Since its launch more than a year ago, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet has been in its own league. After all, there was no Chromebook before it arrived and since its launch. Lenovo has raised the low end of the Chromebook spectrum with a solid tablet that can act as a laptop when needed and blow everything else out of the water when shipped with a $ 299 price tag that includes the keyboard and includes the support of the kicking position.
The device has certainly sold well and has become a recommendation for almost everyone who is looking for a nice, affordable Chromebook option. Part of the duet’s success is due to the price and value it represents. But another part is entirely due to the fact that it has largely stood alone in the market as the only true Chromebook tablet option available these days. With the Slate now officially gone and the other teaching-oriented tablets of a few years ago fading from memory, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet has taken the removable Chromebook sector all by itself. At least until now.
Import ASUS and their new Chromebook tablet
In an expected but still surprising way, ASUS looks very close to launching a MediaTek MT8183 detachable Chromebook tablet in the coming weeks. It looks like the ‘Flip’ branded device will be shipped to some sites we’ve found (here’s the best list of best photos), but it’s clearly going to be a removable tablet powered by ARM and with a keyboard, kickback, and storable USI pen in the box. From the looks of the photos, it may even have some handy tricks up its sleeve to set up the tablet in portrait and landscape modes, but we do not really know how that is possible. See for yourself, because not only do we have a few photos to share, we also have a complete specification page.
ASUS Chromebook Flip CM3000 specifications
- MediaTek MT8183 processor
- 4 GB RAM
- 128 GB eMMC storage
- 10.5 inch 1920 × 1200 16:10 touch screen
- 320 nets and 118% sRGB color gamut
- 2MP (1080p) camera on the front
- 8MP rear camera
- Wi-Fi 5
- Bluetooth 4.2
- 27Wh battery
- 3.5 mm headphone / microphone jack
- USI pen included
- Detachable keyboard included
- 1.16 lbs
- 255mm x 167mm x 8mm
Although this new Chromebook tablet looks like it’s out of the air, I think we’re been watching it with a different name for some time. ‘Kakadu’ is the only other MediaTek tablet we found and when we came across it, we realized that the Lenovo Duet was a little more unique than we initially adopted. When all the devices based on the ‘Kukui’ board started to appear, we thought it would all be tablets like the Duet (‘Krane’) and the Lenovo 10e (Kodama). This is clearly not the case.
When ASUS takes this device out the door, how much it will actually cost (these early deals can be very far in our experience), and how many markets they release, will determine the overall success of this new Chromebook. I love the extra 10.5-inch screen real estate and paired with decent little rings, I think it will still be a great feel for a tablet, while giving me a little more space to spread the keyboard buttons opposite which we find in the Duet. . And when you talk about the keyboard, notice how it locks magnetically in place, similar to what we see with Microsoft’s Surface series of devices. This is definitely a good move from ASUS as it really helps to strengthen the keyboard when the whole device is in your lap.
Add to that the already impressive comparison the fact that the stylus not only comes with the device but can be stored inside the tablet and you get away with an overall package that I think will give the Lenovo Duet a much-needed run for its money. Until we know more, however, we will have to wait to see how it all shakes out. After all, I know I’m eagerly expecting the Snapdragon 7c tablet ‘Coachz’ and / or ‘Strongbad’, so ASUS needs to get this tablet out the door really quickly if it wants to stay relevant. As we all know, there are a lot of Chromebook shelves this year. If they want a chance with this one, the time is now and the price should be low. Here’s the hope!
