Two-in-one laptops, also known as convertible laptops, have become immensely popular in recent years due to their unmatched versatility. These innovative devices can transform between a regular clamshell laptop to a handy tablet by flipping the screen a full 360 degrees. Some 2-in-1 models even allow you to detach the keyboard for pure tablet functionality.
If you‘re considering getting a 2-in-1 laptop in 2024, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the top options worth buying along with their standout features, pros and cons. We‘ve evaluated all the latest offerings based on critical factors like performance, design, display quality, portability and value.
How We Chose the Best 2-in-1 Laptops
In selecting the top 2-in-1 laptops for 2024, we compared over 50 models from leading manufacturers like Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft and more. We assessed them on the following key criteria:
Processing power: Needs at least an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor or equivalent AMD Ryzen CPU for solid everyday performance. Top picks have 12th Gen Core i7 for max speed.
Graphics: Models with Intel Iris Xe or AMD Radeon graphics are best for some gaming and creative work on the side. Nvidia GPUs offer even better visuals.
Display: We favored brighter and more vibrant OLED and AMOLED touchscreen panels with at least Full HD (1920 x 1080p) resolution.
Memory and storage: Look for at least 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD, with 16GB and 512GB being ideal.
Battery life: Should reliably deliver 8+ hours of use on a charge. Fast charging capability is a major plus.
Design: Thinner, lighter chassis with sturdy 360-degree hinges suit frequent tablet use. Detachable designs are great too but often cost more.
Features: Models with Thunderbolt 4, latest Wi-Fi 6, plenty of ports, bundled styli and premium audio excel in usability.
Based on these parameters, we picked the absolute best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy in 2024 in different price ranges.
The 6 Best 2-in-1 Laptops in 2024
1. Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Book2 Pro 360
The aptly named Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 is Samsung‘s newest premium 2-in-1 convertible and a force to be reckoned with. It checks all the right boxes to be the best overall option for 2024.
Inside its super slim 0.45 inch aluminum chassis, you get a state-of-the-art 12th Gen Evo Intel Core i7 processor clocked at insane speeds up to 4.9GHz. This blazing fast chip along with 16GB LPDDR5 RAM lets you run dozens of demanding apps without lag. The Iris Xe graphics also enables you to enjoy some light gaming between work.
A highlight of the Book2 Pro 360 is its stunning 15.6 inch touchscreendisplay with Samsung‘s signature vibrant AMOLED technology at 1080p resolution. Visuals really pop on this panel with deep blacks and lively colors, further enhanced by HDR capabilities.
In terms of features, you get two Thunderbolt 4 ports for rapid data transfers, a MicroSD reader, Fingerprint reader for biometric security, Dolby Atmos Speakers and even an integrated S Pen with tilt controls for convenient notetaking or sketching in tablet mode.
The large 68Wh battery lasts over 10 hours of typical usage and charges quickly via USB-C PD. Overall with its blazing performance packaged in a super portable machined aluminum chassis starting at just 3.06 pounds, the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 is undoubtedly the most well-rounded 2-in-1 for 2024.
Key Specs:
- 12th Gen Intel Evo Core i7-1260P
- 15.6" 1080p AMOLED Display
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 2 x Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, MicroSD, Fingerprint reader
- Built-in S Pen
- 68Wh Battery
Pros:
- Blazing fast 12th Gen Intel performance
- Brilliant 15.6" AMOLED touchscreen
- Long battery life with fast charging
- Built-in S Pen for drawing/notes
- Premium metal design still decently lightweight
Cons:
- Expensive
- No discrete GPU option
2. Best for Business: HP Spectre x360 16
If you‘re looking for a premium 2-in-1 convertible specifically for tackling business needs on-the-go, the HP Spectre x360 16 is your best bet. Its gorgeous 16-inch 3:2 display gives you mucho more vertical space which really maximizes productivity.
It‘s equipped with a latest 12th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB RAM and speedy 1TB SSD which makes it an absolute workhorse. The roomy keyboard and touchpad are also a delight to use when churning through documents and spreadsheets for hours. And business users will certainly appreciate the integrated security features like a fingerprint reader and webcam shutter key.
The Spectre x360 16 features some other nice touches as well. HP‘s clever Control Center app lets you easily manage performance profiles, monitor system vitals and more. The 91Wh battery lasts nearly a full workday while quick charging gives you 50 percent juice in 45 minutes.
And despite having a larger 16-inch screen, clever engineering keeps this 2-in-1‘s weight under 4.5lbs so it‘s still quite portable. If you want a premium convertible laptop tailored for business usage with extra vertical space, the Spectre x360 16 is easily worth the investment.
