The best 2-in-1 laptop 2017: the best convertible laptops ranked

We wouldn’t blame you for thinking the hype surrounding the Surface Book 2 was overblown. It’s not the best laptop ever made, nor is it the best hybrid infusion of a laptop and a tablet. What it is, however, is a powerful demonstration of what can be accomplished by 2-in-1 laptops.

Because, years ago, you would have no choice but to buy a Wacom tablet if you were into drawing, or an iPad if you were into staying up late and watching Netflix from the dimly lit comfort of your bedroom, the best 2-in-1 laptops provide a utility that simply didn’t exist before them. That is, the utility of convenience.

With any one of these notebooks, you’re investing in their multi-faceted sets of functionality. Each one can either be detached entirely from their keyboards or they can flip inside out using a flexible hinge. Both options make it easier to hold your laptop as you would a tablet or sit it upright atop a desk. Whichever your preference, you can be certain that we’ve tested every last one of the 2-in-1 laptops you’ll find below prior to classifying them as the best.



The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro can go head-to-head with the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and for a substantially lower cost. Though it’s limited to only one configuration, albeit across two different sizes, the Samsung Notebook 9 Pro is as powerful as it is pragmatic. Defined in part by its inclusion of the S-Pen, this heavy-hitting hybrid is every bit as capable as Microsoft’s Surface Book and without the need to recharge its stylus.

Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9 Pro

• This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and AU readers: check out a fine alternative in the Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch).

Google’s new Pixelbook does something that we couldn’t have seen coming. It takes the Chromebook platform and shoots it straight into the stratosphere, competing with premium products from Apple and Microsoft. It’s able to accomplish this herculean task by beefing up the internals and, more importantly, by including full Android app support. This means that this device tears down the barriers that would prevent macOS or Windows users from jumping on the Chromebook bandwagon. It might cost a lot more than other Chromebooks on the market, but the Pixelbook is truly the future of the platform.

Read the full review: Google Pixelbook



We get it, the Pixelbook is enticing, but it’s also out of your price range. In that case, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is a choice alternative. Having introduced a touchscreen and convertible design to Google’s cloud-based Chrome OS, the Asus Chromebook Flip is made better by its compatibility with Android apps. That’s right, just like the Pixelbook, you can use the Asus Chromebook Flip for Google Play apps, albeit after installing an out-of-the-box update.

Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip



Gamers ought to look elsewhere, but for everyone else, the Lenovo Yoga 920 is a passable alternative to the ludicrously expensive Surface Book 2. For those who value, well... value over a screen that can be detached completely from its keyboard, the Lenovo Yoga 920 has a lot of good to offer. The design, for instance, is less pronounced and has the subtlety of a more traditional Ultrabook. Meanwhile, it’s thin and powerful all the same.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920



To be fair, we loved the Surface Book already. So, when we first caught word that a Surface Book 2 was in the works, our expectations were admittedly amplified. In the end, Microsoft’s second 2-in-1 laptop couldn’t do everything justice, but what we did receive was an impressive feat held back by a handful of (frankly necessary) concessions. For starters, this machine is powerful in all seven of  its 13.5- and 15-inch configurations. It features cutting-edge 8th-generation Intel processors and two different options of Nvidia 10-series graphics.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2



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. At the same time, none of this stifles the battery life, which exceeds 8 hours of straight use. What’s more, the HP Spectre x360 can now be configured with a 4K screen and 1TB of SSD storage, too.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360



Equipped with a Skylake i7 CPU and discrete Nvidia graphics, the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin is nearly as fashionable and powerful as a 2016 MacBook Pro, but for roughly half the cost. With all the trackpad real estate in the world paired with a snazzy, full-size keyboard, the Samsung Notebook 7 is a real treat even without accounting for the fact that it’s a 2-in-1. You’ll flip once you realize that your laptop does too – and with an HDR-capable screen at that.

Read the full review:

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus ZenBook Flip UX360.

If the 13-inch Lenovo Yoga 720 is a caterpillar, the 15-inch model is a majestic butterfly, freshly hatched from its snug cocoon. Outfitted with the choice between only the best HQ series Core i5 and i7 processors, this 2-in-1 is competitive spec-wise with the 15-inch MacBook Pro while remaining but a fraction of the cost of Apple’s flagship machine. What’s more, it even has the ports you know and love in addition to the still-blossoming USB Type-C interface.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 720 (15-inch)



More than just a basic hardware refresh, the HP Spectre x360 is as easy on the eyes as it is to use. Because the keyboard feels natural to the touch, there’s no debate as to whether this 2-in-1 is better as a laptop or as a tablet; it comes equally recommended as both. If it made a peep, what with its silent fans and subdued chiclet keys, the HP Spectre x360 15 may even garner a few jealous stares.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 15

• This product is only available in the US and UK as of this time. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch).

