If you’ve ever been caught between wanting to get a tablet and a laptop, you don’t need to weigh the pros and cons anymore. With 2-in-1 laptops, you can get the best of both worlds. With just a quick flip, you can turn your desktop into a portable device for quicker presentations, pen-compatible tasks, and much more.
We’ll give you a rundown of all the things to look out for, including which ones are compatible with some of the best free video editing tools you can get online.
What Are 2-in-1 Laptops?
But before we get into the meat of the discussion, let’s first figure out what is a 2-in-1 laptopin the first place. A 2-in-1 or hybrid laptop is a convertible device that you can use as both a laptop and a tablet. These devices can either be convertible or detachable. A convertible laptop transforms from one form to another. Meanwhile, a detachable laptop has — as its name suggest — two components that can be detached from each other in the monitor and the keyboard.
Most 2-in-1 laptops come with a stylus that allows you to perform writing tasks as you would on a normal tablet. Whether it’s convertible or detachable, 2-in-1 laptops have much more to offer. We’ve compiled a list of the best ones in the market right now to help you find the one that fits you best.
Best 2-in-1 Laptops to Use On the Go
If you’re looking for an affordable yet efficient 2-in-1 laptop, you can’t go wrong with the Lenovo Yoga 7i. The basic model comes in with 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD, but you can even go so far as to upgrade it. Thanks to its 360° hinge system, you can switch over from laptop to tablet in minutes.
This laptop is especially useful if you’re a creative as it can handle all types of video editing and photo editing. It has been tested to have 300 nits of brightness, as well as having 99% on the sRGB color gamut. All of these ensure a crisp, colorful display you won’t regret investing in. Although it comes with fewer ports than you may expect, you can always get a good dongle for more options. All-in-all, this is a good budget-friendly option for any student out there.
If you think owning 2-in-1 laptops already has a unique form factor in and of itself, wait till you see the Acer ConceptD 3 Ezel. Although sizable in weight, the laptop has much to offer in terms of port capabilities and editing. Two in one? More like all-in-one!
Much like the imagery its name induces, the Ezel’s screen can snap and unsnap from its bottom hinges – just like a flexible easel. This way, you can toggle it to face inwards, for personal use, or outwards in Presentation Mode. The Ezel’s ergonomic design is sure to make working from home much easier. It comes complete with a boatload of ports, including a dedicated slot for its stylus. If you’re considering shifting from PC to laptop, this one is definitely a worthy contender.
Looking to shell out a little more for premium features? The HP Spectre x360 is a great 2-in-1 laptop you can get the most out of. Just like your average tablet, the device comes with a fingerprint ID and Windows Hello to help you log-in to your devices quickly. The device runs smoothly and comes with a dedicated HP Pen that you can use for note-taking and maximizing the touch screen.
If you value your privacy, you can even avail HP’s Sureview Technology. This allows a privacy filter to be put up on your display so that no one but you can see it. However, you can get the built-in camera shutter for free. Even without it, the device will come in with a physical on and off switch for the device camera.
The Surface Pro series is one of Microsoft’s best 2-in-1 laptop lines, and the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 might be its best yet. With its lightweight feel, it’s almost like accessing a tablet on its own. It comes with its own Surface Pen that is easy to use and very handy for notetaking and the likes. The newest model finally comes with a USB-C port in its bezels as well.
The laptop comes with a thin Type Cover keyboard that feels a lot fuller on the fingers than previous Surface Pro models. The device’s overall design makes it feel premium, which is why it comes at a hefty price. Still, the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is one of the best 2-in-1 laptops that you don’t want to miss.
Microsoft’s other 2-in-1 laptop line is the Surface Book. While the Surface Pro series is more similar to a Chromebook, the Surface Book 3 is more like a laptop. Although it is 2-in-1, this device is completely detachable with two separate graphics cards. While detached from its bottom half, it acts as an individual tablet.
The Surface Book 3 comes with a Windows Hello face ID quick recognition, that can recognize the owner in a snap. It also comes with the Surface Pen and a magnetic latch to keep it in place.
This detachable form factor is a bit unique, seeing that it doesn’t bend all the way back like most convertible 2-in-1 laptops. But if you still want to stay connected to that bottom half to maximize its power, you can simply detach the screen, flip it around, and reattach it the other way.
If you want a durable and versatile 2 in 1 laptop option, then the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 is for you. And when we say versatile, we mean it. As its name implies, the Flex 5’s strong hinges ensure that you can easily flip it over 360 degrees without breaking a sweat. Lenovo has mastered this form factor after producing so many reliable 2 in 1 laptops.
