, and could cause potential issues in terms of repairs down the road.

      I'm sure it's a lovely machine, but the not-on-sale price for this thing is just a testament to hubris. No wonder the thing is unpopular - who on earth would pay that much for this when you can buy a new iPad Pro for the same money?

      The serviceability parts of this do seem extremely nice, though.

      2 votes
      1. DanielB
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        I don’t necessarily disagree but I can see their approach for several reasons: If we are only considering the tablet/tablet PC space, the market leaders (Surface/iPad) have priced themselves where...

        I don’t necessarily disagree but I can see their approach for several reasons:

        • If we are only considering the tablet/tablet PC space, the market leaders (Surface/iPad) have priced themselves where this pricing is still competitive - even more so when you consider that the keyboard case is included whereas it is not on theirs.
        • It is still a niche market for detachables/tablet PCs and they can provide discounts if it doesn’t sell. Which it clearly did not (which is a shame).

        I wouldn’t consider an iPad to be an equivalent to this however - I had the air 4 and surface pro 7+, and if you’re going to get an iPad you’re not considering pc alternatives.
        And after using both I believe the opposite is also true.

        2 votes