If the 13-inch Yoga 720 is too small and the 15 incher is too big, the Lenovo Yoga 910 brings a happy medium to the table. Miraculously fitting a 14-inch frame into a 13-inch body, this notebook boasts a ritzy, all-aluminum finish with a watchband hinge that’s impossible to ignore. Add a 4K screen and stunning built-in audio to the mix and it’s no wonder we’re in love with Lenovo’s flagship 2-in-1.

 

Samsung Notebook 7 Spin review

The 15.6-inch Samsung Notebook 7 Spin is a fantastic, mid-range 2-in-1 laptop. While the display can not be removed like the Microsoft Surface, its 360 degree hinge means it can be used in a tablet manner. With a premium design and fancy specs, the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin seems like a great device.

The Samsung Notebook 7 Spin Design

The design looks mostly like the previous generations and it is not necessarily a bad thing. The entire machine is made out of aluminium while the keyboard is backlit. Samsung even went to the extent of including a number pad in the laptop.



The keys have sufficient travel and are a joy to type on. There is a glass touchpad that performs just fine with single and- multi-touch gestures. The touchscreen can be used as a mode of input too.

Specs and performance in the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin

The laptop weighs 2.26 Kg which is on the hefty side but the laptop is also quite thin. Moving on to the rest of the spec sheet, the machine is powered by a 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U processor and backed up by 16 gigs of RAM. The display is a crisp 15.6-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) LED screen. The storage varies between a 1 TB HDD or a 128 SSD.

With the above mentioned specs, it should be of not surprise that the device handles everyday tasks without a stutter. Do not expect to play the latest COD or such as this is not a gaming laptop but everyday use is a breeze with this machine.

Samsung said the device can last nine hours but in our testing, the laptop lasted around six hours which is not that bad. It has fast charging capabilities which means the Samsung laptop can regain 2 hours of its capacity in just 20 minutes, and a full charge in 90 minutes time.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-XZ6 review

Panasonic’s Toughbook CF-XZ6 is a business oriented laptop from the company. It runs Windows and has an extremely durable body that can take up a few knocks. this is exclusively a business-targeted device which isn’t available through the usual retail channels. Without wasting time, let us dive into the review.

Design of the Panasonic Toughbook CF-XZ6

The laptop has a hybrid 2 in 1 design. The screen can be completely detached without the need for a reboot. The keyboard partition has a 5200 mAh cell, 3 USB ports and VGA/HDMI ports. it also consists of an Ethernet port and the elusive SD card slot.



However, the keyboard itself is pretty cramped and hard to type on. Even worse is the small round touchpad below the keyboard. Only forty two millimetres in diameter, it is unflattering to use and will have you reaching for the mouse in no time.

The design of the tablet portion is pretty impressive. It has one Type C connector and weighs only 639g. there is a magnesium frame which should protect the laptop in case of a drop. Panasonic said it can handle a 76cm freefall drop test.

Spec sheet of the Panasonic Toughbook CF-XZ6 review

The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5-7300U vPro dual-core 2.6GHz and the graphics card is an Intel HD Graphics 620. This is enough for day to day use but it is not good enough for gaming or 3D applications. There is 8 GB of RAM while the display is a 12 inch QHD touchscreen display. The storage is a 256 GB SSD hard disk. There is an 8 MP camera on the back. On the front is a 2 MP front camera. The entire device weighs just 1.18 Kg.

The company says the laptop can work for up to fourteen hours. According to the tests done, we can confirm that the laptop lasts for about the same time.

Microsoft Surface Book Design review

Microsoft has been dabbling in laptop hardware for a very short time but they have quickly risen to the top to become the trend setter for devices running Windows. It convinced an initially sceptic public and greatly gained a reputation after the release of a stellar Surface Pro 3. Now they are back with the Surface Book. Similar to the Surface tabs in the previous year, this edition also comes as a unique two in one hybrid.

Design wise, the Surface Book has an extremely futuristic design. The snake like hinges and the silver aluminium design gives this laptop a minimalistic and yet eye catching design.



