Flip them or snap them any way you’d like, these are the best 2-in-1 laptops around.
Don’ t let the dismal return rates at the launch of the Surface Book fool you. Although some of the best 2-in-1 laptops may have been off to a shaky start in their younger years, these Windows 10 -based convertible and detachable-style laptops are now thriving amid a market that has otherwise seen better days.
Then again, not all of the best 2-in-1 laptops are the same. Some are bundled with styluses and detachable keyboards while others are strapped to 360-degree hinges. All, however, are bespeckled with touch-specific features such as Windows Ink. With that in mind, we’ ve tested all of the top 2-in-1 laptops in order to guarantee recommendations you can trust.
Hands down, the best 2-in-1 laptop there is
The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro can go head-to-head with the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and for a substantially lower cost. Though it’s limited to only one configuration, albeit across two different sizes, the Samsung Notebook 9 Pro is as powerful as it is pragmatic. Defined in part by its inclusion of the S-Pen, this heavy-hitting hybrid is every bit as capable as Microsoft’s Surface Book and without the need to recharge its stylus.
Thin, light and handsome
With Kaby Lake now ruling the roost in terms of CPUs, HP decided it’s high time to flip the switch on its Spectre 2-in-1. With an overhauled keyboard and suave new logo, the HP Spectre x360 holds its own against anything Apple can show. At the same time, none of this stifles the battery life, which exceeds 8 hours of straight use. What’s more, the HP Spectre x360 can now be configured with a 4K screen and 1TB of SSD storage, too.
Same Surface Book design, new Surface Book benchmarks
Toting the same design as the original Surface Book, the Surface Book i7 hasn’ t done away with the controversial fulcrum hinge, but it does boast 131% better graphics and a 20% improved battery life. For creative professionals with an artistic side, this is tempting. So long as it’s necessary for your workflow, it may be worth the lofty price of admission, too, even if you’ re getting the short end of the stick in memory and SSD space.
Capable, versatile and affordable to boot
Equipped with a Skylake i7 CPU and discrete Nvidia graphics, the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin is nearly as fashionable and powerful as a 2016 MacBook Pro, but for roughly half the cost. With all the trackpad real estate in the world paired with a snazzy, full-size keyboard, the Samsung Notebook 7 is a real treat even without accounting for the fact that it’s a 2-in-1. You’ ll flip once you realize that your laptop does too – and with an HDR-capable screen at that.
MacBook Pro hydraulics in a Windows 10 hybrid
If the 13-inch Lenovo Yoga 720 is a caterpillar, the 15-inch model is a majestic butterfly, freshly hatched from its snug cocoon. Outfitted with the choice between only the best HQ series Core i5 and i7 processors, this 2-in-1 is competitive spec-wise with the 15-inch MacBook Pro while remaining but a fraction of the cost of Apple’s flagship machine. What’s more, it even has the ports you know and love in addition to the still-blossoming USB Type-C interface.
A convertible that doesn’t need to be
Unlike the Asus ZenBook Flip UX305 before it, the ZenBook Flip UX360 ditches the MacBook Air doppelgänger approach in favor of a hybrid design with a vast array of ports. Everything from USB-A to USB-C is present, along with micro HDMI and a microSD card reader. At the same time, it doesn’t neglect the wholly aluminum chassis of yesteryear, ultimately making the ZenBook Flip UX360 an excellent value.
This 15-inch hybrid is more portable than you think
More than just a basic hardware refresh, the HP Spectre x360 is as easy on the eyes as it is to use. Because the keyboard feels natural to the touch, there’s no debate as to whether this 2-in-1 is better as a laptop or as a tablet; it comes equally recommended as both. If it made a peep, what with its silent fans and subdued chiclet keys, the HP Spectre x360 15 may even garner a few jealous stares.
A future-proof convertible rocking all the essentials
As homely as a laptop as it is a tablet, the Lenovo Yoga 720’s screen may be tethered by a hinge to its cushy keyboard, but its modest pricing and formidable design choices make it come easily recommended. Although you’ ll be in search of the proper adapters if you need a second standard USB port, an SD card slot or HDMI, this laptop’s crystal clear display and hearty build quality make it a winner in our eyes.
A svelte spin on a working 2-in-1 design
If the 13-inch Yoga 720 is too small and the 15 incher is too big, the Lenovo Yoga 910 brings a happy medium to the table. Miraculously fitting a 14-inch frame into a 13-inch body, this notebook boasts a ritzy, all-aluminum finish with a watchband hinge that’s impossible to ignore. Add a 4K screen and stunning built-in audio to the mix and it’s no wonder we’ re in love with Lenovo’s flagship 2-in-1.
The lightest 2-in-1 laptop
Measuring in at just over 2 pounds (around 10 grams) and exactly half an inch thick alongside a 12.5-inch screen, the Lenovo Yoga 900S could be understandably confused with Apple’s MacBook at first glance. Despite being only slightly cheaper than Tim Cook’s closest competitor, the Lenovo Yoga 900S has a lot more on offer. USB-C is accompanied by two full-size USB 3.0 ports, for instance, while the model we reviewed was more powerful than a MacBook.
