Quick Overview
- The CM3 sports a traditional laptop form factor with a clamshell design, while the Duet embraces a 2-in-1 convertible design, allowing it to transform into a tablet with a detachable keyboard.
- It can last up to 10 hours on a single charge with moderate use, making it a reliable companion for students, travelers, or anyone who needs a Chromebook that can power through a full day of work or study.
- The Asus Chromebook CM3 and Lenovo Duet run on Chrome OS, which offers a clean, user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of apps and extensions from the Google Play Store.
In the vast and ever-expanding world of Chromebooks, two devices stand out as contenders for the title of best budget Chromebook: the Asus Chromebook CM3 and the Lenovo Duet. Both offer impressive features at an affordable price, but which one is the better choice? In this comprehensive comparison, we’ll delve into the specifications, performance, design, and user experience of these two Chromebooks to help you make an informed decision.
Design and Build Quality
The Asus Chromebook CM3 and Lenovo Duet adopt distinct design philosophies. The CM3 sports a traditional laptop form factor with a clamshell design, while the Duet embraces a 2-in-1 convertible design, allowing it to transform into a tablet with a detachable keyboard.
The CM3 features a sturdy plastic chassis with a textured finish that provides a good grip. It feels solid and well-built, with minimal flex in the keyboard deck or display. The Duet, on the other hand, utilizes a combination of metal and plastic, resulting in a sleek and modern look. Its 360-degree hinge allows for smooth transitions between laptop and tablet modes, making it a versatile device for various usage scenarios.
Display
The Asus Chromebook CM3 comes equipped with an 11.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) IPS display, while the Lenovo Duet boasts a larger 10.1-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touchscreen display.
The CM3’s display is adequate for basic tasks such as web browsing, email, and document editing. However, its low resolution may limit your enjoyment of multimedia content or detailed work. The Duet’s higher resolution display offers sharper visuals, more vibrant colors, and better viewing angles, making it a more immersive experience for watching videos, playing games, or creating digital art.
Performance and Hardware
Under the hood, the Asus Chromebook CM3 is powered by a MediaTek MT8183 processor, coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of eMMC storage. The Lenovo Duet, on the other hand, utilizes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor, paired with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage.
The MediaTek processor in the CM3 is a budget-friendly option that provides adequate performance for everyday tasks. It can handle basic office applications, web browsing, and light multimedia consumption without significant lag. However, demanding tasks like video editing or multitasking may cause noticeable slowdowns.
The Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor in the Duet offers a significant performance boost over the CM3’s MediaTek chip. It delivers smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved responsiveness overall. The Duet can also handle more demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and casual gaming with greater ease.
Battery Life
Battery life is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a Chromebook for on-the-go use. The Asus Chromebook CM3 is equipped with a 3-cell 42Wh battery, while the Lenovo Duet features a 2-cell 35.6Wh battery.
The CM3’s larger battery capacity translates to longer endurance. It can last up to 10 hours on a single charge with moderate use, making it a reliable companion for students, travelers, or anyone who needs a Chromebook that can power through a full day of work or study.
The Duet’s smaller battery capacity results in a shorter battery life. It typically lasts around 8 hours on a single charge with similar usage patterns. While this may be sufficient for most users, it’s worth noting that the Duet’s battery life may be shorter if you engage in more demanding tasks like video streaming or gaming.
Connectivity and Ports
Both the Asus Chromebook CM3 and Lenovo Duet offer a decent selection of ports for connectivity. They both feature two USB-C ports, a microSD card slot for expandable storage, and a headphone/microphone combo jack.
However, the CM3 has an additional USB-A port, which provides greater compatibility with legacy peripherals and accessories. This can be a significant advantage if you have older devices that use USB-A connectors.
User Experience and Software
The Asus Chromebook CM3 and Lenovo Duet run on Chrome OS, which offers a clean, user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of apps and extensions from the Google Play Store. Both devices come with a one-year subscription to Google One, which provides additional cloud storage and access to premium features in Google apps.
The CM3’s traditional laptop form factor provides a familiar and comfortable typing experience. Its keyboard has well-spaced keys with decent travel, making it suitable for extended typing sessions. The Duet’s detachable keyboard offers a more portable and versatile experience, but it may take some time to adjust to the smaller key size and reduced travel.
Final Thoughts: Asus Chromebook CM3 vs Lenovo Duet
The Asus Chromebook CM3 and Lenovo Duet are both solid budget Chromebooks with their own strengths and weaknesses. The CM3 offers a traditional laptop design, a larger battery, and an additional USB-A port. However, its display is lower resolution, and its performance may be limited for demanding tasks.
The Lenovo Duet, on the other hand, features a 2-in-1 convertible design, a higher resolution display, and a more powerful processor. However, its battery life is shorter, and its keyboard may take some getting used to.
Ultimately, the better choice between the Asus Chromebook CM3 and Lenovo Duet depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you prioritize battery life, a traditional laptop form factor, and compatibility with legacy peripherals, the CM3 is a solid option. If you value a versatile 2-in-1 design, a higher resolution display, and improved performance, the Duet is worth considering.
Popular Questions
Q1. Which Chromebook has a longer battery life, the Asus Chromebook CM3 or Lenovo Duet?
A1. The Asus Chromebook CM3 has a longer battery life than the Lenovo Duet. The CM3’s 42Wh battery provides up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge, while the Duet’s 35.6Wh battery lasts around 8 hours with similar usage patterns.
Q2. Which Chromebook has a higher resolution display, the Asus Chromebook CM3 or Lenovo Duet?
A2. The Lenovo Duet has a higher resolution display than the Asus Chromebook CM3. The Duet’s 10.1-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS touchscreen display offers sharper visuals and more vibrant colors compared to the CM3’s 11.6-inch HD (1366 x 768) IPS display.
Q3. Which Chromebook has a more powerful processor, the Asus Chromebook CM3 or Lenovo Duet?
A3. The Lenovo Duet has a more powerful processor than the Asus Chromebook CM3. The Duet’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 processor delivers smoother multitasking, faster app loading times, and improved responsiveness overall. It can also handle more demanding tasks like video editing, graphic design, and casual gaming with greater ease compared to the CM3’s MediaTek MT8183 processor.