There will always be a use case for owning both a laptop and a tablet as stand-alone products. But the 2-in-1 laptop is the utopian dream of combining these two into a single device.
Of all the models I've tested, no 2-in-1 laptop is equally good at being both a tablet and a laptop. They always lean toward 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 it an easier pill to swallow, price-wise.
The products below should meet most people’s needs. But if none are a fit for you, check out our other computer buying guides, including the Best Cheap Laptops, the Best Tablets, and the Best iPad.
Microsoft
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's just as functional as a tablet as it is as a laptop. The Surface Pro is the epitome of this design, pioneering the idea of a tablet with a built-in kickstand that runs a full version of Windows.
Microsoft has refined the hardware over the years, but it wasn't until the 2024 model that it came into its own. That's largely thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite (and Plus) processor, which finally gave the device an appropriate amount of performance and battery life. While it's not cheap (especially once you include the Type Cover), I love that you can now use the keyboard while detached from the screen, making it even more adaptable in scenarios away from a desk. To compete with the iPad Pro, there's even an OLED model (with 120-Hz refresh rate) available, which really brings visuals on the display to life.
Last year, Microsoft came out with a smaller and more affordable model, the Surface Pro 12. This is the most successful small tablet Microsoft has ever made, and a big reason is because it doesn't cheap out on quality or shrink down the size too much. With a 12-inch screen, it still allows the keyboard to be large enough to be comfortable typing on. It doesn't have the option for an OLED screen, but this is still a surprisingly premium-feeling device that is even more portable than its older sibling.
Not only is the Surface Pro 12 cheaper overall, it's also the only 256-GB storage model on offer. Because Surface devices run a full version of Windows, they are the best 2-in-1 devices to use as full laptop replacements. While the hardware is there to make for a good tablet, Windows isn't so friendly with touch and doesn't have a touch-first app ecosystem to support it. That's where iPads come into play.
The iPad Air and iPad Pro are the best tablets you can buy, largely thanks to the breadth of touch-first apps available in the App Store. In many ways, that's what makes an iPad such an ideal 2-in-1 laptop, especially if you actually want to use it as a tablet. They are also easier to hold in one hand, as they are lighter than the Surface devices. These days, these iPads are increasingly legitimate laptop replacements too. With the Magic Keyboard attachment, you can add an additional USB-C port and a full-size keyboard and trackpad. I like that this design doesn't rely on a kickstand either, which makes it easier to use on your lap than the Surface.
iPadOS still isn't perfect, but with the introduction of windowing and better cursor support, they work as laptops better than ever. The latest model I tested, the M4 iPad Air, is immensely powerful, and with the Magic Keyboard attached, it's a really solid 2-in-1 laptop that comes in cheaper than the Surface Pro with the keyboard included. It's plenty of performance for just about anything you'd want to do with an iPad, especially if you opt for the larger 13-inch model. My only real complaint is that the palm rests on the Magic Keyboard are quite small.
Lastly, I have to point to one of the most interesting detachable 2-in-1s to ever come out, the Asus ROG Flow Z13. I don't know anyone who has asked for a gaming-based 2-in-1, but Asus went out and made one that actually works anyway. You likely won't be using this much as a tablet, but the form factor keeps all the heat created by the components away from your hands. Unlike almost every other portable gaming device you can buy, your hands on the keyboard stay cool and sweat-free.
There's an entirely different breed of 2-in-1 laptop out there, commonly referred to as a convertible laptop. These look like traditional laptops, but they have two unique features: a 360-degree hinge and a touchscreen. This allows the laptop to operate in a few different modes, which give closer access to the touchscreen. Most often, people enjoy tilting the screen back and laying the keyboard flat and backwards on the table to watch movies and videos. While you can fold the screen all the way back against the bottom of the laptop like a tablet, the thickness and weight of these devices make it fairly uncomfortable to use like this.
