Trying to decide between a laptop and a touch screen tablet? Why not get both for the same price?
2-in-1 Windows laptops, sometimes also called hybrid laptops, function as regular laptops with keyboards and a trackpad to browse the web. They operate Windows OS and function the same as any other Windows computer that you’re used to. But, flip them around, and you’ll quickly see that these laptops also double as tablets. A laptop and tablet in one convenient device.
2-in-1 Windows laptops have risen in popularity over the years for the convenience of being able to use your laptop as both a touch screen device and a computer that you can type on.
Some tablets come with attachable keyboards that you can use to type on rather than relying on the touch screen keyboard. Although these look similar to 2-in-1 laptops, they’re not the same. 2-in-1 laptops operate Windows OS or a similar PC operating system so that it can have the same functionality as any other computer that you’d use. A 2-in-1 laptop can run OneLaunch, for example, to upgrade your Windows Desktop experience. OneLaunch, however, doesn’t work on tablets that aren’t running Windows OS.
If you’re interested in purchasing a laptop that’s also a tablet, you should probably do your research first to find the best one on the market. Luckily for you, we’ve done just this. This is our list of some of the best 2-in-1 Windows laptops on the market, according to the top PC reviewers.
Best Overall 2-in-1 Laptop
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2 in 1 Laptop
Photo Credits: Lenovo Press Room
According to PCMag, one of the best 2-in-1 laptops on the market is Lenovo’s Yoga 9i. This laptop is noted for having an excellent OLED display screen that’s also a touch screen. It even has pen support (it comes with the pen!) if you like to draw. The Yoga 9i offers exceptional performance and a sharp, lightweight design so that it’s easy to bring on the go. PCMag notes that the battery life is about average for most 2-in-1s.
This is a top of the line 2 in 1, starting at around $1,299 MSRP. This laptop is the best for someone who often uses their laptop for more intense programs for work, travel, or fun and would also like the functionalities of a tablet.
Best Budget 2-in-1 Laptop
Microsoft Surface Go 3
Photo Credits: News.Microsoft.com
For shoppers on a budget, RTINGS.com highlights the Microsoft Surface Go 3 as one of the best options on the market. This laptop gets high marks for multimedia use, such as watching videos, looking at photos, or streaming with its sharp IPS display. It also gets high marks for its portability and typing quality. The ratings do note that this isn’t a particularly powerful laptop, so you won’t be able to run more intense programs on it.
This budget option is available starting at around $349.99 on Microsoft’s website. This laptop is the best for someone who uses their laptop mostly for internet browsing and simple apps.
Best 2-in-1 Laptop For Students
ASUS Vivobook S 14 Flip
LaptopMag’s choice for the best 2-in-1 laptop for students is the ASUS Vivobook S 14 Flip. Their reasoning is that this laptop has a lot of power for its price. With impressive specs for the price and a sharp OLED display, this is a great midline option for students who need their laptops to have a bit more power. This laptop is very portable and ideal for use as both a laptop and a tablet. The ratings do note that this laptop has a below average battery life.
This 2-in-1 is available at around $799.99 on Amazon, but prices will range from store to store depending on specs and current deals. This laptop is the best for students who need a midline option for a laptop that can handle more intense programs.
Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Business
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 8
PCMag’s choice for the best 2-in-1 laptop for business is the Lenovo ThinkPad x1 Yoga. With businesses requiring reliability, capability, and extreme performance, this higher end option is noted as the best choice on the market. With solid build quality and a huge array of ports while still being portable, this is an impressive laptop. This laptop comes with a self-charging stylus that works with the touchscreen of this laptop. The review notes that the base screen is slightly lower resolution and will be more expensive than most other options.
This 2-in-1 is available starting at $1,427.99 on Lenovo’s website. It is the best for businesses and professionals who plan to use their laptops to reliably run powerful programs.
Best Lightweight 2-in-1 Laptop
Dell XPS 13 2-in-1
A lightweight design may be the bottom line for your 2-in-1 laptop, and LaptopMag’s choice for the best travel 2-in-1 is the Dell XPS 13. Ratings say that this laptop is extremely lightweight and easy to switch between laptop and tablet mode. It’s got a bright screen and a high quality webcam if working remotely or just calling the family from abroad. It’s noted for having a decent, not great, graphics performance if running games or similar high intensity programs.
This 2-in-1 is available at around $1,049 on Dell’s website, with additional upgrades increasing the price of this device. This laptop is the best for frequent travelers who want to save bag space by just packing a laptop instead of a tablet and a laptop.
Best 2-in-1 Laptop For Gaming
ASUS ROG Flow Z13
Photo Credits: ASUS Pressroom
2-in-1 laptops generally aren’t known for the powerful graphics needed to operate video games, but the Z13 is certainly an outlier. This highly rated laptop works as both a tablet and a laptop with active stylus support and a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 by default up to an RTX 4060 for the best performance in most modern games. This laptop has a great screen, design, and performance. However, it’s noted for having a lower than average battery life and a “gamer” aesthetic that’s not attractive to all uses. It also will likely require a separate cooling stand when running more graphically demanding games.
This 2-in-1 is $1,749 on ASUS’ website. It can be further customized and configured to your specifications. It is recommended for users who often play video games on their PCs and want the flexibility of being able to play games with a touch screen.
