While that’s surely interesting, choosing a convertible PC can be a lot of work since there are hundreds of options in the market. To help you out, we’ve shortlisted some of the best 2-in-1 laptop tablets available out there. Read all about them, and make an informed decision. Also, be sure to check out our constantly updated guide to the best laptop deals happening right now, for great machines at steep discounts. The Surface Pro 7 comes in a wide variety of configurations. You can choose either 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of RAM to help you speed through all your work and play, choose an Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 processor depending on your power needs, and choose 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB of storage depending on how many photos, videos, etc. you need on your computer. The cheapest configuration will run you $599, while the most expensive version you can buy runs $1,899. It’s a tad expensive overall, but generally worth it if you want the best 2-in-1 laptop tablet on the market. Our tester said, “If you were in the market for a Surface Pro 6, but held off on your purchase, the Pro 7 will be an easy, logical recommendation without any real asterisks attached.” Our recommended configuration includes Intel’s Pentium Gold 4425Y CPU, paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage. For connectivity and I/O, the Surface Go 2 features Wi-Fi 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0, a USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm audio port, a Surface Connect port, and a MicroSDXC card reader. You also get two cameras - an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera - with both capable of recording Full-HD videos. Among other features are dual studio microphones, 2-watt stereo speakers (with Dolby Audio), and an IR camera (used for facial authentication via Windows Hello). Microsoft Surface Go 2 runs Windows 10 Home (in S Mode) out of the box. A range of Intel Core processors power the X12 Detachable line-up, but the star of the show is Intel’s Iris Xe graphics. Included in Core i5 and i7 models, the Iris Xe graphics provides performance on par with an entry-level discrete GPU like Nvidia’s GeForce MX350. This is great for 3D games and productivity apps that can use GPU horsepower to enhance performance. The X12 Detachable isn’t much to look at and its 1920x1280 display isn’t as sharp as the competition. Windows is also a burden compared to Android and iOS, both of which are better optimized for touchscreens. These downsides will disappoint shoppers looking for a 2-in-1 that’s great to use as a tablet. The 13.5-inch “PixelSense” touch-enabled display boasts a resolution of 3000x2000 pixels and a 3:2 aspect ratio, with a variety of optional accessories (e.g. Surface Dial) further enhancing its functionality. Connectivity and I/O options include Wi-Fi 802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.0, two USB Type-A ports, a USB Type-C port, a 3.5mm audio port, two Surface Connect ports, and a full-size SDXC card reader. Among other noteworthy features are two cameras - an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera - both with Full-HD video capture, an IR camera (used for facial authentication via Windows Hello), dual far-field studio microphones, and front-facing stereo speakers.
The folding mechanism is extremely smooth, and the screen is magnificent in all its high-resolution OLED glory. It looks spectacular when folded, with its cleverly designed integrated leather cover. The included Lenovo Mode Pen stylus is also excellent and pairs well with the incredibly versatile nature of the X1 Fold. However, the Bluetooth keyboard is deeply flawed, and the laptop is badly underpowered. It’s also extremely expensive at $2,750, making it an impractical choice for most people. There’s no doubt the Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Fold is an amazing device that represents a major technological leap forward, but it’s highly expensive and severely flawed. It’s very exciting and fun to use, but only those familiar with the issues that confront early adopters of any new tech should consider it as a viable option. With some refinement, future versions of this device will no doubt be impressive and have widespread appeal, but for now foldables remain the province of the adventurous and wealthy. The Yoga C740 is also big on privacy and security, as it comes with a security reader and a “Privacy Shutter” that blocks the webcam when it’s not in use. Other features include stereo speakers (with Dolby Atmos), far-field microphones, and a backlit keyboard. Lenovo Yoga C740 is made from sandblasted aluminum and weighs just about 3.09 lbs. The Pixelbook’s impressive hardware makes it the fastest and most versatile Chromebook on the market. It boots in seconds and can run for 10 hours on a single charge. On top of stellar performance, the Pixelbook also looks and feels great to use. The 12.3-inch Quad HD LCD touchscreen boasts 2400x1600 resolution at 235 PPI (pixels per inch). Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, the display is scratch-resistant. The aluminum body is thin and super lightweight, making it perfect for travel. This 2-in-1 is named after the use of titanium in its chassis. It’s only in portions of the chassis, however, so it doesn’t have the rough-and-tumble, go-anywhere feel titanium seems to imply. It’s also not comfortable to use in tablet mode because the keyboard can’t be detached. You might forgive that, though, because the keyboard is excellent. It’s spacious and enjoyable to use for hours at a time. The laptop also has cutting-edge connectivity in the form of two USB 4 ports that also support Thunderbolt 4. For both 2-in-1 laptops and tablets, we pay a great deal of attention to productivity, testing how the device fares with word processing, image editing, and games. Finally, we consider the price tag, evaluating the competition to make our ultimate recommendation. All of the 2-in-1 laptops and tablets were purchased by Lifewire; none were provided by manufacturers.
About Our Trusted Experts
As a technology journalist who’s been in the field for more than six years (and counting) now, Rajat Sharma has reviewed dozens of PCs (among other gadgets) so far. Before joining Lifewire, he was associated as a senior technology editor with The Times Group and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, two of India’s largest media houses. Jeremy Laukkonen is a tech writer who’s spent years working on major trade publications. He’s covered a wide range of products for Lifewire, including laptops, dekstops, Chromebooks, audio equipment, and other devices. He personally uses the HP Specture x360 himself when he wants to get real work done, and he has an Asus VivoBook Flip 14 for when he’s on the road. Jordan Oloman has written for Lifewire since 2019. He’s previously been published on sites like Kotaku, IGN, and GamesRadar, and he’s reviewed a wide range of products from external hard drives to laptops. David Beren is a tech writer with more than a decade of experience. He’s previously written about the telecom industry, covering T-Mobile, Sprint, and TracFone Wireless. He’s also the founder of his own tech website. Matthew Smith is a veteran consume technology journalist who’s been published in Digital Trends, TechHive, PC Perspective, and more. He specializes in laptops, PCs, gaming, and other devices.
What to Look for When Buying 2-in-1 Laptop Tablets
Performance - While some 2-in-1 devices excel mainly as a way to consume media, others can also serve as powerful creation machines. When selecting a 2-in-1 hybrid for your lifestyle, be sure that it has enough of what you need to get work done — like a powerful CPU, loads of RAM, and a fast GPU. Form factor - Most 2-in-1s will either allow you to fold the keyboard behind the screen or completely remove it when you want to use the device as a tablet. Consider the pros and cons of each: While a removable keyboard makes your device much lighter in tablet mode, you’ll need to keep track of it. Conversely, a flip-back keyboard will result in a bulkier machine, but you’ll always have it on hand when you need it. Battery life - Make sure your new 2-in-1’s battery life is up to par. You wouldn’t want to buy a new device just to learn that it can’t make it through a Netflix binge or your favorite movie.
