The best 2-in-1 laptops are a mix of power and portability. Some combine the versatility of tablets with the utility of a laptop, while other 2-in-1 laptops double as both computer and tablet.
But what are these models like in real life? Here’s your answer: they’re amazing! You can transform them into any configuration you want—to type faster or do work on the go, or just for fun.
Top Rated 2 in 1 Detachable Laptop Picks!
- A lightweight 10.1 inch tablet
- All-day battery life
- High-resolution rear camera
- Budget-friendly
- Premium build quality with an all-metal body
- Great performance
- Full-sized USB 3.0 and micro HDMI ports
- 12 months warranty
Convertible laptops work as both tablets and traditional computers. In tablet mode, you can flip the keyboard all the way around (360°) and put it in tent mode, or get a laptop with a detachable screen – it’s easier than ever to find which two in one laptop fits your needs best.
If you need to find a detachable laptop that suits your specific needs, I’ve put together my top 3 picks and a list to help make it easier for you!
Skip the 2-in-1 confusion…
We’ve reviewed & picked out the best 2-in-1 laptops for you.
You’ve seen the comparison table so let’s take a dive deeper into each product and see what they have to offer, along with their pros and cons with our list of 2 in 1 laptop reviews below.
1. HP Envy 13 – Best 2-in-1 Laptop
Hardware Specifications
| Processor | Quad-Core 8th Gen Intel i7-8565U |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| Storage | 512 GB SSD |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce MX250 |
| Display | IPS, 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Size | 13.3 inches |
| Battery Life | 12 hours, 45 minutes |
| Weight | 2.82 lbs |
| UPC | 193808855931 |
Top 3 Features
- 16 GB of RAM
- NVIDIA GeForce MX250 GPU
- Beautiful 4K display
- Extended battery life
- Large storage capacity
- Backlit keyboard
- Expensive
- Has been known to overheat
2. Microsoft Surface Pro 7 – Best Detachable 2-in-1 Laptop
Hardware Specifications
| Processor | Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 |
| RAM | Up to 16 GB |
| Storage | Up to 1TB |
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus (i5 and i7) |
| Display | PixelSense, 2736 x 1824 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Size | 12.3 inches |
| Battery Life | Up to 10.5 hours |
| Weight | 1.74 lbs |
| UPC | 889842512267 |
Top 3 Features
The Microsoft Surface series is the most popular series of 2-in-1 laptops, and it deserves the reputation! The Surface Pro 7 is the most powerful laptop, and it comes in different configurations, you’re guaranteed to find one that fits your needs.
Let’s start with the laptop’s looks and feel. It’s 0.33 inches in height and 1.74 lbs in weight, providing it with excellent portability, despite its larger size of 12.3 inches.
As you can see in the specifications table, the laptop comes with three different processor configurations: Intel i3, i5, and i7. Both the i5 or i7 options are excellent and powerful for most tasks. If budget isn’t an issue, opt for the i7 model.
If you’re looking for a detachable laptop that’ll last all day, you’re in luck! The Surface Pro 7 lasts up to 10.5 hours on a single charge, providing you with as much productivity as you need.
Before purchasing this laptop, keep in mind that the keyboard isn’t included; you’ll have to order it, which is a letdown.
- Slim, sleek design
- Lightweight
- A variety of models with different configurations
- Excellent display resolution
- Decent battery life
- Keyboard not included
- Thick bezels
3. Lenovo Flex 14 – Best 14-Inch Detachable Laptop
Hardware Specifications
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 3500U |
| RAM | 12 GB |
| Storage | 256 GB SSD |
| GPU | Radeon Vega 8 |
| Display | IPS, 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Storage | 16 GB, expandable with a MicroSD card |
| Size | 14 inches |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs |
| UPC | 193268734234 |
Top 3 Features
Most 2-in-1 laptops are small in size, around 12 inches, which isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. If you prefer large screens, the Lenovo Flex 14 should spark your interest. Let’s see why this 2 in 1 laptop tablet is one of our top picks!
