The best 2-in-1 laptops for 2023

Treat yourself to a convertible device that delivers the best of both worlds.
By Rudie Obias and Dylan Haas  on 
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Overview

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Best display

Lenovo Yoga 9i

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Best 2-in-1 laptop for travel

Microsoft Surface Go 3

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Best 2-in-1 Chromebook

Asus Chromebook Flip C436

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Best 2-in-1 laptop for battery life

Samsung Galaxy Book3 360

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While laptops and tablets are great on their own, sometimes you just need both — at once — without the hassle of having to carry around two devices all day. Enter: The hybrid laptop (or just a "2-in-1 laptop").

2-in-1 laptops are devices you can convert into tablet mode and back again with ease. They've got touchscreen capabilities for drawing and note-taking with a stylus, plus a keyboard that either detaches or swings open on a hinge. They're available at a variety of price points, from entry-level machines to powerful workhorses capable of running video games and professional software like Adobe Photoshop. Simply put, a 2-in-1 laptop allows you to have the best of both devices at your fingertips.

Regardless of what you intend to use your hybrid machine for, a good one should strike a great balance between portability and usability. In other words, you’ll want something that can do what you need it to without being too bulky, difficult to convert, or heavy.

There are a lot of really good 2-in-1 laptops out there, but some of them have vastly different capabilities for different kinds of people. If you’re an artist or a designer, you’ll likely want a 2-in-1 laptop with a large screen for drawing or media viewing. If you’re on the go a lot, or if you’re a student, you might want something a little smaller that can easily fit in your backpack. If you’re a writer or use your device for work, you’ll likely want something that feels more like a laptop. But if you’re going to use the touchscreen more than a keyboard, maybe a tablet with detachable accessories is a better option for you.

Below, we've put together a definitive guide to the best 2-in-1 laptops from top brands in 2023.

Our Pick

After spending some time with the Microsoft Surface Pro 9, we can see how it could make a Microsoft fan of even the staunchest Apple die-hard. Yes, it's a powerful device in its own right, but the name of the game here is versatility. (It's also one of our favorite laptops on the market for students.)

As a 2-in-1 laptop, the Surface Pro 9 is extremely impressive. It's a breeze to switch from laptop to tablet mode at a moment's notice, and with the help of the computer's 12th Gen Intel Core processor (which can be upgraded, along with a bunch of other customizable specs), you'll get fast and smooth performance whether you're going handheld or setting up home base at a desk. The Pro 9 is also the first Surface to offer 5G support, which is a welcome addition. Access to all your favorite Android apps, as well as Xbox Cloud Gaming, is here too, which only sweetens the deal.

We loved the new Slim Pen 2, which makes taking notes an enjoyable activity rather than a chore. The ability to handwrite messages and convert them to computer text never ceases to feel like magic, and pulling up your go-to note-taking app by clicking the pen's tip is a fun little gimmick that actually feels useful. Art students will especially love the Slim-Pen-2-Adobe-Suite synergy. The new kickstand is also improved, and feels much more balanced in tabletop mode than any of its predecessors (we still don't recommend using it on your lap, though — it's too unstable).

While we really loved the feel of the Pro 9's detachable keyboard, we couldn't help but feel like it was a little bit flimsy. We don't think this thing would survive any big falls, so we recommend playing it safe and getting a carrying case. One more minor gripe we had with the laptop-tablet combo was the angle it sits at in tabletop mode — it's not great for video calls and makes you look downright awkward on the other end of the camera feed (the camera quality is really good, though). As long as you're OK with everyone on the call staring at your chin, it shouldn't be a dealbreaker for you. Oh, and not having a headphone jack will always be a bummer to us. Sorry!

