If you go in search of a brand new Chromebook, you’ll discover numerous conventional clamshell laptop computer designs and a few convertible fashions with 360-degree hinges. You can also discover a couple tablet-first choices, with thinner, lighter designs and removable keyboards.

These pill fashions run Google’s Chrome OS software program however mimic the {hardware} of Microsoft’s Surface Pro or Apple’s iPad. They typically include a keyboard and case that features a built-in kickstand. Most assist stylus enter (utilizing the USI commonplace, widespread throughout many trendy Chromebooks); some even include one within the field.

Like numerous different Chromebooks, many Chrome OS tablets are cheap, corresponding to final 12 months’s glorious Lenovo Chromebook Duet. But this 12 months, there are two Chrome OS tablets that intention a bit larger, with nicer options, higher specs, and correspondingly larger worth tags. HP’s Chromebook x2 11 contains a trendy, all-metal design, high-res 3:2 display screen, and $599 price ticket (although it’s incessantly on sale for considerably lower than that). Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet 5 has a bigger, OLED show, barely higher specs, and equally transportable design and sells for $499. (One mustn’t overlook the ill-fated Pixel Slate that was so unhealthy Google itself stopped making tablets completely, however for the sake of this piece let’s overlook about it.) These tablets aren’t making an attempt to compete with Apple’s base iPad — they’re aiming for the iPad Air or iPad Pro shopper and perhaps even somebody who’s contemplating a Surface Pro.

I’ve been testing each of them to find out if both of them are compelling alternate options to an iPad or Surface or when you ought to simply follow a standard clamshell Chromebook as a substitute.

The HP and Lenovo share numerous design traits. They are thinner and lighter than the everyday Chromebook, and each have magnetic removable keyboards and again covers that double as kickstands. (Neither again cowl offers a lot in the best way of safety — I managed to crack the display screen of the HP when it by chance slid off my desk, whereas the keyboard cowl on the Lenovo slides round a bit when it’s closed.) Both embrace two USB-C ports for charging and peripherals (on both facet of the Lenovo, each on the left for the HP), and each lack 3.5mm headphone jacks. Even their case and keyboard equipment are each out there in a shade of darkish blue.

The HP has an 11-inch, 2160 x 1440 pixel 3:2 LCD touchscreen. The Lenovo has a lower-res however bigger 13-inch, 1920 x 1080 OLED touchscreen within the extra rectangular 16:9 facet ratio. Neither have the fast-refresh fee screens of Apple or Samsung’s highest-end tablets, however they each evaluate nicely sufficient to different tablets of their worth vary. Though I a lot desire the HP’s facet ratio for pill use, it’s onerous to disclaim the enchantment of the Lenovo’s display screen, which, like most OLED panels, is punchier, brighter, and customarily simply nicer to have a look at, particularly for watching video. The distinction ranges of the Duet 5’s display screen are significantly better, the colours are extra interesting, and issues like video and film watching are simply extra fulfilling on the Lenovo over the HP.

The HP has two front-facing audio system (just like Microsoft’s Surface Pro), whereas the Lenovo adopts iPad-style side-mounted audio system. Both are serviceable, however neither sound all that nice in comparison with an iPad Air, with skinny, typically distorted sound. I most well-liked to make use of headphones (wi-fi, after all, because of the dearth of headphone jacks) with each, save for the occasional impromptu video name or quick YouTube video.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

Inside, the similarities proceed. Both of those tablets have Qualcomm ARM processors — the Snapdragon 7c Gen 1 within the HP and the 7c Gen 2 within the Lenovo — paired with 8GB of RAM. Though the variations between the 2 generations of the 7c chip are fairly minor, the Lenovo is noticeably snappier and extra performant than the HP. I’m undecided if it’s right down to the distinction in decision (the HP does have extra pixels to push) or simply normal optimization, however the Lenovo stuttered and lagged far lower than the HP in virtually every part I used it for. Neither felt as easy and fluid as a contemporary iPad, and conventional mid-range Chromebooks with Intel processors, like our present fave, the Acer Chromebook Spin 713, will run laps round each of those tablets. Still, each tablets had been capable of deal with my typical workload of a number of digital desks, numerous browser tabs, chatting in Slack, watching YouTube movies, and taking Zoom calls with out a lot subject.

Both the HP and Lenovo present battery life that’s nearer to what you may anticipate from an iPad than a standard laptop computer. Even when used for work, which consisted of continually searching many web sites, chatting in Slack, taking Zoom calls, watching YouTube movies, and extra, each tablets had been capable of final past a typical day, reaching between 10 and 12 hours between fees. The Lenovo was capable of edge out the HP by only a hair, however each have higher than common battery life when used as laptops. One be aware, although: when you depart them unattended for just a few days, they may possible have lifeless batteries once you decide them up once more.

