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CNET
28-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- CNET
This 2-in-1 Is My Favorite Laptop for Travel or Commuting, and It's Only $249 Right Now
I test tablets and laptops for a living, which means I've tried devices of every size, shape and style you can imagine. I'm always on the lookout for a device that meets all of my daily needs in one package, including when I'm commuting or traveling. My search was essentially over when I found the Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook. I've found that I turn to this little 2-in-1 laptop for my personal, everyday use more than any other device I own. Right now the Duet 11 is marked down to $249 at Best Buy. That's a discount of $150 on a device that's already affordable at its list price, so this deal feels like a major win. That sale price also makes it an excellent choice if you happen to be looking for a graduation gift or a Father's Day gift. I especially appreciate the versatility of the Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook. It has an 11-inch touchscreen paired with a detachable keyboard cover, a rear cover with a kickstand and, if you want, you can pair it with an active pen for drawing or writing on the screen. There are two main reasons this device works better for me than most standard laptops. First is its compact, lightweight size. Second is that it's multifunctional. Since I regularly commute to work by train, both of these factors make the Duet Chromebook especially convenient. On occasions when I do need a bigger screen or a wider keyboard for faster typing, I'll usually switch to my standard laptop. But the Duet 11, which functions both as a laptop and tablet, is the machine that fits my daily life the best and most often. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Why I like this tablet On the surface, you might think it's no different than an iPad or any number of Android tablets. But the big differences are the operating system, ChromeOS, and its price. If you've never used ChromeOS, it's sort of a mix between a traditional desktop OS, such as Windows or MacOS, and a mobile OS that your phone uses, such as Android. The combination makes it easier for me to get work done with a keyboard and trackpad or mouse, but it also uses apps from the Google Play Store, so it has a mobile device feel too. The only hiccup might be if your work or school relies on software available only for MacOS or Windows. That's never been an issue for me, as there's typically a web or mobile app I can use in its place. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 specs Price $349 Display size/resolution 11-inch 1,920x1,200-pixel, LCD touchscreen CPU 2.6GHz MediaTek Kompanio 838 Memory 8GB LPDDR4X Graphics Integrated graphics Storage 128GB eMMC Networking Intel Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 Ports USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (x2), 3.5mm combo audio jack Operating system ChromeOS The Duet 11 helps me stay busy during my train commute The Duet's size is really nice for my train commute, letting me easily edit docs or respond to emails on my way to work. It has a fantastic front-facing 5-megapixel camera, too, so I can use it for a Zoom chat when necessary, and the camera has a physical privacy shutter to block it out the rest of the time. I especially like its zippy performance. It wakes as soon as I drop the keyboard open, and I can quickly tether to my Pixel phone for an instant internet connection. Battery life is strong at up to 11 hours in my use of it. Using the Duet on your lap can be a little bit of a balancing act, but it's doable. Its compact size makes it ideal for cramped coffee shop tables and other places where a full-size laptop might be awkward. It weighs only about 2 pounds with all of its accessories. Read more: Why a Chromebook Is Probably All You Need Like a lot of people, I unwind on my commute home with some entertainment, and the Duet shines for that. Pop off the magnetically attached keyboard and ChromeOS switches to a more touch-friendly experience. The tablet supports cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now, which means that with a strong web connection, you can play all kinds of games. I love to play mobile games on it from the Play Store too. The Duet 11 also works as an e-reader In addition to being ideal for commuting and cramped spaces, the Duet is also a good e-reader. I use it for reading manga with the Viz and Shonen Jump apps, and I regularly dip into my library's collection of ebooks and magazines via the Libby app. The device is also good for streaming video and music, though I prefer Bluetooth headphones over the tablet's little speakers. While I mainly use it for travel and on my commute, the Duet is equally great around the house. I wouldn't recommend the Duet as your only laptop unless you simply don't need to do more than basic home office work and can connect to a larger display, keyboard and mouse. The 11-inch touchscreen, while great-looking, is a little too small for all-day, everyday use. But as a secondary device to a larger, more powerful desktop or laptop, it's just about perfect. If you're interested in checking out more ChromeOS devices, here are CNET's top picks for the best Chromebooks on the market. And if you're shopping for someone else, check out our editors' picks for the best gifts for Father's Day or the best graduation gifts.
