The 2 - in-1 laptop family remains dominated by Microsoft ’s Surface brand , yes . There ’s no getting around that .
And yet , in 2024 , there is more challenger in the 2 - in-1 space than there have been in a while .
We ’ve look back every great 2 - in-1 you could buy , let in Chromebooks , convertible security , and powerful 16 - in versions . The overall best 2 - in-1 at the second is theMicrosoft Surface Pro 11 , with its rattling keyboard that ’s as light to remove as it is to type on , a 120Hz showing , and a haptic - enabled playpen . There ’s a reason it makes our list of the overallbest laptopsyou can buy , despite being a pad with a detachable keyboard .
A detachable 2-in-1 that’s fully functional
Microsoft Surface Pro 11
Historically , Microsoft slowly evolved the Surface Pro line of credit over the year with subtle , but significant tweaks . The Surface Pro 11 upends that role model , switching entirely over to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X chipset and Windows on Arm . It ’s a extremity of the young Microsoft Copilot+ PC initiative aimed at expanding the Windows platform ’s AI functionality while improving performance and battery life .
The Surface Pro 11 keep up the same iconic Surface Pro kickstand and Type Cover innovation , and so without setting it next to its predecessor , you might not notice the differences right away . But like the old Surface Pro 9 , it ’s made of aluminium rather than Mg , it has smaller show bezel besiege a larger 13 - inch exhibit ( up from 12.3 inches ) , and its edge are more rounded . It ’s a more elegant and forward-looking innovation that we wish a peck . difference let in a new OLED display extend at 120Hz and a wireless Type Cover that completely separates from the tablet .
The downside is that Microsoft dropped the 3.5 millimeter sound recording gob , a decision that will bother some . at heart , it ’s power by either the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus or X elect chipset , which offers either 10 or 12 cores and the efficiency of the Arm architecture . In our review , the Surface Pro 11 was very fast and lasted longer than previous Surface Pro 2 - in-1s as well as most Intel laptop computer . In add-on , the fresh OLED show choice that provides undimmed , dynamic , and accurate colors and inky Shirley Temple .
head stay about the compatibility of Windows 11 on Arm . However , even then the new detachable tablet is the good all - around 2 - in-1 you may buy today .
The best convertible 2-in-1
HP OmniBook Ultra Flip 14
We always sleep with the HP Spectre x360 14 , and this yr , HP rebranded and redesign its intact laptop computer batting order , including its most authoritative 14 - inch 2 - in-1 gimmick . Now , the OmniBook Ultra Flip 14 is n’t a detachable 2 - in-1 like the Surface Pro – it ’s a convertible , meaning it ’s a laptop computer with a touch CRT screen and a 360 - degree flexible joint . you may employ it as a lozenge , as a laptop computer , in tent way , or even flip around backward .
It has a gorgeous 2.8 K OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate , and the equipment still weighs just under three pounds . Build lineament is splendid , the keyboard and trackpad are top - snick , and battery life is strong thanks to the new Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chip onboard .
It ’s a bit duncical and enceinte for a lozenge . There ' no incertitude about that . But 2 - in-1 convertible are n’t meant to be hold in one hand like an iPad . What they make up for in portability though , they make up for in being right laptop – only with a chip more adaptability .
A Chromebook 2-in-1 that’s incredibly affordable
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad Duet is a Chromebook for masses who like tablet designs and really like Chromebook prices but are still look for the right-hand 2 - in-1 PC .
The slim Duet offers a 10.9 - inch 2 K ( 2000 x 1200 ) screen , a Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 central processor processor , and 4 GB of RAM . Since it ’s a Chromebook , storage space really is n’t a focusing , but it ’s nice to see 64 GB for those who take it for Android apps and Linux background software system . Ports are limited to two USB - C 3.2 Gen 2 connectedness , one of which is used to charge the tablet .
While it ’s nice that the keypad include a small touchpad for those who need it , it ’s still a footling cramped for our penchant . However , we rarely see similar specs made available at such a low cost ( and you may always choose a different keypad if you want to ) . Battery life is splendid at 11.5 hour for World Wide Web browsing and 16 hour for video .
If you ’re looking for more like this , we ’ve also gathered a list of thebest Chromebooks .
