Top Picks: The Ultimate Guide to the Top Performing 2-in-1 Laptops

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We’ve reviewed our recommendations and have updated multiple picks below. Check it out!

Laptops and tablets work well together, but a device that combines both is the ultimate productivity machine for many people. 2-in-1 laptops combine the classic laptop form factor with a touch-screen tablet mode, letting you transform between both modes.

UPDATE: 10/24/2023

We’ve reviewed our recommendations and have updated multiple picks below. Check it out!

Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1

Best 2-in-1 Laptop Overall
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ASUS VivoBook Flip 14

Best Budget 2-in-1 Laptop
$600 at Amazon

Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1

Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Students
See at Best Buy

ASUS ROG Flow X16

Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Gaming
See at Best Buy

acer chromebook spin 713

Best 2-in-1 Chromebook
$799 at Amazon

See More

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Best 2-in-1 Laptop for Drawing
$1000 at Amazon

What to Look For in a 2-in-1 Laptop in 2023

2-in-1 laptops are often thin, light devices with a touchscreen and a hinge mechanism that lets them work in both a “laptop” and “tablet” mode. They may also come with a stylus or a detachable keyboard, but these are not always guaranteed. It’s also important to note that due to the unique build of 2-in-1 laptops, they have a bit of a premium attached compared to normal laptops with similar specs.

But like any other laptop, you’ll want to keep an eye on important hardware to make sure your 2-in-1 works the way you need it to. While processors and graphics cards are important, the laptop’s touch screen is the most critical aspect, as you’ll be using the screen more often than the keyboard or trackpad. You’ll need to ensure you have at least a Full HD resolution screen with decent color saturation and brightness—anything below this will make it difficult to use the 2-in-1 in tablet mode.

You can also generally can pick between a Windows computer and a Chromebook for a 2-in-1. If you’re looking for a Windows device, aim for an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 CPU, at least 8GB of RAM , and at least 512GB of SSD storage so the OS can run smoothly.

You can get away with slightly lower specs for a Chromebook , as ChromeOS is less power-intensive than Windows. But, you may have trouble finding models with a lot of internal storage. You’ll need to buy an external hard drive or rely on cloud storage for many Chromebooks.

If you’re looking for a 2-in-1 laptop for creative work, you’ll need to ensure certain specs are good enough to handle what you do. For example, if you’re looking to draw on your 2-in-1, the touch screen and stylus functionality are very important; for photo editing, the screen’s color accuracy is a key factor.

For a gaming 2-in-1 laptop, you must ensure the graphics card (GPU) is good enough for your games. Since these are thin laptops, top-of-the-line GPU options are rare. However, make sure you check the GPU’s wattage before making a choice, especially if it’s an NVIDIA GPU. The wattage for the same GPU model differs across laptops, as does performance.

Finally, most 2-in-1 laptops rely on a hinge mechanism for its laptop-to-tablet convertible action. Regarding reliability, the hinge on a 2-in-1 is one of the essential components, given how much you will fold the laptop over itself. As such, you should ensure the hinge mechanism is strong and sturdy—even the most powerful 2-in-1 laptop is useless if the hinge breaks easily.

How Did We Research
Models Evaluated	Hours Researched	Reviews Analyzed
19	23	26

How-To Geek’s product recommendations come from the same team of experts that have helped people fix their gadgets over one billion times. We only recommend the best products based on our research and expertise. We never accept payment to endorse or review a product. Read More »

Best 2-in-1 Laptop Overall: Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 4K OLED

Lenovo

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Pros	Cons
Fantastic OLED display	More expensive than many competitors
Powerful hardware inside
Solid selection of ports
Stylus pen included in the box

There are plenty of things to look for in a 2-in-1, but some of the most important facets are that it’s thin, light, and powerful. This combination lets the strengths of the 2-in-1 design truly shine though, as perfectly shown by the latest-generation Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 4K OLED .

We’re looking at one of the more spec’d-out versions of the Yoga 9i, which means you get an Intel Core i7-1360P processor. This CPU is paired with 16GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD for plenty of storage. Since this is more of a productivity-focused computer, you don’t get a dedicated GPU, but you don’t really want the extra bulk and heat in a 2-in-1 anyway.

One of the best aspects of a 2-in-1 is the ability to act as a tablet, and this means a good touch screen is important. While all Yoga 9i models have solid screens, we’re looking at the 4K OLED version, which is the nicest of the available options. Specifically, you get a 3840 x 2400 resolution and a relatively standard brightness of 400 nits, though the black levels that OLED gets you may make for better apparent contrast.

When it comes to ports, the Yoga 9i won’t leave you wanting. You get a pair of Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-C 3.2 port, and a USB-A 3.2 port. While you don’t get a HDMI port, both the Thunderbolt connections support DisplayPort. When it comes to wireless connectivity, you get both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity.

Lenovo estimates a maximum battery life of up to 10.5 hours from the 4-cell battery, which is solid for a 2-in-1. With a maximum power supply voltage of 100 watts, you should be able to charge the Yoga 9i as well.

Finally, one nice extra here is that unlike many other 2-in-1 laptops, you get a stylus pen included in the box instead of having to buy one separately.

Best 2-in-1 Laptop Overall