What is a 2 in 1 laptop? Pros, cons, and recommendations

Are you looking for your next laptop? Chances are you’ve already made up your mind on which operating system you want to use. If not, we have a comprehensive guide on picking between Chrome OS, Windows, or MacOS. Now it’s time to choose the form factor. You could go for a traditional laptop, or you could get a convertible laptop. What is a 2 in 1 laptop? Let’s go over the specifics together.

What is a 2 in 1 laptop?

As mentioned in the quick answer, a 2 in 1 laptop can be used as a clamshell-style laptop, as well as at least one other form of computing device. Usually, the secondary mode would be similar to a tablet. But there are also in-between modes, such as tent mode or stand mode. Lenovo is known for being among the first to introduce this concept, and you can see the company showcasing the multiple modes in the image below.

This image represents the different types of modes. From left to right, these would be tablet, tent, clamshell, and stand mode.

Of course, that’s only showing you what a convertible laptop can provide. There are also detachable laptops. These make it possible to remove the screen from the keyboard or lower dock, essentially turning the device into an actual tablet.

The most popular 2 in 1 detachable tablets are likely the Microsoft Surface Pro devices. These offer a slim and portable design like mobile tablets, but come with a full Windows OS installed, and a keyboard folio can be attached to the bottom. Of course, there are plenty of other options. We’ll talk about them later in this guide.

The world of tech is a bit tricky. It seems you always have to give something up to get any type of benefit. Let’s talk about the pros of 2 in 1 laptops first.

• Versatility: The whole purpose of a convertible laptop is to be able to use your laptop in multiple configurations. You can use it as a traditional laptop, or enjoy a more mobile experience in tablet mode and use it to draw. Similarly, tent and stand mode make it possible to more easily enjoy movies, use touch controls, and more. Convertible laptops can literally bend to your needs.
• More input methods: Because of their multiple form factors, convertible laptops are naturally more likely to support different input methods. Most come with a touchscreen, a physical keyboard, and a trackpad. Additionally, it’s common to see stylus support, and they can often include the digital pen.
• 2 in 1 tablets are much more portable: If you opt for a detachable tablet, these devices can often be much thinner and lighter. Additionally, many have very light keyboards, which attach magnetically, and add little to no extra bulk to the overall package. These Windows tablets can be a much better option if you want a more mobile experience out of your computer.
• They usually have a better battery life: Even if they are more portable and tend to have smaller batteries, 2 in 1 laptops have a more mobile focus. They tend to use components that are better optimized to manage energy. Manufacturers focus more on battery life because they know users probably want to use them in tablet mode or take them around, more so than traditional laptops. In regular laptops, battery life can be more of an afterthought.

Of course, a 2 in 1 laptop will have its downsides. Let’s go over some of the main ones.

• They usually have smaller screens: If you’re a fan of larger screens, you might prefer a traditional laptop instead. 2 in 1 laptops are meant to be more portable. Hence, manufacturers traditionally lean more toward the smaller side.
• Specs can often be less powerful: Again, because of the focus on mobility, 2 in 1 laptops can have more mobile-focused specs. This can make some options less powerful. This is especially the case with detachable tablets, which need to be separated from the keyboard and can fit much less within the screen section of the device.
• They are more likely to overheat: Convertible laptops have less space to work with, especially the detachable ones. This can mean it’s more likely to have overheating issues, and the odds of having thermal problems are more likely as devices get thinner and smaller. More modern components handle heat better, though. And convertibles can have very good ventilation systems. This is becoming less of a problem as the 2 in 1 laptop tech improves.
• You will likely have fewer ports: Again, we are working with less space when it comes to 2 in 1 laptops. There are less chances of finding laptops with more ports if you go for a convertible, as opposed to a traditional laptop. The chances decrease if you opt for a detachable Windows tablet, too. These often only have USB-C, in which case you will need a dongle to expand your port selection.
• Convertible laptops tend to cost more: Of course, there are affordable 2 in 1 laptops, but dollar per dollar, you will usually get better specs and quality from a standard clamshell laptop. This makes sense; convertible and detachable laptops require more engineering, as they have more complex designs. A traditional laptop will often have more room to work with, too. This makes them easier to build and allows for space to include more advanced components and better cooling.

Whether you get a convertible laptop depends on your preferences and needs. Despite the multiple downsides, having the ability to use a computer in various ways is invaluable. This can be a great asset for people who like drawing, designing, or editing content. It’s also great to prop the screen up to watch videos, or carry it around in tablet mode to work on the go.

All that said, not everyone needs these added features. You may already have an iPad or Android tablet that can take care of these specialized tasks perfectly. If you skip on 2 in 1 laptops, you can likely save money, or opt for something much better while paying a similar price.

The best 2 in 1 laptops

If you’ve made up your mind and want to get yourself a 2 in 1 laptop, there is a sea of options to choose from. We know this can be stressful, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite 2 in 1 laptops.