The best 2-in-1 laptops heading into 2024
Overview
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
Samsung Galaxy Book3 360, 15.6-inch
These are the tech, tools, and products — from laptops to e-readers, from earbuds to robovacs, and more — that Mashable ranks best in class.
Table of Contents
UPDATE: Dec. 19, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EST In our quest to find the best 2-in-1 laptops, we're currently in the process of testing several new models. This includes the ultra-popular Lenovo Yoga 7i, the high-end Lenovo Yoga Book 9i, the business-oriented Dell Latitude 9440 2-in-1, and the HP Chromebook 14 Plus x360 from Google's new line of upgraded Chromebooks. Check back soon to see if any of them impressed us enough to nab spots on this list.
In the meantime, we found a temporary replacement for our previous "best 2-in-1 Chromebook pick."
While laptops and tablets are great on their own, sometimes you just need both — at once — without the hassle of having to carry around two devices all day. Enter: The best 2-in-1 laptops (aka hybrid laptops with a convertible design).
2-in-1 laptops are devices you can switch into tablet mode and back again with ease. They've got touchscreen capabilities for drawing and note-taking with a stylus, plus a keyboard that either detaches or swings open on a hinge. They're available at a variety of price points, from entry-level machines to powerful workhorses capable of running video games and professional software like Adobe Photoshop. Simply put, a 2-in-1 laptop allows you to have the best of both devices at your fingertips.
Regardless of how you plan to use your hybrid machine, a good one should strike a great balance between portability and usability. In other words, you’ll want something that can do what you need it to without being too bulky, difficult to convert, or heavy.
There are a lot of really good 2-in-1 laptops out there, but some of them have vastly different capabilities for different kinds of people. If you’re an artist or a designer, you’ll likely want a 2-in-1 laptop with a large screen for drawing or media viewing. If you’re on the go a lot, or if you’re a student, you might want something a little smaller that can easily fit in your backpack. If you’re a writer or use your device for work, you’ll likely want something that feels more like a laptop. But if you’re going to use the touchscreen more than a keyboard, maybe a tablet with detachable accessories is a better option for you.
Below, we've put together a definitive guide to the best 2-in-1 laptops.
Note: All listed specs and prices apply to each model's base configuration.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Best detachable 2-in-1 laptop
The Good & The Bad
- Amazing versatility
- Surface Slim Pen 2 makes taking notes fun
- Kickstand is extremely sturdy
- Lightweight
- 1080p webcam
- Doesn't sit at a good angle for video calls
- Detachable keyboard works well, but feels flimsy
- All accessories sold separately
- No headphone jack
- Not very sturdy on soft surfaces
Why We Like It
After spending some time with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, we can see how it could make a Microsoft fan of even the staunchest Apple die-hard. Yes, it's a powerful device in its own right, but the name of the game here is versatility. (It's also one of our favorite laptops on the market for students.)
As a 2-in-1 laptop, the Surface Pro 9 is extremely impressive. It's a breeze to switch from laptop to tablet mode at a moment's notice, and with the help of the computer's 12th-generation Intel Core processor (which can be upgraded, along with a bunch of other customizable specs), you'll get fast and smooth performance whether you're going handheld or setting up home base at a desk. The Pro 9 is also the first Surface to offer 5G support, which is a welcome addition. Access to all your favorite Android apps, as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming, is here too, which only sweetens the deal.
We loved the new Slim Pen 2, which makes taking notes an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. The ability to handwrite messages and convert them to computer text never ceases to feel like magic, and pulling up your go-to note-taking app by clicking the pen's tip is a fun little gimmick that actually feels useful. Art students will especially love the Slim-Pen-2-Adobe-Suite synergy. The new kickstand is also improved, and feels much more balanced in tabletop mode than any of its predecessors (we still don't recommend using it on your lap, though — it's too unstable).
While we really loved the feel of the Pro 9's detachable keyboard, we couldn't help but feel like it was a little bit flimsy. We don't think this thing would survive any big falls, so we recommend playing it safe and getting a carrying case. One more minor gripe we had with the laptop-tablet combo was the angle it sits at in tabletop mode — it's not great for video calls and makes you look downright awkward on the other end of the camera feed (the camera quality is really good, though). As long as you're OK with everyone on the call staring at your chin, it shouldn't be a dealbreaker for you. Oh, and not having a headphone jack will always be a bummer to us. Sorry!
