We live in an age where technology is all around us, and the smartphone reigns supreme. Despite the fact that touch screens appear to be the future of computing (sadly), it is difficult (if not impossible) to complete certain jobs without a full keyboard, which is why today’s post is about the best 2 in 1 laptops 2021 money can buy.
To begin, a best 2 in 1 laptops 2021 is a hybrid, also known as a tablet laptop hybrid. These hybrids will make a major reappearance in 2020, so if you want the best of both worlds, keep reading because you’re in for a genuine treat.
The issue is, convertible best 2 in 1 laptops 2021 are becoming more affordable by the day, and are now virtually as cheap as their clamshell counterparts. While we’re at it, take a look at our article on the best cheap laptops.
To put it simply for our readers, if you want the best blend of usability and mobility, a 2 in 1 laptop is hard to better; keep in mind that convertibles are especially great for kids and college students since they are optimized for drawing and media viewing.
List of Best 2-in-1 Laptops 2021
Microsoft Surface Book 3
The legendary Microsoft Surface Book 3, a high-end tablet-first convertible built by Bill Gates’ dream team of tech nerds, is our first option for today. For nearly $2000, you’ll get a quad-core Intel Core I7 CPU (tenth generation), 16 GB of RAM, and a speedy 256 GB SSD. The display is a 13.5-inch touchscreen, and the next question is: why would you pay $2000 for these specs?
One of the first reasons that comes to mind is perpetual life, as the Surface Book 3 offers 15 hours of autonomy on a single charge. Yes, it’s as impressive as it sounds, and the same goes for connectivity: you’ll get USB A and Type C connectors, as well as a full-size SD card slot.
Furthermore, the display is removable, so you can always grab it and run away with it to a conference or wherever you like. The Surface Book 3 boasts dual 1080p cameras, dual far-field Studio Mics, and immersive Dolby Atmos sound for live streaming and social media activities, while the full-size keyboard is ideal for both productive typists and coders.
The touchscreen display is amazing, with 402 nits of brightness and 3000 x 2000 resolution, making the Surface Book 3 seem and feel like an exceptionally premium best 2 in 1 laptops 2021, but the high price tag, which is comparable to a MacBook Pro, may be disappointing for some. However, if design and build quality are important to you, the good news is that the Surface Book 3 doesn’t get much better than this.
The keyboard is one of the nicest we’ve ever seen, the connectivity is good (2x USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 1x USB 3.1 Gen 2 USB-C port, 3,5mm socket, full-sized SDXC card reader), and, most crucially, the Surface Book 3 is gaming-ready thanks to the on-board GTX 1660 Ti GPU.
Bottom line, if you want Microsoft’s best, it’s difficult to argue with the Surface Book 3; additionally, if you want to create and/or consume a lot of material, and especially if you want to wow your friends, the Surface Book 3 comes highly recommended.
Lenovo Flex 5
When you consider the pricing and then the technical specifications, it’s easy to see why the Lenovo Flex 5 is on our list of the best 2 in 1 laptop. For a few hundred dollars, you can obtain a 14-inch screen (FHD/1080p), a brand new AMD Ryzen 5 4500U CPU, Radeon Vega 6 graphics, 16 GB of RAM, and a lightning-fast 256 GB SSD.
In addition, the Lenovo Flex 5 comes with Windows 10 preloaded and a digital pen in the retail packaging. To make a long and boring story short and interesting, the Lenovo Flex 5 packs a lot of power, weighs only 3.64 lbs while being only 0.82″ thick, costs peanuts, has 10 hours of autonomy on a single charge, and can be used in Tablet mode or Laptop mode thanks to its 3600 hinge.
What else can you ask for? Considering the “all-plastic” chassis, build quality is exceptional, and the keyboard deck is rubberized for improved grip; the laptop can be opened with one hand, yet the hinge is as sturdy as it gets. Furthermore, there are no creaks, and the new Vega 6 GPU is approximately 10% quicker than the Vega 8 GPU in the 3500U.