With a 360-degree hinge, you can set your laptop anyway you’d like; you can fold it completely, so it’s like a tablet. The laptop’s thin design makes for a decent sized tablet that’s not too bulky. It’s a little on the heavier side, weighing 3.5 lbs, but that’s justifiable.
This 2 in 1 convertible laptop has remarkable processing power. The AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor is powerful. Pairing such a processor with Radeon Vega 8 GPU will provide you with smooth, reliable performance that’s found in high-end laptops.
The Flex 14’s battery life is average; it can last up to 8 hours, so you’ll have to recharge it throughout the day. This laptop wasn’t trying to be portable in the first place, so it’s not a big deal. It definitely makes the top 3 as the best laptop with detachable keyboard.
- Affordable price
- Powerful processor
- 12GB of RAM
- Beautiful, immersive display
- Best convertible laptop
- Average battery life
4. Microsoft Surface Go 2 — Best Value 2 in 1 Detachable Laptop
Hardware Specifications
| Processor | Intel Pentium 4425Y or Intel Core m3 |
| RAM | 4 or 8 GB |
| Size | 10.5 inches |
| Storage | 64 or 128 GB SSD |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 615 |
| Display | PixelSense, 1920 x 1080 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home in S mode |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs |
| UPC | 472000142149 |
Top 3 Features
Who said you have to pay a fortune to enjoy a laptop with incredible specifications? Certainly not Microsoft, considering their Surface Go 2 offers unbelievable value for the money.
This laptop’s design isn’t all that different from the Surface Pro 7, but this one takes the cake for portability. Weighing 1.2 lbs, you can carry it in a backpack or a handbag, and you won’t feel it there.
If you’re a tech-person and picky about your processor, the Surface Go 2 offers two processor configurations for you to choose from: Intel Core M3-8100Y or Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y. Without going into much detail, if you’re unsure which one to go for, I recommend the former.
With a battery life of up to 10 hours, your laptop will likely last an entire day. You might need to lower the settings a tad to extend the battery life further.
This one shares the same disadvantage as the previous Surface laptop: it doesn’t come with a keyboard.
- Lightweight and thin
- A variety of models
- Great value for the money
- Keyboard sold separately
5. Acer Chromebook Spin 13 — Best 2-in-1 Chromebook
Hardware Specifications
| Processor | Quad-Core Intel Core i5-8250U |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Size | 13.5 inches |
| Storage | 128 GB eMMC |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display | IPS, 2256 x 1504 pixels |
| Operating System | Chrome OS |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 3.31 lbs |
| UPC | 191114863022 |
Top 3 Features
Let’s see how this 13 inch 2 in 1 laptop performs against the best two in one laptop. Having a Chromebook is a great choice for those who strictly use their laptop for work. It runs all Google’s apps and the Google Play Store. If that seems like what you’re seeking, there’s no better option than the Acer Chromebook Spin13.
Being 13.5 inches in size, this one is on the larger side of 2-in-1 detachable laptops, providing you with an immersive experience for the most productivity possible.
The Spin 13 boasts an Intel Core i5-8250U, which is enough to run Chrome OS. Compared to Windows or macOS, Chrome OS is a lot lighter and less demanding, making an i5 processor perfect for the job.
What’s more, the laptop can last up to 10 hours on one charge. That should be enough for a full day of work.
- Backlit keyboard
- Google Play Store
- Comes with Acer Stylus Pen
- Excellent display resolution
- Chrome OS needs internet connections for most features
6. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 – Best Portable 2-in-1 Laptop
Hardware Specifications
| Processor | Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Size | 12.3 inches |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| Display | PixelSense, 2736 x 1824 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 13.5 hours |
| Weight | 1.71 lbs |
| UPC | 889842369373 |
Top 3 Features
If you’re looking for portability without having to sacrifice having a large, immersive display, you need to take a look at the Microsoft Surface Pro 6. As a windows 2 in 1 laptop it offers some cool specs, as you’ll see below.
