Buying Guide: 10 best 2-in-1 laptops 2016: top hybrid laptops reviewed


Best 2-in-1 laptops

Update: We’ve introduced the latest HP Elite x2 to our list of storied 2-in-1 laptops. Find out why it’s been deemed worthy of our roundup in spot #7 below!

A 2-in-1 laptop , or hybrid notebook, is a device that can serve as both a laptop and a tablet, either in a detachable design that sees the touchscreen doubling as a tablet, or a convertible approach in which the notebook’s hinge rotates 360 degrees for a similar effect.

Hybrid laptops are generally priced in a range between $700 (about £450, AU$800) and $2,000 (around £1,169, AU$2,131). However, some manufacturers, like Acer, make budget hybrids, and there are even 2-in-1s designed specifically for the business user, like the Dell Venue 7000 series.

Now that we’re approaching the second year of Windows 10, 2-in-1s are becoming increasingly prevalent across the market. Although a handful of hybrids – such as Microsoft’s fantastic Surface Pro 4, and even the Dell XPS 12 – didn’t quite qualify for this list, that’s not to say 2-in-1s excluded from this list aren’t worth your consideration.

In fact, you might find your needs are better suited for one of the 6 best Windows tablets. With that, here are the best 2-in-1 laptops that we’ve reviewed:

Best 2-in-1 laptop

1. Lenovo Yoga 900

A thoughtfully refined 2-in-1 convertible

CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ 3,200 x 1,800 IPS display | Storage: 256GB SSD

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Gorgeous display Slim design Shallow keyboard Display drivers issues

Whereas the Lenovo Yoga Pro 3 had a winning design and underwhelming performance, the Yoga 900 is the full package. By integrating more powerful Intel Core i processors and a larger battery, Lenovo’s latest flagship convertible can stand toe-to-toe with most Ultrabooks and even Microsoft’s latest Surface Book.

Much of this extra power only contributes to the weight and thickness of the Yoga 900, it still retains a slender physique and flexible frame allowing it to easily fold back into tablet mode.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

2. Microsoft Surface Book

The ultimate Windows 10 hybrid laptop

CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-6300U | Graphics: Intel HD graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense Display | Storage: 128GB PCIe3.0 SSD

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Futuristic design Seamless tablet separation Battery life falls well below promises Major updates are still in tow

In 2015, Microsoft made some noise in announcing the company’s first laptop, the Surface Book. Although there’s still work to be done, namely in its perhaps ill-advised 3:2 aspect ratio and 13.5-inch screen, it’s still one of the best in convertible laptop options.

In its tablet, or Clipboard, mode it’s among the most powerful and thinnest Windows 10 devices on the market. Dock it into the keyboard base, however, and you’re in for a real treat assuming you opt for a discrete GPU configuration.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

3. HP Spectre x360

Sublime. Near-perfect

CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200 | Graphics:Intel HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 4GB DDR3 (1600Mhz) | Screen: 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 FHD Radiance LED-backlit touchscreen | Storage: 128GB SSD

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Superbly thinVibrant, bright displayExcellent performance and battery lifeToo heavy to use as a tabletWeird, wide trackpad

A vote for the HP Spectre x360 is a vote for one of our most recommended machines Complete with an excellent 1080p screen, solid performance, good battery life, and sturdy build quality, the Spectre x360 is one of the best hybrids money can buy, especially considering its modest price point of $999 (£800 AU$1,899).

If it weren’t for the x360’s unwieldy trackpad, this laptop would have easily stood amongst the most highly rated laptops TechRadar has ever reviewed. Despite its flaws, though, the Spectre x360 is still one of the best-looking and powerful devices HP has ever produced and well worth a look over many, many other 2-in-1 laptops. And hey, at least it fared much better than its performance deficient predecessor.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

4. Toshiba Satellite Radius 12

A stylish 4K convertible Ultrabook

CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-6200U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.5-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 TruBrite LED backlit touchscreen | Storage: 256GB SSD

See more Toshiba Satellite Radius 12 deals

Smart design and ergonomics Incredibly colorful screen Strange keyboard layout Dismal battery life

As the first 4K-enabled convertible on the market, the Toshiba Radius 12 is a spectacular machine both inside and out. This sharp 2-in-1 laptop was designed to be held as a tablet just as much as it was meant to be used on your lap.