What makes the Flex 5 so unique, however, is its powerful loadout. Running on the fourth-generation AMD Ryzen Renoir processor, it is able to come at an affordable price without risking the quality of the build.
This sleek and lightweight 2-in-1 laptop is a strong contender to a lot of flagship laptops out there. Using the Dell XPS 13 gives you a complete hybrid laptop experience. Thanks to its small and portable design, you can toggle from laptop to tablet in a pinch. Its touch screen display is also compatible with a Dell Premium Active Pen (sold separately) that snaps quickly onto the magnetic side of the laptop.
This 2-in-1 laptop is perfect for creatives who are constantly on the go. It can handle editing projects with ease. Exporting footage from even the best vlogging camera has never been so quick. On top of that, Dell software preserves battery life while on sleep mode. So if you’re hopping from place to place, you can easily reserve battery power for up to 2 days depending on the frequency of use. This is a premium choice that’s definitely worth checking out.
The Dell XPS 15 is a sleek and powerful 2-in-1 laptop perfect for creatives. Although slightly larger due to its 15” display, its light and airy design more than makes up for it. The latest model comes with a snappier, magnetic keyboard, and fingerprint scanner instead of a power button, all to reduce the thickness of the device.
The Dell XPS 15 comes packed with ports, and even has a MicroSD slot for when you’re transferring any files from mobile devices. It is dubbed one of the best Ultrabooks you can find on the market alongside other models of this series. This distinction comes thanks to its 8th generation Intel CPU. It can boot up any of your projects, files, or browser tabs before you can even blink. Everything about this laptop screams speed, which is why it’s worth its generous price.
Another great Dell model to look out for is the Inspiron 13 2-in-1. It comes with a 4K glossy touch screen display that you can smoothly write over with the dedicated stylus that comes with it. And there’s no way to lose your stylus thanks to its built-in slot right in the laptop.
Dell’s premium quality build really shines with this laptop’s matte finish. Although it’s not Dell’s flagship model, it still feels and looks premium.
One of the more premium Lenovo Yoga models is the C940. Armed with a powerful processor and lightweight design, you can take this device anywhere and any time. Unlike a lot of the Lenovo Yoga models, it already comes with a stylus pen you can use. Moreover, it already has a built-in stylus slot you can just slide the pen into. That way, you’ll never forget about it and leave it behind.
The Lenovo Yoga C940 also comes with a full HD display, with 400 nits and a 16:9 aspect ratio. It’s the best laptop to watch the best fantasy shows on Netflix. Additionally, it has four ports in its arsenal, including two USB-C Thunderbolt ports. Thanks to its powerful processor, it can render any photo editing app at ease. There is little to no lag when using other apps and browsers as well. Perhaps its best upgrade is its speakers adjusting to the position you put the laptop into, whether it’s the tablet or normal mode.
Microsoft’s Surface Go 2 is the perfect answer to someone looking for a 2-in-1 laptop under $500. This compact convertible is small enough to carry everywhere, but it packs enough punch to get you through any logistical work — be it for school or work from home.
However, if you’re transitioning from a traditional laptop, there may be a slight learning curve thanks to its small size. Nevertheless, it offers a lot in terms of its internal components. It may not be the same as the Surface Pro series in terms of efficiency, but it’s still a good competitor towards other laptops within its range.
Looking for the best 2-in-1 laptop under $300? Look no further than the Lenovo Chromebook Duet. Don’t be fooled by its affordable price because this Chromebook has a lot to offer. The Duet is extremely lightweight and portable, coming with its own keyboard and kickstand. Although it’s much smaller than your average 2-in-1 laptop, this makes it easier to bring along if you are constantly traveling or need it in your backpack.
The Duet also has a long-lasting battery life of up to 11 hours, depending on the heaviness of use. Heavy usage may not be this device’s strong suit, but it makes up for it in other aspects. With its sleek and premium-feeling design, you won’t notice that this device is under $300.
Lenovo’s ThinkPad series is packed with security features perfect for grueling office work and highly confidential projects. It is one of the best business laptops available on the market, and it’s something to consider getting if you work remotely.
The ThinkPad X1 Yoga has quite the display, ranging from 1080p to 4K. It also comes with a reliable and fast SSD and an ergonomically designed keyboard, perfect for typing up long paperwork or schoolwork.
Another great business laptop option is the HP Elite Dragonfly. With a strong battery life and processor, this laptop will prep you for any remote business trip. It’s also a stunning and compact design that is sure to turn heads at your next meeting. The best part? It comes with LTE coverage so that you never have to lose your internet connection wherever you go.
It comes with a powerful display that supports 1080p up to 4k resolution, sure to make your next presentation impactful and memorable. You also come packed with endless ports to work with for any type of work you do.