It’s worth noting that AMD’s Ryzen 5 is one of the greatest mid-range CPUs available, some say even better than Intel’s latest Core i5, making the Lenovo Flex 5 ideal for heavy productivity multitasking, including picture and video editing.
The soft-touch chassis includes 2x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A, a power port, a USB Type C, HDMI, a full-size S.D, and an audio combo jack, as well as 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2. The keyboard is lighted and provides a pleasant typing experience. Bottom line, if you want powerful performance at an affordable price, the Lenovo Flex 5 will not disappoint.
Microsoft Surface Pro 7
The Microsoft Surface Pro 7 is the successor to the Surface Pro 6, and it is an improvement on an already superb Windows 10 tablet. The Pro 7 retains the same design as the 2017 Surface Pro 5, but it now includes the latest Intel processors and a USB Type C port.
The Pro 7 is a high-end machine in terms of design, with premium materials and build quality, such as a textured magnesium shell, rounded edges, and Microsoft’s outstanding kickstand on the rear. The 12.3″ responsive touchscreen is stunning and clear, with a resolution of 2736 x 1824 pixels and 395 nits of brightness; also, the Surface Pen is incredibly precise and has minimal latency, making it ideal for drawing or taking notes, and the smooth and sensitive trackpad is the same.
The Pro 7 is powered by Intel’s 10th generation i5 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of internal storage via SSD.
In addition to USB Type C, there is a USB-A port, a Micro SD card slot, a headphone jack, and a Surface Connect port. The Pro 7 measures 0.33″ x 11.5″ x 7.9″ (292 x 201 x 8.5mm HWD) and weighs 1.7 lbs, making it an extremely portable computer with a luxury look and feel.
The revamped kickstand includes a completely adjustable hinge that is essentially “free-range,” meaning you have a nearly infinite number of adjustment points, and the detachable backlit keyboard is remarkably slim while still being good for typing and productivity-related tasks.
Bottom line, the Surface Pro 7 is one of the best Windows tablet-first convertibles on the market right now, and if money isn’t an issue, it doesn’t get much better than this! If battery life is important to you, you could be better off with the earlier Surface Pro 6 model.
HP Pavilion x360 14-dh2011nr
Moving on to more mundane matters, we have the old-school HP Pavilion, a low-cost 2 in 1 laptop. For less than $1000, you can purchase a 14-inch convertible with the latest-generation Intel Core i5 CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD.
Since we’re in the realm of low-cost convertibles, we should emphasize that the Pavilion can be simply “converted” from laptop form to tablet, tent, or stand mode for drawing, notetaking, or whatever daily activities you’ll be doing with it. The WLED-backlit 14-inch full HD multi-touch capable IPS display isn’t big in terms of screen real estate, but it’s plenty for a highly portable laptop, and you’ll love the edge-to-edge glass design, which delivers an impressive 80 percent screen to body ratio.
The 10th generation i5 CPU is a quad-core model that provides outstanding performance as well as above-average battery life (10 hours or so on a single charge). The bad news is that you’ll only get 8 GB of RAM; there’s no additional RAM memory port, and the 8 GB is soldered to the mainboard. However, given the outstanding quad-core performance of the CPU and the Pavilion’s business orientation and design to suit productivity-oriented customers, 8 gigabytes is more than plenty for most jobs.
The keyboard feels wonderful and is a joy to use for enthusiastic typists, and we should highlight that the UHD Graphics 620 will allow you to do some light gaming if your expectations aren’t too high. The display appears vibrant and sharp, with acceptable viewing angles, however, it is a little dull at 245 nits. There are 1x USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type C port, 1x a second USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A port, HDMI, and the standard charging connector; oddly, there is no Ethernet port, although there is Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth.
The HP Pavilion is a well-rounded best 2 in 1 laptops 2021 with above-average speakers for such a little computer, excellent for productivity activities, solidly built with enough of storage, and ideal for students and travelers.
