Whether they’re 2-in-1 or hybrid, convertible laptops are all the rage these days. They’re the clearcut solution of choosing between a laptop or a tablet. Why pick one when you could have both in the same device?
Because of their detachable designs, some 2-in-1s have the user remove their displays from their keyboard bases while others take a more transformative approach. Instead of splitting your laptop in half, the hinge can be rotated 360 degrees and then clam-shelled for use as a stockier tablet.
These are the all-around best laptops of 2016
Generally speaking, hybrid laptops are priced between $700 (about £450, AU$800) and $2,000, though many from Google’s infantry, such as the
HP Chromebook Flip
, are significantly more affordable.
Swiftly approaching the third year of
Windows 10
, hybrids are becoming as commonplace as traditional laptops and tablets, and pretty soon, some
will even support VR
. With that in mind, below we’ve procured a list of the best 2-in-1s of 2016…
Whereas the Lenovo Yoga Pro 3 had a winning design paired with less than stellar performance, the Yoga 900 boasts power without compromise. Complete with more powerful Intel Core i processors and a larger-than-life battery pack, the Yoga 900 turns out to be Lenovo’s best convertible yet.
Better yet, this 2-in-1 can effortlessly compete with most Ultrabooks on the market and even Microsoft’s acclaimed Surface Book laptop. Although the extra power only adds to the weight and girth of the Yoga 900, it still manages a slender physique and flexible frame, allowing for a seamless fold back into tablet mode.
Without taking a huge toll on the price, the Lenovo Yoga 900 is undeniably deserving of the top spot on our list.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 900
In 2015, Microsoft made some noise in announcing the company’s first laptop, the Surface Book. And while there’s still work to be done, particularly in its ill-advised 3:2 aspect ratio and 13.5-inch screen, the Surface Book is still one of the best in convertible laptops around.
In its tablet, or Clipboard, mode it’s already among the most powerful and thinnest Windows 10 devices on the market. Dock it onto the keyboard base, however, and you’re in for a real treat; that is, assuming you opt for one of the discrete GPU configurations, which add more power to the Surface Book’s lower half.
Read the full review: Surface Book
With Kaby Lake now ruling the roost in terms of CPUs, HP decided it’s high time to flip the switch on its Spectre 2-in-1. With an overhauled keyboard and suave new logo, the HP Spectre x360 holds its own against anything Apple can show, but it also draws a few influences. The four-speaker arrangement, reminiscent of the iPad Pro, ensures user-facing sound regardless of its orientation. Meanwhile, the new x360 dual-wields USB-C ports for faster charging and data transfers.
The battery life in the Spectre x360 exceeds 8 hours whether you’re using it in laptop or tablet mode, though it’s (potentially) undermined by the lack of an SD card slot this time around. Fortunately, like with many things USB-C replaces, there’s an adapter for that.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x360
Though Samsung is known for its phones more than its notebooks, this is one convertible worth taking for a spin. Equipped with a Skylake i7 CPU and discrete Nvidia graphics, the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin is nearly as fashionable as a MacBook Pro, but for roughly half the cost. It has all the trackpad real estate you could ask for combined with a snazzy, full-size keyboard – number pad included.
The difference is that the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin is equipped to flip… inside out. Though it’s confined to a full HD 1080p display, it’s HDR-enabled, which beautifully separates the Notebook 7 Spin from the pack. Plus, unlike the latest round of MacBooks, it has an SD card reader and proper USB 3.0. It doesn’t exactly push boundaries on the graphics front, but the Samsung Notebook 7 still manages to succeed in an area where so many other 2-in-1s have failed: offering sublime value for rather competent specs.
Read the full review:
Samsung Notebook 7 Spin
The Windows 10 convertible landscape isn’t cheap unless we’re talking about the Pavilion x2. This 10-inch hybrid neatly packages a surprising amount of goods considering its small size. It comes outfitted with an HD screen and more than enough power to get you through a simple day of web browsing (and even some light photo/video editing).
What’s more, when you’re ready kick back with some streaming media, you can pop off the 10-inch hood for an equally impressive standalone tablet experience. If you’re looking for something with a bit more screen real estate, however, there’s always a 12-inch model available as well.
Read the full review: HP Pavilion x2
Though there’s nothing remarkably distinct about the Dell Inspiron 13 7000, there’s no denying it’s a sturdy device that nigh-perfectly balances the worlds of both performance and style. What’s best about the Inspiron 13 is its ability to camouflage itself as a conventional laptop. Bend that sucker back like you’re about to break the screen right off the hinge, though, and you’ll be greeted by a flexible tablet design accompanied by shrieks of terror from surrounding colleagues.
Students and freelancers cranking out last-minute assignments in the wee hours of the night will be delighted to hear that the Inspiron 13 7000’s keyboard, at least according to Dell, is indeed waterproof. We wouldn’t advise, say, resting your steaming hot cup of joe on its full arrangement of QWERTY keys, but of course it’s a welcome addition nonetheless.
Read the full review: Dell Inspiron 13 7000
If you’re looking for something more resistant than a Surface Pro but with minimal added weight, the HP Elite x2 1012 G1 is a top contender. Featuring a backlit keyboard, Wacom “Active” pen support and Thunderbolt 3, the HP Elite x2 1012 G1 is as versatile as it is good looking.
And that goes without mentioning the 12-point stress test the tablet underwent through production. That’s right, HP claims that its Elite x2 1012 G1 can endure drops, bumps and temperature shifts that would leave other tablets on the market dead in the streets. Though its cost might seem extravagant for a device with only a 1080p display, the appeal of the HP Elite x2 1012 G1 is understood best when experienced in person.
Read the full review: HP Elite x2 1012 G1
The Lenovo Yoga 900S feels like a direct response to Apple’s 12-inch MacBook. The 12.5-inch display, the USB-C port and even the Intel Core-m chip on the inside reeks of the controversial, yet incredibly lightweight MacBook. It’s a response, however, that brings with it a few notable advantages over Cupertino’s solution.
For one, you get access to full-size USB 3.0 ports in addition to the Type-C interface. The highest end version ships with an m7 processor and 1440p display and it costs less than MacBook’s comparatively specced built-to-order model. Unfortunately, you’ll also have to deal with a smaller trackpad and a similarly inadequate keyboard, but otherwise the Yoga 900S is an impeccable value.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 900S
If the 13-inch Spectre x360 is too small for your workload, the Spectre x360 15 is an excellent 2-in-1 laptop that stands out with its thin, all-metal body and heavy contrast display. Featuring a vivid 15-inch IP touchscreen, it’s only bettered by the inclusion of an optional UHD 4K panel.
Surprisingly, the x360’s battery life is unfettered by its high resolution display, although that could be a result of the screen’s weak backlighting effect. Unfortunately, while the smaller x360 has been upgraded to Intel’s latest Kaby Lake chips, the HP Spectre x360 15 is complacent with Skylake until further notice. You’ll get the newest, fastest tech available for a lower price if you don’t mind a drop in panel size.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 15
A 2-in-1 machine designed with portability in mind, the Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi is like no other. Sporting a 12.5-inch screen, this convertible is one of the thinnest in its class, and with the screen detached, it’s an even more compact Windows tablet.
Though the device is powered by a processor that doesn’t exactly wow in terms of performance, it still packs enough of a punch to drive a 4K display, managing to effortlessly get you through your daily tasks. While the battery life is unfortunately a little on the short side (not to mention you’ll have to cope without full-size ports), the Transformer Book T300 Chi is an otherwise a competent and affordable tablet.
Read the full review: Asus Transformer Book T300 Chi
Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article
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