Thanks to its lightweight and ergonomically designed chassis, this is one transformable notebook you’ll actually want to hold in your hand.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

5. HP Pavilion x2

The most affordable Windows 10 convertible

CPU: 1.44GHz Intel Atom x5-Z8300 | Graphics: Intel HD graphics | RAM: 2GB| Screen: 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800 WXGA WLED IPS touchscreen display | Storage: 32GB eMMC

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Long battery life Absurdly affordable 32-bit Windows 10 Limited storage and memory

Getting into the world of Windows 10 convertibles isn’t cheap unless we’re talking about the Pavilion x2. This 10-inch hybrid comes packing a surprising amount of goods considering its small size. It comes outfitted with an HD screen and more than enough power to get you through a simple day of web browsing and even image editing.

When you’re ready kick back with some streaming media, you can pop off the 10-inch works as a great little tablet. And if you’re looking for something with a bit more screen real estate there’s the 12-inch HP Pavilion x2.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

6. Dell Inspiron 13 7000

An attractive, versatile package

CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core i7-5500 | Graphics: Intel Core i3-5010U processor | RAM: 4GB DDR3L (1,600MHz) | Screen: 13.3-inch HD (1366 x 768) Truelife LED-backlit touchscreen | Storage: 500GB HDD

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Attractive design Sturdy construction Lackluster battery life A little hefty

Though there’s nothing remarkably distinct about the Dell Inspiron 13 7000, it’s a sturdy device that packs both performance and style. What’s best about the Inspiron 13 is its ability to camouflage itself as a conventional laptop. Bend that sucker back like you’re about to break the screen right off the hinge, though, and you’ll be greeted by a flexible tablet design accompanied by shrieks of terror from your colleagues.

If you’re a student or a hardy at-home worker cranking out last-minute assignments in the wee hours of the night, you’ll be delighted to hear that the Inspiron 13 7000’s keyboard, at least according to Dell, is waterproof. We wouldn’t advise, say, resting your steaming hot cup of joe on its alphanumerics, but of course it’s a welcome feature.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

7. HP Elite x2 1012 G1

Impressive usability

CPU: 1.1GHz Intel Core m5-6Y54 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 2.7GHz with Turbo Boost) | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 8GB LPDDR3-1866 SDRAM | Screen: 12-inch, 1,920 x 1,280 FHD UWVA eDP ultra-slim LED-backlit touchscreen | Storage: 256GB M.2 SATA TLC SSD

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Responsive trackpad Clear screen So-so hinge Short battery life

If you’re looking for something more resistant than a Surface Pro but with minimal added weight, the HP Elite x2 1012 G1 is a top contender. Featuring a backlit keyboard, Wacom “Active” pen support, and Thunderbolt 3, the HP Elite x2 1012 G1 is as versatile as it is alluring.

And that goes without mentioning the 12 point stress test the tablet underwent through production. Yes, HP claims that its Elite x2 1012 G1 can endure drops, bumps and temperature shifts that would leave other tablets on the market dead in the streets. $1,349 might seem pricey for a device with only a 1080p display, but the HP Elite x2 1012 G1 is better in action than in description.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

8. Lenovo ThinkPad Yoga 260

A business laptop with a modern twist

CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 12.5-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS, multi-touch | Storage: 512GB SSD (SATA3)

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Premium build quality Snappy keyboard Poorly-colored display Short battery life

The Yoga 260 is in every way a modern re-imagining of the classic ThinkPad, complete with a rotating touchscreen, responsive recharging stylus and Skylake processor. Thanks to the onboard Intel Core i7 processor, this machine is ready to chew through everyday tasks without skipping a beat.

We wished the battery life and color-faded screen were a little less subpar but if you can stand for the shortcomings, there’s a versatile and feature-packed laptop waiting for you in the Yoga 260.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

9. HP Spectre x360 15

This 15-inch hybrid is more portable than you think

CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-6200U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 Full HD, IPS touchscreen | Storage: 256GB Flash SSD

See more HP Spectre x360 15 deals

Contrast-rich screen Long battery life for its size Poor ergonomics Weak speakers for their size

The Spectre x360 15 is an excellent 2-in-1 laptop that stands out with its thin, all-metal body. It features an excellent 15-inch IPS touch panel and it only gets better if you add on the affordable 4K screen.