Dell XPS 13 7390 2-in-1
Returning to high-end gear, we have a Dell XPS convertible with a 13-inch screen. This XPS gem is somewhat pricey, but if you can afford it, you’ll receive a high-end machine that is actually faster than an XPS15, which is quite remarkable.
The XPS 13 proves that you can have lightweight and high performance in the same laptop, thanks to Intel’s 10th generation i7-1065G7 CPU, which is a quad-core version with Intel Iris Plus Graphics. In layman’s words, the Dell XPS is the super plus ultra of mobile computing, boasting cutting-edge hardware and a gorgeous aesthetic.
If you can afford it, we guarantee you will not be disappointed! The XPS has a magnificent 32 GB of RAM under the hood, as well as a blazing fast 512-GB SSD, for productivity-oriented customers. This sounds wonderful, but there’s more: the anti-reflective screen has 500 nits of brightness, allowing you to use the laptop anytime, anyplace, including outside on a sunny day.
Furthermore, the laptop has Dell’s unique InfinityEdge HDR display, which means the bezel is almost non-existent, and yes, touchscreen capabilities is available. The chassis is made of a single piece of anodized aluminum (similar to MacBook quality), and the full HD display is protected by Gorilla glass.
The XPS has Wi-Fi 6 AX1650 + BT5.0 and 2x USB Type C connections, making it ideal for productivity duties as well as light gaming. Overall, this convertible laptop from Dell is near-perfect, so if you can afford it, go for it and thank us later.
ASUS Chromebook Flip C302
Following the “high-end” journey with the Dell XPS, we’ll return to more earthly matters with the Asus Chromebook Flip C302, a budget-oriented 2 in 1 laptop with a 12.5″ full HD touchscreen and powered by the newest generation Intel Core M5.
Given that the Flip C302 is a low-cost convertible laptop, don’t anticipate miracles or high performance: aside from the M5 CPU, the laptop has only 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage, but the chassis boasts a full-metal construction, which is excellent in our opinion.
Since we’re talking about the best 2 in 1 laptops 2021, it’s no surprise that the C302 can flip like no other thanks to its flexible 360-degree hinge, which allows it to be utilized in tablet form if desired. The sleek aluminum chassis has little flex and weighs only 2.65 pounds; the retro-illuminated keyboard is fantastic, but it should be noted that the Flip C302 is primarily built to be used in tablet mode with plenty of Android apps and all that stuff.
It’s worth noting that the Flip C302 is equally at home as a traditional laptop or as a tablet, and the light OS delivers good performance despite modest hardware under the hood. For a highly portable tablet, the battery life is more than adequate (about 6 hours), and Android apps are game-changers in the Chrome OS scene.
Wi-Fi 802.11ac dual-band 22, Bluetooth 4.0, 2x USB 3.0 Type-C, headphone/microphone combo jack, and a microSD card provide connectivity, so you’re pretty much covered. Bottom line, if you’re okay with purchasing a quality (and very pricey) Chromebook, this is arguably one of the best out there and our favorite to date.
Microsoft Surface Go 2
Back to Microsoft with the revamped/upgraded Surface Go 2; the new version features a larger display, faster computational performance, and longer battery life, as predicted. Essentially, the Surface Go 2 is bigger, better, faster, and has more features. All kidding aside, if you want a tablet-centric 2 in 1 laptop, the Microsoft Surface Go 2 is the way to go (see what we did there?).
This glorified tablet with an attachable keyboard is ideal for idle time and/or work from home (essentially the same thing); despite being a Microsoft product, this baby is not pricey, which is surprising, and it boasts a light and thin design as well as outstanding build quality.
The Surface Go 2 boasts an integrated kickstand and a full HD camera with face recognition for extended Skype/Tik Tok/YouTube/whatever streaming sessions. The hardware is handled by an Intel Core M3 processor, which, like the Chromebook described above, is assisted by 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage space.
Again, this is essentially the Asus Chromebook Flip running Microsoft OS, and it can do practically everything a budget laptop can do, including running full Windows 10.
