We’re still waiting for the perfect hybrid computer that can function as a tablet as well as a laptop. As we enter 2024, many companies seem to have given up on that ideal as well – but Microsoft, Apple and Samsung still have some options to consider. We’re still seeing OS tweaks to make iOS and Android usable for larger displays. If you’re on the hunt for your next PC and ready for a 2-in-1, we’ve rounded up our current top picks and all the information you need to know before you buy.
Editor’s note (08.05.2024): Apple has announced four new iPads, including an overhauled 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pros OLED displays, slimmer designs and faster M4 chips, updated 11-inch iPad Air with an all-new iPad Air with an updated M2 chip and a 13-inch screen. There is a new one Magic keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro also. As part of the updates, the price of the 10th generation model has been permanently reduced 350 dollars. All new devices are currently available for pre-order. Updated versions of the original iPad and iPad mini are still available is expected later in 2024. Our current iPad selection below may still work for some people, but everyone will have to wait to see how the new hardware stacks up. We’ll have full reviews in the near future and update our tips accordingly.
Factors to consider before buying a 2-in-1 laptop
When shopping for a 2-in-1, there are some key criteria to keep in mind. First, look at the specs to see how heavy the tablet is (alone and with keyboard). Most modern hybrids weigh less than 2 kilograms. If the total weight of the tablet and its keyboard is closer to 3kg, you’re better off. ultra portable laptop.
Also, while some 2-in-1s offer built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, not everyone wants to pay a premium for that. An integrated cellular radio makes it more convenient to check emails or reply to messages on the go. But it often costs more, and that’s not counting what you’ll pay for data. As for 5G, if you don’t live within range of a mmWave beacon, you can turn it off. Coverage is still spotty, and existing nationwide networks use the slower sub-6 technology, which is barely faster than LTE. For now, connecting a computer to your phone is still the best way to get online.
These machines still have their limitations, of course. Because they are smaller than proper laptops, they tend to have less powerful processors. Keyboards are often less firm, with a more compact placement and shallower travel. Plus, they’re almost always primarily tablets, giving you the option of buying a separate keyboard case. (And they’re not cheap!) So you can’t always assume that the advertised price is what you’ll actually spend on the 2-in-1 you want.
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Sometimes getting a third-party keyboard can be just as good, and they’re cheaper than first-party offerings. If you want to save some money, Logitech’s Slim Folio is an affordable option, and if you don’t need a keyboard to add to your tablet, Logitech’s K780 Multi-Device wireless keyboard is also a good choice.
While we’ve usually made sure to include a 2-in-1 in the budget in previous years, there isn’t a great option this time around. We’d normally go for the Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, such as cheaper Android tablets, are poor and don’t offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something thin, light, and durable under $500, you’re better off looking at a regular laptop this year (like the ones you have on your PC). list of best budget computers).
Photo Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Display: 14-inch OLED touch screen | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | Weight: £3.19 | RAM: Up to 32 GB | Memory: Up to 2 TB
Read our full review of the HP Specter x360 14
HP is new Specter x360 14 If you want a laptop that can be converted into a tablet from time to time, here’s our new top pick. It’s a beautiful notebook that can flip its screen in different directions: a tent mode to keep it on the bed or a table, and a tablet mode with the keyboard tucked neatly behind the lid. Although it won’t completely replace something like that iPad, the x360’s pivoting hinge makes it more versatile than a regular notebook. It’s perfect for accessing a long article or PDF, or using the compact stylus to jot down some notes. The Specter x360 14 is also a solid laptop in its own right, with an excellent keyboard, oversized touchpad, and the best PC industrial design on the market.
- Versatile replaceable screen
- The OLED display is incredibly vibrant
- Solid CPU upgrade
- It starts with 16GB of RAM
- Great keyboard
- Lots of ports
- HP’s design hasn’t changed in years
- The haptic touchpad is a little finicky
- Average battery life
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
Display: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR touchscreen | CPU: Apple M2 | Weight: 1.5 pounds | RAM: Up to 16 GB | Memory: Up to 2 TB
Read our full review of the Apple iPad Pro
If you are already in the Apple ecosystem, the best option for you is iPad. The 12-inch Pro it’s our choice. Like the older models, this iPad Pro has a stunning 12.9-inch display with a fast 120Hz refresh rate, as well as mini-LED backlighting. While we’re still waiting for Apple’s refresh model with the new M3 chip, the current M2 iPad Pro is still plenty powerful and offers excellent battery life.
Apple’s Magic keyboard offers a satisfying typing experience, and its trackpad means you won’t have to reach for the screen to launch apps. However, it will cost you an additional $300, making it the most expensive on this list. The iPad there’s also no headphone jack, and the webcam sits awkwardly along the left bezel when you raise it horizontally, so be aware that it’s still far from a perfect laptop replacement. Still, with its sleek design and respectable battery life, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a good 2-in-1 for Apple users.
- The M2 chip is incredibly powerful
- Great battery life
- The display and industrial design are still best in class
- Handy new Apple Pencil Hover feature
- Awkwardly placed front camera
- The stage manager is not quite ready yet
SAMSUNG
Display: 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen | CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Weight: 1.3 pounds | RAM: Up to 12 GB | Memory: Up to 512 GB
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
While Windows is better than iPadOS and Android in terms of productivity, it lags behind when it comes to apps designed specifically for touchscreens. If you want a tablet with all the apps you want and only need it to double as a laptop occasionally, the Galaxy Tab S9+ is a solid choice. You’ll enjoy watching movies and playing games on its gorgeous 12.4-inch 120 Hz AMOLED screen, and Samsung includes S Pen, which is great for sketching and taking notes. A Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 12GB of RAM (4GB more than the last model) keep things running smoothly.
Samsung drastically improved the keyboard case for the S7+ a few years ago, making the Tab a better laptop replacement. You could write about this for hours and not hate yourself (or Samsung). The battery life it’s also great so you won’t have to worry about staying close to an outlet. The main caveat is that Android isn’t great as a desktop operating system. While Samsung’s DeX mode offers a somewhat workable solution, it has a lot of quirks.
- Nice screen
- Great speakers
- Powerful hardware
- The S Pen is extremely sensitive
- Dex mode is a surprisingly powerful multitasking interface
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Display: 14-inch WQUXGA (3840 x 2400) OLED touch screen | CPU: 13th generation Intel Core i7 | Weight: £3.09 | RAM: 16GB | Memory: Up to 1 TB
Read our full review of the Lenovo Yoga 9i
It’s the biggest strength of 2-in-1 with devices like compatibility Yoga 9i it can turn into several different modes at once. Despite having a relatively portable 14-inch OLED display, Lenovo still found room in the Yoga 9i for three USB-C ports, a fingerprint scanner, and a smart rotating soundbar to ensure sound sounds good in any position. Lenovo also includes a free stylus in the box, but unlike previous models, the machine no longer has a dedicated memory slot for it. It’s also worth noting that while its overall design hasn’t changed much in 2023, Lenovo has improved the Yoga 9i’s performance with updated 13th generation Intel processors.
- A stunning OLED display
- Powerful speakers
- Strong battery life
- Four USB-C ports
- Physical webcam snapshot
- Includes stylus and travel arm
- Worried fans
- Shallow keyboard
- No internal stylus memory
