We’re still waiting for the perfect hybrid PC that works as both a tablet and a laptop. As we enter 2024, many companies also appear to have abandoned this ideal – but Microsoft, Apple and Samsung still have some options to consider. And we’re still seeing operating system optimizations to make iOS and Android more usable for larger displays. If you’re looking for your next computer and aren’t sure whether it’s a 2-in-1, we’ve rounded up our current top picks here, plus everything you should know before you buy .
Editor’s Note (05/08/2024): Apple has announced a quartet of new iPads, including redesigned 11- and 13-inch iPad Pros with OLED displays, thinner designs and faster M4 chips, an updated 11-inch iPad Air with an updated M2 chip, and an all-new iPad Air with a 13-inch display. There’s also a new Magic Keyboard and an Apple Pencil Pro. As part of the updates, the price of the 10th generation model has permanently dropped to $350. All new devices can be pre-ordered now. Updated versions of the base iPad and iPad mini are still reportedly expected later in 2024. Our current iPad picks below might still work for some people, but everyone else should wait and see how the new hardware performs. We will have full reviews in the near future and update our recommendations accordingly.
Factors to consider before buying a 2-in-1 laptop
When purchasing a 2-in-1 device, there are some basic criteria to consider. First, look at the spec sheet to see how heavy the tablet is (alone and with keyboard). Most modern hybrids weigh less than 2 pounds. If the total weight of the tablet and its keyboard is around 1.5 kilograms, purchasing an ultraportable laptop may be better.
While some 2-in-1s offer built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, not everyone will want to pay the extra for it. Integrated mobile communications make checking emails or replying to messages on the go much more convenient. But it often costs more, and that doesn’t take into account what you pay for the data. As for 5G, you can hold off on it unless you live within range of a mmWave beacon. Coverage is still patchy and existing nationwide networks use slower Sub-6 technology, which is barely faster than LTE. Currently, tethering a PC to your phone is still the best way to get online.
Of course, these machines still have their limitations. Because they are smaller than regular laptops, they tend to have less powerful processors. Keyboards are often less robust, have compact layouts and less travel. Plus, they’re almost always tablets first, so you’ll have to buy a keyboard case separately. (And they aren’t cheap!) So you can’t always assume that the price listed is what you’ll actually spend on the 2-in-1 you want.
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Sometimes it can be just as good to buy a third-party keyboard, and they are often cheaper than first-party offerings. If you’re looking to save some money, Logitech’s Slim Folio is an affordable option, and if you don’t need to connect your keyboard to your tablet, Logitech’s K780 Wireless Multi-Device Keyboard is also a good choice.
While we’ve typically made sure to include a budget 2-in-1 in years past, there’s not much to choose from this time around. Normally we’d go for a Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, like cheaper Android tablets, are underpowered and don’t offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something for around $500 that’s thin, light, and durable, you’re better off getting a traditional laptop this year (like the ones on our best budget PCs list).
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Advertisement: 14-inch OLED touchscreen | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | Weight: 3.19 pounds | R.A.M: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB
Read our full HP Specter x360 14 review
HP’s new Specter x360 14 is our new top pick if you’re looking for a laptop that can occasionally transform into a tablet. It’s a beautiful notebook whose screen can be rotated to different orientations: a tent mode for setting up in bed or on a table, and a tablet mode with the keyboard tucked neatly behind the lid. While it wouldn’t completely replace something like an iPad, the x360’s rotating hinge makes it more versatile than a traditional notebook. It’s perfect for diving into a longer article or PDF file, or taking a few notes with the included pen. The Specter x360 14 is also a solid laptop with an excellent keyboard, an extra-large touchpad, and one of the best PC industrial designs on the market.
- Versatile convertible screen
- The OLED display is incredibly vibrant
- Solid CPU upgrade
- Starts with 16GB RAM
- Excellent keyboard
- Many ports
- HP’s design hasn’t changed in years
- The haptic touchpad is a bit tricky
- Average battery life
$1,449 at HP
Photo by Nathan Ingraham/Engadget
Advertisement: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR touchscreen | CPU: Apple M2 | Weight: 1.5 pounds | R.A.M: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 2TB
Read our full Apple iPad Pro review
If you’re already in the Apple ecosystem, an iPad is obviously the best option for you. The 12-inch Pro is our pick. Like older models, this iPad Pro features an impressive 12.9-inch screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate and a mini-LED backlight. While we’re still waiting for an update model with Apple’s new M3 chip, the existing M2 iPad Pro is still sufficiently powerful and offers excellent battery life.
Apple’s Magic Keyboard offers a satisfying typing experience, and the trackpad means you don’t have to reach for the screen to launch apps. However, it will cost you an additional $300, making it by far the most expensive case on this list. The iPad also lacks a headphone jack and its webcam is awkwardly positioned on the left frame when placed horizontally. So keep in mind that it is far from a perfect laptop replacement. Still, with its slim design and respectable battery life, the iPad Pro 12.9 is a good 2-in-1 device for Apple users.
- The M2 chip is incredibly powerful
- Great battery life
- Screen and industrial design are still top notch
- Handy new Apple Pencil hover feature
- Awkwardly placed front camera
- Stage Manager isn’t quite finished yet
$1,089 at Amazon
SAMSUNG
Advertisement: 12.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X touchscreen | CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 | Weight: 1.3 pounds | R.A.M: Up to 12GB | Storage: Up to 512GB
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra review
While Windows is better than iPadOS and Android when it comes to 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 want to use it as a laptop occasionally, the Galaxy Tab S9+ is a solid option. You can enjoy watching movies and playing games on the beautiful 12.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, and Samsung includes the S Pen, which is great for sketching and note-taking. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 12 GB of RAM (4 GB more than the last model) also ensure everything runs smoothly.
Samsung significantly improved its keyboard case for the S7+ a few years ago, making the Tab an even better laptop replacement. You could type on this thing for hours without hating yourself (or Samsung). The battery life is also great, so you don’t have to worry about being near a power outlet. The biggest disadvantage is that Android isn’t particularly suitable as a desktop operating system. And while Samsung’s DeX mode offers a somewhat viable solution, it has a lot of quirks.
- Nice screen
- Great speakers
- Powerful hardware
- The S Pen responds extremely quickly
- Dex Mode is a surprisingly powerful multitasking interface
$830 on Amazon
Photo by Sam Rutherford / Engadget
Advertisement: 14-inch WQUXGA (3840 x 2400) OLED touchscreen | CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i7 | Weight: 3.09 pounds | R.A.M: 16GB | Storage: Up to 1TB
Read our full review of the Lenovo Yoga 9i
Customizability is a 2-in-1’s greatest strength, as devices like the Yoga 9i can switch to different modes on the fly. Although it has a relatively portable 14-inch OLED display, Lenovo still found room for three USB-C ports, a fingerprint scanner, and a clever rotating soundbar on the Yoga 9i to ensure audio sounds good in any position . Lenovo also includes a free stylus pen, but unlike previous models, the device no longer has a dedicated storage slot for it. It’s also worth noting that while the general design hasn’t changed much for 2023, Lenovo has improved the performance of the Yoga 9i with updated 13th Gen Intel processors.
- Beautiful OLED display
- Powerful speakers
- Strong battery life
- Four USB-C ports
- Physical webcam shutter
- Includes pen and travel case
- Tearful fans
- Flat keyboard
- No integrated pen storage
$1,400 at Lenovo