People take their laptops everywhere, but they can be bulky. But what if it fit in your pocket? The Peakago laptop is much easier to travel with because it's an incredibly lightweight 7-inch convertible. Unfortunately, it also seems to be a solution few asked for in search of a problem no one knew they had: how do we make a tiny Windows tablet into a laptop?
There were several compromises made to accommodate the Peakago’s size that undermine its overall usefulness. A laptop in this day and age shouldn’t ship with a chip released in 2016, especially when Intel Y-series chips are currently available that fit the low power requirements and offer better performance. The Peakago’s keyboard and Lenovo Thinkpad-esque mouse nub get the job done but are cramped and uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. As such, the Peakago functions much better as a tablet, unless it is hooked up to an external display and used with a standard keyboard and mouse (for recommendation, see our Best Gaming Mouse article). Unfortunately, the Peakago also lacks in the I/O department, so if you want a better experience using it as a PC, you’re going to need to break out your dongles.
Specifications
| CPU | Intel Atom x5-Z8350 |
|---|---|
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics |
| Display | 7-inch IPS (1920 x 1200) |
| Memory | 8GB |
| SSD | 128GB eMMC |
| Networking | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Video Ports | Micro-HDMI |
| USB Ports | 1x USB 3.0 Type-A, 1x USB-C |
| Camera | 0.3 MP |
| Battery | 65 Whr |
| Power Adapter | USB-C to USB-A charging cable |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home S Mode |
| Dimensions (WxDxH) | 7.1 4.5x 4.5 x 0.7 inches (180.3 x 114.3 x 17.8mm) |
| Weight | 1.2 pounds (544.3g) |
| Price (as configured) | $399.99 |
The Peakago is a fairly nondescript black box, measuring a scant 7.1 x 4.5 x 0.7 inches and weighing 1.1 pounds. The logo appears in simple white letters on the top of the aluminum lid, and the chassis has a matte black finish that attracts fingerprints. The rear of the unit features a single exhaust vent to dissipate heat, as well as the I/O ports (USB 3.0 Type A, USB Type-C, a microSD card slot, Micro-HDMI and a 3.5mm headphone jack) are located on the right side.
As a convertible 2-in-1, the 1920 x 1200 resolution IPS display can flipped so the laptop can function as a tablet. In my use, the hinge felt remarkably solid with barely any flex or wobble.
You can hook the Peakago up to full-size PC monitor via a Micro-HDMI to HDMI cable, but good luck finding one of those at your local electronics store. Peakago offers a cable for $12 but doesn't include one in the box. Further, the use of Micro-HDMI is somewhat puzzling given the presence of a full-size USB 3 Type-A port, making me wish for a more common video output port. In order to effectively use the Peakago as a more conventional PC with a large display, you will need a dongle because as the USB-C port will be occupied by the charging cable, leaving you with a single Type-A port.
On Geekbench 4.3, the Peakago scored 2,239 in multi-core tests and 843 in single core tests. Geekbench 5.0 returned results of 513 in multi-core and 169 in single core, respectively.
Recently, the company announced that new Peakago units will come equipped with a Broadcom Dual Band AC WiFi Module that will hopefully improve performance.
The Peakago features a 7-inch, IPS display at 1920 x 1200 resolution. It covers 94.8% of the sRGB color gamut and has an average brightness of 188.8 nits, according to our testing. While the display did appear sharp and colors popped during my usage, the screen didn't look great outdoors, which is a problem for something this portable. On the other hand, touchscreen functionality is quick and responsive, and the panel is quite impressive for its size, delivering rich color and very high pixel density (323.45 pixels per inch).
The Peakago’s keyboard is serviceable, but its tight quarters do not make for a comfortable typing experience. Key travel and throw distance felt fine, but any action requiring use of the FN key was cumbersome, due to the extremely small key nestled right next to the Alt key.
In place of a trackpad, the Peakago utilizes a mouse nub similar to the TrackPoint on Lenovo’s ThinkPads. Tracking is solid, but any action that requires holding down a mouse button while navigating was not only difficult but borderline painful. There simply isn’t enough room available to effectively drag and drop or even pull down a scroll bar with this interface.
The Peakago has speakers, but that’s the only positive thing to say about its sound. I put on Camp Lo’s “Luchini” to get a feel for the Peakago’s audio output and was met with low volume and tinny sound. While I did not notice any distortion, I was disappointed in the lack of punch; there was no bass to speak of, just a trebly whine. Audio quality was comparable to the built-in speakers on my Samsung Galaxy S9+ smartphone. Thankfully, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack available for those who want a better listening experience.
Configurations
The Peakago comes in three configurations: the Peakago, Peakago Pro with 4G and Peakago Pro without 4G. The Peakago Pro is specced the same as our review unit. The base model Peakago shares many of the same basic specs but cuts memory and storage in half and subtracts the built-in 4G networking. The Peakago, Peakago Pro (4G) and Peakago Pro (no 4G) are priced at $279, $399 and $279, respectively.
Bottom Line
The Peakago resides in a unique space in the market. There simply isn’t a 7-inch 2-in-1 laptop available at a sub-$400 price point. But it’s debatable as to whether or not this is a product that anyone legitimately needs. As a laptop, it is uncomfortable to use for long periods of time. There isn’t enough I/O to go around to use the Peakago effectively as a low-powered desktop without going to Dongle Town. The device feels better as a tablet, but there are cheaper Windows 10 tablets available with similar specs if you’re willing to abandon having a physical keyboard. The Peakago certainly is novel, but the novelty wears off quickly and what remains is a desire for a product that is truly exceptional.
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