You must be familiar with the Surface series’ design by now; it’s sleek and modern but has thick bezels. For a 12.3-inch laptop, the Surface Pro 6 is considered lightweight at 1.7 lbs. It’s thin at 0.33 inches in height, providing it with portability like no other.
The Intel Core i5 processor is powerful; it can easily handle tasks and games if you lower the settings. For a GPU, the Surface Pro 6 boasts the Intel UHD Graphics 620, further ensuring the laptop’s ability to handle games.
What I love most about this laptop is its battery life of up to 13.5 hours! Not only will it last through the majority of your day, but it’ll also have some charge left for a second day. It doesn’t get much better than this for 2-in-1 laptops.
- Unmatched battery life
- High display resolution
- Great value for the price
- Highly portable
- Some backlight bleed
- Keyboard sold separately
7. Dell XPS 12 — Best Display
Hardware Specifications
| Processor | Intel Core M5 |
| GPU | Intel Iris Plus |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Size | 12.5 inches |
| Storage | 128 or 256 GB SSD |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 515 |
| Display | IGZO IPS, 3840 x 2160 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | 4.5 hours |
| Weight | 2.8 lbs |
| UPC | 641676311207 |
Top 3 Features
Who doesn’t love a beautiful 4K display on a 2 in one laptop? You don’t have to be a photographer or a designer to enjoy the Dell XPS 12’s display that offers vivid, beautiful colors and modern design.
The laptop attaches to the keyboard with magnets, making attaching and detaching it a breeze. It weighs 2.8 lbs despite being 12.5 inches in size, so you can carry it around easily.
Boasting an Intel Core M5 processor, the XPS 12 is a powerhouse of a laptop. It comes with Intel HD Graphics 515 GPU to handle graphics-intensive tasks like drawing, designing, or gaming.
When it comes to battery life, this laptop falls a step behind its counterparts. It lasts 4.5 hours on average, which is a little disappointing but understandable considering its high-resolution display.
- Slim, sleek design with magnets connectors
- 4K display
- Great value
- Two storage configurations
- Short-lived battery life
8. HP Spectre X2 – Best Budget 2 in 1 Laptop
Hardware Specifications
| Processor | Intel Core M7-6Y75 |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Size | 12 inches |
| Storage | 128 GB SSD |
| GPU | Intel HD Graphics 515 |
| Display | IPS, 1920 x 1280 pixels |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Battery Life | Up to 10 hours |
| Weight | 1.84 lbs |
| UPC | 193808855931 |
Top 3 Features
If you’re bound by a budget, having a 2-in-1 laptop could be a lifesaver. The HP Spectre X2 is a great budget choice; it saves you the bother of having to buy a tablet for working on the go. You can detach the laptop from the keyboard, and you end up with a tablet!
The 12-inch laptop has a slim design with a height of 0.31 inches, so you can easily slip it into a bag without it taking up much space.
The Spectre X2 comes with an Intel Core M7-6Y75, known for being powerful and efficient. It boasts an Intel HD Graphics 515 GPU. Both the processor and coprocessor work together to provide you with the most seamless performance, if you’re running highly demanding apps.
Its battery life is on the average side; it can last up to 10 hours, but it’s satisfactory.
- Seamless performance
- Excellent display
- Slim design
- Affordable – this cheap 2 in 1 laptop offers heaps of value!
- Thick bezels
- Poor speaker quality
2 in 1 Detachable Laptop – Buyer’s Guide
What is a 2 in 1 laptop? 2-in-1 laptops are like no other. They provide you with two devices in one that you can switch between depending on your situation for unmatchable convenience. Picking the right one for your needs can be tricky. You need to know how to choose a detachable laptop, so here’s everything you need to know before committing to a purchase.
A detachable tablet laptop may be just what you need, here’s how to weigh up the pros and cons of a 2 in 1 tablet so you can decide which model is perfect for you…
Size
Detachable laptops don’t offer the most versatile range of sizes, which is understandable. Tablets don’t really get much bigger than 10-12 inches; thus, 2-in-1 laptops shouldn’t either, or they’ll lose their portability.