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If you’re in the market for a powerful, premium hybrid laptop, then look no further than the 2023 Lenovo Yoga 9i with the latest 13th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and a beautiful 14-inch OLED touchscreen. Convertible with a 360-degree hinge, this thin and lightweight device comes with a fingerprint reader, a 1080p webcam, two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, one-click function keys, and four crystal-clear Bowers & Wilkins speakers (with Dolby Atmos on its built-in soundbar). It also includes a Lenovo Precision Pen 2 worth $59.99, which is really nice. Its only notable shortcoming is its battery life: Lenovo says you can get up to 10.5 hours per charge, so it probably won't last you all day. Thankfully, there is a convenient quick-charging feature.

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Microsoft Surface Go 3

Microsoft Surface Go 3

Best 2-in-1 laptop for travel

In need of some personal tech that can adapt to life's unpredictabilities? Look into the Surface Go 3, the smallest, lightest, and cheapest 2-in-1 from Microsoft's Surface line of touchscreen devices. Weighing in at just 1.2 pounds, it's made for those whose office may change depending on the day, who call an airport their second home, or who just don't want to be held down by a clunky device. Its 10.5-inch, 3:2 PixelSense display is pretty and plenty bright for its size, and while it doesn't come with a stylus for scribbling on said screen (or a keyboard, for that matter), there is a built-in kickstand to prop it up. This mode is great for watching movies or making calls; it has 1080p HD front- and rear-facing cameras. We'd recommend opting for the configuration with a 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor and SSD storage; an Intel Pentium model with embedded Multi-Media Card (eMMC) flash storage is going to be pokey. You can also add LTE connectivity for $100 more.

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We all know the stigma that Chromebooks are cheap laptops with dinky plastic builds. That's definitely the case for some lower-end models, but the ASUS Chromebook Flip C436 is proving they can reach deluxe territory — still without breaking the bank. While it might not be enough machine for everyone, this is a great 2-in-1 laptop for people who don’t need all the bells and whistles: It has 16GB of RAM, a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 Processor, and 512GB of storage. There’s also a 14-inch, 16:9, full HD touchscreen, a backlit keyboard, and a fingerprint sensor. The device is simple to use, and it’s easy to flip between a laptop and a tablet with minimal fuss. That said, the hinges do wobble a little if you tap the display in laptop mode.

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Samsung Galaxy Book3 360

Samsung Galaxy Book3 360

Best 2-in-1 laptop for battery life

The new 15.6-inch Samsung Galaxy Book3 360 can last up to 22 hours per charge, which is something you don't really see in any laptop — 2-in-1 or otherwise. (This puts it on par with the 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro powered by the M2 Max chip.) It will catch your eye immediately with its sleek silhouette and gorgeous AMOLED touchscreen, just note that the compatible S Pen is sold separately. Its 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor is hefty enough for photo- and video editing, and it boasts two USB-c Thunderbolt 4 ports, one HDMI port, a headphone jack, and a slot for a microSD card so you can expand its storage. (The base configuration comes with 512GB.) That's a solid setup considering how thin it is.

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Frequently Asked Questions


This really comes down to two things: Personal preference and lifestyle. If you're traveling often and usually have your computer on your back, you're going to want to go with something more light and compact. (Look into the 11- to 13-inch range.) But if you plan on using your device for streaming or gaming, spring for a 15- to 17-inch screen that does better justice to details and action.


You know the old saying: You get what you pay for. But many cheap laptops nowadays can actually take you pretty far and won't break down immediately — you just have to zero in on the right specs. Check out Mashable's lists of the best laptops under $300 and the best laptops under $500 for more guidance.

author photo
Dylan Haas
Lead Shopping Reporter

Dylan Haas is a Lead Shopping Reporter for Mashable, where he covers all things gaming, pets, fitness, and sleep. Before joining the team at Mashable, Dylan received a B.A. in Communications from Pace University and contributed to publications like Paste Magazine, Bandsintown, and others following a brief stint as a Marketing and Management Assistant in the music industry.

When he's not writing or testing products, you can find Dylan playing lots of video games, working out, spending time with loved ones (especially his dog, Stevie), or watching reality TV. Follow him on Twitter at @iamdylanhaas, or send him an email at [email protected].


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