Lenovo
If you're looking for the best 2-in-1 laptop with this design, I recommend the Lenovo Yoga 9i. Bar none, this is one of the most premium laptops you can buy, sporting a classy design, a very sharp OLED screen, and a thin chassis. One of the interesting aspects of this design is that Lenovo added an extra benefit to the 360-hinge by building a loud speaker into it that gives you higher-quality audio, regardless of the mode you're using it in. The particular Intel processor it uses means it also gets great battery life and performance. There's no real trade-offs or compromises to getting a 2-in-1 convertible.
The other convertible 2-in-1 I'd point you to is the Framework Laptop 12. I'm a big fan of Framework devices, due to the great repairability, allowing you to replace or upgrade nearly every internal component. You can even upgrade the processor and motherboard, which Framework sells separately. In theory, that means more years of use and less e-waste. Admittedly, it has a fairly thick chassis. But it's affordable, and the 2-in-1 hinge makes it a great, versatile family or student computer. To save money, you can opt for the DIY Edition, which would also make for a fun education project for a kid.
Acer
I've also tested a lot of convertible Chromebooks over the years, but my favorite is the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514. Not only is this the best 2-in-1 Chromebook, it's also the best 2-in-1 you can buy for under $600. It uses a powerful (and efficient) new chip from MediaTek that gives it competitive battery life, something Chromebooks have lacked for years now. It even comes with a higher-resolution screen and 12 GB of RAM. It's pretty stacked for a Chromebook, but more than that, it's also an excellent 2-in-1 laptop.
2-in-1s have always been a more experimental form factor. Over the past few years, companies like Asus and Lenovo have experimented with taking that step further. The most successful of these is the Asus Zenbook Duo.
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Photograph: Christopher Null
The idea of a dual-screen 2-in-1 sounds preposterous on paper. They can be set up side by side like a book, or stacked vertically. Both are interesting use cases, allowing you to get that second-screen experience on the go. It's even more ridiculous-looking when you see it in person. This thing is one sure way to get stares at a coffee shop, but it's more useful than you might think. There's a new version coming out this year that I saw at CES, which allows the two screens to sit side by side with a minimal gap in between.
I also saw the Zephyrus Duo at CES earlier this year, which is a PC gaming take on this same idea. That one should be coming out later this year. Lenovo's version of this design is the Yoga Book 9i. We liked the original model from 2023, and a refreshed version came out in 2025. It has a removable keyboard though, making it a more fiddly option.
Photograph: Luke Larsen
Framework Laptop 12 for $549: The Framework Laptop 12 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) isn't just the smallest, cheapest, and most repairable Framework Laptop to come out. It's also a 2-in-1. The device has a 360-degree hinge that lets you flip the screen all the way around. That's fitting for a smaller device that's meant to go everywhere with you. The Framework Laptop 12 is much more than that. Its accessibility is unbeatable, allowing you to upgrade and swap out virtually every component imaginable. That even includes the CPU and motherboard. The starting configuration is just $549, too.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 for $280: The Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) was one of my favorite pieces of tech when it came out for one reason: its size. This diminutive detachable laptop is only 11 inches, which sounds painful at first. But this isn’t a productivity machine. Rather, it’s better viewed as a companion you can take anywhere for light web browsing, writing, and watching videos.
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus for $550: If you want to dip more into the budget range, we’re big fans of the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (8/10, WIRED Recommends). While it usually goes for $500, you’ll frequently find it on sale for under $400. That’s excellent value if all you need is solid performance, a web browser, and the occasional Android app.
Photograph: Luke Larsen
Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 for $700: You might think a 16-inch 2-in-1 laptop sounds silly. It's not portable enough to use as a tablet, that's for sure. But if you need a large touchscreen on your laptop, there's reason to pick up something like the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 (6/10, WIRED Review). The flexibility of having a 360-degree hinge is useful in all sorts of scenarios. This 16-inch 2-in-1 balances price, portability, and performance with just enough finesse to be worth it.
Asus ProArt PZ13 for $1,300: Another detachable, the Asus ProArt PZ13 (6/10, WIRED Recommends) veers toward mimicking Microsoft’s Surface Pro playbook but at a much more affordable price. For $1,100, you get a Copilot+ PC that can go up to around 19 hours on a single charge. Unfortunately, the performance leaves much to be desired, and its three-piece design is confounding. Still, it’s a nice alternative to the Surface Pro if you’re dead set on the style.
