If you’re looking for a device that can do it all, a 2-in-1 laptop might be just what you need. These versatile machines combine the power of a laptop with the flexibility of a tablet, making them great options for everything from note-taking and sketching to full-on work or entertainment. Whether you’re a student, creative or just want a more flexible setup, a 2-in-1 gives you the best of both worlds without having to carry multiple devices.
We’ve tested and reviewed some of the top models out there from brands like Acer, Lenovo, Samsung and Apple to help you find the perfect fit. Flip the screen around for movie nights, use it in tablet mode for hands-on projects or stick to traditional laptop mode for work – there are options for everyone.
Factors to consider before buying a 2-in-1 laptop
When you’re shopping for a 2-in-1, there are some basic criteria to keep in mind. First, look at the spec sheet to see how heavy the tablet is (alone, and with the keyboard). Most modern hybrids weigh less than 2 pounds. If the overall weight of the tablet and its keyboard come close to 3 pounds, you may be better off getting an ultraportable laptop.
Also, while some 2-in-1s offer built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, not everyone will want to pay the premium for it. An integrated cellular radio makes checking emails or replying to messages on the go far more convenient. But it also often costs more, and that’s not counting what you’ll pay for data. And, as for 5G — you can hold off on it unless you live within range of a mmWave beacon. Coverage is still spotty and existing nationwide networks use the slower sub-6 technology that’s barely faster than LTE. For now, tethering a PC to your phone is still the best way to get online.
These machines still have their limits, of course. Since they’re smaller than proper laptops, they tend to have less-powerful processors. Keyboards are often less sturdy, with condensed layouts and shallower travel. Plus, they’re almost always tablets first, leaving you to buy a keyboard case separately. (And those ain’t cheap!) So, you can’t always assume the advertised price is what you’ll actually spend on the 2-in-1 you want.
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Sometimes, getting a third-party keyboard might be just as good, and they’re often cheaper than first-party offerings. If you’re looking to save some money, Logitech’s Slim Folio is an affordable option, and if you don’t need your keyboard to attach to your tablet, Logitech’s K780 Multi-Device wireless keyboard is also a good pick.
While we’ve typically made sure to include a budget 2-in-1 in previous years, this time there isn’t a great choice. We would usually pick a Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, like cheaper Android tablets, are underpowered and don’t offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something around $500 that’s thin, lightweight and long-lasting, you’re better off this year looking at a traditional laptop (like those on our best budget PCs list). Alternatively, you might consider one of our top picks for the best Chromebooks, either as a back-to-school option or for basic tasks.
Best 2-in-1 laptops
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Display: 14-inch OLED touchscreen | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | Weight: 3.19 pounds | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB
Read our full HP Spectre x360 14 review
HP’s new Spectre x360 14 is our new top pick if you want a laptop that can occasionally turn into a tablet. It’s a beautiful notebook that can rotate its screen into a variety of orientations: a tent mode for propping it up in bed or on a table and a tablet mode with the keyboard tucked away neatly behind the lid. While it wouldn’t completely replace something like an iPad, the x360’s rotating hinge makes it more versatile than a conventional notebook. It’s perfect for diving into a lengthy article or PDF or using the bundled stylus to jot down some notes. If you’re looking for a solid back to school option with the Windows operating system and touch display, it’s a great choice. The Spectre x360 14 is also a solid laptop in its own right, with an excellent keyboard, an extra-large touchpad and some of the best PC industrial design on the market. And with a 512GB SSD (configurable up to 2TB), there’s plenty of room to store all of your files and photos. It even boasts two Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB-C connectivity so you can connect multiple devices.
- Versatile convertible screen
- OLED display is incredibly vibrant
- Solid CPU upgrade
- Starts with 16GB RAM
- Excellent keyboard
- Plenty of ports
- HP’s design hasn’t changed in years
- Haptic touchpad is a bit finicky
- Average battery life
$1,449 at HP
Apple
Display: 11- or 13-inch 120Hz tandem OLED XDR touchscreen | CPU: Apple M4 | Weight: Starting at 0.98 pounds | RAM: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 2TB
Read our full Apple iPad Pro (M4) review
Unsurprisingly, the brand-new iPad Pro with the M4 chip is our best 2-in-1 for Apple users, replacing the 2022 model. This redesigned tablet improves on its predecessor in a number of ways, most notably the new, incredible OLED display. It’s one of the nicest screens we’ve seen, not just on a tablet but on any device. It’s made of two OLED panels for increased brightness and contrast, and it looks great no matter what you’re doing with it. The M4 chip, meanwhile, means this tablet will be extremely powerful for years to come. And Apple made the iPad Pro noticeably thinner and lighter than before — it’s a little shocking just how compact it feels now, but for portability, you can’t beat it. Finally, the front camera is now on the landscape edge, which makes it work a lot better for video calls (and saves you investing in a separate webcam).
