Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall 2-in-1 laptop is the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360.
- The primary reason 2-in-1 laptops are worthwhile is their versatility; they can work like a laptop and function as a tablet.
- Consumers should consider buying a 2-in-1 laptop because it negates the need to separately own a tablet and a conventional laptop.
- Factors to consider before buying a 2-in-1 laptop include its processor speeds, graphics rendering capabilities, storage capacity, battery longevity, and price.
- Buyers should also check if their preferred 2-in-1 laptop has a detachable keyboard and a stylus pen.
2-in-1 laptops have become prominent ever since tech companies uncovered the brilliant idea to make a device that combines the traditional qualities of a laptop and a tablet. These computers have aggressively attacked the market with their portability, slim design, and amazing performance.
So, what should you consider when buying a 2-in-1 laptop? It depends on your use. For example, a 2-in-1 business laptop will sufficiently handle your marketing-related tasks. It will also likely come with an HD webcam so you won’t miss Zoom meetings.
However, it may not be powerful enough for gaming or video editing. So, after weeks of reviewing dozens of options, our ranking for the best 2-in-1 laptops in 2023 is as follows:
- Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360
- Best for Business: HP Spectre x360-16
- Best for Travelling: Dell XPS
- Best Detachable Option: Microsoft Surface Pro 8
- Most Versatile: Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15
- Best Designed Option: HP Elite Dragonfly G2
#1 Best Overall 2-In-1 Laptop: Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360
- 12th Generation Intel Core i7-1260P Processor
- 2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) AMOLED
- Windows 11 Home
The Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 is our #1 pick for the best 2-in-1 laptop in 2023, dubbed the near-perfect computer. The laptop’s 15.6-inch display is customary for many 2-in-1 computers, but its AMOLED display is where it shines the most. You get clearer pictures, and it’s brighter than LCD computers.
Streaming movies with this laptop is also convenient, as you can adjust it to tent mode. Adding to the computer’s aesthetics and functionalities is an S-pen that you can use to draw, paint, and write comfortably, specifically when the laptop is in tablet mode.
Running on a Core i7 processor, the Galaxy Book 2 Pro has enough processing power to handle basic computer tasks. Furthermore, Samsung packed this laptop with Intel Iris Xe graphics and a 2.1 GHz processor speed that rises to 4.6 GHz, making it ideal for music editors and other content creators.
With 16GB RAM and a 1TB SSD, you can use this laptop for gaming. Additionally, this Galaxy Book 2 boasts a 68Wh battery.
So, with the laptop’s 1080 FHD webcam, you can make online calls for hours on a single charge. Moreover, the laptop has AKG stereo speakers that produce quality audio, meaning you don’t need headphones — unless when attending online meetings in noisy spaces.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The laptop has a 15.6-inch AMOLED display that produces clear, crisp images. | It is quite pricey. |
| It has a multi-purpose stylus pen. | |
| It uses a Core i7 processor with speeds of up to 4.6 GHz. | |
| The laptop has an extensive and reliable battery life. |
Take a look at the Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 on Amazon today.
Best 2-In-1 Laptop for Business: HP Spectre x360-16
- 11th Gen Intel Core i7-1165G7 2.80GHz Processor
- 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
- 720p HD webcam
- 60Hz Touchscreen AMOLED display
Next on our list of the best 2-in-1 laptops is the HP Spectre x360-16, the best option for business. Weighing 4.45 pounds, this 16-inch HP laptop is ideal for a business computer due to its portability and performance. Moreover, adding the laptop’s Tilt pen allows you to take handwritten notes during business meetings.
Operating on a Core i7 processor, this HP offers great performance. The laptop’s 4.7 GHz processor speed and 16GB RAM can handle all your business PowerPoint presentations and market browsing. Furthermore, its 512GB SSD will sufficiently store your business records and other data, but you can increase it to 1TB.
The Spectre’s 83Wh battery makes this laptop stand out the most. You will use it for many hours on a single charge if you use it solely for browsing, typing, and other basic uses that don’t consume much charge.
Adding to the laptop’s security, besides the normal password, is a fingerprint reader, so your confidential files are well-protected. The only drawback is that this HP is quite heavy when used as a tablet, especially if you’re used to lightweight 2-in-1 laptops.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The laptop has a large 16-inch display. | It is quite heavy when in tablet mode. |
| The device can be hinged to 360 degrees. | The base storage capacity of 512 GB is unimpressive. |
| It has a stylus pen for convenient writing. | |
| It has a 4.7 GHz Intel Core i7 processor. | |
| The laptop has an 83Wh battery guaranteeing extensive hours of use on a single charge. |
Check out the HP Spectre x360-16 on Amazon.