A pure tablet that works great as a laptop
Apple iPad Pro
Apple might not wish calling the iPad Pro a " 2 - in-1 laptop , " but that ’s what it is . That is , so long as you pair it with the excellent Magic Keyboard fond regard .
The iPad Pro 13 is a significant upgrade to Apple ’s high - end tablet . It let in a new tandem OLED display that ’s only factionally larger , and it uses the new Apple Silicon M4 processor that ’s faster , more effective , and includes an upgraded Neural Engine . The novel M4 chipset make the iPad Pro even more evenly matched with New laptops at many tasks , think of that you ’re no longer giving up functioning to delight a licit tablet format .
The new iPad Pro ’s bicycle-built-for-two OLED show is sublime , stacking two OLED panel together to dramatically increase brightness . It has the same 120Hz refresh rate as before but adds OLED ’s super - quick response times , in addition to across-the-board and more accurate color and OLED ’s inky-black black . It goes up to 1,000 nit in standard active range ( SDR ) subject matter and up to 1,600 in high dynamic reach ( HDR ) , with a knifelike 2752 - by-2064 solvent in slimly larger 13.0 - inch display . The novel Apple Pencil Pro dynamic pen make for an excellent draught putz , and the updated Magic Keyboard give the tablet laptop - corresponding functionality , include haptic touchpad support in the last reading of iPad OS .
Of naturally , as an iPad , it continue thebest tabletsgo . Today , the iPad Pro is the thinnest , short , and purest tablet experience you’re able to grease one’s palms , thanks in large part to a massive library of apps that are optimized for tab exercise .
A tiny Windows 11 2-in-1 that shines
Microsoft Surface Go 3
Why you should buy this : It ’s the best lowly 2 - in-1 .
Who it ’s for : Anyone who require a tablet that can plug in a keyboard in a pinch — and does n’t require to spend a ton of cash .
Why we picked the Microsoft Surface Go 3 :
low-cost and slim , the Surface Go 3 render you a authoritative tab experience with Windows 11 . It ’s also a far-famed upgrade to the first Surface Go , which was a very portable tablet but not that dandy on heavy workload .
The New manikin picks up the Surface Go 2 ’s design and thin down the bezel while increase the screen size to 10.5 inches . It also significantly improve public presentation using newfangled processor options . Our pick uses an Intel Pentium 6500Y or Core i3 chip complement by 8 GB of RAM . The fast 128 GB SSD makes it easier to handle work project .
The Surface Go 3 has port for USB - C , a hide microSD card slot to expand storage , and a headphone jack . The battery is rated for 10 hours , an improvement on the first Go ’s battery lifespan , but still does n’t impress compared to other picks on our lean .
A powerful 2-in-1 with an innovative design
Surface Laptop Studio 2
Why you should buy this : It ’s the most powerful 2 - in-1 .
Who it ’s for : Business and originative pro with money to spend on the best .
Why we picked the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 :
The Surface Laptop Studio is an innovative pull - ahead 2 - in-1 figure in an all - metal chassis with powerful constituent inside . It ’s not a unmediated alternate for theSurface Book 3 , but it ’s conduct its lieu at the top of Microsoft ’s Surface lineup . It ’s of late been updated to its second generation , with even more force deep down .
It features 45 - watt Intel H - series Core CPUs , along with an optional Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU , urinate it the most powerful 2 - in-1 in our lineup . It can palm demand productiveness workflows while deal less demanding creative undertaking as well . It can also do some gaming in a pinch .
You ’ll apprize the 14.4 - inch 3:2 video display at a high 2,400 x 1,600 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate , and the panel supports the Microsoft Surface Slim 2 Pen ’s haptic feedback . With up to 64 GB of RAM and a 2 TB SSD , the Surface Laptop Studio 2 is a portable workstation in a 2 - in-1 form factor .
A business-oriented 2-in-1 without compromise
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8
Why you should buy this : It ’s the best 2 - in-1 for business .
Who it ’s for : Businesspeople who need a portable 2 - in-1 that your IT section will approve of .
Why we picked the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8 :
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga assume the society ’s iconic ThinkPad line to the convertible 2 - in-1 shape factor . It ’s a robust laptop computer , like all ThinkPads , but it ’s unique in the line in terms of its modern , yet cautious design that looks nothing like the common lightlessness - on - black ThinkPad . And that ’s a good thing .
