The 2-in-1 dream and reality

2-in-1 laptops combine tablets and laptops into one device, but none are equally good at both. They always lean toward one or the other.

“Of all the models I've tested, no 2-in-1 laptop is equally good at being both a tablet and a laptop.”

Surface Pro 12 takes the crown

Microsoft's Surface Pro 12 is now the top pick after price changes made it more affordable. The 12-inch screen balances portability with a comfortable keyboard.

“This is the most successful small tablet Microsoft has ever made, and a big reason is that it doesn't cheap out on quality.”

Snapdragon powers excellent battery life

The Surface Pro 12 uses Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus for excellent battery life and solid performance. Just avoid the $750 model with only 8 GB of RAM.

Surface Pro 13.8 offers more screen

The larger Surface Pro 13.8 is a better laptop replacement with more visual space and a bigger touchpad. The OLED option makes it compete with iPad Pro.

Windows lacks touch-friendly apps

Windows still isn't a very touch-friendly operating system and lacks the touch-first app ecosystem that tablets need to truly shine.

iPad Air excels as a tablet

The M4 iPad Air with Magic Keyboard is a solid 2-in-1 that costs less than Surface Pro with keyboard. The App Store's touch-first apps make it ideal for tablet use.

iPads are lighter and easier to hold

iPads are easier to hold in one hand because they're lighter than Surface devices. The Magic Keyboard adds a USB-C port and works better on your lap than kickstands.

A gaming 2-in-1 that actually works

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is a gaming-focused detachable 2-in-1. The form factor keeps heat away from your hands, leaving the keyboard cool and sweat-free.

Convertible laptops flip 360 degrees

Convertible 2-in-1s look like traditional laptops but have 360-degree hinges and touchscreens. They're better for watching videos than using as tablets due to weight.

Lenovo Yoga 9i leads convertibles

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is one of the most premium laptops available with a classy design and sharp OLED screen. A loudspeaker built into the hinge delivers better audio.

Framework Laptop 12 is repairable

Framework's convertible 2-in-1 lets you replace or upgrade nearly every component, including the processor. The DIY Edition makes assembly an enjoyable education project.

Best budget option under $600

The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is the best 2-in-1 under $600. It uses a powerful MediaTek chip for competitive battery life and comes with 12 GB of RAM.

Tiny Chromebook Duet for portability

The 11-inch Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 isn't a productivity machine. It's a companion device for light web browsing, writing, and watching videos anywhere.

Two main 2-in-1 designs exist

Detachable tablets separate the screen from the keyboard with a kickstand. Convertible laptops use 360-degree hinges to flip the screen back.

Detachables are thinner and lighter

Detachable 2-in-1s are more portable and make better stand-alone tablets. They're not as good on your lap but excel as travel devices.

Convertibles have design tradeoffs

Convertible 2-in-1s need heftier hinges that can look ugly and require larger bezels. The weight balance can feel off, and they're often more expensive.

iPads still win for pure tablet use

iPadOS remains far more robust without a keyboard than Windows. But Windows tablets offer the full Windows 11 experience for getting work done.

Testing goes beyond standard laptops

Testing 2-in-1s requires checking kickstand adjustability, lap balance, touchscreen responsiveness, and screen wobble. Only hands-on time reveals these issues.