Over the last decade, thanks in large part to the best 2-in-1 laptops, we have changed the way we use our laptops. There’s nothing like flipping one of these top 2-in-1 laptops into tent mode to watch Netflix or into tablet mode for playing Plants vs Zombies after a long yet productive day of work in laptop mode.
Hybrid laptops come in many shapes, sizes and levels of power. Many of the best 2-in-1 laptops – like the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1, for one – come packed with the best processors, which also makes them some of the best laptops on the market right now. And, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this versatile form factor.
The best 2-in-1 laptops are, more often than not, convertible, so the keyboard flips around the back, transforming the device into a tablet. Other devices, like the Surface Book 2, approach it differently. Microsoft’s convertible has a detachable screen, and its high-resolution PixelSense display is held up by sheer magnetic force when in laptop mode.
No matter how they deliver the 2-in-1 functionality however, these versatile laptops usually have stylus compatibility – even if it’s now becoming rarer to find a stylus included in the box.
To help you choose the best 2-in-1 laptop that matches your needs and budget, gathered all the best hybrid notebooks we recently tested, taking all their pros and cons into account.
The Best 2-in-1 Laptop 2019
For years, HP’s Spectre line of Ultrabooks and 2-in-1 laptops has been about blending elegance with performance. The 2019 HP Spectre x360 15 is no different. It deserves a top spot on our best 2-in-1 laptops list for packing an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics and 8GB of RAM in its base configuration.
This 2-in-1 can handle pretty much anything your everyday workload throws at it – and then some (like a bit of light gaming, for example) – while looking like royalty. Bear in mind that the Spectre x360 is a bit big and heavy for a 2-in-1, so you likely won’t be using it in tablet mode that often. Put it in tent mode instead, so you can watch some movies on its spectacular 4K display.
It might strike you as odd that a Chromebook is on a list of the best 2-in-1 laptops, and rated so high at that. But, let us assure you that it isn’t a mistake. The Google Pixelbook merges the two forms perfectly. It’s an impressive device that takes the Chrome OS platform and elevates it to levels never seen before when it first rolled out. The Google Pixelbook is fitted with powerful components, as well as supports full Android apps, tearing down those walls that prevented Mac and Windows devotees from truly embracing the best Chromebooks.
The Pixelbook is downright tempting, but it’s not for the economical buyers and other users who might prefer to go for the Asus Chromebook Flip C302, a worthy pinch hitter. Having introduced a touchscreen hybrid design to Google’s cloud-based Chrome OS, the Asus Chromebook Flip is made better by its compatibility with Android apps.
Just like the Pixelbook, you can use the Asus Chromebook Flip for Google Play apps, albeit after installing an out-of-the-box update. It’s without a doubt one of the best 2-in-1 laptops right now. And, if you’re already a fan of Asus laptops, this one will make you a true convert.
The HP Spectre x360 isn’t just one of the best 2-in-1 laptops on the market; it’s also one of the best laptops to date. There are only a handful of manufacturers out there that combine powerful components with a dazzling design quite as well as HP does here.
The gem cut chassis will draw plenty of jealous looks in the office, while the formidable hardware will breeze through all of your daily workload. That light and compact design – well, it’s so delightful you’ll fall in love at first sight. And, when you’ve had enough showcasing is prowess, you can flip it around into tablet mode to squeeze in some late-night gaming.
Are you in the market for one of the best 2-in-1 laptops that delivers solid performance and serious horsepower? Well, you’ll find it in the Dell XPS 15, which incidentally gets our vote as one of the best Ultrabooks you can buy today. This 2-in-1 is perhaps among the most coveted 2-in-1 laptops – with discrete class Radeon RX Vega graphics to boot. With it, you get a gorgeous convertible that doesn’t sacrifice sheer power. So, while it has a price tag that’s a bit on the high end, it’s also completely worth breaking the piggy bank.
We had nothing but love for the original Surface Book. Needless to say, when we heard that there was going to be a 15-inch Surface Book 2, we could barely contain our excitement. Unfortunately, in the end, the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 isn’t the best 2-in-1 laptop out there. However, it’s still an impressive machine that’s only held back by a handful of compromises that were necessary to begin with. This 2-in-1 laptop features cutting-edge 8th-generation processors as well as Nvidia 10-series graphics for gamers and creatives alike. Combine that with its unique convertible solution, and the Surface Book 2 is an ace in our book.
Sleek, slim and boasting solid specs to boot, the new Lenovo Yoga C930 is undeniably worthy of a spot in the best 2-in-1 laptops list. And, that’s without mentioning the fact that it now offers a 4K display model, so that high-end viewing experience and decent gaming may be had once users have gotten their day-to-day workload out of the way. This 2-in-1 is a strong contender for consumers strapped for cash, but if you do decide to go for gold, be ready to break the bank.
It’s no secret that we’re fans of the Microsoft Surface Book 2 13-inch, seeing as how we only raved about it earlier in this list. But how about its 15-inch counterpart? Well, with its long battery life, high-end specs that will breeze through the demands of day-to-day workload as well as a lot of entertainment, and of course, its unique design features, we’re inclined to feel the same way. This model isn’t for the budget shoppers, however. However, if you do have the money, its base model with 256GB storage is well worth the $2,499 tag and the best 2-in-1 laptop money can buy.
Thanks to its sleek, 13-inch design, this 2-in-1 is slimmer that you would have expected, which works in your favor when using it in tablet mode. There are other compelling reasons why the HP Envy x360 (2019) is worth considering when you’re in the market for the best 2-in-1 laptops. This HP beauty offers a premium build, boasts 9 hours of video playback and delivers a performance that will get you through most of your schoolwork and project, at a very affordable price.
Acer has a knack for designing economical laptops that are reliable enough for your typical productivity tasks and some viewing pleasures. They’re proving that once again with their cut-rate contender, the Acer Chromebook Spin 11, declared by many as one of the best Chromebooks to have hit the shelves to date. Some compromises were made, understandably with its price tag of $330, including that subpar battery life. But for budget buyers who are unlikely to tackle processor-intensive work, this one’s for the books.