Key Specs:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H
- 16" 3:2 3072 x 1920 Touch Display
- 16GB LPDDR5 RAM
- 1TB SSD Storage
- Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 91Wh Battery
- Fingerprint Reader
Pros:
- Tall 16" 3000 x 2000 touchscreen
- Potent 12th Gen Core i7 CPU
- Long battery life with quick charging
- Loads of business-centric features
- Premium metal design still decently portable
Cons:
- Very expensive
- No discrete GPU
3. Best Portable: Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2
If maximizing portability is your top concern, look no further than the ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2. Weighing just 3.02 lbs, this featherweight 2-in-1 flaunts Lenovo‘s tried and tested ThinkPad construction mixed with some modern refinements. The MIL-STD 810H rating ensures it can withstand all kinds of abuse during travel.
You get zippy performance from a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor plus 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD. Battery life is equally impressive – up to 13.5 hours on a charge! The 13.3-inch IPS touchscreen with Dolby Vision is sharp enough for document work and media viewing. And business users will appreciate the ThinkPad‘s legendary keyboard and handy port selection including two Thunderbolt 4 ports.
As expected from a ThinkPad, you also get military grade security features like dTPM encryption and optional IR camera with Windows Hello. There‘s even an integrated pen garage for securely stowing the optional stylus when not scribbling notes. If you want a really durable and portable 2-in-1 for non-stop travel, the ThinkPad X13 Yoga Gen 2 is extremely capable while being ultra lightweight.
Key Specs:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U
- 13.3” 1920×1200 IPS Touch Display
- 16GB LPDDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD Storage
- Integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- 51Wh Battery
- MIL-STD 810H rating
Pros:
- Extremely lightweight at 3 lbs
- Military grade durable construction
- 13+ hours battery life
- Zippy 12th Gen Intel performance
- Lots of security and business features
Cons:
- Optional stylus costs extra
- No 4K display option
4. Best Detachable: Microsoft Surface Pro 9
The newly launched Surface Pro 9 stands atop the category of detachable 2-in-1s which transform completely into tablets. While previous models have been plagued by battery life issues, the Surface Pro 9 fixes that with over 15 hours of endurance.
It equips 12th Gen Intel or ARM-based mobile processors so you have the choice between raw power or extreme efficiency. Both chip options deliver snappy responsiveness in day-to-day work along with the ability to tackle demanding creative applications. This versatility is aided by up to 32GB RAM and 1TB storage.
Microsoft’s iconic 2-in-1 impresses in the display department as well with a sharp 13” touchscreen in 120Hz refresh rate. The 2880 x 1920 PixelSense panel renders images and video beautifully. On the connectivity front, you get Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, Surface Connect and more.
Of course, the Surface Pro signature features include Windows Hello face authentication, 5MP front camera, Dolby Atmos speakers and a wide range of attachable Type Covers for comfortable typing experience. Starting at just 1.94lbs without the keyboard, the latest Surface Pro 9 hits the right balance of performance and portability.
Key Specs:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U OR Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3
- 13" 120Hz 2880 x 1920 Touch Display
- Up to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM
- Up to 1TB Removable SSD
- Intel Iris Xe or Qualcomm Adreno GPU
- Up to 15.5 hours battery life
Pros:
- Detachable design with kickstand
- Sharp 120Hz high res touchscreen
- Over 15 hours battery life
- Powerful Intel/Snapdragon options
- Excellent port selection with Thunderbolt 4
Cons:
- Type Covers sold separately
- Pricey top-spec models
5. Best Budget: Asus VivoBook Flip 14
If you‘re shopping for a 2-in-1 on a budget, the Asus VivoBook Flip 14 gives you plenty of bang for buck. It carries AMD‘s latest mid-range Ryzen 5 5500U processor which offers smooth productivity performance. You also get a 512GB SSD plus 8GB DDR4 RAM for zippy multitasking.
The 14-inch 1080p touchscreen display is quite vibrant with wide viewing angles useful in tablet orientation. Battery life is equally impressive – up to 14 hours video playback per charge. Plus 67Wh batteries charge from 0 to 60 percent in under 50 minutes.
Despite the affordable pricing, the VivoBook Flip 14 retains premium touches like an all-metal chassis available in fun colors, backlit keyboard, fingerprint sensor and ErgoLift design for comfortable typing. The bundled Asus Pen provides basic stylus functionality as well. If you want reliable 2-in-1 versatility on a budget, the VivoBook Flip 14 hits a sweet spot.
