2-in-1 laptops – devices that can be used as both a laptop and a tablet – have had a slow start. As little as two years ago, this list would be hard to write, so slim were the pickings. Today, though, advances in low-powered mobile processors have helped lightweight, über-portable 2-in-1 designs flourish into a fantastic sub-category of laptops, with plenty of excellent offerings to choose from.
Indeed, there are so many great systems to sift through you might find it daunting to try and pick one. Fear not! Below, you’ll find a handy buying guide that will help you narrow down your selection to find the 2-in-1 that’s right for you. And, after that, you can read our hand-picked selection of the best 2-in-1s to have graced the Expert Reviews offices.
Best 2-in-1 laptops: At a glance
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How to choose the best 2-in-1 laptop for you
What is a 2-in-1 laptop?
A 2-in-1 is a laptop device that can split or fold into a tablet format at a moment’s notice. It’s a versatile and cost-effective way of getting the best of both worlds. Some, such as Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, look like typical clamshell laptops, hinge and all, but can be detached from the keyboard. Others rely on a kickstand for propping themselves up, with a snap-on keyboard (or Type Cover) underneath.
What can I do with a 2-in-1 laptop?
All sorts of things! If you’re not sure whether to spend your hard-earned money on a tablet or a conventional laptop, a 2-in-1 is a perfect choice. You can doodle with the stylus, work or watch movies on the go and curl up in bed with it to watch the latest episode of your favourite Netflix show.
What do I need to look for when buying a 2-in-1 laptop?
There are a few key things to consider when making your 2-in-1 purchase. First, be aware that many of these devices are so slim that they require fanless, low-powered mobile processors, which means they aren’t quite so performance-heavy as their regular laptop counterparts. On that note, keep an eye out for both size and weight: 2-in-1 systems are generally designed to be carried around all day, so it’s best to get something light but sturdy.
Second, display quality is crucial – after all, you’ll be gawking at the screen the entire time you’re using it. A Full HD display with a decent contrast ratio and solid brightness is a must. Likewise, a good keyboard and touchpad will separate a middling device from an excellent one. It’s also important to check whether the price includes a keyboard or stylus. Microsoft’s Surface devices, for instance, are typically sold without the Type Cover or pen accessories.
The best 2-in-1 laptops to buy
1. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2019): The best overall 2-in-1 laptop
Price: £1,849 | Buy now from Dell
This Dell 2-in-1 is a true thing of beauty that delivers impressive performance to match its gorgeous looks. The 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor powering it excelled during our in-house 4K media benchmark test, while graphical performance was impressive too thanks to the integrated Iris Plus GPU. Don’t expect to run the newest games at the highest settings, but you’ll be able to achieve steady framerates at a reasonable resolution without too much trouble.
The 16:10 13in display is extremely bright and the picture is both solid and vibrant, covering 97% of the sRGB colour space with near-perfect colour accuracy. The keyboard is superb, too, with generous spacing and low profile keys with minimal travel distance.
If you’re in the market for a high-end 2-in-1, the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 delivers in just about every important area. It’s fast, stylish, portable, powerful and our favourite convertible laptop.
Read our full Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2019) review for details
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core Intel Core i7-1065G7; RAM: 16GB; Storage: 512GB SSD; Screen resolution: 3,840 x 2,400px; Weight: 1.33kg
Buy now from Dell
2. Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus: The best Android 2-in-1
Price: £799 | Buy now from Amazon
Samsung’s latest flagship tablet has more than enough muscle to double up as a laptop. The Qualcomm processor driving it provides the power to handle pretty much anything you throw at it and its multi-core processing proved twice as fast as a 2016 MacBook Pro.
You’ll need to purchase the Book Cover keyboard separately to use it as a laptop, but when it’s connected, the S7 Plus offers a truly impressive desktop-like experience. This is in part down to DeX mode: an interface designed to work with both a mouse and keyboard that gives you the ability to open multiple windows at once, drag and drop, and right-click for context-sensitive options.
The Galaxy Tab S7 Plus’ display is top-notch, too, with the 12.4in AMOLED panel boasting a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2,800 x 1,753. Throw in 5G connectivity on the more expensive model and you’ve got a very capable 2-in-1 that’s great for everything from work tasks to streaming your favourite films on Netflix.