What’s more, the battery life on the x360 15 is surprisingly unhindered by the high resolution display. Those unimpressed by lengthy battery lives and more focused on sleek, ambidextrous designs, however, should scroll down to what’s next on our list.

Best 2-in-1 laptop

10. Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi

Asus’ thin and gorgeous 2-in-1 laptop

CPU: 1.2GHz Intel Core M 5Y71 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 5300 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 12.5-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 capacitive multi-touch IPS display | Storage: 128GB SSD

See more Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi deals

Flexible and versatile Thin and light design Micro-sized ports Unimpressive battery life

If you’re looking for a 2-in-1 machine with portability to boot, there aren’t many devices that beat the Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi. This 12.5-inch convertible is among one of the thinnest in its class and taking the screen off the keyboard base turns the T300 Chi into a true Windows tablet.

Though the device is powered by a low-wattage processor, it packs enough punch to drive a 4K display, getting you through all your daily tasks. Sadly, battery life is a little on the short side and you’ll have to cope without full-size USB and HDMI ports, but otherwise this is an excellent and affordable hybrid.

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

Source: techradar.com

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25 Comments
  1. Reply Prof. Alphonso Cummerata May 31, 2016 at 8:12 pm

    It should be there but at the moment Lenovo can't deliver the stylus with the 15 one (despite what their web site say)

  2. Reply Genoveva Muller May 31, 2016 at 8:19 pm

    The new Microsoft Surface Books are the closest thing to the ideal device but they need to get a better dGPU built into the keyboards before they show any significant value. Currently they are sporting the equivalent to a GT940m with 1GB GDDR5 memory.

    They need a minimum of a GTX970 to be of true value for the price being asked.

  3. Reply Elmore Robel May 31, 2016 at 8:21 pm

    I've a Sony Vaio Fit 15".. still the best one… it flips the screen back then closes the lid on top of the keyboard… So no worries about crushing the keyboards underneath, and a full size laptop. I use it as a tablet in my train commute and laptop at work or home.

  4. Reply Ardith Bergnaum MD May 31, 2016 at 9:57 pm

    Looks like this is a 2016 update of a 2015 article, and what a shoddy job you've done of it! As I say to my kids: "read through what you've written before you submit it". I am amazed at the number of errors in the above…

  5. Reply Tiana Haag May 31, 2016 at 10:20 pm

    lenovo machines are solid but their customer support and recent downturns are concerning.

  6. Reply Mrs. Erica Haag V May 31, 2016 at 10:31 pm

    That's pretty hard for a slim laptop keyboard

  7. Reply Mrs. Earnestine Toy May 31, 2016 at 11:19 pm

    Totally agree

  8. Reply Andrew Jerde May 31, 2016 at 11:24 pm

    It annoys me that number 1 is the i5 surface pro but the links are to the m3 version which is wayyyy inferior

  9. Reply Dr. Dallin Willms May 31, 2016 at 11:24 pm

    No Surface Pro 4??.. The king of the 2in1's…. What the what??? If the keyboard doesn't detach no ones using it as a tablet. The Surface Pro is the post portable and one of the most powerful laptops on the market.

  10. Reply Gino Oberbrunner May 31, 2016 at 11:48 pm

    Acer Aspire R13 is the best Convertible Laptop…Good Performance, Strong Battery life and Fantastic Graphics…Modes are limitless, it can go to ipad mode in two ways…No cons for me yet as per this laptop.

  11. Reply Dr. Delta Hintz DVM June 1, 2016 at 12:06 am

    Not the Yoga 3 Pro because it's battery life is garbage and the M processor crippled it. Go for the Spectre if you liked the form factor of the Yoga Pro 3

  12. Reply Mr. Stefan Stracke II June 1, 2016 at 12:08 am

    HP Pavilion X2 10.1… supports an active stylus and has a softcover (now hard) keyboard included. Decent laptop replacement.