Gizmodo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Gizmodo
This HP 14-Inch 2-in-1 Touchscreen Chromebook Feels Almost Free, 4.6-Star Rated at Best Buy
Now that top-line tablets often cost as much as leading laptops, the choice between the two often just comes down to personal preference. Do you want the productivity and full features of a laptop, or the touchscreen and easy use of a tablet? Or, would you rather have both? That's the option presented by the HP Chromebook x360, a 14-inch touchscreen 2-in-1 Chromebook/tablet combo. Now's also the time you can get both for much, much less, because Best Buy is taking the price of the HP Chromebook x360 down by 40%, from $499 to just $299. See at Best Buy Flexibility FTW The 2-in-1 HP Chromebook x360 is all about flexibility. Open the lid one way and it's a standard 14-inch laptop and keyboard, powered by an Intel Processor N100 and Intel UHD Graphics set. But keep opening that screen until it folds all they way in the other direction, and now you have a brilliant 14-inch tablet with HD touchscreen, hands-free Google Assistant, and 12 hours of battery life. Regardless of which way you open the he 2024 HP Chromebook x360's Flexible x360 designed lid, you get a rapid 10-second startup, HD audio with upfiring speakers, HP's True Vision HD camera with privacy shutter, HP's Fast Charge quick charging feature that takes the Chromebook x360 from 0 to 50% in just 45 minutes, and great online connectivity with WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3 options. Three USB ports — two 5Gbps Type-C ports that support DisplayPort 1.4 and one 5Gbps Type-A port — and a headphone/microphone combo jack give you more connection options than any tablet and enough of them for any laptop. The Best of Google Once you're done with the super-fast 10 second boot-up, you'll find yourself in ChromeOS, Google's amazing operating system that includes Gmail, Gemini, YouTube, and instant access to all of the files and photos on your Google Drive. Also included with the purchase of the HP Chromebook x260 is the Google One AI Premium Plan, which includes Gemini Advanced, 2TB of cloud storage, and Gemini AI in Gmail, Docs, and more. Another little-known Chromebook perk? There's never been a Chromebook that's been hit with a virus. The built-in protection of the Titan C2 security chip means you can browse and shop and stream with complete confidence. It's nice when you don't have to decide between buying a laptop or a tablet, and it's even nicer when you get a $200 price break like the one Best Buy is extending on the HP Chromebook x260 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop/tablet combo. It's just $299 if you get to Best Buy before the sale ends. See at Best Buy
Geeky Gadgets
23-05-2025
- Geeky Gadgets
Meet the 2025 Surface Pro 12: Unboxing & Initial Setup
The 2025 Surface Pro 12 redefines the standard for portability and versatility in the competitive 2-in-1 device market. Designed to cater to light productivity and creative tasks, it combines a sleek, lightweight design with robust processing power and a vibrant display. Starting at $799, it targets users seeking a compact yet capable solution for everyday computing. However, potential buyers should consider trade-offs, such as limited gaming performance and additional costs for essential accessories, before making a purchase. The video below from Zollotech gives us more details. Watch this video on YouTube. Design and Build Weighing just 1.5 pounds (686 grams), the Surface Pro 12 is one of the lightest devices in its category, making it highly portable for users on the go. Its aluminum body not only ensures durability but also aids in heat dissipation, eliminating the need for internal fans. Sustainability is a key focus, with battery cells made from 100% recycled cobalt, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to eco-friendly practices. The device is available in three elegant colors—Violet, Ocean, and Platinum—and features a sturdy kickstand that supports multiple angles, enhancing usability in various scenarios. However, the absence of a headphone jack and expandable storage may disappoint users who rely on wired audio or require additional storage flexibility. These omissions could limit its appeal to certain segments of the market. Display The 12-inch PixelSense LCD display is a standout feature, offering a resolution of 2196×1464 and a pixel density of 220 PPI. It supports 10-point multi-touch and delivers sRGB color accuracy, making it ideal for creative professionals and productivity tasks. The default 60 Hz refresh rate can be increased to 90 Hz, providing smoother visuals for scrolling and animations, which enhances the overall user experience. However, the