As you’ve seen, most options on the list are around 12 inches in size, which is optimum for laptops with detachable screens. It’s large enough to provide you with a comfortable display without being too bulky or too heavy.
Storage
As far as the best 2 in 1 laptops with detachable keyboards go, larger storage capacities are better, while large capacities come at a price. As long as your budget allows, try going for a capacity that’s at least 128 GB or 256 GB. Storage isn’t a deal-breaker because you can use an external drive.
Resolution
A screen’s resolution alone isn’t enough to tell whether the display is good or not; you need to consider the size, too.
Because 2-in-1 laptops are on the smaller side, any resolution that’s around 1920 x 1080 or higher should be enough to provide you with a beautiful, high-quality display.
If you want to take it a step further, you can opt for a 2K display or a 4K one, but I recommend going for that on larger screens (like 14 inches), so you wouldn’t have to scale up the display to read text documents.
RAM
Choosing the perfect RAM capacity depends on your usage. For example, if you’re a programmer, designer, or gamer, there’s no doubt that you’ll need a 16 GB capacity to handle all the apps you’ll be running simultaneously.
On the other hand, if you’re an average user who mostly surfs the web, checks email, and plays light games casually, 8 GB might be the best set up for your needs. You can also go for a lower capacity of 4 GB if your usage is light and includes checking social media websites and the news.
Operating System
Most detachable laptops run on Windows 10 because Apple hasn’t made any 2-in-1 laptops yet, so macOS is out of the equation. As you’ve seen on the Acer Spin 13, there’s also Chrome OS that some people prefer.
Chrome OS is can be limiting, so opt for it if you know exactly what it can and can’t do. It uses Google Play Store to download apps and games, which is not nearly as versatile as Windows. I recommend going for Windows unless you care about Google productivity apps like Docs, Sheets, Calendar, and similar.
Battery Life
A laptop’s battery life could make or break it. What good is a portable laptop if it has to stay plugged in most of the time?
Opt for a laptop with a battery life that’s around 10 hours or longer. Of course, the longer the battery life, the better.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re wondering about these types of laptops our article “What is a 2-in-1 laptop?” provides a complete overview of 2-in-1 laptops / detachable laptops in case you needed an explanation. You could also read about the differences between standard laptops and 2-in-1’s here.
What Is the Best 2-in-1 Laptop to Buy?
The overall best 2-in-1 laptop is the HP Envy 13. It has 16 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD storage, and a powerful Intel i7 processor. That’s not all; it also has a 4K display with IPS technology and small bezels that look and feel premium.
What to Look for in a 2-in-1 Detachable Laptop?
To put it simply, you need 8 GB of RAM, 128 GB of storage, a powerful processor, and a decent display with a resolution no less than 1080p. Such specs ensure the best performance possible without being too expensive.
Is a Detachable Laptop the Same as a 2-in-1 Laptop?
Mostly, yes. Some would describe laptops with 360-degree hinges as 2-in-1 laptops, so they’re not exactly interchangeable. Detachable laptops can be separated entirely from the keyboard while 2-in-1 ones might be detachable or with a flexible hinge.
Should I Get a 2-in-1 or a Traditional Laptop?
That depends on what you’re expecting from your laptop. 2-in-1 laptops are portable, but not everyone seeks portability. I’d say if you won’t really use the touchscreen display and portability isn’t a priority, a traditional laptop should do you well.
Conclusion
Picking the best detachable laptop for 2022 isn’t as easy as it seems. After looking through this article, you should have a general idea of what features your next detachable laptop must have – maybe you’ve settled on a laptop already! Either way, here’s a quick recap of my top picks for the best 2 in 1 laptops of 2022.
My top pick is, without a doubt, the HP Envy 13. This laptop with a removable keyboard offers high-end specs from a powerful processor, large RAM, and storage capacities to high-quality display and extended battery life.
If it didn’t really spark your interest, maybe you’ll love the Microsoft Surface Pro 7. It offers multiple configurations so that you can pick whichever best suits your usage.