These 2-in-1 computers upgrade the norm with touchscreen displays, 360-degree hinges, and detachable keyboards.
đź’ˇAnalysis & Context
These 2-in-1 computers upgrade the norm with touchscreen displays, 360-degree hinges, and detachable keyboards These 2-in-1 computers upgrade the norm with touchscreen displays, 360-degree hinges, and detachable keyboards. Monitor developments in 6 for further updates.
These 2-in-1 computers upgrade the norm with touchscreen displays, 360-degree hinges, and detachable keyboards.
Luke LarsenGearFeb 24, 2026 8:00 AMThe 6 Best 2-in-1 Laptops to Flip Between Work and PlayThese 2-in-1 computers upgrade the norm with touchscreen displays, 360-degree hinges, and detachable keyboards.CommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyFeatured in this articleBest Overall 2-in-1 LaptopLenovo Yoga 9i (14-inch, 2025)Read more$1,550 Best BuyBest Detachable LaptopMicrosoft Surface Pro 13-inch (11th Edition, 2024)Read more$1,400 $1,100 (21% off) AmazonThe Best 2-in-1 ChromebookAcer Chromebook Plus Spin 514Read more$699 $579 (17% off) Best BuyBest Compact 2-in-1 LaptopMicrosoft Surface Pro 12Read more$900 $830 (8% off) AmazonThe best 2-in-1 laptops have aimed to bridge the gap between laptops and tablets ever since touchscreens became ubiquitous on laptops (Windows laptops, anyway). Clamshells are still the standard, but many of our favorite laptops today also happen to be 2-in-1s, thanks to their combination of power and flexibility. Whether you want a computer that can rotate its display or a tablet with a detachable keyboard, these are our favorites we've tested.We review dozens of laptops every year. Make sure you read our comprehensive guide on picking the best laptop for your needs, as well as our other computing buying guides, including the Best Laptops, Best MacBooks, Best Tablets, Best Cheap Laptops, and Best Gaming Laptops.Updated February 2026: We've added the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 and moved some older options to the honorable mentions at the bottom.What Is a 2-in-1 Laptop?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronA 2-in-1 is a laptop that can go from a standard clamshell laptop configuration to a tablet setup. Over the years, there are really two types of designs that fall into this category: the convertible 2-in-1 laptop and the detachable tablet.Laptops with convertible displays use a 360-degree hinge that can position the screen flat, in “tent” mode, or flush against the underside of the laptop. Think of this as a touchscreen clamshell laptop with a fancy rotating hinge. The flexibility of positions makes them great for everything from signing documents to streaming TV shows and movies—all with the ability to go right back to a standard laptop orientation when it’s time to do some work.Detachable 2-in-1s, on the other hand, are Windows tablets meant to be used with magnetic keyboards, not unlike an iPad Pro. These let you completely separate the screen from the keyboard, using a kickstand on the back of the display to keep it upright. This is a design popularized by Microsoft’s Surface lineup, which is still going strong more than a decade since its introduction. We’re even starting to see dual-screen laptops arrive to add even more flexibility (if you have the cash to spare). The main benefit of the detachable 2-in-1 is the portability. While they aren't as good to use on your lap, they are thinner and lighter, making for better standalone tablets and devices to travel with.Should You Buy a 2-in-1 Laptop?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronThe big draw of 2-in-1 laptops is that they can be used as both a laptop and a tablet. While in laptop mode, they’re generally comparable to any other clamshell laptop you’ll find. However, Windows and ChromeOS aren’t exactly the best touch-oriented operating systems out there, so you may find the touchscreen experience lacking when using it as a pure tablet.If you already use a recent iPad or Android tablet regularly, you may not get as much out of a 2-in-1. But if you don't, these 2-in-1 laptops can give you the functionality of both devices in one—hence, the name. Beyond that, convertible laptops use 360-degree hinges to offer even more capabilities, such as flipping the laptop upside down in various modes.The only real downside to picking a convertible 2-in-1 over a clamshell is some of the design tweaks that have to be made to incorporate the hinge. Sometimes the balance of the weight can feel off, and the heftier hinge can be ugly and sometimes require a larger bottom bezel under the display.Ultimately, our top pick on this list, the Lenovo Yoga 9i, happens to also be one of the best overall laptops you can buy. You can consider its 2-in-1 capabilities to be a nice bonus on top of its already stellar performance and features. If you’re aiming for the more budget range and already have a tablet, it’s worth considering whether you can save some cash by sticking with a traditional clamshell.Why Not Just Buy an iPad?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronIt's a good question. All in all, it remains difficult to beat the iPad or iPad Pro when it comes to pure tablet usage. From a software and third-party app perspective, iPadOS is a far more robust device when using it without a keyboard, though that may start to change with Apple's multitasking improvements in iPadOS 26.The opposite is true for Windows tablets, which benefit from the full Windows 11 experience. That means you can