reflective screen and 400 nits of brightness may pose challenges in brightly lit environments, such as outdoor settings or areas with high glare. This could impact usability for those who frequently work in such conditions. Performance At the core of the Surface Pro 12 is the Snapdragon X Plus processor, which delivers a 50% performance boost compared to its predecessor. Its 8-core architecture, clocked at 3.3 GHz, is paired with 16 GB of RAM and up to 512 GB of storage, making sure smooth multitasking and efficient handling of productivity apps like Microsoft Office and Figma. The fanless aluminum body effectively dissipates heat, maintaining consistent performance during extended use. Benchmark tests reveal impressive results, with single-core scores of 2,210 and multi-core scores of 9,560, making it a reliable option for everyday tasks. However, the device is not designed for resource-intensive tasks or high-end gaming, which may deter power users seeking a more robust performance profile. Ports and Connectivity The Surface Pro 12 is equipped with two USB-C 3.2 ports, offering fast data transfer and charging capabilities. However, the absence of USB-A and the traditional Surface Connect port may require users to invest in adapters for older peripherals. With Wi-Fi 7 support, the device ensures faster and more stable internet connectivity, making it suitable for remote work and online collaboration. Additionally, it can connect to up to two external 4K displays at 60 Hz, making it a practical choice for multitasking, presentations, or extended work setups. Accessories To fully use the Surface Pro 12, users will need to invest in optional accessories. The Surface Pro 12 Keyboard, priced at $150, features a backlit design but lacks the Alcantara palm rest found in earlier models. The Surface Pen, available for $129.99, offers haptic feedback for a more tactile writing experience and attaches magnetically to the device's back for convenience. Notably, the device does not include a power adapter, requiring users to purchase a minimum 27W USB-C charger separately. These additional costs can significantly increase the overall investment, which may be a consideration for budget-conscious buyers. Cameras and Audio The Surface Pro 12 features a 10 MP Ultra HD rear camera and a 1080p front-facing camera, both of which deliver sharp and clear visuals. The front camera supports Windows Hello facial recognition, providing a secure and convenient login experience. Audio performance is enhanced by dual studio microphones and improved speakers, which deliver clear sound with volume levels reaching up to 85 dB. This makes the device well-suited for video calls, online meetings, and media consumption, making sure a seamless experience for both work and entertainment. Battery Life Battery performance is a strong point for the Surface Pro 12. It offers up to 12 hours of active web use and 16 hours of video playback, making sure all-day productivity for most users. The device also supports 45W fast charging, allowing for quick recharges and minimizing downtime. In keeping with its eco-friendly design, the battery cells incorporate recycled cobalt, further emphasizing Microsoft's commitment to sustainability and environmentally conscious manufacturing. Software and Features Running on Windows 11, the Surface Pro 12 integrates Microsoft's Copilot feature, which uses AI to enhance productivity and streamline workflows. The device is optimized for popular apps like Figma and Microsoft Office, making it a reliable tool for students, professionals, and creatives alike. While the device supports cloud gaming, its performance is insufficient for demanding titles, limiting its appeal to casual gamers. This positions the Surface Pro 12 as a better fit for productivity and light creative tasks rather than intensive gaming or video editing. Limitations Despite its many strengths, the Surface Pro 12 has some notable limitations. The absence of Gorilla Glass protection leaves the display more vulnerable to smudges and potential damage. Additionally, its performance is not suited for resource-heavy tasks, such as video rendering or 3D modeling, which may deter users with more demanding needs. The lack of included accessories, such as a power adapter, further increases the total cost of ownership. This could be a significant drawback for buyers looking for an all-in-one package without additional expenses. Pricing Starting at $799, the Surface Pro 12 is competitively priced within its category. However, the cost of essential accessories, such as the keyboard and pen, can significantly increase the overall investment. Configurations vary based on storage and processing power, allowing users to