Are there any alternatives?

It’s obvious which products most closely compete with the IdeaPad Duet, and I’ve compared them throughout this review. The Microsoft Surface Go 2 is the Windows 10 competitor, coming in at about $100 more and with excellent Type Cover and Surface Pen options that make it even more costly. If you’d rather run Windows 10 than Chrome OS, then the Surface Go 2 is the natural alternative.

　　Then, there’s the entry-level Apple iPad, coming in at $329. There’s no pen support, which puts it behind the Duet for anyone who wants to write or draw on the display, and its keyboard is an expensive addition. Again, it comes down to the choice of operating systems: If you want iOS rather than Chrome OS, then the iPad is the obvious choice.

　　If you’re after Chrome OS but would rather go with a clamshell laptop, then the best choice is likely the $650 Pixelbook Go. Yes, it’s more expensive, but you get a better display, an excellent keyboard, and an overall boost in build quality.

　　

How long will it last?

Chrome OS is pretty efficient and is regularly updated, and so the Duet should last for quite a while before it becomes obsolete. And its physical build should keep it going well beyond the one-year warranty.

　　

Should you buy it?

Yes. At $279, the Duet with its included kickstand cover and keyboard is a steal. You’ll get more than enough use of it even as a second or third device for browsing the web, and if you need something highly portable to peck away on a document, the Duet can do that, too.