While the excitement surrounding 2-in-1 systems has cooled over the years, there are still useful solutions for anyone looking for a device that can double as a tablet. and traditional laptop. In the form of a tablet, they can be used for joining notes and drawing pictures, and in their full configuration of a laptop, they can allow you to manage email and write in a way that you could not with a traditional creation. Whether you’re a student, creative or looking for a flexible setup, the 2-in-1 solution gives you the best of both worlds without managing multiple devices.
We’ve tested and reviewed some of the top 2-in-1 options out there from brands like HP, Microsoft, Samsung and Apple. Whether you’re looking for a Windows PC that can occasionally work as a tablet, or traditional sliders that can be powered by keyboard accessories, we’ve rounded up the best models to consider.
Features to consider before buying a 2-in-1 laptop
If you are going to buy a 2-in-1 system, there are some basic steps to keep in mind. First, think about the type of machine you want. Are you looking for something that looks like a traditional Windows laptop, but also has a screen that can rotate on different platforms? (We often call these Convertibles.) Or do you want a standalone tablet that works with a separate keyboard attachment? Tablet setups are generally light, but often difficult to use on your lap because they rely on kickstands or awkward cases.
And, while some 2-in-1s offer built-in LTE or 5G connectivity, not everyone will want to pay a premium for it. The integrated mobile radio makes checking emails or replying to messages on the go very easy. But it also tends to cost a lot — and that’s on top of what you’ll pay for data. And as for 5G, you can catch it without having to live inside the MMWAVE Beacon. Coverage is still patchy and existing country-wide networks use slower technologies using much less bandwidth than LTE. For now, tethering a PC to your phone is still the best way to get online.
When it comes to tablet keyboards, you’ll also have to make peace with the fact that they won’t feel as responsive as full laptop options. Their keys are way deeper, and their layouts tend to be slightly different than standard PCs. Also, there is a carrying fee.
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Sometimes, getting an external tablet keyboard can be great, and often cheaper than first-party offerings. If you want to save some money, Logitech’s Slim Folio is an inexpensive alternative to iPads, and if you don’t need your keyboard attached to your tablet, Logitech’s MultiTy-Vivice Wireless Keyboard is also a good pick.
While we usually made sure to budget 2-in-1 in previous years, this time it’s not a good choice. We usually choose a walk-in, but the latest model is still very expensive. Alternatives, such as cheap Android tablets, aren’t practical and don’t offer a good display for multitasking. If you’re looking for something around $500 that’s slim, durable and durable, you’re better off this year looking at a traditional laptop (like those on our PCS PC list). Alternatively, you might consider one of our top picks for the best Chromebooks, be it for after-school or basic tasks.
Best 2-in-1 laptops
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Show: 14-inch eged touchcreen | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 125h | Weight: 3.19 Kilograms | Ram: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 2TB
Read our full HP Specter X360 14 Update
HP’s new Specter X360 14 is our new top pick if you’re looking for a laptop that can turn into a tablet. It is a beautiful notebook that can rotate its screen in Ordient of Orvientals: A tent mode to put it on a bed or a table and a tablet mode neatly folded behind the cover. While it doesn’t quite get something like an iPad, the X360’s rotating Hinge makes it much easier than a regular notebook. Perfect for diving into a long article or PDF or using the integrated stylus to combine other notes. If you want to go back to school with a Windows operating system and display, it’s a good choice.
The Spector X360 14 is also a solid laptop in its own right, with an excellent keyboard, an extra Touchpad and the best PC Industrial Design designs on the market. And with a 512GB SSD (expandable up to 2TB), there’s plenty of room to store all your files and photos. It even boasts two Thunderbolt 4 ports with USB-C connectivity to connect multiple devices.
- Flexible Conversion Screen
- The OLED display is clearly visible
- Upgrade to a stronger CPU
- It starts with 16GB RAM
- A very good keyboard
- Many ports
- HP’s design hasn’t changed in years
- Haptic TouchPad is a small device
- Average battery life
$1,449 + on HP
Nathan Ingraham of Engadget
Show: 11- or 13-Inich 120hz Tandem Eled XDR TouchScreen | CPU: Apple M5 | Weight: Starting at 0.98 kilograms | Ram: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 2TB
Read our full Apple iPad Pro (M5) update
In many ways, the iPad Pro M5 is the best. It has the new Apple M5 chip and one of the best screens you can find – a tandem panel with an eled with a refresh rate of 120hz, not to mention support for both input and stylus input. It’s also available in two sizes (11 and 13 inches), so you get control of what you need it to be. If you really want a tablet that can replace a laptop, this is as good as it gets, especially on this side of apple vs.
