‘I wanted something lighter than my MacBook Pro and found £128 off Chromebook model’

‘It’s been fantastic, great battery life, really easy to use’

Shopping for a new laptop can feel like an arduous process, with so many different makes and models on the market at various price points, promising to be able to do all manner of high-tech things that most consumers don’t actually need. Many of us simply need a laptop that can be used to browse the internet, edit documents, watch YouTube videos and stream our favourite films and TV shows.

Nowadays, shoppers don’t need to spend thousands on a high-spec machine to get a fast-running, reliable laptop that’s perfect for everyday needs. In fact, over at Amazon, the Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet – which is designed for regular tasks like browsing the web – is 35% off at £242.10, down from £369.99.

The deal means shoppers can save £127.89 on a brand-new laptop that boasts a 10.95″ display, 8GB RAM, and a unique design where it can switch from a traditional laptop style to a tablet with ease. In the box, buyers will find the tablet-style screen, an attachable keyboard, a Folio case with a stand, and the Lenovo USI Pen 2 – perfect for digital artists and those who like to write notes by hand, digitally.

The innovative Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet could be ideal for people who need a versatile device for use at home and on the go, whether lounging in bed, relaxing on the sofa, or getting on with some work while travelling. Weighing 510g, it’s light and portable, and its size means it’s easy to slip into a handbag or backpack – plus, its battery lasts up to 12 hours.

It’s lighter than the 11-inch Chromebook, which weighs 1.1kg, according to the LaptopMag website. But for shoppers who would prefer a more traditionally-designed laptop, Currys has the ASUS CX14 14″ Chromebook for £199, which also boasts a 12-hour battery life but has a 14-inch HD screen. This one is slightly heavier at 1.4kg, but still nice and portable.

Alternatively, those who need to do more with their laptop could check out the Apple MacBook Pro 2025, which is £1,359 at Argos. This 14-inch powerhouse laptop is designed to keep up with more demanding tasks, with its Apple M5 chip and 10 Core processor, making it ideal for creative work, but it might be a tad much for a more casual user.

However, the Lenovo IdeaPad Chromebook Duet has plenty of fans on Amazon. One shopper said: “This is my first Chromebook. I normally use a MacBook Pro, and Google is our organisation’s ecosystem. I wanted something lighter and more travel-friendly, mostly aimed at browsing and writing.

“I’ve had it for a couple of months now, and it’s been fantastic. Great battery life, really easy to use and, at a push, it can do some of the harder jobs like editing a big slide deck.”

Another person said: “Purchased two months ago, brilliant performance so far, no complaints at all. I have been using it for revision and school work as I’m sitting my GCSEs at the moment, and it has done wonders so far.”

However, some shoppers found it wasn’t so well-suited to their needs. One wrote: “It’s a great item, size-wise and weight, but didn’t realise it’s not a regular laptop, it’s a Chromebook which looks very different when using it and won’t connect to my old printer. Wish there was a Lenovo regular laptop with these specs.”

Another said as part of a longer review: “It works in two modes, the tablet and laptop modes. The stylus pen is OK, but I still prefer the touchpad or just fingers for most of the stuff. For drawing, (the) stylus does the job very well.

In the laptop mode with the keyboard attached, you need to be aware that it is only loosely attached, and there’s only one screen position to work with, that is, with the Folio stand; it’s not adjustable as in a normal laptop. It’s still OK to use it on your lap, though.”