It is now up to you to choose between Windows 10 familiarity and Chrome OS and a plethora of Android apps.
Whatever option you choose, you’ll receive a wonderfully built 2 in 1 tablet-centric laptop, ideal for browsing, emails, homework, and so on, with almost laptop versatility and performance and tablet mobility.
Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Last but not least, we provide you with the world’s cheapest Chromebook. The Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is a two-in-one notebook that costs next to nothing. For less than $300, you can acquire a convertible laptop with an Intel Celeron N4020 CPU, an 11.6-inch HD touchscreen display, 4 gigabytes of RAM, and a 32 GB eMMc.
A cursory glance at the hardware specifications tells you half the story: We know it’s not a computing powerhouse, but consider this: the entire show runs on Chrome OS, which is the lightest OS on resources on the market today.
You’re getting it now: for the price of a crappy smartphone, you’ll get a real-world laptop that can be used for productivity tasks (in the process of producing money, right? ), has built-in virus protection, boots up in seconds, and has a battery life of 10 hours. Furthermore, the sharp HD display is protected by Gorilla Glass, making it nearly indestructible; communication is handled by Intel Gigabit Wi-Fi 5 with 22 MU-MIMO. MU-MIMO, the shell is tough, and the build quality is on pace with the big boys out there for the price.
Are you still impressed? This little laptop/tablet can run all Google Play apps and save essential documents/pictures/videos to Google Drive (up to 100 GB). The 360° Hinge transforms the Chromebook into a tablet, stand-up display, tent, or whatever you choose, and there’s also a wide-angle view webcam with HDR imaging included.
How to choose the best 2 in 1 laptop 2021
First and foremost, if you are an Apple enthusiast, the bad news is that the Cupertino-based corporation has yet to enter the hybrid area, which is peculiar and frustrating. Okay, you can connect an iPad to a keyboard and use it as a convertible, but that isn’t the idea. The good news is that there are many other convertibles available from different manufacturers, including Dell, Microsoft, and others.
Microsoft has dictated the development of hybrids or convertibles since the development of Windows 8; Windows 10 is literally a multi-input OS, which is the main reason for having a wide range of convertible and 2-in-1 devices today, which can be used for productivity tasks, app running, and even gaming. However, if you’re seeking for specialized occupations, such as music production, you should explore elsewhere.
Tablet first or laptop first
The first factor to consider in the best 2 in 1 laptops 2021 is your personal preference: tablet first or laptop first?
Consider the Microsoft Surface Pro, a tablet-first gadget that is essentially a glorified high-end tablet with an attachable keyboard. A tablet-first gadget is smaller, lighter, and ideal for traveling because it is easier to transport.
A laptop-first device, such as the Lenovo Flex, is essentially a convertible that functions primarily as a laptop with tablet capability (read touch screen). Aside from that, if you want to extend the life of your system and benefit from a top performance at all times, especially when gaming or other heavy-duty jobs, invest in a high-quality cooling pad.
Connectivity
Another aspect to consider is the ports and I/O department. There is a sad trend in big tech these days where we are seeing a severe drop in ports in best 2 in 1 laptops 2021 and portables in general.
In other words, hardware manufacturers are decreasing connectivity possibilities for users on purpose in order to keep products lighter, thinner, and cheaper. The point is, you’ll have to find a means to work around this issue, such as dongles, if your device of choice can’t support the bare minimum in terms of connectivity, so check this out before you buy.
Keyboard
If you intend to use your best 2 in 1 laptops 2021 for coding or writing, keyboard quality is important, and bad keyboard quality is one of the main reasons many people have abandoned platforms and devices. A high-quality keyboard is essential if you want to feel at ease and work efficiently on a convertible/hybrid tablet.
Tech Specifications
Tech specs (CPU, GPU, RAM quantity, storage space, screen size) and value for money are always crucial, but rest assured that we’ll address these concerns thoroughly in the detailed evaluations below; just pay attention to the Pros/Cons section and you’ll be OK.