This generation of iPad Pro is also a bit slimmer and lighter, so it will disappear into your bag without adding a ton of heft. Meanwhile, Apple’s Magic Keyboard is more intuitive than ever while also featuring a larger trackpad and a more useful row of functions. The only real difference is the price, with the smaller, 11-inch model starting at $999, and the 13-inch model starting at $1,299. And that’s before you factor in the cost of things like extra storage or accessories. But if you’re on the money and want a top-of-the-line tablet, it’s hard to go wrong with the iPad Pro M5.
Alternatively, if you appreciate what the iPad Pro does but don’t want to fork over that much cash, the iPad Air is a more affordable option. We consider it to be the best iPad for most people. Its screen isn’t as beautiful and it’s not as svelte. But its M3 chip is more than enough power for most, and Apple has improved its Magic Keyboard recently. Apparently, it also costs about half the price with the 11- and 13-inch models starting at $599 and $799, respectively. – Nathan Ingraham, Deputy Editor
- The M5 chip is a significant upgrade for some GPU-powered tasks
- Probably the best screen I’ve ever seen
- Very small and light
- The first iPad with fast charging
- iPados 26 is a huge improvement
- It is expensive to prevent
- Accessories like the Magic Keyboard and Apple Pencil Pro make it more expensive
$1,249 at Amazon
It is one
Show: 12.4-Inini Dynamic Amoled 2x TouchScreen | CPU: SnapDragon 8 Gen 2 | Weight: 1.3 Kilograms | Ram: Up to 12GB | Storage: Up to 512GB
Read our full Samsung Galaxy Tab s9 Ultra Review
While Windows is better than iPados and Android for productivity, it falls short when it comes to apps designed specifically for touch. If you want a tablet with all the applications you want, and only need it occasionally as a laptop, the Galaxy Tab S9 + is a solid option. You will enjoy watching movies and playing games on its beautiful 12.4-inch 120hz acoled screen, and Samsung includes a pen, perfect for tapping and taking notes. The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Chip and 12GB of RAM (4GB more than the last model) keep things running smoothly, too.
Samsung greatly improved its keyboard case a few years ago with the S7+, making the tab the best laptop case ever. You can type for hours on this thing and not hate yourself (or Samsung). Battery life is also very good, so you won’t need to worry about staying close to an outlet. The biggest caveat is that Android is not as good as a desktop OS. And while the Samsung dex mod offers a workable solution, it has many questions. Similarly, by choosing a 2-in-1 primarily as a tablet, you are releasing a wealth of communication options that have never been available with a laptop.
- Nice screen
- Good speakers
- Powerful Hardware
- The s pen is very responsive
- DEX mode is a very powerful display
$773 at Amazon
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget
Show: 13-inch eled touchcreen | CPU: Snapdragon x plus / x elite | Weight: 1.97 Kilograms | Ram: Up to 32GB | Storage: Up to 1TB
Read our full Microsoft Surface Pro Copilot + Review
PROCE PRO is everything we’ve wanted a top of the line tablet to be for years. It is very fast and efficient, thanks to the new snapdragon of snapdragon Its neural processing unit (NPU) also gives power to powerful AIs, although the current crop will not be useful for everyone. We’re also waiting to see Microsoft’s anti-memory feature in action, which has been delayed to address its security issues.
The new OLED ELED option looks amazing: it makes the colors sharper on the screen and ensures black levels. Combined with impressively powerful speakers, the Pro Power Pro is a solid way to watch video on the go. Its functionality itself is one of the many reasons that pro surce pro made it onto our list. Combine that with its reliability thanks to its small form factor, and you have a pretty good estimate.
When paired with the new Pro Pole Flex Keyboard ($350), you can type and look up at the surface wirelessly, opening up entirely new ways to use it. As long as there is a small table nearby, or somewhere to move the tablet, you can work with just a small and light keyboard on your lap. If you’re looking for a business laptop that’s lightweight and doesn’t have a large screen size to slow you down, the Pro Pro is one to consider. It is also good to see Microsoft Pack in 16GB of RAM with the BASE CORCECE Model.
While we continue to see the company’s range of keyboards and analyze its specs, the Pro remains one of the most affordable PCs available today.
- The Snapdragon X elite and Plus chips are incredibly fast
- Strong battery life
- Excellent screen option
- NPU enables powerful AI features
- The FLEX keyboard makes it even more flexible
- Strong AI features
- All keyboards are sold separately
- It’s hard to use on your lap
- It gets expensive quickly
$999 at Microsoft
Latest updates
October 2025: Updated to include the latest iPad Pro.
In February 2025: We are also re-subscribing this guide to “Best 2-in-1 laptops and tablets” to be more accurate, and also updating the introduction and “things to consider” tablet options.
In June 2024: We’ve updated our top lines to include the Microsoft Surace Pro Copilot + Edition.
Nathan Ingraham contributed to this report.