select a model that best fits their specific needs and budget. Final Thoughts The 2025 Surface Pro 12 is a versatile and portable 2-in-1 device that excels in light productivity, creative tasks, and everyday computing. Its lightweight design, vibrant display, and advanced connectivity options make it an attractive choice for students, professionals, and casual users. However, its limitations in gaming performance, the absence of included accessories, and the lack of certain features may not suit all users. For those seeking a compact, eco-friendly device and willing to invest in the necessary add-ons, the Surface Pro 12 offers a compelling and practical solution. Discover other guides from our vast content that could be of interest on Surface Pro 12. Source & Image Credit: zollotech Filed Under: Guides, Laptops Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
CNET
19-05-2025
- CNET
This 2-in-1 Is My Favorite Laptop for Travel, and It's Only $280 Right Now
I've been writing reviews of tablets and laptops for years, which means I've tried devices of every shape, size and style you can imagine. Having tested just about every option under the sun, I've found that I turn to one device more than any other for my own personal everyday use: my Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook. There are two main reasons this device works better for me than most standard laptops. First is its compact, lightweight size. Second is that it's multifunctional. Since I regularly commute to work by train, both of these factors make the Duet Chromebook especially convenient. On occasions when I do need a bigger screen or a wider keyboard for faster typing, I'll usually switch to my standard laptop. But the Duet 11, which functions both as a laptop and tablet, is the machine that fits my daily life the best and most often. I especially appreciate the versatility of the Lenovo Duet 11 Chromebook. It has an 11-inch touchscreen paired with a detachable keyboard cover, a rear cover with a kickstand and, if you want, you can pair it with an active pen for drawing or writing on the screen. Right now the Duet 11 is marked down to $280 at Lenovo; that's a discount of $120. Even at its full retail price, the Duet is relatively affordable for a two-in-one device, so this discount feels like a major win in my eyes. That sale price also makes it an excellent choice if you happen to be looking for a graduation gift or a Father's Day gift. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Why I like this tablet On the surface, you might think it's no different than an iPad or any number of Android tablets. But the big differences are the operating system, ChromeOS, and its price. If you've never used ChromeOS, it's sort of a mix between a traditional desktop OS, such as Windows or MacOS, and a mobile OS that your phone uses, such as Android. The combination makes it easier for me to get work done with a keyboard and trackpad or mouse, but it also uses apps from the Google Play Store, so it has a mobile device feel too. The only hiccup might be if your work or school relies on software available only for MacOS or Windows. That's never been an issue for me, as there's typically a web or mobile app I can use in its place. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 specs Price $349 Display size/resolution 11-inch 1,920x1,200-pixel, LCD touchscreen CPU 2.6GHz MediaTek Kompanio 838 Memory 8GB LPDDR4X Graphics Integrated graphics Storage 128GB eMMC Networking Intel Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 Ports USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 (x2), 3.5mm combo audio jack Operating system ChromeOS The Duet 11 helps me stay busy during my train commute The Duet's size is really nice for my train commute, letting me easily edit docs or respond to emails on my way to work. It has a fantastic front-facing 5-megapixel camera, too, so I can use it for a Zoom chat when necessary, and the camera has a physical privacy shutter to block it out the rest of the time. I especially like its zippy performance. It wakes as soon as I drop the keyboard open, and I can quickly tether to my Pixel phone for an instant internet connection. Battery life is strong at up to 11 hours in my use of it. Using the Duet on your lap can be a little bit of a balancing act, but it's doable. Its compact size makes it ideal for cramped coffee shop tables and other places where a full-size laptop might be awkward. It weighs only about 2 pounds with all of its accessories. Read more: Why a Chromebook Is Probably All You Need Like a lot of people, I unwind on my commute home with some entertainment, and the Duet shines for that. Pop off the magnetically attached keyboard and ChromeOS switches