Apple also updated the iPad Pro’s accessories this year. The new Magic Keyboard is thinner and lighter than before, a welcome improvement. The old keyboard and iPad Pro ended up weighing more than a MacBook Air, but that’s no longer the case. It also has aluminum palm rests, a larger, haptic trackpad and a much-needed row of function keys. It’s still quite expensive at $349 for the 13-inch model, but it’s a lot better than before. Meanwhile, the Apple Pencil Pro includes a new squeeze gesture for quick access to menus as well as haptic feedback, gyroscopes that allow you to spin the pencil and support for the Find My network. The iPad Pro is unfortunately more expensive than ever, but Apple fixed about all its lingering issues and added a host of impressive features this time. — Nathan Ingraham, Deputy Editor, News
- Possibly the best screen I’ve ever seen
- M4 chip is extremely powerful
- Thinner and lighter than before, making it easier to hold
- Front camera is now on the landscape edge
- Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro include significant new features
- Prohibitively expensive
- Not backwards compatible with old accessories, and new ones are still pricey
$899 at Amazon
SAMSUNG
Display: 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen | CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Weight: 1.3 pounds | RAM: Up to 12GB | Storage: Up to 512GB
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review
While Windows is better than iPadOS and Android for productivity, it lags when it comes to apps specifically designed for touchscreens. If you want a tablet that has all the apps you want, and only need it to occasionally double as a laptop, the Galaxy Tab S9+ is a solid option. You’ll enjoy watching movies and playing games on its gorgeous 12.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, and Samsung includes the S Pen, which is great for sketching and taking notes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 12GB of RAM (4GB more than the last model) keep things running smoothly, too.
Samsung dramatically improved its keyboard case a few years ago for the S7+, making the Tab an even better laptop replacement. You could type for hours on this thing and not hate yourself (or Samsung). The battery life is also excellent, so you won’t need to worry about staying close to an outlet. The main caveat is that Android isn’t great as a desktop OS. And while Samsung’s DeX mode offers a somewhat workable solution, it has plenty of quirks. Similarly, by choosing a 2-in-1 that’s primarily a tablet, you do forgo a wealth of connectivity options that you’d otherwise get with a laptop.
- Beautiful screen
- Great speakers
- Powerful hardware
- S Pen is extremely responsive
- Dex mode is a surprisingly powerful multitasking interface
$700 at Amazon
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Display: 13-inch OLED touchscreen | CPU: Snapdragon X Plus/X Elite | Weight: 1.97 pounds | RAM: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 1TB
Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ review
The Surface Pro is everything we’ve wanted the Surface tablet line to be for years. It’s incredibly fast and efficient, thanks to Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips. Its neural processing unit (NPU) also enables potentially powerful AI features, though the current crop won’t be useful to everyone. We’re also still waiting to see Microsoft’s controversial Recall feature in action, which has been delayed to address its many security concerns.
The new OLED screen option looks wonderful: It makes colors pop off the screen and also ensures inky dark black levels. Coupled together with surprisingly powerful speakers, the Surface Pro is a solid option for watching video on the go. Its versatility is one of the many reasons the Surface Pro made it onto our list. Pair that with its portability thanks to its small form factor, and you have an excellent pick.
When it’s paired together with the new Surface Pro Flex keyboard ($350), you can type and mouse around the Surface completely wirelessly, which opens up entirely new ways of using it. As long as there’s a small table nearby, or somewhere to prop up the tablet, you can work with just a thin and light keyboard on your lap. If you’re looking for a business laptop that’s lightweight and doesn’t have a huge screen size that will weigh you down, the Surface Pro is one you should consider. It’s also nice to see Microsoft pack in 16GB of RAM with the base Surface Pro model.
While we’d still like to see the company bundle in a keyboard and refine its kickstand, the Surface Pro remains one of the most innovative PCs available today.
- Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chips are wonderfully fast
- Solid battery life
- Excellent OLED screen option
- NPU allows for powerful AI features
- Flex keyboard makes it more versatile
- Solid AI features
- All keyboards sold separately
- Still hard to use in your lap
- Gets expensive quickly
$999 at Microsoft
Recent updates
June 2024: We updated our top picks to include the Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot+ edition.
Nathan Ingraham contributed to this report.