Best 2-In-1 Laptop for Traveling: Dell XPS
- 12th generation Intel 10-core Processor
- The processor will run @3.3Ghz under low use but will boost to 4.4GHz under heavy use
- 2880x1920 resolution
- 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Next, we have the Dell XPS, the best traveling 2-in-1 laptop. You can squeeze this 12th-generation laptop into your bag because it weighs 1.80 pounds and has a 13-inch screen. Furthermore, it is a detachable laptop, so you can carry the screen only and use it as a tablet if you have a lot of luggage.
The Dell XPS 13 performs surprisingly well for such a small-sized laptop, thanks to its Core i5 processor and 4.40 GHz CPU speed. Furthermore, you can upgrade it to a Core i7 with a 4.7 GHz processor speed and use it for gaming mainly due to its Intel Iris Xe graphics card.
Unfortunately, the laptop’s 13-inch screen size and the poor battery may not give you the best experience. The Dell XPS has a 49.5Wh battery, which is pretty small, but can last for many hours with some moderate browsing and typing.
Dell included a 512GB SSD, which you can increase to 1TB, giving you adequate storage space. Moreover, you can accurately capture every moment in your excursions thanks to the laptops’ 2160p world-facing camera and 1080p front-facing camera.
Our only complaint with this laptop is the low battery, making it impossible to travel with the Dell XPS without a charger.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Dell XPS 13 has a lightweight build. | The device has a low battery capacity. |
| It has a detachable keyboard. | Its small screen is not appropriate for gaming. |
| The Intel Core i5 processor provides exceptional performance. | |
| It has HD front and rear cameras (a 2160p rear camera and a 1080p front-facing camera). |
Check out the Dell XPS on Amazon.
Best Detachable 2-In-1 Laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro 8
- 13” touchscreen (2880 x 1920 resolution)
- Windows 11
- Intel Evo platform
- Rechargeable Surface Slim Pen 2
- Surface Signature Keyboard
The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 is the best 2-in-1 laptop when considering detachable PCs. It has a detachable keyboard paired with a stylus pen, allowing artists to draw and paint when inspired. This 13-inch laptop is also the best for Netflix streaming, mainly because it supports Dolby Vision, which adds depth and more colors to your movies.
Furthermore, besides the laptop’s kickstand that makes it convenient to watch movies, the Surface Pro’s 60Hz refresh rate rises to 120Hz, making your content smooth. Microsoft packed this laptop with a Core i5 processor and the Intel Iris Xe Graphics card, giving it sufficient power for multitasking.
You can, however, upgrade to a Core i7 processor with a 1TB SSD if you need more processing power for light editing and gaming. Moreover, this laptop has sufficient battery capacity to power its processor, thanks to its 51.5Wh battery that runs for 16 hours.
This laptop also has various sensors, such as an accelerometer and a gyroscope. And with the Windows Face Authentication feature, it feels like a bargain. Unfortunately, the Slim Pen 2 and signature keyboard are sold separately; this is where the Surface Pro fails.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The Surface Pro is very affordable at $710. | Consumers have to pay extra for the keyboard and stylus pen. |
| The device has a detachable keyboard and a stylus pen. | |
| It has 16 hours of battery life. | |
| The device supports Dolby Vision for improved picture quality. | |
| It has a powerful CPU and GPU. |
Check out the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 on Amazon.
Most Versatile 2-In-1 Laptop: Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15
- 360-degree hinge
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H Evo Processor 2.3 GHz
- 0.2 ms response time
- 4K UHD (3840 x 2160)
Next on our list is the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15, the most versatile 2-in-1 laptop. This 12th-generation option has a 15.6-inch screen with an OLED display, giving content creators a broader viewing angle and better color contrast.
Also, with the laptop’s 16:9 aspect ratio, you can fill your content on the screen and adjust the laptop to either tent mode or tablet mode when working. Running on a Core i7 processor with a 2.3 GHz processor speed that rises to 4.7 GHz, this computer has sufficient power for light gaming, coding, and editing.
Furthermore, the laptop’s Intel Iris Xe graphics card and 120Hz refresh rate will improve your gaming visuals and prevent lagging. You also get a 512GB SSD, upgradable to 1TB, which sufficiently stores your gaming applications and media files.
But where this Asus stands out the most is its 96Wh battery, which gives you sufficient usage time, especially when gaming or streaming movies.
