There’s an upcoming ChromeOS tablet or 2-in-1 device that seems to be the successor to the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5. The information was discovered in Chromium’s code, the basis of ChromeOS, and indicates that the new device will have the same battery as the Duet 5. Although it’s not an official announcement, it strongly suggests the existence of a new device.
Currently codenamed ‘Ciri’, the ChromeOS tablet is expected to be powered by the MediaTek MT8188 chipset, which hasn’t been officially announced yet. This chipset is anticipated to be faster than the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 found in the Duet 5. While the device’s baseboard was added to Chromium in August, the battery specification has now been attached. Chrome Unboxed notes that it’s still possible for this to be a different device, or not a device at all, but it definitely piques interest.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 review highlights the appeal of the tablet’s form factor, offering both portability and the functionality of a full Chromebook when the keyboard and stand are attached. This type of ChromeOS device makes a lot of sense but is not commonly seen in the market. The Google Pixel Slate, released in 2018, is one example, while the Asus CL3 CL3000 is another option. Windows 2-in-1s are abundant, and Apple continues to position the iPad as a potential laptop replacement. Therefore, it would be great to have more detachable options in the list of the best Chromebooks.
Lenovo seems to be at the forefront of developing ChromeOS tablets that can also function as laptops. While an official announcement may still be some time away, this is definitely a development worth keeping an eye on.
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