Tablet time

I’m prefacing this part with the assertion that Chrome OS isn’t an excellent pill working system. Though it really works fairly nicely for desktop (or, extra precisely, laptop computer) work, Chrome OS is nowhere close to as refined or optimized for pill use as iPadOS and even Android. Animations and interactions are awkward and stuttery, navigation will be complicated, and it’s very clear that the pill mode was shoe-horned on to an interface that was designed to be navigated primarily with a mouse and keyboard.

Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

While you’ll be able to set up Android apps on each of those tablets, numerous common apps aren’t out there (corresponding to Microsoft’s complete Office suite) or don’t work notably nicely (Slack, Kindle). Many apps are additionally poorly optimized for bigger screens (an issue shared with Android-native tablets) with poor contact response and small faucet targets. Then there are different unusual app limitations: for instance, Netflix only supports 480p streaming by means of its app on a Chromebook. These limitations and hiccups are extra acceptable on a pill that’s lower than $300; they’re a lot much less so once you’re spending half a grand or extra. I’d a lot relatively use an iPad for tablet-focused duties over both of those gadgets.

That stated, the HP does work higher than the Lenovo for hand-held pill use. Its smaller dimension and extra manageable facet ratio are a lot simpler to carry in portrait mode for studying, whether or not you’re perusing an article, e mail, or Kindle e book. It feels extra like an iPad than the Lenovo, possible as a result of it’s formed far more like one.

The HP additionally has a fingerprint scanner, which makes it a lot simpler to simply decide up and log in in comparison with the Lenovo, the place you’re required to faucet out a password or PIN code to unlock it. It’s baffling that biometric authentication continues to be an exception to the rule with Chrome OS gadgets, particularly ones that value as a lot as these do. (The Duet 5 does assist linking an Android telephone and logging in by means of that machine’s biometrics, however I used to be unable to get it to work with my Samsung telephone, and requiring a selected telephone to have biometric login is ridiculous. Just construct in it.)

Photo by Dan Seifert / The Verge

Both tablets assist USI styli, however solely the HP comes with one within the field. The stylus conveniently snaps to the facet of the pill and fees there, very like an iPad Air and its Pencil. Though the stylus works superb for often jotting down notes and doodling, it’s removed from as fluid or exact as Apple’s. And when you’re hoping to make use of it with a wide range of third-party apps, your choices are restricted (for instance, it’s barely useful with Microsoft’s web-based model of OneNote).

Laptop life

But once you need to use these tablets as laptops, with their connected keyboards and the Chrome OS desktop interface, the Lenovo pulls forward simply. Thanks to its bigger dimension, the keyboard is far more comfy to sort on than HP’s. On the opposite hand, neither design labored very nicely on my lap, however the HP’s keyboard was notably irritating there: it flexed very simply, inflicting errant trackpad clicks at any time when I rested my palms on it.

Conversely, the Lenovo’s keyboard was a pleasure to sort on, with glorious spacing, good journey, and satisfying suggestions. It’s the one I selected when it got here time to sort up this text, and I’d completely choose it if I had to make use of a Chromebook for distant education. It nonetheless works greatest when it’s on a flat floor, like a desk or desk, and whereas it’d be nice to have backlighting (the HP keyboard additionally lacks a backlight), basically, I actually like this keyboard.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

The trackpads on each fashions will be categorised as “fine.” They are giant sufficient to make use of multi-finger gestures, and so they usually have good monitoring and palm rejection. But neither will blow you away.

The Lenovo’s bigger display screen additionally makes engaged on it in laptop computer mode simpler. Though its 16:9 facet ratio is cramped vertically, it’s simpler to match two paperwork or internet pages facet by facet in comparison with the HP’s general smaller show.

The Lenovo’s noticeably higher efficiency additionally makes engaged on it in laptop computer mode a lot simpler. I can load internet pages sooner, change between apps and digital desktops faster, and customarily go about my day with much less interference than after I’m utilizing the HP.

Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales / The Verge

When it comes right down to it, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 is well the pill I’d select between these two fashions. It’s obtained a nicer-looking display screen, a lower cost tag, a extra comfy keyboard, and higher efficiency.

In truth, I’d go so far as saying you shouldn’t purchase the HP in any respect at its common worth of $600. If you see it closely discounted — this fall, it’s dropped to as little as $350 — that’s a unique dialog, however at its common worth, it’s a really poor worth. The Duet 5, nevertheless, feels prefer it’s priced extra precisely: $500 for a really transportable machine with an OLED display screen that can be utilized for work or college and sometimes for leisure looks as if an honest sufficient deal to me.

But earlier than you bounce on both of those gadgets, I’d strongly contemplate if a pill is the suitable Chrome OS machine to purchase in any respect. For across the identical worth and even much less, you will get a clamshell or 2-in-1 Chromebook which may be a bit thicker and heavier however works loads higher and might even be used as a pill in a pinch.