If you’re searching for a portable productivity device, a laptop is definitely your best bet. If watching videos or mobile gaming is your primary priority, opt for a tablet. But what if you want a device that performs all these things and much more?
That’s where a 2-in-1 device comes in. In recent years, gadgets that can act as both a laptop and a tablet have become increasingly popular.
However, a word of warning: you’ll be hard-pressed to find a gadget that excels at both. In certain circumstances, you could get a decent laptop and tablet for the same as a premium hybrid device. But the ease of using only one gadget will convince many people to opt for a 2-in-1.
Most of the devices below run Windows 11 out of the box—those with Windows 10 are eligible for a free update, but it’s not compulsory. Chrome OS and iOS are both represented here, and we also consider Android tablets if they’re decent enough after you add a keyboard.
Best 2-in-1 laptops
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
Microsoft’s Surface Pro 8 is a significant leap over previous iterations of the company’s flagship 2-in-1 computer, which has only seen incremental changes for the past few years.
The more up-to-date design allows for a larger 13-inch display to be housed in essentially the same chassis. The Surface Pro range has always excelled in the display department, but the addition of a 120Hz refresh rate pushes it to new heights.
Both the front and rear cameras have been improved by Microsoft, with the former being a key component of a sophisticated video calling arrangement. The package also includes two studio microphones and four powerful speakers.
Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
When comparing 2-in-1 gadgets, the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 stands out as the best option. Its superb design, strong internals, and appealing screen, together with its competitive pricing compared to other high-end laptops, make it the convertible to beat.
All-around performance is satisfactory, despite the lack of a dedicated GPU, thanks to the combination of 11th-generation Intel processors and Iris Xe integrated graphics. The battery life is also very good, competing well with even the most powerful laptops on the market. Even though the maximum resolution is only 1920 by 1080, the display nonetheless offers a detailed and vibrant visual experience.
Apple iPad Pro
When comparing 2-in-1 gadgets, the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 stands out as the best option. Its superb design, strong internals, and appealing screen, together with its competitive pricing compared to other high-end laptops, make it the convertible to beat.
All-around performance is satisfactory, despite the lack of a dedicated GPU, thanks to the combination of 11th-generation Intel processors and Iris Xe integrated graphics. The battery life is also very good, competing well with even the most powerful laptops on the market. Even though the maximum resolution is only 1920 by 1080, the display nonetheless offers a detailed and vibrant visual experience.
Huawei MateBook E
Huawei’s MateBook E is the company’s greatest attempt at a 2-in-1 computer thus far, though it has dabbled in the category before.
The tablet’s design is almost identical to that of the Surface Pro 8, which is excellent praise considering how much less it is. The 11th-generation Core i3 processor in the base model isn’t enough for most users, so they’ll want to upgrade to the i5 for better overall performance.
However, going with an OLED display makes up for the 12.6-inch screen size and 60-hertz refresh rate, which are both lower than those of certain competitors. Huawei has kept the display’s bezels thin, and in that space a high-quality webcam can be found.
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio
One of the Surface Book’s major design flaws is that it has to conceal a lot of its components under the screen. Microsoft fixed this problem with the Surface Laptop Studio.
This is accomplished by doing away with the detachable display in favor of a new flexible hinge design, however this leaves you with only three fixed display orientations to choose from. Though the Laptop Studio really shines when used as a standard laptop, the other two modes (display pushed forward) do have legitimate applications.
In addition to the excellent video calling features, the high-resolution 120Hz display is a delight to work with. Once you get used to the keyboard and trackpad, you’ll have a really believable experience. There’s a lot to enjoy, including excellent battery life and respectable performance (courtesy of 11th-gen Intel CPUs and an optional RTX 3050 Ti GPU).
