February 12, 2025

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Sapiens Digital

The Best 2-in-1 Convertible and Hybrid Laptops for 2020

How to Choose the Right Laptop

For years, when you needed a real portable computer, the only way to get it was to turn to a laptop. Then, as mobile processors became more powerful and operating systems more flexible, you had a choice: You could either stay with the traditional clamshell design or go with a tablet, which offered you less functionality and power but greater convenience by subtracting the keyboard from the equation altogether. So it was just a matter of time until enterprising manufacturers realized that adding or removing the keyboard was all that was needed to turn one into another. Now, the resulting product, a 2-in-1, isn’t just its own product category—it’s one of the fastest growing in the PC industry.

So, What Is a 2-in-1?

Simply put, a 2-in-1 is a touch-optimized convertible laptop or detachable tablet with a both a touch screen and a physical keyboard of some type. When you need full-stroke keys and a touchpad, you can use the 2-in-1 just the way you would a regular laptop. But if you need or want full access to just the screen for an extended period of time, that’s an option as well. And you can flip back and forth between the modes whenever you wish, usually expending just a second’s effort.

HP Elite Dragonfly

That said, you’re still buying a PC with a full operating system, whether that’s Chrome OS or Windows 10. In the future, macOS could be a player, but thus far Apple has pointed folks who need a touch screen and tablet/laptop convertibility toward its iOS-equipped iPad and iPad Pro lines, paired with an optional keyboard. A 2-in-1 running macOS just isn’t on the Apple menu yet.

The Best 2-in-1 Convertible and Hybrid Laptop Deals This Week*

*Deals are selected by our partner, TechBargains

2-in-1 Chromebook

For our purposes, we break down 2-in-1 devices into two kinds: the convertible laptop (a one-piece machine) and the detachable tablet (which splits in two).

Convertible Laptops

The convertible laptop can transform from laptop to tablet and back again, with most systems featuring a hinge design that allows for rotating the keyboard portion through 360 degrees, out of the way back behind the screen. This type of 2-in-1 is the best choice if you’re planning on using the keyboard a lot, as you’re guaranteed to always have it with you. (Typing the Great American Novel or even an ordinary business report on the hard, flat surface of a virtual onscreen keyboard is an experience you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.)

HP Spectre x360 hinge up close

Because of the motion that a convertible laptop’s hinge enables, you are often able to use these systems in a variety of modes. If you want to be able to share the display with everyone in a meeting, you can place the keyboard portion face down on the desk (called Stand or Display mode) and have the screen showing up front, kiosk-style. Or, you can prop it up on its leading edges (in so-called Tent or A-Frame mode), which takes up less space than the other modes. For flexibility, it’s difficult to beat this kind of 2-in-1.

Lenovo 2-in-1 laptop

In a convertible machine, the battery and motherboard are usually located in the base (as in a traditional laptop), so it’s balanced for use on a lap or a tabletop. The stable bottom lid of the clamshell is also a better typing platform than the sometimes-flimsy panel of a detachable keyboard case. There’s also more room for batteries in a laptop form factor (the bottom half never goes away), which results in improved battery life.

Downsides to this style of machine include a little extra weight from those batteries, as well as some extra thickness, as the hinge mechanisms are a little more complex than a laptop’s. Also, because the lower half is permanently attached, a convertible means that you’re always carrying the extra weight and bulk of the keyboard wherever you go.

Detachable Tablets

A detachable-tablet 2-in-1 is essentially a slate with a keyboard case or a keyboard dock. The dock option is a bit more stable than the keyboard case, but the general idea is the same: You can remove the keyboard portion of the tablet and leave it behind when you desire maximum portability. Microsoft’s various Surface detachables (the Surface Book, Pro, and Go families) are the vanguard models of this kind.