Key Specs:
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U Processor
- 14" 1920 x 1080 IPS Touch Display
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- 67Wh Battery
Pros:
- Sharp 14" Full HD touchscreen
- Long battery life with fast charging
- Capable AMD Ryzen 5 performance
- Premium metal design with backlit keyboard
- Bundled Asus Pen stylus included
Cons:
- No Thunderbolt support
- 8GB RAM limits heavy multitasking
6. Best 17-inch Display: HP Envy x360 17
Creative professionals and hardcore media junkies seeking maximum real estate will love the HP Envy x360 17. As the name suggests, it packs a huge 17.3-inch IPS touchscreen letting you really stretch out. The WQXGA 2560 x 1600 resolution and 100% sRGB coverage produce a gorgeous canvas for graphics work.
Making all those pixels fluid is an AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor which juggles demanding creative software with ease. You also get 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD and Radeon integrated graphics. Battery life is quite solid too thanks to a large 83Wh pack preserving charge for close to 9 hours even with heavy usage.
Despite the desktop-sized screen, the Envy x360 17 manages to stay portable thanks to clever construction keeping thickness under 0.8 inches. Creative professionals who desire desktop-class space for content creation will find this 17-inch 2-in-1 convertible hard to beat even with its high price tag.
Key Specs:
- AMD Ryzen 7 5800U
- 17.3" WQXGA 2560 x 1600 IPS Touchscreen
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 512GB SSD Storage
- AMD Radeon Graphics
- 83Wh Battery
Pros:
- Massive, super sharp 17" display
- Powerful 8-core AMD Ryzen 7 CPU
- Good battery life despite large screen
- 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM
- Surprisingly portable for screen size
Cons:
- Very expensive
- No discrete GPU option
What to Consider When Buying a 2-in-1 Laptop
With so many 2-in-1 options available today at varied prices, you need to assess your exact needs before choosing the right model. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:
Intended Use: Think about your primary applications – whether that‘s everyday browsing/productivity work, business programs, creative tools for editing media, gaming etc. This determines the level of processing power and graphics capability needed.
Display Quality: The display forms a big chunk of the user experience on a 2-in-1 since you‘ll be utilizing it in both laptop and tablet modes. So aside from sufficient sizing, check the panel technology (IPS, AMOLED etc.), touch responsiveness, color reproduction, brightness levels and resolution.
Performance Hardware: Pick 2-in-1 laptops having at least 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processors or equivalent AMD Ryzen CPUs for everyday multitasking needs. Creative pros should get 12th Gen Core i7 or higher chips along with better integrated/discrete GPUs for complex software.
Battery Life: Look for at least 8 to 10 hours of runtime from a full charge based on your typical workload. Support for fast charging is also highly desirable for quickly topping up when running low.
Memory and Storage: While 8GB RAM is generally okay for regular users, get 16GB for further futureproofing. For storage, choose models with 512GB SSDs as they offer much speedier loading/saving of files compared to HDDs.
Dimensions and Weight: Since you‘ll be using a 2-in-1 as a tablet for reading, browsing, streaming shows etc, thinner and lighter models usually deliver better handheld experience. But this often comes at a higher cost.
Operating System: Most 2-in-1 laptops today ship with Windows 11 for access to the widest range of productivity and creative applications. Premium models offer optional Linux or ChromeOS configurations too but app support may be limited.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2-in-1 Laptops
Q: Are 2-in-1 laptops good for gaming?
While occasional gaming is fine, most 2-in-1s lack the powerful dedicated GPUs required for smoothly running heavy 3D games at high frame rates. For serious gaming needs, get a traditional gaming laptop.
Q: Can I use Bluetooth keyboards/mice with 2-in-1 laptops?
Yes, all modern 2-in-1 laptops support standard Bluetooth HID peripherals when being used in laptop mode for additional flexibility. Some models even let you pair multiple devices.
Q: Is a backlit keyboard worth it on a 2-in-1?
Backlit keyboards may seem trivial but greatly aid typing comfort when using a 2-in-1 laptop in dim lighting scenarios – something bound to happen during travel usage. So they are certainly worth investing in if within budget.
Q: Do all 2-in-1 models include stylus pens?
Unfortunately no. Many budget 2-in-1 laptop models skip onboard stylus silos requiring separate purchase of supported pens. So having bundle options or built-in slots for stowing styluses when not in use is a convenience factor.
Q: How is build quality on most 2-in-1 laptops?
Premium 2-in-1 models designed for frequent mobility use are usually constructed from aluminium or magnesium-alloy metal chassis which can take some abuse. Several business-centric models also boast of MIL-STD-810 certification for durability.
I hope this guide has given you clarity in choosing the perfect 2-in-1 laptop matching both your needs and budget. While it may seem complicated assessing their varying features, fundamentally you want great performance packed into a slim yet durable chassis – something all of our top recommended models here deliver on splendidly!