Adding to the laptop’s versatility is an HD camera with an AI noise-canceling feature that filters background noises when on video calls. So, you don’t have to buy headphones when attending online meetings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The laptop has a large screen that can work in multiple modes. | Asus could have paired the powerful processor with more internal storage. |
| It has a powerful Intel Core i7 processor with up to 4.7 GHz output. | |
| It has efficiency features supporting gaming. | |
| The laptop has a 96Wh battery that offers extensive usage time. |
Check out the Asus ZenBook Pro Duo 15 on Amazon.
Best-Designed 2-In-1 Laptop: HP Elite Dragonfly G2
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
- Four top-firing speakers and four discrete amps
- Optional HP Rechargeable Active Pen G3
- Core i5 CPU
Lastly, we have the HP Elite Dragonfly G2, the best-designed 2-in-1 laptop. Thanks to its boundary-breaking slim design, this HP laptop has a premium build, which includes a modernized keyboard with backlit keys.
Its 13.3-inch touchscreen display has a gorilla glass cover that is scratch-resistant. However, you can still draw and write comfortably with the stylus pen. Furthermore, this HP Elite performs as well as it looks.
Operating on a Core i5 processor and with 16 GB RAM, the HP Elite Dragonfly will comfortably handle your browsing and other typing tasks. Also, its Intel Iris Xe graphics card can handle some light video and photo editing, including handling 4K files.
Adding to the laptop’s value is a 56Wh battery that gives you several hours of playback time, but if you adjust your settings, you may squeeze in a few extra hours. The laptop’s 256 GB SSD is its main drawback, even though you can upgrade it. For $2,399, you should get better storage and at least a Core i7 processor.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The laptop has a sleek and slim design. | It is quite costly, given its specifications. |
| The device has a scratch-resistant gorilla glass display. | The 256 GB internal memory is underwhelming. |
| It has reliable battery life. |
Check out the HP Elite Dragonfly G2 on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best 2-in-1 Laptop: Step by Step
Consider the following factors when picking the best 2-in-1 laptop:
- Performance
- Storage
- Battery
- Price
Let’s look at each one in more detail.
Performance
At this point, you may have an idea of what comprises a high-performance laptop. Get a Core i7 laptop if you want a powerful processor suitable for gaming, coding, and video editing. The laptop’s processor speed also matters.
A 4.7 GHz processor with good graphics will comfortably handle all your rigorous applications. However, if you want a 2-in-1 laptop for basic tasks, then a Core i5 processor should suffice.
Storage
Besides considering the storage space, you must pick your preferred hard drive type. Many laptops today use solid-state hard drives because they are fast, quiet, and more suited to today’s slim-designed computers. However, you can still choose traditional hard disk drives, which are cheaper but should be at least 1TB.
Battery
Accounting for battery life is essential when buying a 2-in-1 laptop. A good computer should give you many hours of gaming and playback time on a single charge.
Furthermore, the laptop should have sufficient charge for conference calls to avoid charging it while in a meeting. Lastly, get a laptop with a fast charger for maximum convenience.
Price
Buy a laptop that guarantees good value for money. When shopping, compare the laptop’s specs to determine its worth.
For instance, the HP Elite Dragonfly costs $2,399, which is expensive, considering it’s a Core i5 laptop with a 256 GB SSD. Such a laptop is overpriced because you can get another 2-in-1 laptop with better specs and storage for the same price.
What to Know Before Buying a 2-In-1 Laptop
Remember, there isn’t a perfect 2-in-1 laptop, but you may get a near-perfect computer with the right processor. The laptop’s processor determines its usage. Get a high-processor laptop with sufficient power to handle most, if not all, tasks.
The stylus pen matters. Many believe a stylus pen isn’t mandatory in a 2-in-1 laptop, but it makes navigation easier. You can also explore your artistic side, using the S-pen to draw and paint, which is better than using your fingers.
Lastly, getting a 2-in-1 laptop with a detachable keyboard is essential as you don’t have to buy a tablet. This feature doesn’t necessarily add anything to the laptop’s performance, but it impacts your user experience and avoids spending extra to buy a tablet.
Using a 2-In-1 Laptop: What It’s Like
Unsurprisingly, using a 2-in-1 laptop is similar to using a normal computer. But you can bend the laptop to 180 or 360 degrees, depending on your use. For example, when watching a movie, you can place the laptop in tent mode and have the perfect view without the distracting keyboard.
Alternatively, you can fold the laptop to 360 degrees and set it in tablet mode. This makes it easy to use your stylus pen when taking notes in a meeting or for school work. This versatility is what makes 2-in-1 laptop’s better than typical computers.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock.com.