Details
Lenovo Yoga 9i
Best premium 2-in-1 laptop
The Good & The Bad
- Polished, thin design
- Gorgeous OLED touchscreen
- Fingerprint reader
- Backlit keyboard
- Includes a Lenovo Precision Pen 2
- 1080p webcam
- Great speakers and a built-in soundbar
- Quick-charging feature
- Average battery life
- Disappointing refresh rate
Why We Like It
If you’re in the market for a powerful, premium hybrid laptop, then look no further than the 2023 Lenovo Yoga 9i with the latest 13th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and a beautiful 14-inch OLED touchscreen. Convertible with a 360-degree hinge, this thin and lightweight device comes with a fingerprint reader, a 1080p webcam, two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one-click function keys, and four crystal-clear Bowers & Wilkins speakers (with Dolby Atmos on its built-in soundbar). It also includes a Lenovo Precision Pen 2 worth $59.99, which is really nice.
Its only notable shortcomings are its mediocre refresh rate (up to 90Hz) and its battery life: Lenovo says you can get up to 10.5 hours per charge, so it probably won't last you all day. Thankfully, there is a convenient quick-charging feature.
Details
Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2
Best 2-in-1 laptop for creatives
The Good & The Bad
- Unique pull-forward design
- Stellar build quality
- Great speakers
- Haptic touchpad with adaptive touch mode
- 120Hz refresh rate
- 1080p webcam with AI features
- Built-in Surface Slim Pen 2 storage and charging
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Surface Slim Pen 2 sold separately
Why We Like It
Read Mashable's full review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio 2.
No other 2-in-1 laptop looks or works like Microsoft's new Surface Laptop Studio 2 (aside from the original Surface Laptop Studio, of course): This convertible PC can flip between clamshell, tablet, and easel modes thanks to a pull-forward hinge. Its unique form factor, along with a 120Hz PixelSense Flow touchscreen and stylus support, makes it "an artist’s playground," said Mashable tech editor Kim Gedeon — though the fact that you have to buy its Surface Slim Pen 2 separately is a major bummer. The base model comes with a desktop-grade 13th-gen Intel Core i7 H-series processor, 16GB of RAM for multitasking, and 512GB of storage; you can upgrade its Intel Iris Xe GPU to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 series graphics cards for a couple hundred dollars. Notably, it includes an Intel Neural Processing Unit (NPU) — a first for a Windows computer — which gives its 1080p webcam some cool Auto Framing, Eye Contact, and Background Blur features. Leave this one on your desk, as it weighs in at over four pounds.
Details
ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip
Best 2-in-1 Chromebook
The Good & The Bad
- Doesn't look like a clunky Chromebook
- Comes with a garaged stylus
- 144Hz display
- Backlit RGB keyboard
- Headphone jack
- Expensive for a Chromebook
- A bit heavy
Why We Like It
Note: We're currently hands-on testing some potential replacements for our previous pick, the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436, which was considerably outdated for 2023. (The aforementioned HP Chromebook 14 Plus x360 could be a serious contender.) In the meantime, we found a newer, similarly priced ASUS model with better specs that should serve you well for schoolwork, streaming, and even gaming.
We all know the stigma: Chromebooks are cheap laptops with dinky plastic builds. That's definitely the case for some lower-end models, but this year's ASUS Chromebook Vibe CX34 Flip makes a case that they can be deluxe machines — still without breaking the bank.
Technically a gaming Chromebook, it packs enough power to handle heavier productivity tasks and apps with finesse; you've got a 12th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU with 16GB of memory, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and 512GB of storage to work with in the base model. A backlit RGB keyboard, a garaged stylus, and a sleek 16:10 NanoEdge touchscreen display with an impressive 144Hz refresh rate (the highest out of all the laptops on this list!) whisk it firmly out of "entry-level" territory. It is a bit heavy at nearly four pounds, but a sleek 14-inch frame keeps it passably portable.
You can also find a version of this Chromebook available via Amazon Prime, although with less RAM.
Details
Samsung Galaxy Book3 360, 15.6-inch
Best 2-in-1 laptop for battery life
The Good & The Bad
- Extremely long battery life
- Expandable storage
- Pretty AMOLED touchscreen
- Dolby Atmos speakers
- 1080p webcam
- Backlit keyboard
- Fast-charging feature
- S Pen sold separately
Why We Like It
The 15.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 can last up to 22 hours per charge, which is something you don't really see in any laptop — 2-in-1 or otherwise. (This puts it on par with the 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro powered by the M3 Max chip.) It will catch your eye immediately with its sleek silhouette and gorgeous AMOLED touchscreen — just note that its compatible S Pen is sold separately. Its 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor is hefty enough for photo- and video editing, and it boasts two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI port, a headphone jack, and a slot for a microSD card so you can expand its storage. (The base configuration comes with 512GB.) That's a solid setup considering how thin it is.
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Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, laptops, fitness, and shopping events like Black Friday and Prime Day. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a marketing and management assistant in the music industry.