Windows 10 slate tablets (and their detachable counterparts) tend to weigh less than 2 pounds on their own, and adding the keyboard case or dock can double the system’s total weight. A tablet with a well-designed keyboard dock attached is functionally indistinguishable from a clamshell laptop, and some detachable docks contain extra battery cells that can greatly extend the amount of time you’re able to work off-plug. Simpler keyboard cases usually lack niceties such as extra battery cells or USB ports, and most will be noticeably physically flexible. But if a keyboard is just an occasional need for you, chances are you won’t mind that much.

Microsoft Surface Pro detachable

The benefit of the keyboard case is that it is thinner and lighter overall than the usual lower half of a laptop or convertible. Detachable-hybrid tablets, however, tend to be top-heavy, because all of the system’s components and batteries, and hence their weight, are necessarily localized in the screen. You’ll want to examine your usage patterns to determine whether holding the PC in your hands and interacting with the touch screen is really right for you. Detaching the tablet and leaving the heft of the keyboard behind is optimal when, say, you’re actively presenting a slideshow on a big screen and using the tablet to draw notes on the slides in real time. Reattaching the keyboard takes mere seconds, so you will be able to easily (and comfortably) change the slideshow’s content during your lunch hour if you need to change your talk’s focus for your afternoon session.

Tech Specs: What to Look for in a 2-in-1

The rest of the specs (screen size, storage space, the processor used, and so on) for convertibles and detachable hybrids generally follow the same lines as more standard laptops and Windows 10 tablets, which means you’ll have to pay more if you want additional speed, fancier features, or a thinner, flashier design.

For example, a system with a fanless Y-series Core i5 or Core i7 processor is likely to have excellent battery life and a very thin body. These chips are generally what you will find in detachables. That said, in general, you should expect that these systems will be somewhat less powerful than comparably sized laptops or convertible 2-in-1s, as these low-power mobile processors are designed for cool, quiet operation (which you’ll want for a system you’re using on your lap or holding in your hand) more so than for blazing speed.

In contrast, a non-detachable 2-in-1 system is more likely to use a processor like a U-series Intel Core i3, Core i5, or Core i7. It will likely be a thicker device, but you’ll have more power to do more-demanding media-creation work or heavy multitasking in the field. As with anything else when computer shopping, it’s all a game of trade-offs and compromises, and we’re here to help you decide which one is for you.

So, Which 2-in-1 Should I Buy?

Below are the top 10 convertibles and detachable hybrids we’ve tested. We refresh the list often to include the newest products, so check back frequently. Don’t need the unique transformational capabilities you get from a 2-in-1? Check out our reviews of the best overall laptops, the top business notebooks, and our favorite ultraportables.

Where To Buy

  • Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (7390, 2019)

    Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (7390, 2019)

    Pros: Excellent design and build quality.
    Intel 10th Gen “Ice Lake” CPU and graphics.
    Wi-Fi 6 support.
    Top-notch screen.
    Long battery life.
    Bundled USB adapter.
    microSD slot.

    Cons: Shallow keyboard.
    No USB Type-A ports.
    Balky fingerprint reader.

    Bottom Line: With sterling build quality, a brilliant display, and an Intel “Ice Lake” CPU with real graphics pep, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 is tops among convertible laptops.

  • Asus Chromebook Flip C436

    Asus Chromebook Flip C436

    Pros: Elegant design
    Fast SSD instead of eMMC storage
    Handsome 1080p touch screen
    Fingerprint reader

    Cons: Pricey by Chromebook standards
    No HDMI port or LTE broadband option
    Merely adequate battery life

    Bottom Line: The size of a 13-inch system, the 14-inch Asus Chromebook Flip C436 2-in-1 advances the state of the Chromebook art.

  • Dell Latitude 7200 2-in-1

    Dell Latitude 7200 2-in-1

    Pros: Automatically extending kickstand. Sturdy keyboard case. Three-year warranty, as configured. Excellent computing performance.

    Cons: Expensive in test configuration. No LTE data option. No 4K display.

    Bottom Line: The Dell Latitude 7200 2-in-1 is a detachable Windows tablet that includes comprehensive IT security features, along with excellent build quality and the field’s niftiest kickstand.

