There always will be being the use case of owning both laptops and tablets as independent products. But a 2-in-1 laptop is a dream to combine these two in one device.
Of all the models I’ve tried, there isn’t a 2-in-1 laptop that’s as good at being both a laptop and a laptop. It always depends on one or the other. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy one, especially since the convenience of having both in one device makes the pill easier to swallow, for the price.
The products below should meet most people’s needs. But if none of them suit you, look for another one computer buying guidesincluding Best cheap laptops,, Best Tabletand The best iPad.
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Detachable Tablets
If you want a 2-in-1, think first about a detachable tablet. These are basically tablets that attach to a keyboard. This form factor emphasizes being able to switch between tablet and laptop modes. It works like a laptop just like a laptop. The Surface Pro is an example of this design, introducing the idea of a tablet with a built-in kickstand that runs a full version of Windows.
Microsoft has improved the hardware for many yearsbut it wasn’t until the 2024 model year it came by itself. That’s thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (and Plus) processor, which finally gave the device the right amount of performance and battery life. It’s not cheap though (especially once you include the Cover Type), I like that you can now use the keyboard away from the screen, making it more flexible in situations away from the desk. To compete with iPad Prothere’s even an OLED model (with a 120-Hz refresh rate) available, which brings visual life to the display.
Last year, Microsoft came out with a smaller and more affordable model, the Surface Pro 12. This is the most successful laptop Microsoft has ever made, and a big reason is because it doesn’t cheap out on quality or cut down on size too much. With a 12-inch screen, it still allows the keyboard to be large enough to type comfortably. It doesn’t have the option for an OLED screen, but this is still an amazing charge-sensing device that’s more portable than its big brother.
Not only is the Surface Pro 12 cheaper overall, it’s also the only 256-GB storage model offered. Because Surface devices have a full version of Windows, they are the best 2-in-1 devices to use as a complete laptop replacement. While the hardware is there to make a good tablet, Windows isn’t very touch-friendly and doesn’t have a touch-first app ecosystem to support it. That’s where iPads come into play.
iPad Air and iPad Pro are the best pills you can buy, thanks in large part to the breadth of touch-first apps available in the App Store. In many ways, that’s what makes the iPad a great 2-in-1 laptop, especially if you want to use it as a tablet. It’s also easier to hold with one hand, as it’s lighter than Surface devices. These days, these iPads are becoming a legitimate laptop replacement as well. With the Magic Keyboard attachment, you can add an additional USB-C port and a full-size keyboard and pad. I like that this design doesn’t rely on a kickstand either, which makes it easier to use on your lap than on the Surface.
iPadOS is still not perfect, but with the introduction of windows and better cursor support, it works like a laptop more than ever. The latest example I tried, the M4 iPad Airit’s very powerful, and with the Magic Keyboard attached, it’s a 2-in-1 laptop that’s cheaper than the Surface Pro with a keyboard included. It’s plenty of functionality for almost anything you want to do with an iPad, especially if you opt for the larger 13-inch model. My only real complaint is that the palm rest on the Magic Keyboard is too small.
