We’re still waiting for the perfect hybrid computer that works like a tablet and like a laptop. As we enter 2024, it seems many companies have given up on that ideal, too—but Microsoft, Apple, and Samsung still have some options to consider. We’re still seeing operating system tweaks to make iOS and Android better suited to larger displays. If you’re looking for your next computer and are dead set on it being a 2-in-1, here we’ve rounded up our current top picks and everything you should know before buying.
Editor’s note (May 8, 2024): Apple has released four new iPads, including a new 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro with an OLED display, a thinner design, and a faster M4 chip, an updated 11-inch iPad Air with an updated M2 chip, and an updated M2 chip for the new iPad Air. There’s also the new Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro. As part of the update, the price of the 10th-generation model is permanently reduced to $350. All new equipment is currently available for pre-order. According to reports, updated versions of the base iPad and iPad mini are still expected to be launched later in 2024. We will conduct a comprehensive review in the near future and update our recommendations accordingly.
Things to consider before buying a 2-in-1 laptop
When you’re shopping for a 2-in-1, there are some basic criteria to keep in mind. First, check the specs sheet to see how much the tablet weighs (alone, and with the keyboard). Most modern hybrids weigh less than 2 pounds. If the combined weight of the tablet and keyboard approaches 3 pounds, you’re better off buying an ultraportable laptop.
Additionally, while some 2-in-1s offer built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, not everyone is willing to pay the premium price. Integrated cellular radio makes checking email or responding to messages on the go even more convenient. But it also usually costs more, and that doesn’t include what you pay for data. And, as for 5G, you can hold off on using it unless you live within range of millimeter wave beacons. Coverage remains spotty, with existing nationwide networks using slower sub-6 technology that’s only slightly faster than LTE. Currently, connecting a computer to a mobile phone is still the best way to access the Internet.
Of course, these machines still have their limitations. Since they are smaller than regular laptops, they tend to have less powerful processors. Keyboards tend to be less sturdy, with a compact layout and shallow travel. Plus, they’re almost always tablets first, so you’ll need to buy the keyboard case separately. (And these aren’t 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, buying a third-party keyboard can be just as good, and they’re often cheaper than first-party products. Logitech’s Slim Folio is an affordable option if you want to save money, and Logitech’s K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard is also a good choice if you don’t need to connect a keyboard to your tablet.
While we’ve usually made sure to include a 2-in-1 budget in previous years, there aren’t any great options this time around. We’d usually opt for the Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, such as cheaper Android tablets, lack features and don’t offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something thin, light, and durable for around $500, you’d be better off considering a traditional laptop (like the one on our list of the best budget PCs ) this year.
Photography: Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
exhibit: 14-inch OLED touch screen | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125H | weight: 3.19 pounds | Memory: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB
Read our full review of the HP Specter x360 14
If you want a laptop that can occasionally turn into a tablet, HP’s new Specter x360 14 is our new top choice. It’s a handsome laptop with the ability to rotate the screen into a variety of orientations: tent mode, for propping it up on a bed or table, and tablet mode, with the keyboard tucked neatly behind the lid. While it won’t completely replace devices like the iPad, the x360’s rotating hinge makes it more versatile than a traditional laptop. It’s perfect for diving into long articles or PDFs or jotting down some notes using the bundled handwriting notebook. The Specter x360 14 is also a solid laptop in its own right, with a great keyboard, an extra-large trackpad, and the best industrial design of a PC on the market.
- Multifunctional switching screen
- OLED displays are incredibly vibrant
- Solid state CPU upgrade
- Starting from 16GB RAM
- Excellent keyboard
- Large number of ports
- HP’s design hasn’t changed in years
- Tactile trackpad is a bit finicky
- average battery life
HP $1,449
Photo by Nathan Ingraham/Engadget
exhibit: 12.9-inch Liquid Retina XDR touch screen | CPU: Apple M2 | weight: 1.5 lbs | Memory: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 2TB
Read our full review of the Apple iPad Pro
If you’re already into the Apple ecosystem, the iPad is obviously your best choice. The 12-inch Pro is our choice. Like the old model, this iPad Pro has a stunning 12.9-inch screen with a fast 120Hz refresh rate and mini-LED backlight. While we’re still waiting for newer models with Apple’s new M3 chip, the existing M2 iPad Pro is still powerful and offers excellent battery life.
Apple’s Magic Keyboard offers a satisfying typing experience, and its trackpad means you don’t have to reach out to touch the screen to launch apps. But it also costs an extra $300, making it the most expensive case on this list. The iPad doesn’t yet have a headphone jack, and its webcam is awkwardly positioned on the left bezel when you prop it up horizontally, so be warned, 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 great 2-in-1 device for Apple users.
- M2 chips are very powerful
- long battery life
- The screen and industrial design are still top-notch
- Handy new Apple Pencil hover feature
- Awkward position of front camera
- Stage managers are not yet fully mature
Amazon $1,089
Samsung
exhibit: 12.4-inch dynamic AMOLED 2X touch screen | CPU: Snapdragon 8 2nd Generation | weight: 1.3 lbs | Memory: Up to 12GB | Storage: up to 512GB
Read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
While Windows outperforms iPadOS and Android in terms of productivity, it lags behind when it comes to apps designed specifically for touch screens. If you want a tablet that has all the apps you need, and only needs to double as a laptop occasionally, the Galaxy Tab S9+ is a great choice. You can watch movies and play games on its gorgeous 12.4-inch 120Hz AMOLED screen, and Samsung also includes an S Pen, perfect for sketching and note-taking. A Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip and 12GB of RAM (4GB more than the previous model) also keep things running smoothly.
A few years ago, Samsung significantly improved the keyboard case for the S7+, making the Tab a better laptop replacement. You can 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 an outlet. The main thing to note is that Android isn’t very good as a desktop operating system. While Samsung’s DeX mode offers a somewhat workable solution, it has a number of quirks.
- Beautiful picture
- great speaker
- Powerful hardware
- S Pen is responsive
- Dex mode is a very powerful multitasking interface
Amazon $830
Photography: Sam Rutherford/Engadget
exhibit: 14-inch WQUXGA (3840 x 2400) OLED touch screen | CPU: 13th Generation Intel Core i7 | weight: 3.09 lbs | Memory: 16GB | Storage: up to 1TB
Read our full review of the Lenovo Yoga 9i
Adaptability is the biggest advantage of 2-in-1 devices, and a device like the Yoga 9i can instantly transform into a number of different modes. Despite the relatively portable 14-inch OLED display, Lenovo found room on the Yoga 9i for three USB-C ports, a fingerprint scanner, and a clever swiveling soundbar to ensure it’s heard in any position Good audio. Lenovo also includes a free stylus in the box, but unlike previous models, there’s no dedicated storage slot on the machine. It’s also worth noting that while its overall design won’t change much in 2023, Lenovo has improved the Yoga 9i’s performance with updated 13th-generation Intel processors.
- Gorgeous OLED display
- powerful speakers
- Great battery life
- Four USB-C ports
- Physical web camera shutter
- Includes stylus and travel case
- whining fans
- shallow keyboard
- No built-in stylus storage
Lenovo $1,400
