Whether you use your laptop to answer emails, get work done, or play games, there’s one thing it offers that other PCs simply can’t: convenience. But what about those times you want even more portability and comfort, like what you can get with a tablet? Relaxing in bed with Netflix, watching YouTube on the porch, and reading e-books is simply easier with a tablet.
But, what if you could have the best of both worlds? You can, with a 2-in-1 convertible laptops. The most popular models perfectly balance performance, battery life, and, of course, convenience.
What are 2-in-1 convertible laptops?
At first glance, a 2-in-1 looks like a traditional laptop. But, there are some differences. The two main ways a 2-in-1 “converts” is either by having a keyboard that pivots completely around and away, or separates entirely. In both cases, this transforms the laptop into a versatile and high-powered tablet. All 2-in-1s have a touchscreen and most run on the Windows 10 operating system.
Best 2-in-1 convertible laptops
While we are ready to sing the praises of many laptops on this list, one laptop stands out from the pack thanks to its incredible design and hardware features: the Microsoft Surface Pro 7.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is our top pick for many reasons. First, it features an elegant, lightweight design and some serious hardware. There’s also a clever integrated fold-out “Kickstand” on the back, along with an excellent detachable keyboard and multiple USB ports.
While most 2-in-1s have standard HD resolution of 1920 x 1080, the Surface Pro 7 offers a bit more, with its sharp 12-inch screen packing in 2736 x 1824 pixels.
Key specs:
- Intel Core i3 – i7 Processor
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- 4GB – 16GB of RAM
- 128GB – 1TB SSD
Best convertible laptops for photo, art, video editing
One of the best uses for these hybrid laptops is photo editing and art creation. With responsive touchscreens, you can use a stylus to draw on the screen itself, just like a tablet, but you’ll have the power and convenience of a real laptop underneath. The best in this category are also on the category’s larger size, giving you ample screen real estate to work with.
Lenovo Flex 5
The Lenovo Flex 5 features a keyboard that pivots almost a full 360 degrees. It can go from closed, to flat, to hidden behind the screen in tablet mode, and anywhere in between. In tablet mode there are two ways it can function as a stand, either in “Tent” mode where it forms an “A” shape or in “Tablet” mode where it’s behind the angled screen.
Key specs:
- 1 GHz Intel Core i5-1035G1 Quad-Core CPU
- Intel UHD Graphics
- 8GB of RAM
- 256GB – 512GB SSD
- 1920 x 1080 14” or 15.6” IPS LCD Display
HP ENVY x360
The HP ENVY x360 has a keyboard that pivots completely around the hinge that connects to its 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen. To offer quality sound without headphones, the ENVY’s speakers were co-designed with high-end Danish audio company Bang & Olufsen. Plus, there’s a built-in HD webcam that has a wide 88-degree field of view and a “kill switch” to help protect your privacy.
Key specs:
- Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 5 Processor
- 8GB of RAM
- 512GB SSD
- 1920 x 1080 15.6” IPS LCD Display
Acer Spin 3
The Acer Spin 3 combines a 14-inch touchscreen that rotates (hence the “spin” name), with a built-in stylus to make drawing and other creative activities easier. The stylus charges inside the Spin 3. After a mere 15 seconds charging, the stylus will work for up to 90 minutes. It also responds to 4,096 different levels of pressure, guaranteeing a sensitive and detailed workflow.
Key specs:
- Intel Core i5 Processor
- Intel Iris Plus Graphics
- 8GB of RAM
- 512GB SSD
- 1920 x 1080 14” IPS LCD Display
Best convertible laptops for portability
Whether it’s for travel or simply toting around, some 2-in-1s offer a smaller size and lighter weight to fit just about everywhere. They may sacrifice some performance for their smaller sizes, but they’re still full-fledged laptops ready for work—or to stream movies and relax.
Asus Zenbook Flip 13
The Zenbook Flip 13 is just over half an inch thick and weighs just 2.87 pounds, so you can easily carry it anywhere. You’ll be able to work for hours when you arrive at your final destination, too, thanks to a battery that provides the Flip 13 with up to 14 hours of power. It even comes with a built-in stylus, so you can go hands-on with your work or entertainment.
Key specs:
- Intel Core i5 – i7 Processor
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 8GB – 16GB of RAM
- 512GB SSD
- 1920 x 1080 13.3” IPS LCD Display
Microsoft Surface Go 2
The next iteration of the Surface Pro, the Surface Go 2 features many of the great features of its big brother, including the same incredible rear-hinged “Kickstand.” Like the Pro, the Go 2 has a removable keyboard. There’s even optional 4G LTE connectivity support, so you can stay connected when you’re away from a stable Wi-FI connection.
Key specs:
- Intel Core m3 or Intel Pentium Gold CPU
- Intel UHD Graphics 615
- 4GB – 8GB of RAM
- 4GB – 128GB SSD
- 1920 x 1280 10.5” LCD Display
LG Gram 14
The LG Gram is a bit bigger than the other highly-portable options here, but it offers a lot more performance in return. It has a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen and comes with a stylus. The 72Wh battery should be good for up to an impressive 20.5 hours of use. Despite the screen size and battery, the Gram 14 only weighs 2.53 pounds.
Key specs:
- Intel Core i7 Processor
- Intel UHD Graphics
- 16GB of RAM
- 1TB SSD
- 1920 x 1080 14” IPS LCD Display
Best convertible laptops for gaming
Whether it’s “Fortnite,” “Minecraft,” “League of Legends,” or another title, PC gaming offers a wide range of genres for a few minutes or hours of escape. The best 2-in-1 laptops for gaming offer serious graphics muscle that you’ll enjoy on HD and, in some cases, Ultra HD resolution screens.
Razer Blade Stealth 13
The Razer Blade Stealth 13 offers big gaming performance in its small package. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti graphics power the 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen for blazing-fast gameplay. The four built-in speakers feature Dolby Atmos for stadium-style immersion, too, while an aluminum frame keeps everything secure.
Key specs:
- Intel Core i7 Processor
- 16GB of RAM
- 256GB – 512GB SSD
- 3840 x 2160 or 1920 x 1080 13.3” LCD Display
MSI Creator 15
The MSI Creator 15 has enough horsepower under the hood to be considered a VR-ready gaming laptop. There’s also a massive 99.9Wh battery to provide you with long battery life, while the six heat pipes and three fans help keep it all cool. The big 15.6-inch touchscreen boasts Full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution, and it can fold flat for maximum comfort.
Key specs:
- Intel Core i7 Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q
- 16GB – 32GB of RAM
- 512GB – 2TB SSD
Of course, this hardly scratches the surface of laptops on the market. Click here to peruse the numerous laptops available through Adorama.
Feature image via Microsoft
