Editor-DN
While we’ve seen a few Chromebook releases over the course of the year, there haven’t been any major announcements since the spring. Not anymore, because we’re getting not one, but two new and exciting Chromebooks.
These devices were announced alongside a number of new changes coming to ChromeOS in the coming weeks and months. Thankfully, I was able to spend some time with the new Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11″ and Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus, and I’m here to share some thoughts about my experience.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11
In 2020, Lenovo released the original Chromebook Duet, a ChromeOS tablet that endeared itself to many. This remained true until its successor was introduced with the Chromebook Duet 3, which launched in 2022. It also became an instant fan favorite, offering improvements across the board.
Fast forward to now, and Lenovo is back again with the Chromebook Duet 11. Unlike the jump between the original Duet and Duet 3, the changes this time around are much more subtle. For one, there’s no Duet 5 successor to speak of, which is a bit of a surprise but seems to prove that the public prefers smaller tablets.
Notably, Google pointed out that the Duet is the “best-selling Chromebook of all time,” which is downright impressive. Needless to say, Lenovo and Google hope the new Duet 11 will continue to sell like hotcakes.
If you’re wondering about specs, we’ve got you covered:
| category | Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11″ |
|---|---|
| Display | 10.95 inches |
| Resolution | 1920 x 1200 (WUXGA) |
| shine | 400 nits |
| The processor | MediaTek Kompanio 838 |
| Ram | 8 GB |
| storage | 128 GB |
| Battery | Up to 12 hours |
| Additional | USI 2.0 Stylus (sold separately) / Case with keyboard and kickstand included |
After spending some time with the Duet 11, I have a feeling Lenovo has another winner on its hands. The design is quite similar to the Duet 3, with a few key differences. The first thing I noticed besides what was on the screen was that Lenovo rearranged the ports with the Duet 11.
There’s still a USB-C port on the left side, but it’s now joined by a 3.5mm headphone jack, a surprising omission from the Duet 3. Duet 11, possibly just in an effort to make plugging in a USB-C hub or other peripherals more accessible.
Another change that surprised me is the shape of the new physical privacy switch at the top. It’s a feature that’s become a staple with “traditional” Chromebooks, so it’s surprising to see it land on the Duet 11.
If you decide to pick up the Duet 11 for yourself, you’ll be happy to know that Lenovo includes its own case with keyboard and kickstand. This makes it very easy to start using out of the box, but the same cannot be said for Lenovo’s stylus.
Chromebook Duet 11 is According to USI 2.0, and thankfully, we don’t have to worry about any of the issues we saw with the Duet 3. However, I can’t help but feel like Lenovo missed an opportunity by not including a stylus in the box. Instead, you’ll either have to pick one up for yourself or rely on what you already have.
One area of improvement that was identified is that palm rejection when writing or drawing on the Duet 11 has been greatly improved. Featuring stylus support.
It’s also worth noting that Google is partnering with Goodnotes, as you’ll be able to get a three-month subscription to the app for free. Adding even more credence to the idea that Lenovo should have included a stylus in the box.
Regardless, I’m glad to see that the case and kickstand come in the box with the keyboard, while also offering a bit of a redesign compared to the Duet 3’s combo. Notably, Lenovo ditched the fabric from the previous version, opting instead for a rubber/silicone texture.
The keyboard hasn’t changed much. Lenovo uses a mechanical trackpad and chiclet-style keys. The typing experience is still one of my favorites, even if it lacks the tweaks offered by the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
As for the kickstand, the design has been tweaked in an effort to make the Duet a bit more functional. As well as being used to hold the tablet horizontally on your lap or on a table, you can also adjust the kickstand and use the Duet 11 vertically. It’s not exactly the most dramatic change, but it’s definitely an improvement in quality of life.
Speaking of which, if you decide to pick up Lenovo’s USI 2.0 stylus pen, it still magnetically attaches to the Duet 11’s back. Sliding the Duet 11 in and out of your bag.
I didn’t realize it until later, but I’m kind of disappointed that the Duet 11 doesn’t fall under the Chromebook Plus umbrella. The obvious reason for this is Lenovo’s decision to rely on the Kompanio 828 as opposed to an Intel or AMD chip. In addition, the Duet 11 has everything needed to meet the minimum hardware specifications for a Chromebook Plus.
The picture 1 Of 3
That doesn’t mean the Duet 11 won’t be a performer, but it will miss out on some of the new Chromebook Plus features that were also announced. On the bright side, Google is bringing more and more features to the non-Plus models, which is great for all Chromebook owners, not just the Duet 11.
