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Lenovo's IdeaPad Duet 5i

The most recent iteration of what has grown to be the de facto industry standard for detachable tablet 2-in-1s is Microsoft's Surface Pro 9. Additionally, it's among the best computers ever made. In the meantime, Lenovo's IdeaPad Duet 5i is a bold new rival taking on an established device.

The pricing is the primary distinction between the two. The Surface Pro 9 is substantially more expensive (and less customizable) than the IdeaPad Duet 5i. Does that provide it with a solid foundation to stand on?

	Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i	Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Dimensions	11.35 inches x 7.49 inches x 0.37 inches	11.3 inches by 8.2 inches by 0.37 inches
Weight	1.85 pounds	1.94 pounds
Processor	Up to Core i7-1255U	Intel Core i5-1235U Intel Core i7-1255U Microsoft SQ 3 (5G models)
Graphics	Up to Intel Iris Xe	Intel Iris Xe Microsoft SQ 3 Adreno (5G models)
RAM	Up to 16GB LPDDR4x	8GB to 32GB LPDDR5 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x (5G model)
Display	12.4-inch 16:10 2.5K (2560 x 1600) IPS	13-inch 3:2 PixelSense 2,880 x 1,920 IPS up to 120Hz
Storage	Up to 512GB PCIe SSD
Touch	Yes	Yes
Ports	2 x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 1 x 3.5mm - audiojack	1 x Surface Connect port 1 x Surface Keyboard port 1 x nano SIM (5G models) 2 x USB-C 3.2 (5G models)
Wireless	Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1	Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1 Optional 5GB WWAN
Webcam	5MP front-facing with IR camera for Windows 11 Hello 5MP rear-facing	1080p with infrared camera for Windows 11 Hello 10MP rear-facing
Operating system	Windows 11	Windows 11
Battery	50 watt-hours	60 watt-hour
Price	$790+	$1,000+

Even a few weeks after its debut, the IdeaPad Duet 5i is still only available in one configuration, a $790 model with a Core i3-1215U, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and the complimentary keyboard folio. The Active Pen is an additional $30. Although it is a cheap machine, the storage space is constrained and cannot be expanded.

Starting at $1,000, the Surface Pro 9 comes with a Core i5-1235U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD. An additional $280 is required for the Signature Type Cover and Surface Slim Pen 2. For a Core i7-1255U, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD, you can pay up to $2,600. The MSQ 3 ARM-powered 5G variant costs between $1,300 and $1,900.

Design

• Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5i, 

• Windows Surface Pro 9 

In many aspects, the Surface Pro 9 and IdeaPad Duet 5i are similar slates. They are both made of metal, have rounded corners, and display bezels that are comparable. Storm Gray and Stone Blue are the only colours available for the IdeaPad, whereas Platinum, Slate, Sapphire, and Forest are available for the Surface Pro 9. Both of them are 0.37 inches thick, with the IdeaPad being a tiny bit lighter. The IdeaPad Duet 5i is a half-inch shallower and wider than Microsoft's tablet while having a slightly smaller display.

A kickstand that extends from the rear of the tablet on both devices works well and supports the devices at a variety of orientations. Together with robustly constructed chassis that withstand bending and flexing, they are both rigid and smoothly operating. Both tablets are equal in terms of overall design advantages.

A folio keyboard with responsive switches and generous key spacing is included with the IdeaPad Duet 5i, allowing for comfortable typing. The touchpad on this device is sizable and responsive. Additionally well-built, the Microsoft Type Cover keyboard has a nice touchpad and quick, accurate switches. However, the fact that it props up at an angle is a benefit. Thus, typing becomes more ergonomic and less stressful on the wrists.

In fact, the Surface Pro 9 has an additional port called the Surface Connect port that enables charging without utilising a valuable USB-C port (Thunderbolt 4 on the Surface Pro 9 Intel edition). Both devices have Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1, however neither has SD card readers. The Surface Pro 9 with ARM architecture enables 4G/5G WWAN for always-on internet access.

The Surface Pro 9 sports a 1080p front camera and a 10MP back camera, compared to the IdeaPad Duet 5i's 5MP front and rear cameras. Both devices enable Windows 11 Hello passwordless login using infrared cameras.

Performance

The IdeaPad Duet 5i's Core i3-1215U CPU, a 15-watt 12th-generation Intel processor with six cores (two Performance and four Efficient) and eight threads, is the only option at the moment. The Surface Pro 9's 15-watt, 10-core (two Performance and eight Efficient), 12-thread Core i7-1255U is significantly faster on paper.

The IdeaPad Duet 5i, however, demonstrated sufficient speed in our benchmarks for work-related tasks. The biggest difference was in the demanding Cinebench R23 benchmark, which showed that it lagged behind the Surface Pro 9 but not by as much as we had anticipated. Curiously, the IdeaPad outperformed the competition in the PCMark 10 Complete test, which included a combination of creative, media-consuming, and productivity tasks.

Both tablets are decent performers in terms of productivity overall, but creators should go elsewhere.

The Surface Pro 9's 13.0-inch IPS 3:2 display has a resolution of 2,880 x 1,920, whereas the IdeaPad Duet 5i's 12.4-inch IPS display has a 16:10 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1600. With a 120Hz frame rate, Windows 11 runs more fluidly and offers a superior inking experience on Microsoft's tablet, especially given the Surface Slim 2 pen's support for haptic feedback.

However, the IdeaPad's display had higher quality and was brighter, with richer colours and deeper contrast. But colour accuracy was better on the Surface Pro 9. Although, once more, the Surface Pro 9 is the superior digital writing and sketching platform, both are adequate for productivity and inking.

Portability

The two tablets are similarly sized and equally portable, as was already established. With their keyboards attached, they are both significantly heavier and thicker.

The IdeaPad Duet 5i's battery only has 50 watt-hours, whereas the Surface Pro 9's battery has 60 watt-hours. Nevertheless, they exhibited comparable battery life, lasting almost eight hours throughout our test of online browsing. Although neither is likely to last you an entire day of work on a single charge, their power bricks are portable.