to a more touch-friendly experience. The tablet supports cloud gaming services such as Xbox Game Pass and Nvidia GeForce Now, which means that with a strong web connection, you can play all kinds of games. I love to play mobile games on it from the Play Store too. The Duet 11 also works as an e-reader In addition to being ideal for commuting and cramped spaces, the Duet is also a good e-reader. I use it for reading manga with the Viz and Shonen Jump apps, and I regularly dip into my library's collection of ebooks and magazines via the Libby app. The device is also good for streaming video and music, though I prefer Bluetooth headphones over the tablet's little speakers. While I mainly use it for travel and on my commute, the Duet is equally great around the house. I wouldn't recommend the Duet as your only laptop unless you simply don't need to do more than basic home office work and can connect to a larger display, keyboard and mouse. The 11-inch touchscreen, while great-looking, is a little too small for all-day, everyday use. But as a secondary device to a larger, more powerful desktop or laptop, it's just about perfect. If you're interested in checking out more ChromeOS devices, here are CNET's top picks for the best Chromebooks on the market. And if you're shopping for someone else, check out our editors' picks for the best gifts for Father's Day or the best graduation gifts.
Digital Trends
08-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 review: an impressive freshman laptop debut
Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 MSRP $1,450.00 Score Details Table of Contents Table of Contents Specs and pricing Design Keyboard and touchpad Connectivity and webcam Performance Battery life Display and audio A great way to introduce a new brand Dell has undergone its biggest PC rebrand in years, completely revamping how it names and positions its various laptops and desktops. Simply put, the old branding was a bit confusing in finding exactly the PC that would meet your needs and your price point. Sticking with laptops, the Inspiron was aimed at mainstream users and included both budget laptops and midrange machines. The XPS represented the most premium Dell laptops, many of which have shown up on our list of best laptops, and they offered the performance demanded by 'prosumers' like creators. From there, a demanding user could move up to the company's Precision line of professional workstations, while businesses had the Latitude lineup to consider. Recommended Videos The company has now streamlined its branding. Now, there are just three main PC brands, Dell (mainstream), Dell Pro (professional-grade productivity), and Dell Pro Max (workstation-level performance), each with Base, Plus, and Premium tiers. So, a mainstream consumer — this site's primary audience — will be most interested in the Dell Base, Dell Plus, and Dell Premium machines. That should make it easier to match price with capabilities without having to sort through a number scheme that was sometimes hard to follow. The first in the new lineup to hit the market are Dell Plus machines, and I'm reviewing the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1. It straddles the fence between midrange and premium prices, while appealing most to users with demanding productivity and media consumption needs and who don't need the extra performance of a discrete GPU. The Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 doesn't break any new ground, but it offers up a solid convertible 2-in-1 that enjoys a spectacular mini-LED display. Specs and pricing Acer Swift AI 16 Dimensions 14.05 x 9.87 x 0.56-0.67 inches Weight 4.52 pounds Processor Intel Core Ultra 5 226V Intel Core Ultra 7 256V Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Intel Core Ultra 9 288V Graphics Intel Arc 130V Intel Arc 140V RAM 16GB 32GB Display 16.0-inch 16:10 FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS, 60Hz 16.0-inch 16:10 QHD+ (2560 x 1600) mini-LED, 90Hz Storage 512GB SSD 1TB SSD 2TB SSD Touch Yes Ports 1 x USB-C with Thunderbolt 4 1 x USB-C 3.2. Gen 2 1 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 1 x HDMI 2.1 1 x 3.5mm audio jack Wireless Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 Webcam 1080p Operating system Windows 11 Battery 64 watt-hour battery Price $1,000+ Pricing is a key point in evaluating this new Dell lineup, and as mentioned, the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 starts at a midrange price and moves up into premium territory. The base model is $1,000, with an Intel Core Ultra 5 226V chipset, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 16.0-inch FHD+ IPS display – that's the only configuration with that chipset. To configure more RAM