It ’s also a thin 2 - in-1 at just 0.60 inch compact , making it well-to-do in tablet modality . The included active pen attache magnetically to the ripe side of the showing and works well . Performance is serious for productivity tasks , and battery life is exceptional .
Add in the ThinkPad security features and optional service reportage , and theThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8is a 2 - in-1 that businesspeople would love to own .
An ultra-expensive foldable 2-in-1
HP Spectre Foldable PC
Why we picked the HP Spectre Foldable PC :
There ’s a newer class of laptop computer that place to go beyond the 2 - in-1 to offer an extra mode . Dubbed 3 - in-1s , laptop like the Spectre Foldable microcomputer offer " background " mode to go with tent , media , and lozenge manner .
As its name implies , the Spectre Foldable PC has a foldable show , specifically a 17.0 - inch 3:4 OLED silver screen running at 2.5 K ( 2560 x 1920 ) that folds down the centre . put the detachable keyboard on top of the bottom fold and it ’s a grapple laptop computer . And when unfolded the display can be used as a very big tablet or in the desktop mode bring up above .
HP ’s design is impeccable , and the pad find naturally balanced thanks to batteries that are break up into each fold . The keyboard and touchpad are splendid , and the Spectre Foldable PC offers beneficial enough productivity carrying into action , with amazingly well bombardment life . Its only real negative is its gamey price of $ 5,000 , which limits its food market well .
Frequently Asked Questions
A convertible 2 - in-1 laptop computer can convert from a traditional clamshell laptop computer to a tablet . In some cases , it ’s a bit of a misnomer — 360 - degree transformable laptops like the HP Spectre x360 14 can also be used in collapsible shelter and media modality . The keyboard is not removable .
A detachable 2 - in-1 laptop is a lozenge - base gimmick with a detachable keyboard appurtenance . In most cases , the keyboard is an additional cost , as seen with the Surface Pro family . you may keep the keyboard attached and flip out it around so you may use the screen as a tablet .
The main advantage of a detachable 2 - in-1 is portability — tablets are passing sparse , light , and easy to carry around . They also make for the best for drawing and taking notes on the pen - enabled display . On the flip side , they tend to have less herculean hardware than convertibles .
The 360 - arcdegree convertible 2 - in-1 , on the other deal , is n’t quite as handy as a detachable , but it tends to play better in clamshell laptop computer mode — particularly when using it on the lap covering , where it ’s more static than most detachable 2 - in-1s . The computer hardware tends to be better due to the deficiency of outer space restraint visualise with fragile tablets .
late 360 - degree convertibles like our favorite HP Spectre x360 14 make for gravid clamshells — in fact , it ’s a nifty competition to the Dell XPS 13 even if you never finish up flipping the show around . New 2 - in-1s are fast , have foresightful shelling life , and often enjoy even good displays than the typical clamshell laptop computer .
If you need the dissolute gaming laptop computer or professional workstation that utilise the most powerful CPUs and GPUs , then a 2 - in-1 PC is n’t for you . That ’s because 2 - in-1s tend to be thin and lighter because they can be used as slates . That creates some limitations in just how fast a 2 - in-1 can execute compared to traditional laptops .
Technically , no , Apple does n’t extend the traditional 2 - in-1 laptop . Its MacBooks are clamshell - only .
However , Apple publicise its iPad Pro as a detachable 2 - in-1 , although it uses the wandering iPadOS instead of MacOS for screen background and laptops . Like Microsoft ’s Surface Pro , the keyboard is an accessary , which adds to the base price . And because the iPad Pro uses a mobile operating system , you ca n’t install traditional desktop package — which is where Microsoft best Apple with the Surface Pro 11 , for example .
Still , Apple is meliorate how well the iPad mold as a laptop by enabling computer mouse support and improved filing cabinet system support in thenew iPadOS .
A large letdown for dedicated gamers is that many 2 - in-1s lack the capacity for topnotch - advanced CPUs and GPUs . you could employ a 2 - in-1 for play , but you wo n’t get the same high-pitched - quality graphics or frame pace that you ’re used to on a real grapple laptop .
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2 has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU that makes it more than fast enough for mod games at 1080p and reasonably - in high spirits nontextual matter scope .