A 2-in-1 is a laptop that can go from a standard clamshell laptop configuration to a tablet setup. Over the years, there are really two types of designs that fall into this category: the detachable tablet and the the convertible laptop.
Detachable tablets are Windows tablets meant to be used with magnetic keyboards, not unlike an iPad Pro. These let you completely separate the screen from the keyboard, using a kickstand on the back of the display to keep it upright. This is a design popularized by Microsoft’s Surface lineup, which is still going strong more than a decade since its introduction. We’re even starting to see dual-screen laptops arrive to add even more flexibility (if you have the cash to spare). The main benefit of the detachable 2-in-1 is the portability. While they aren't as good to use on your lap, they are thinner and lighter, making for better stand-alone tablets and devices to travel with.
Laptops with convertible displays, on the other hand, use a 360-degree hinge that can position the screen flat, in “tent” mode, or flush against the underside of the laptop. Think of this as a touchscreen clamshell laptop with a fancy rotating hinge. The flexibility of positions makes them great for everything from signing documents to streaming TV shows and movies—all with the ability to go right back to a standard laptop orientation when it’s time to do some work.
Should You Buy a 2-in-1 Laptop?
The big draw of 2-in-1 laptops is that they can be used as both a laptop and a tablet. While in laptop mode, they’re generally comparable to any other clamshell laptop you’ll find. However, Windows and ChromeOS aren’t exactly the best touch-oriented operating systems out there, so you may find the touchscreen experience lacking when using it as a pure tablet.
If you already use a recent iPad or Android tablet regularly, you may not get as much out of a 2-in-1. But if you don't, these 2-in-1 laptops can give you the functionality of both devices in one—hence, the name. Beyond that, convertible laptops use 360-degree hinges to offer even more capabilities, such as flipping the laptop upside down in various modes.
The only real downside to picking a convertible 2-in-1 over a clamshell is some of the design tweaks that have to be made to incorporate the hinge. Sometimes the balance of the weight can feel off, and the heftier hinge can be ugly and sometimes require a larger bottom bezel under the display.
One of our top picks, the Lenovo Yoga 9i, also happens to be one of the most premium-feeling laptops you can buy. You can consider its 2-in-1 capabilities to be a nice bonus on top of its already stellar performance and features. If you’re aiming for the more budget range and already have a tablet, it’s worth considering whether you can save some cash by sticking with a traditional clamshell.
Why Not Just Buy an iPad?
It's a good question. All in all, it remains difficult to beat the iPad or iPad Pro when it comes to pure tablet usage. From a software and third-party app perspective, iPadOS is a far more robust device when using it without a keyboard, though that may start to change with Apple's multitasking improvements in iPadOS 26.
The opposite is true for Windows tablets, which benefit from the full Windows 11 experience. That means you can get all your work done, in theory, on one device, while still having something highly mobile. There are some people who can even do all their work on only an iPad Pro, for example, but most of us prefer (or require) some kind of desktop computing environment such as macOS or Windows.
I still wish Microsoft would improve the touch experience of Windows, though, which would make the proposition of 2-in-1 laptops that much more enticing over iPads.
We test 2-in-1s a lot like how we test clamshell laptops. Before you add in the 2-in-1 element, laptops are already incredibly complex devices, and we test every possible aspect of them. That means we measure the quality of the display, we benchmark the speed of the CPU, we run it until the battery runs out, and we type on the keyboard. A lot.
With 2-in-1 laptops, though, there's more a physical element that needs testing. If it's a detachable, we extend the kickstand and use it in a variety of scenarios. How does it balance on your lap? What's the adjustability of the angle of the kickstand? If it's a convertible 2-in-1, does the touchscreen feel responsive? Does the screen wobble like crazy when you tap it? These are all questions that can only be answered with hands-on time with the 2-in-1 laptop.
All of the products we recommend were provided by the manufacturers of the devices. However, our opinions and the results of testing are completely independent. There is no guarantee of positive coverage (or coverage at all) when we agree to accept a review unit from a company. We often send units back once we're done testing.
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