The interior of the laptop completely consists of metal except for the glassy touchpad. The same story applies to the exterior with a complete metallic design, save for the mirror Windows badge and the camera. The unique hinge adds to the futuristic appeal and holds up the laptop quite well.

The keyboard is a joy to type on thanks to the 1.6 mm key travel not to mention the tactile noise you hear when you press a button. As mentioned above, the touchpad has a glass finish and is quite precise and easy to use.

Turning your laptop into a tablet is also quite easy. Although many companies already offer this feature, Microsoft’s implementation is the most seamless by far. All one has to do is press the eject button on the keyboard or the button on task bar. The screen will turn off for a sec and you will then get a notification saying it is safe to remove the screen.

Another feature that sets the Surface Book apart is its inclusion of a graphics processor into a 2 in 1 system. The NVidia GeForce GPU makes it easier for the laptop handle media as well as gaming. This sort of implementation has been seen in previous machines but again, none have perfected it as Microsoft has done. In the previous cases, the laptops had to be restarted if you planned to detach the laptop. In the case of Microsoft’s Surface Book, it only needs about a second or two to accomplish the same feat. What makes this feature more exciting is that it offers plenty of room for future upgrades to expand the usage.

The Surface Book does weight quite a bit with a weight of 1.51 kilograms. This is without the optional graphics card that increases the weight to 1.58 kg. The laptop has an aspect ratio of 3:2 and comes with a 13.5 inch screen that delivers great images.

Why are tablet sales dwindling?

Almost everyone can agree that tablets look alike and feel alike nowadays. When you look at the tablet market nowadays you feel a sense of stagnation. The recent reports about the number of tablets will reinforce that feeling.

The tablet shipments for the first cut off 2017 is down by 8 to 10%. The market has now seen 10 quarterly drops in a row. What are the reasons for dwindling sales?

The period of usage for a tablet

The above figures do not mean that people do not use tablets anymore. It just means that people have stopped buying new tablets. The reason for this could be that people are happy with the old tablets and see no need to upgrade.

Tablet manufacturers have not brought new features to tabs that compel users to ditch their old tablet and go for a new one. Another reason might be that updates are targeted towards smart phones rather than tablets.Thus the upgrade from Android 5.0 to 6.0, or 6.0 to 7.0, doesn’t have the same appeal on tablets.

It’s not a big enough deal, especially when tablets owners can enjoy the latest Android OS on a new smartphone anyway. Tablets simply aren’t used frequently enough to feel the daily pain of an older OS version, while it’s a very different story with the smartphone in your pocket.

People don"t have a use for tablets

Tablets no longer have a unique role to play. They are not portable like a smartphone and they are not powerful enough to replace a laptop or PC. But these devices do have some advantages.

They are lighter than laptops and have a longer battery life too. They include touch input which many laptops lack but there are not extremely important. Nowadays smartphones are getting bigger and laptops are getting smaller and this totally eliminates the need for tablets.

Hands On Review - Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro

Xiaomi recently released a new laptop, the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro as a successor to last year’s Mi Notebook Air. Here we take a brief look at the laptop to gain an idea of how it handles itself.

Specifications of the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro

The laptop comes with an impressive array of specifications. The display is maxed out at 15.6 inches with a design that features narrow bezels. The web cam is still at its ideal location at the top rather than at the bottom.

On the inside, you’ll find a current-gen quad-core i7, up to 16GB of RAM, up to 1TB of SSD storage, and Nvidia’s new Geforce MX 150 chip. The graphics card is a more powerful version compared to the integrated graphics that Intel offers. Nvidia claims its 4x as capable as the last-generation Intel HD Graphics 520. This means you might not be able to play the latest games on maximum graphics but games such as Dota are sure to work without a hitch.



When it comes to ports, the device comes with two USB-C ports, two regular USB ports, a 3-in-1 card reader, and a full-sized HDMI port. It also offers a fingerprint scanner that is built into the touchpad.

Design of the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro

The laptop closely resembles the MacBook Pro. In some ways, Xiaomi takes the laptop a step ahead with its bezel less display design. The Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro also takes a step ahead as it comes with more USB ports.

Availability of the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Pro

Xiaomi is known to release devices just to China. Sadly it looks like the same thing is recurring again. The company is only selling this in China — at least for the beginning. If you need this laptop in your hands, try resellers of Chinese gear, like GearBest or BangGood.