Another powerful Chromebook on this list is Acer’s Chromebook Spin 713 2-in-1. Perfect for students and teachers alike, this inexpensive midrange Chromebook is the best choice for those seeking to be productive during this time. With a lengthy battery life, you’re sure to last long during a whole day of lectures and online classes.
With its 13.5-inch display, you can take efficient notes and complete assignments using Google Workplace. While there are small compromises you must make thanks to its small size and slightly inaudible speakers, it’s still a great investment to make especially during remote learning.
Today’s tablets offer far better performance than tablets of old. With a strong model and the right peripherals, you can even use these tablets as a daily laptop driver. We think the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 has this potential. Running on an octa-core Qualcomm SM6115 Snapdragon 662 CPU, its quick performance and speedy load rate will have you in awe.
Its screen is compact and portable, and it comes with a keyboard case right off the box. For those with kids, the device comes with a Kids Mode that you can use to censor any unwanted sites or apps. Fair warning, though: if you’re looking into heavy gaming or editing, maybe this isn’t for you. Although its specs are competitive, at the end of the day it’s still a mid-range tablet. Still, it’s a great alternative and a perfect 2-in-1 laptop that can do many of the things you need out of it.
Like the 7i, the Yoga 9i is another great 2-in-1 laptop from Lenovo. It comes with a lightweight aluminum casing to make it easily portable. It is also equipped with a backlit keyboard that isn’t overpowering. You’ll also find an onboard pen with a pen slot.
While the 9i already has a pretty decent display, you can upgrade to a full 4K display if you’re going to work with visuals a lot. It also comes with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD, but you can also upgrade it to get more space. The 9i also has privacy protocols set in place, with a built-in webcam shutter as well as a fingerprint scanner. All in all, it’s a great tool for any creatives out there.
iPad Pro
The latest iPad Pro comes at 12.9 inches — almost as big as your average laptop screen. Like the Samsung Tab 7, it is built and sold as a tablet. But when attached to a keyboard case, you can swiftly turn it into a laptop in an instant. You can also get the Apple Pencil, the dedicated styles for Apple products. The stylus feels great in your hand and attaches magnetically to your tablet case. Not to mention it has good grip and pressure sensitivity.
With a 1TB memory and 6GB of RAM, this premium tablet has a competitive performance to rival even the best Chromebooks. It comes with a dual-camera with 12 and 10 MP respectively. Not to mention that it runs on LIDAR technology to integrate the use of AR into the device. Although a little on the pricey side, the iPad Pro is well worth its weight in gold.
Chrome’s new OS has its perks and limitations. Because it’s a relatively new OS for laptops, there is little support for apps and such that you will likely get more out of with Windows or Mac. Still, the rise of Chromebooks is prevalent, allowing for the OS to improve more and more. A prime example of that is the ASUS Chromebook Flip C434.
The Flip C434 2-in-1 laptop comes with an improved 14-inch display, supporting a colorful 1080p picture. It also comes packed with dynamic speakers and strong battery life to stay with you for hours on end. It is definitely a great laptop to start with when transitioning to the Chrome OS.
Equipped with Intel’s latest processors, the ASUS Zenbook Flip 13 is one of the premium laptops worth checking out. You also have the option to choose between a 1080p IPS display and a 1080p OLED display. The former is already decent in itself, and you could get away with simple browsing and more on this model. However, if you’re a creative video or photo editor, you may want to upgrade to the OLED display to make the most out of it.
It comes with a dedicated pen, but it is compatible with around 4,000 types of pen pressure. Its backlit keyboard is also a show-stealer, but the Zenbook Flip 13’s real claim to fame is the Numpad lit trackpad feature. It can turn into a Numpad whenever you wish. All in all, this is a great 2-in-1 laptop with impeccable features.
Conclusion: Are 2-in-1 Laptops Worth It?
With many kinds of tech on the rise, one does wonder why we need 2-in-1 laptops in the first place. This is especially true if you’re already part of an existing ecosystem — why buy one of those when you already have an iPad and a Macbook Pro, right? However, we can’t deny that we need specific gadgets to perform specific tasks.
There are things that only a laptop can do, such as heavy editing, gaming, and more. On the other hand, with a tablet, you can maximize your touch screen capabilities for certain things. For instance, video editing on Premiere Pro on a taxi ride seems like it can only be possible with the processor of a laptop and the portability of the tablet.
With 2-in-1 laptops, you’re getting the functionality of two for the price of one. Whether it’s convertible or detachable, you can comfortably shift from one to the other on the go. If you have a lifestyle that fits this, then investing in a 2 in 1 laptop is definitely worth it.