and storage or to choose the QHD+ mini-LED display requires selecting a different chipset. For example, with a Core Ultra 7 258V, you get 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and the mini-LED display, for $1,450. That's the configuration I reviewed. Upgrading to the fastest Core Ultra 9 288V increases the price to $1,600. That makes the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 competitive with the Apple MacBook Air 15, which starts at the same $1,000 with less storage and then is more expensive when full upgraded. Several other Windows laptops are around the same price as the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1, like the HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 that seems aimed at the same kind of user who wants a nicely built convertible 2-in-1. Design The Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 introduces a new streamlined design that's clearly focused on minimalism. The lines are incredibly simple, a lot more akin to an Apple MacBook than some of Dell's previous Inspiron designs. The Dell logo on the lid is subdued to the point that it's hard to see, and outside of the keyboard, the dark or light blue color way is consistent across the entire laptop. There's no chrome or other adornment, and while I personally like the no-nonsense look, it doesn't really stand out. HP also revamped its lineup, and its new OmniBook Ultra 14 is an example of a laptop that has just enough aesthetic splashes to take on more of a personality. The all-aluminum build is very robust, with only a bit of give in the keyboard deck to detract from a completely solid feel in hand. I'll give the OmniBooks a tiny bit of an advantage here, and then the MacBook Air 15 offers up the highest overall impression of quality — but it's not a major difference. The Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 is a 360-degree convertible, so the lid swivels around into tablet mode. That means it's necessarily stiffer than I like, requiring both hands to open the lid but keeping everything in place. That's particularly apparent in tent mode, where the hinge has to add a bit of extra stability. Overall, it's a very good build that Dell has subjected to several tests for robustness, and I'm not surprised that it passed all of them. Unlike Dell's older generation XPS laptops that had the thinnest display bezels around, the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1's bezels are a little thick on top and — again, because it's a convertible 2-in-1 with a more complex hinge — in the bottom chin. It's therefore a rather large laptop in width and depth, but it's reasonably thin. It's also heavy at 4.52 pounds, and some other laptops are quite a bit lighter. The Acer Swift 16 AI, for example, comes in at just 3.37 pounds. It's a clamshell and so saves some ounces there, but it still fits in a 16.0-inch display. The Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 isn't quite the thin-and-light machine that some other 16-inch laptops represent. That's most relevant in that it means you won't likely be holding it in your hand when using it to write on the display with the available active pen. For that, you'll want a lightweight tablet like the Microsoft Surface Pro 11. I think the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 is a great new design to kick off the new branding. It doesn't break new ground, but it doesn't really need to. Keyboard and touchpad The keyboard is something of a mixed bag for me. To begin with, Dell fits in a numeric keypad, which I think will matter most to a relative handful of people. Its major downside is that it steals space from the rest of the keyboard, resulting in a bit of a cramped layout that required some time to get used to as I wrote this review. The keycaps are also a little smaller than I like. The OmniBook keyboard and Apple's Magic Keyboard are better. The Dell switches are light and snappy, and if I have any complaint with them, it's that the bottoming action is a little abrupt. But overall, it's not fatiguing and it gets the job done. The mechanical touchpad was large enough, although there's space for a slightly larger version. More and more laptops are offering haptic touchpads at these price points, but I suspect that Dell is reserving that feature for its Dell Premium lineup. I like haptic touchpads a lot more, with the best example being Apple's Force Touch touchpad with Force Click functionality. HP also has great haptic touchpads. Maybe Dell will reconsider in the next generation, because while the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1's mechanical touchpad was okay, it's a lost opportunity to be better. Of course, as a convertible 2-in-1, the display