Touted as very trendy and the future of laptops, 2-in-1s, also called convertible laptop PCs, are becoming increasingly rare. However, some references remain within each brand’s range. The Zenbook Flip from Asus, the MSI Summit Flip Evo, the x360 from HP, the pioneers of the concept of a convertible laptop into a tablet, without forgetting Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Lenovo’s Yoga. Should we fall for these apparently perfect hybrid models? Some answers and a selection of the best 2-in-1 laptops so that you don’t make a mistake and make the right choice.
What is a 2-in-1 (or hybrid) laptop?
A convertible 2-in-1 laptop combines the features of a traditional laptop and tablet into one device. These types of computers are designed to suit different situations and usage patterns, to provide maximum flexibility. The central element of these devices lies in their unique hinge, which allows the screen to fold, rotate or even detach on some models to transform it into an actual tablet.
What are the advantages of convertible laptop PC to tablet?
On paper these computers only have advantages and are often cited as offering the best of both worlds. The power and ergonomics of a laptop benefit from the portability and ease of use of a tablet for navigation, multimedia and tactile interactions. By adding a stylus, new uses such as drawing, taking notes, or simply interacting with your fingertips are possible.
Another plus, at least in theory, is that buying a 2-in-1 device can be more economical than buying a laptop and tablet separately.
In use, perfection is not (always) present
Theory and everyday reality do not always coincide. And for convertible laptops, the first frustration often comes from using them in tablet mode. As light and thin as they are, 2-in-1 laptops are still “heavier” than simple tablets like the Microsoft Surface or Apple iPad. Often, they are also slightly larger than a “classic” computer. A few hundred grams certainly, but felt when the computer is used in tablet mode at arm’s length or on the lap.
Another disappointment, and despite undeniable progress in recent years, Windows 11 is an operating system designed to be used with a keyboard and mouse. To do without it in favor of full tactile interaction is to regularly complain about poor ergonomics and seconds wasted clicking on those little Photoshop icons or even trying to bring up the virtual keyboard…
The central element of a convertible laptop into a tablet, the hinge. The latter is also often singled out when it comes to discussing the longevity of these models. More fragile, more controlled, it is often the first source of damage, which can lead to the premature end of the computer. Added to the high purchase cost, this can be a deterrent for many.
Finally, by their design, weight and thickness limitations are very high. As a result, 2-in-1 laptops cannot carry very powerful configurations and are at best limited to low-power processors and mid-range graphics cards. Exemptions are not always possible for architects, motion designers and other video professionals.
Our pick of the best 2-in-1 laptops that can convert to a touchscreen tablet
As you may have understood, despite their undeniable advantages, convertible laptops also have to deal with certain inherent limitations. Everyone is free to accept it or not, but if you allow yourself to be tempted, it’s a safe bet that going back to a non-touch laptop will quickly become impossible…
Acer Aspire 3 Spin A3SP14-31PT-C5RZ Silver – Touch
14″ IPS 1920 * 1200 (16:10), N100, Intel UHD Graphics Xe (G4), 128 GB SSD, 1.5 Kg
HP Envy x360 15-fh0007nf Touch Black
15″ OLED 1920 * 1080 (Full HD), Ryzen 5 7530U, AMD Radeon Vega 7, 500 GB SSD, 1.8 Kg
A 2-in-1 laptop PC convertible into a tablet, theHP Envy x360 15-fh0007nf Thin and light with a 15-inch IPS Full HD touch screen, everyday use, content performs well in multimedia work and light gaming thanks to its AMD processor…
Lenovo Yoga 6 13ABR8 (83B2002TFR) Blue – Touch
13″ IPS 1920 * 1200 (16:10), Ryzen 7 7730U, AMD Radeon Vega 8, 500 GB SSD, 1.4 Kg
A versatile 2-in-1 laptop, thin and light, convertible into a tablet Lenovo Yoga 6 13ABR8 (83B2002TFR) With a 13-inch IPS Full HD 16/10 touch screen that can be opened 360° it offers a 2-factor biometric authentication solution…
Asus ZenBook S 13 Flip OLED UP5302ZA-LX235W Blue – 2.8K OLED
13″ OLED 2880 * 1800 (Retina), Core i5-1245U, Intel Iris Xe, 500 GB SSD, 1.1 Kg
Quiet and elegant with its white design, very easy to transport.Asus Zenbook S 13 Flip OLED UP5302ZA-LX235W The Nomadic Tablet is a convertible 2-in-1 ultrabook with a 13-inch touchscreen high-resolution dual biometric authentication solution (fingerprint reader + infrared webcam) with 8-hour battery life…
HP Envy x360 13-bf0043nf Silver
13″ IPS 1920 * 1200 (16:10), Core i5-1230U, Intel Iris Xe, 500 GB SSD, 1.8 Kg
The versatile 2-in-1 portable PC is easy to carry on the go with 8 hours of battery life under Windows 11,HP Envy x360 13-bf0043nf Convertible into a tablet with its 13-inch full HD IPS sRGB touch screen, with above-average faithful colors that can be opened 360°, based on 16 GB RAM as well as an Intel Alder Lake Core i5-1230U processor…
Dell Inspiron 14 7435 2-in-1 Silver – Touch, Ryzen 7
14″ IPS 1920 * 1200 (16:10), Ryzen 7 7730U, AMD Radeon Vega 8, 1 TB SSD, 1.6 Kg
HP Envy x360 13-bf0062nf Blue – 2.8K OLED Touch
13″ OLED 2880 * 1800 (Retina), Core i7-1250U, Intel Iris Xe, 500 GB SSD, 1.8 Kg
The original with its easy-to-carry blue design convertible into a tabletHP Envy x360 13-bf0062nf A 2-in-1 portable PC with a 13-inch high definition 2.8K touch screen that can be opened 360° with OLED DCI-P3 colors that are more faithful than average, equipped with a backlit keyboard, an infrared webcam for identifying…
Lenovo Yoga 7 14IAL7 (82QE00A4FR) Silver Tablet – OLED 2.8K Touch
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14″ OLED 2880 * 1800 (Retina), Core i7-1260P, Intel Iris Xe, 500 GB SSD, 1.5 Kg
Supplied with stylus, 2-in-1 high definition high fidelity laptop PC Lenovo Yoga 7 14IAL7 (82QE00A4FR) Versatile, easy to transport and nomadic, with 8 hours of battery life under Windows 11, it can be converted into a tablet thanks to…
HP Envy x360 15-fe0000nf Silver – Touch, RTX 3050
15″ IPS 1920 * 1080 (Full HD), Core i7-1355U, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, 1 TB SSD, 1.8 Kg
A 2-in-1 multimedia Ultrabook convertible into a tablet, a hybrid laptop PC HP envy x360 15-fe0000nf Thin and light, 360° opening, 15-inch full HD touch screen with sRGB colors that are more faithful than average, supports a number of games…
Asus ROG Flow X16 GV601VV-NL007W Black – QHD 240Hz Mini LED, RTX 4060
16″ Mini-LED 2560 * 1600 (16:10), Core i9-13900H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 1 TB SSD, 2.0 Kg