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 costs $349, and will be available sometime this month.
Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus
Of course, the more exciting announcement to come is that Samsung is getting back into Chromebooks in a big way. The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus is finally official, bringing with it some big changes and features aimed at setting it above the rest.
Starting off, it’s being called the “thinnest Chromebook Plus ever,” as it’s only 11.8mm thick. Another plus is that the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is also incredibly light, weighing just 2.58 pounds.
| category | Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus |
|---|---|
| Display | 15.6 inch OLED |
| shine | 400 nits |
| The processor | Intel Core 3 100U (Raptor Lake-R) |
| Ram | 8 GB |
| storage | 256 GB |
| Battery | Up to 13 hours |
| The weight | 2.58 pounds |
| Additional | Quick Insert Key |
When hearing these numbers, the first thing that came to mind was whether there would be competition with keyboard (or deck) flex. I am happy to say that this will not be a problem for anyone. Even when he held the laptop open at one corner with his index finger and thumb, there was no discernible flex.
This is great to see, as this is usually a sticking point with a few different Chromebook models. But I’m glad to see that Samsung managed to do some magic to alleviate any potential concerns.
One of the reasons I’m concerned about the possibility of a deck flex is that the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is packing a 15.6-inch OLED display. With larger laptops, there’s usually a compromise to be made. somewherebut I didn’t get that feeling in my time with Samsung’s upcoming offering.
The display itself looks as crisp and clear as you’d expect from a premium Samsung product. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the same panel that the company used with the Galaxy Book 4 360.
Performance-wise, I don’t see too many issues, as the Galaxy Chromebook Plus is powered by an Intel Core 3 100U. It’s part of Intel’s Raptor Lake series, which seems to be doing pretty well on Windows, so I think the same will happen with ChromeOS.
Paired with the Core 3 100U, Samsung includes 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, which again should be ok For the majority of people. My biggest sticking point is that Samsung only seems to be offering one configuration. So if you want more RAM and/or more storage, you’re out of luck.
In addition to being the “thinnest,” the Galaxy Chromebook Plus also earns the distinction of being a “first” in another big way. As we saw earlier this year when Microsoft made a Copilot key mandatory for Windows laptops, Google is now introducing a new Quick Insert key.
However, instead of using Copilot or Gemini, pressing the Quick Insert key will bring up a drop-down menu on your screen. From here, you can access various tools and features. These include things like Help Me Write and other Gemini-powered features. But it doesn’t stop there, as you can view your browsing history, search for a specific file in Google Drive, or simply insert an emoji.
An even more important benefit, I’d argue, is that the Quick Insert menu isn’t limited to being available only with Google’s apps. It’s integrated at the OS level, meaning you can take advantage of it regardless of what you’re currently doing.
Given that I tend to switch between windows full of different types of tabs, I can’t wait to get my hands on the Galaxy Chromebook Plus to put the Quick Insert key to the test. You may be wondering if this is coming to other Chromebook models, and there’s both good news and bad news.
The “bad” news is that the Quick Insert key will only be available with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus for now. The good news is actually twofold: Google has confirmed that the Quick Insert key will be available on future Chromebook Plus models.
If you’re feeling a little left out, don’t. A quick insert menu will appear when using Launcher Key + F Part of what makes the keyboard combination so exciting is that even though you don’t have the fancy new Quick Insert key, Google is still implementing the brand new feature in a way that everyone can enjoy. could
In recent years, we’ve seen various examples of what a premium Chromebook looks like. HP holds that title with the likes of the Elite Dragonfly Chromebook and the Dragonfly Pro Chromebook. However, with HP seemingly exiting the high-end market, this opens the door for some competition.
Acer and ASUS are already there with the Chromebook Plus Spin 714 and Chromebook Vibe CX55 Flip. However, there’s no such thing as not enough options, and Samsung’s re-entry into the space with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus comes at just the right time.
The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus costs $699, and will also be available sometime this month.
So much to be excited about
The Chromebook space has been fairly quiet of late, but there’s no denying that the year is ending with a bang. We finally have an updated model of the best ChromeOS tablet with the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11. Meanwhile, it looks like Samsung is trying to redefine the term “premium Chromebook” with the Galaxy Chromebook Plus.
That doesn’t even account for the influx of new and exciting features that are coming to ChromeOS across the board, regardless of whether you have a “regular” Chromebook or a Chromebook Plus. Keep your eyes peeled for more Chromebook content, as I hope to have both devices for review in time for the 2024 holiday shopping season.