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 Plus review for details
Key specs – Processor: Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 Plus; RAM: 6GB; Storage: 128GB; Screen resolution: 2,800 x 1,753px; Weight: 575kg
3. Microsoft Surface Go 2: A gorgeous companion device
Price: From £399 | Buy now from Microsoft
While it’s not the most powerful 2-in-1, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is certainly one of the best looking. It’s essentially a miniaturised version of the Surface Pro you’ll find further down this list and features a handy built-in kickstand, though the tiny keyboard needs to be bought separately.
The Surface Go 2 now includes a Windows Hello-compatible webcam above the screen and improved microphones for better performance during video calls. The screen has also been made half an inch bigger (now 10.5in) and is perfectly sharp at 1,920 x 1,080px in resolution. Performance of the Intel Core m3-8100Y CPU in the version we tested was up from the original Surface Go but power is certainly not the Surface Go 2’s strong point. It proved capable at simple, office-based tasks but anything more demanding slowed things down dramatically.
This lack of performance prevents it from being a true laptop replacement but if you’re after a superbly designed portable device for occasional tasks, the Surface Go 2 is an undeniably attractive option.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Go 2 review for details
Key specs – Processor: Intel Core m3-8100Y or Pentium Gold 4425Y; RAM: 4GB/8GB; Storage: 64GB/128GB; Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,280; Weight: 0.54kg
Buy now from Microsoft
4. Linx 12X64: The best budget 2-in-1
Price: £270 | Buy now from Amazon
Most of the devices on this list will have your wallet shaking in your pocket, so it’s refreshing to find a 2-in-1 device that focuses on value. While cheap, it’s far from nasty, with Windows 10, a Full HD display and a bundled detachable keyboard. It’s not the nippiest system in the world, thanks to a low-powered Atom processor. But if you’re on a budget – aren’t we all? – it’s a wallet-friendly way to get in on the 2-in-1 action.
Read our full Linx 12X64 review for more details
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core Intel Atom x5-Z8350; RAM: 4GB; Storage: 64GB eMMC; Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,080; Weight: 0.9kg
5. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook: The best budget 2-in-1 Chromebook
Price: £329 | Buy now from Currys
If you’re a fan of Chrome OS and after an affordable 2-in-1, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook is a fine choice. The FHD touchscreen display is only 10in but the IdeaPad Duet is extremely portable as a result, with a total weight of less than a kilogram, which includes both the keyboard and cover. Its MediaTek P60T processor isn’t cut out for extreme multitasking but will handle basic tasks easily enough, while battery life is ample to get you through the working day and then some.
Key specs – Processor: MediaTek P60T; RAM: 8GB; Storage: 128GB eMCP; Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,080px; Weight: 0.92kg (including keyboard and cover)
Buy now from Currys
6. Apple iPad Pro 12.9in (2020): A near-perfect laptop alternative
Price: From £969 (keyboard not included) | Buy now from Amazon
Though Apple doesn’t describe it as such, the iPad Pro is a 2-in-1 in everything but name. It’s the most powerful tablet we’ve ever tested and can be transformed into a near-perfect laptop alternative with the addition of the company’s new Magic Keyboard. Sadly, this isn’t included in the price and will set you back £299 for the 11.9in version and £349 for the 12.9in model. Once connected, it brings a number of new features to the table. Backlighting has been added, as has the ability to adjust the angle of the display somewhat. It also features a touchpad, though the use of a mouse is also supported.
The tablet itself houses a new 10MP f/2.4 wide-angle camera and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanners that can be used to measure distance. If you already own the 2018 iPad Pro these new additions probably don’t justify an upgrade, especially given the Magic Keyboard is backwards compatible. However, if you don’t already have an iPad Pro and want a tablet that offers exceptional performance and 2-in-1 functionality, the 2020 model is hard to beat.
Read our full Apple iPad Pro (2020) review for details
Key specs – Processor: Apple A12Z Bionic; RAM: 6GB; Storage: 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB; Screen resolution: 2,732 x 2,048; Weight: 643g (without keyboard)
7. Lenovo Yoga C940 (14in): The best-sounding 2-in-1 laptop
Price: From £950 | Buy now from Lenovo
Continuing the success of its predecessor the Yoga C930, this 2-in-1 from Lenovo is a multi-talented laptop packing some serious power under the hood.