  13. Reply Hulda Dickinson June 1, 2016 at 1:06 am

    The graphics in the keyboard for the surface book is Genius. Think of the upgrade possibilities if Microsoft continues with this!!!

  14. Reply Garth Anderson MD June 1, 2016 at 1:53 am

    No penabled tablet exists with the scope of handling high end games like fallout 4 at reasonable framerates of 30fps+

    Best bet is to buy a wacom medium sized tablet and use this with your more powerful laptop that has lots of ram, a GTX card.. NOT GT , 16 to 32gb ram and a quad core latest gen processor, not the watered down dual cores they push in most 'gaming' laptops. If you do the right research you can end up with a powerful portable workstation also capable of high end gaming and it won't cost an arm and leg.

    Alternatively you can wait for a penabled lappie with GTX dedi graphics, 16+ gb ram and quad core latest gen i7+ processor to get released but might not happen till next year if at all.

  15. Reply Rowena Bogisich June 1, 2016 at 3:30 am

    all acers, asus and hp machines i have owned have bad hinges n display issues. Samsung are ok never tried toshiba

  16. Reply Armand Medhurst June 1, 2016 at 3:45 am

    Actually R7 is the best kept secret in laptops imo. And they went and screwed it up with the new "edition" where the moved the mouse pad before the keyboard. You can also get it pretty cheap these days, as people are selling them.

  17. Reply Ms. Janessa Langosh MD June 1, 2016 at 3:52 am

    The main reason I will not buy one. PS – Like your posting name

  18. Reply Caroline Gleason June 1, 2016 at 4:41 am

    Lol, is fool that you argue that ONE brand is the only option, there is no BETTER product, they all adjust to an specific need. And people to people have DIFFERENT needs, so stop being close minded.

  19. Reply Litzy Feil V June 1, 2016 at 5:15 am

    which is the best for gaming and drawing with stylus? can run fallout 4 and use photoshop?

  20. Reply Rickey Volkman June 1, 2016 at 5:19 am

    I call bullshit. Pretty much any new medium/high end laptop is able to handle high end games without any issues. I'm thinking Lenovo y50 and it's kin.

  21. Reply Cleora Connelly June 1, 2016 at 5:29 am

    I've been extremely pleased with X230t and X61t. Got myself a Helix that has given me nothing but troubles. It's been on warranty repairs twice to no avail and is unstable after upgrade to Win.10, weird bugs and an office program suite that keeps crashing. Lenovo has a serious challenge if they want to maintain the ThinkPad brand and defininitely lost me as a loyal business customer. Just now unpacking my new Dell as a replacement try-out.

  22. Reply Vincent Doyle June 1, 2016 at 5:56 am

    Ummm it's #3?

  23. Reply Lauryn Cole June 1, 2016 at 6:04 am

    I can't speak to the Vaio Duo debacle; I've heard similar reports. I'm on my fourth – a VAIO S15 Core I7. Since I'm hoping Vaio returns to the US, I performed surgery on my machine, removed the optical drive and installed 2 Samsung EVO PRO 1Tb SSDs (not in RAID) just C and D. Very, Very happy. I work in graphics software all day long and its like a brand new machine. I have a Z for travel. Shame that Vaio lost its way – here's hoping that they resurrect.

  24. Reply Theresa Collins June 1, 2016 at 8:09 am

    Same thing, have the X230t and waiting for better … look at Yoga 15. I've upgraded one to 32Gb of RAM with IM modules
    Only problem with this one, I was expecting a stylus but Lenovo can't make the stylus work. They say it have it, in reality it doesn't, it is an option .. but not an available option :-). Then after month, the option is finally available but commands have been canceled as the stylus finally doesn't work. So if you don't need the stylus, it can be a good option. If you need a stylus, just pray for Lenovo to sell what they say they are selling

  25. Reply Prof. Lisette Bergstrom Jr. June 1, 2016 at 8:27 am

    Optical drives are pretty much obsolete these days with USB being very cheap, fast, reusable and able to store much more data. And especially in these paper thin 2-in-1s where every bit of space matters, there is absolutely no reason to waste in on an optical drive.

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