is touch-enabled. It also supports an active pen, which works well for writing and drawing on the display. As mentioned above, this makes for a large tablet format, and so you'll want to place it on a surface when using the pen. It would be way too heavy to hold in hand, but the large display provides for a very nice canvas for digital artwork. Connectivity and webcam The Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 is closer to a thin-and-light machine in one respect: connectivity. There's a decent mix of modern and legacy ports, but much larger and thicker 16-inch laptops (think gaming laptops and workstations) have more. Three things stand out as disappointing. First, only one USB-C port supports Thunderbolt 4. Second, the lack of a dedicated charging connection, like Apple's MagSafe 3, means you give up on of the USB-C ports when plugged in. Third, there's no SD card reader, which people who want the large display for working with photos would appreciate. Wireless connectivity is fully up-to-date, however, which is a plus. The webcam is a 1080p version, which has become the new minimum standard. Some laptops, like Apple's and HP's, have higher-resolution webcams. The Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 is good enough for videoconference, with good low-light performance. The Intel Lunar Lake chipsets offer Neural Processing Units (NPUs) running at between 40 tera operations per second (TOPS) and 48 TOPS, all of which meet Microsoft's Copilot+ PC requirement. That means the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 qualifies as a Copilot+ PC and offers up all of the usual AI features that will run efficiently on-device at reasonable speeds. Dell doesn't include some of the additional features that other manufacturers provide, Performance I've reviewed enough Lunar Lake laptops to get a feel for their performance, and so far, they've been great chipset for demanding productivity users but not so great for gamers and creators. That's because their integrated Intel Arc graphics aren't fast enough for more than older titles or newer titles with graphics turned way down, and they don't speed up creative tasks like video encoding. But that's okay, because laptops like the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 aren't meant as gaming machines and creative workstations. And, Lunar Lake (also known as Core Ultra Series 2) is aimed at making Windows laptops more efficient, not necessarily a lot faster. The configuration I reviewed came with the Core Ultra 7 258V chipset. Like all Lunar Lake chipsets, it's an 8-core/8-thread part that runs at a moderately fast speed. That's what differentiates different chipsets, along with slightly faster NPUs. The Core Ultra 5 226V has Intel Arc 130V, while the others have the slightly faster Intel Arc 140V. In our benchmarks, the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 was in the middle of the of those with the same chipset. That means it's slower than two important competing chipsets, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X Elite and Apple's M4, the latter standing out most for its insanely fast single-core speeds that will make it the fastest for general productivity tasks and photo editing applications that tend to being single-tasking. The M4 also has the fastest graphics, although none of these machines is a bona fide gaming laptop. You'll find the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 to be plenty quick for productivity and general computing. That's a reasonably strong showing given the types of users this laptop is designed for. Cinebench R24 (single/multi) Geekbench 6 (single/multi) Handbrake (seconds) 3DMark Wild Life Extreme Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 122 / 550 2750 / 11062 93 7616 Acer Swift AI 16 (Core Ultra 7 256V / Intel Arc 140V) 121 / 617 2670 / 10797 92 5001 MacBook Air 15 (M4 10/10) 172 / 853 3770 / 14798 87 9154 Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (Snapdragon X Elite / Adreno) 105 / 826 2388 / 13215 N/A 5880 Acer Swift 14 AI (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 121 / 525 2755 / 11138 92 5294 HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 116 / 598 2483 / 10725 99 7573 Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 109 / 630 2485 / 10569 88 5217 Asus Zenbook S 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V / Intel Arc 140V) 112 / 452 2738 / 10734 113 7514 HP OmniBook X (Snapdragon X Elite / Adreno) 101 / 749 2377 / 13490 N/A 6165 Battery life Dell packed in a relatively small 64 watt-hour battery, where most 16-inch laptops have greater capacity. The Lunar Lake chipset is efficient, but the QHD+ mini-LED display is pretty power-hungry. If battery life