Depending on which model you go for, you’ll be getting either a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 or i7 chip. We reviewed the Core i7 variant backed up by 16GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage and it performed excellently across each of our 4K media benchmark, GPU and storage tests. Battery life proved even more impressive than performance, with the Yoga C940 clocking in at an exceptional 11 hours. The 1080p touchscreen display demonstrated reasonable coverage of the sRGB colour space and top-notch contrast. Those wanting a 4K display will need to fork out for one of the more expensive configurations.
Where the Yoga C940 really sets itself apart from its rivals is in the sonic department. Its speakers take the form of a Dolby Atmos soundbar and the audio produced is some of the best we’ve ever heard from a laptop of any kind.
Read our full Lenovo Yoga C940 review for more details
Key specs – Processor: Intel Core i7-1065G7; RAM: 16GB; Storage: 256GB SSD; Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,080; Weight: 1.35kg
Buy now from Lenovo
8. Microsoft Surface Pro 7: A stylish hybrid now with USB-C
Price: From £799 | Buy now from Amazon
Microsoft first embraced the 2-in-1 concept when it designed Windows 8, and it’s been working ever since to perfect the design. The Surface Pro 7 is a wonderfully put together machine, but it’s not cheap and the Surface Pen stylus and Type Cover keyboard STILL aren’t included.
Not too much has changed from the impressive Microsoft Surface Pro 6 in terms of design, with its standout feature – the integrated kickstand that allows you to position the screen at any angle – still present. Microsoft has however added a USB-C port to its latest version, which is a long-overdue and very welcome addition.
The internals have been updated, too, with all configurations of the Surface Pro 7 housing tenth-generation Intel processors. We tested an Intel Core i7 model with Iris Plus graphics, 16GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD inside and it outstripped an Intel Core i5 Surface Pro 6 in terms of graphical performance. It also proved perfectly responsive but cooling did seem an issue, suggesting you may be better off going with a lowered powered processor that’s less of a burden on the Surface Pro 7’s slimline chassis.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro 7 review for more details
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core 1.3GHz Intel Core i7-1065G7; RAM: 16GB; Storage: 256GB SSD; Screen resolution: 1,920 x 1,080; Weight: 775g (without keyboard); 1.1kg (with keyboard)
9. HP Spectre x360 13 (2020): Supreme style meets substance
Price: From £1,199 | Buy now from HP
With an absolutely stunning 4K AMOLED display and 10th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, the HP Spectre x360 13 is a delightful marriage of beauty and power.
It scored highly in our in-house 4K media benchmarking test and remained impressively quiet during all-but the most strenuous tasks. The on-board Intel Iris Plus GPU also performed admirably, although you’ll need to drop down quality settings if you’re hoping to play more demanding games at 1080p. Making a welcome return from the 2019 model is HP’s innovative Sure View security technology. This feature allows you to blur your screen at the touch of the button and is an effective way of protecting your sensitive information from prying eyes.
The Bang & Olufsen-tuned speakers are somewhat disappointing unless you’re listening to audio at low volume and battery life is impacted by the screen’s huge number of pixels. However, those minor issues aren’t enough to detract from what is otherwise a gorgeous, stylish and lightweight 2-in-1 laptop. And if battery life is that much of a concern, you can always buy one of the cheaper configurations that feature a Full HD display.
Read our full HP Spectre x360 13 (2020) review for more details
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core 1.3GHz Intel Core i7-1065G7; RAM: 16GB; Storage: 1TB SSD; Screen resolution: 3,840 x 2,160; Weight: 1.33kg
10. Microsoft Surface Book 2: A delectable detachable
Price: £2,349 | Buy now from Amazon
The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is a unique laptop. It’s fast and powerful enough to play games or run any application you may need, while the display is good enough for professional-level photo editing, illustration and video editing. You can even sketch and take notes on the screen if you really want to.
It’s certainly not a cheap option, but if you need an uncompromising 2-in-1, the 13.5in Surface Book 2 is currently unmatched. It’s essentially all the power of a desktop PC squeezed into a portable and wonderfully flexible package.
Read our full Microsoft Surface Book 2 review for more details
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core Intel Core i7-8650U; RAM: 8GB; Storage: 256GB SSD; Screen resolution: 3,000 x 2,000; Weight: 1.6kg
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