    Read Review

  • Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1

    Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1

    Pros: Proximity sensor streamlines sign in. Sturdy, sleek chassis. Thin screen bezels, and relatively large 14-inch screen. Excellent touchpad and keyboard. Three-year warranty. Prime-time battery life.

    Cons: Relatively low maximum screen brightness. Lackluster audio quality.

    Bottom Line: With a deluxe chassis, keyboard, and touchpad, paired with a snappy sign-in feature and superb battery life, Dell’s Latitude 7400 2-in-1 is a top contender among business convertibles.

    Read Review

  • HP Spectre x360 13 (Late 2019)

    HP Spectre x360 13 (Late 2019)

    Pros: Compact footprint. Potent Intel “Ice Lake” CPU and Iris Plus graphics. Optional AMOLED screen. Well-positioned power button. Wi-Fi 6. Digital pen included. Long battery life.

    Cons: Chassis is thicker than its predecessor’s. Clumsy touchpad. Cumbersome USB port.

    Bottom Line: Nifty design flourishes, strong performance and battery life, and a reasonable price make the latest HP Spectre x360 13 a first-class convertible laptop.

    Read Review

  • HP Spectre x360 15 (2019, AMOLED)

    HP Spectre x360 15 (2019, AMOLED)

    Pros: Stunning 4K touch screen.
    Classy design.
    Impressive battery life.

    Cons: Too hefty for much use in-hand in tablet mode.
    AMOLED configuration trails performance of conventional LCD model.

    Bottom Line: Shining with stellar colors, the AMOLED edition of HP’s Spectre x360 15 packs one of the best 4K screens we’ve seen, though this 2-in-1 is still too heavy for convertible comfort and lacks the graphics gumption for gaming.

  • Lenovo Chromebook Duet

    Lenovo Chromebook Duet

    Pros: Low price includes keyboard
    Handy tablet gestures and Android phone integration
    Decent cameras
    Good battery life

    Cons: Tepid performance
    Only one USB port and no headphone jack
    Cramped keyboard
    No memory card slot

    Bottom Line: Budget-strapped consumers and students with light computing needs will be captivated by Lenovo’s Chromebook Duet, a detachable 2-in-1 that tops better-known 2-in-1 tablets on value.

    Read Review

  • Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga

    Lenovo ThinkPad L13 Yoga

    Pros: Superb build quality
    Excellent keyboard
    Onboard stylus
    Attractive 1080p touch screen
    USB-A, USB-C, and HDMI ports, plus a microSD card reader
    Comfortable price

    Cons: Modest Core i5 CPU, integrated graphics
    No Thunderbolt 3 port
    Wi-Fi supports 802.11ac only, not 802.11ax
    A few ounces overweight

    Bottom Line: It’s no benchmark barn-burner, but Lenovo’s ThinkPad L13 Yoga is a top-notch convertible-laptop value at a thrifty $899.99 in our test model.

    Read Review

  • Microsoft Surface Go 2

    Microsoft Surface Go 2

    Pros: Thin, light design with excellent build quality
    Nifty built-in kickstand
    Impressive audio volume
    Face-recognition camera with 1080p quality
    Fanless, silent operation

    Cons: Keyboard cover not included
    Pricey once kitted up with accessories and ideal components

    Bottom Line: The markedly improved Microsoft Surface Go 2 offers better computing performance, a larger display, and longer battery life than the original, making it a solid work-from-home (and idle-time) companion among Windows tablets.

    Read Review

  • Microsoft Surface Pro 7

    Microsoft Surface Pro 7

    Pros: Snappy new Intel “Ice Lake” processor.
    Robust battery life.
    Sharp display.
    Well-implemented kickstand.
    Finally includes USB-C.

    Cons: Keyboard still sold separately.
    Just two ports, and no Thunderbolt 3 support.

    Bottom Line: The Surface Pro 7 is another solid iteration of Microsoft’s flagship Windows-tablet 2-in-1, elevated this time by worthy upgrades in the form of a USB-C port and peppy Ice Lake CPUs.

    Read Review


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