is more important to you, then the FHD+ IPS display will net you battery life that's upwards of twice as long. As we'll see, the mini-LED panel is pretty great, so that will be an important decision for a lot of users. As we can see, the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 fell behind our other comparison laptops. Some of those had higher-resolution OLED displays, which are also power-hungry. With just eight hours of web browsing, you're going to need to carry the power supply with you for extended work away from a plug. Note that we changed our web browsing test because our previous utility was deprecated. The new test seems to produce slightly shorter results, so the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 might be a little better in comparison than the result listed here. Web browsing Video Cinebench R24 Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 (Core Ultra 7 258V) 7 hours, 59 minutes 10 hours, 30 minutes 2 hours, 7 minutes Acer Swift AI 16 (Core Ultra 7 256V) 10 hours, 30 minutes 10 hours, 58 minutes 2 hours, 13 minutes MacBook Air 15 (M4 10/10) 17 hours, 13 minutes 22 hours, 33 minutes 4 hours, 28 minutes Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 (Snapdragon Elite) 14 hours, 21 minutes 22 hours, 39 minutes N/A Acer Swift 14 AI (Core Ultra 7 258V) 17 hours, 22 minutes 24 hours, 10 minutes 2 hours, 7 minutes HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 (Core Ultra 7 258V) 11 hours, 5 minutes 15 hours, 46 minutes 2 hours, 14 minutes Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition (Core Ultra 7 258V) 14 hours, 16 minutes 17 hours, 31 minutes 2 hours, 15 minutes HP Omnibook X (Snapdragon X Elite X1E-78-100) 13 hours, 37 minutes 22 hours, 4 minutes 1 hour, 52 minutes Display and audio I reviewed the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 with its high-end 16.0-inch 16:10 QHD+ (2560 x 1600) mini-LED display. As we just saw, that option has a significant impact on battery life, but as someone who really appreciates a great display, I notice this one when I pulled it out of the box. Unlike most displays, there's another touch layer over the usual glass, and maybe that contributed to the interesting 'sheen' that I immediately perceived. I like it a lot — it adds some depth to images, or something that's a little hard to describe. And it's bright and colorful, with deep blacks that aren't quite as inky as OLED, but a lot better than IPS. The panel runs at 90Hz, which isn't as fast as some other recent displays that hit 120Hz, but still providing a more fluid interface than the more pedestrian 60Hz refresh rate. My Datacolor SpyderPro colorimeter liked this display quite a bit. It's bright at 460 nits, well above our 300-nit threshold. That's not as bright as some others, including the mini-LED displays on Apple's MacBook Pro laptops, but it's still more than bright enough for most users. It helps quite a bit with high dynamic range (HDR) video, with support for HDR 600. The contrast was excellent at 10,360:1, well above the 1,000:1 threshold we established a few years ago and where most IPS displays fall around. Colors were very wide at 100% sRGB, 92% AdobeRGB, and 100% DCI-P3, which is a lot better than the average IPS panel's 100%, 75%, and 75%, respectively. That's also similar to OLED, which has led the pack in terms of color gamut support. Color accuracy wasn't quite as great, coming in at DeltaE 1.68. We like to see 2.0 or less for productivity and 1.0 or less for creative work. So, that's still within tolerance for the intended usage. This is just a lovely display for everything you'll want to do with this laptop. Productivity work will benefit from black text on white backgrounds, photo editors will appreciate the wide AdobeRGB gamut, and media consumers will enjoy the bright, colorful images. As mentioned above, you can step down to the FHD+ (1920 x 1200) IPS panel to save some money and get better battery life. But if you can swing the mini-LED display, I strongly recommend it. A great way to introduce a new brand The Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 is an important laptop for the company, meant to introduce a new brand that convince laptop buyers that although the names have changed, the design and quality remain the same. Dell has made it theoretically easier to buy a laptop, but it was vital to avoid letting the first users down. I think the Dell Plus 16 2-in-1 does its job. It's not a perfect laptop, by any means, but it's reasonably priced given is quality build, and the decision to build around an excellent mini-LED display was a good one. That elevates this laptop into a strong recommendation, while the entry-level display will offer its own advantages.
