The best 2-in-1 laptops for 2023
These are our favorite hybrid machines.
The perfect hybrid machine that's as good as a tablet as a traditional laptop still doesn't exist. But throughout the past year, companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google have continued to improve their operating systems for dual-purpose machines. Windows 11 has features that make it more user-friendly for multi-screen devices, while Android has been better optimized for larger screens. Plus, with the rise of ARM chips for laptops, especially Apple's impressive M-series, the prospects for a powerful 2-in-1 with a vast ecosystem of touch apps are at an all-time high.
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Even the best 2-in-1 laptops have their limits, of course. Since they are smaller than proper laptops, they tend to have less powerful processors. Keyboards are often less robust, with condensed layouts and shallower travels. Plus, they're almost always tablets first, leaving you to buy a keyboard case separately. (And it's not cheap!) So you can't always assume the advertised price is what you'll actually spend on the 2-in-1 you want.
Sometimes buying a third-party keyboard can be just as good, and it's often cheaper than the proprietary offerings. If you're looking to save money, Logitech's Slim Folio is an affordable option, and if you don't need to connect your keyboard to your tablet, Logitech's K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard is also a good one. choice.
While we've usually made sure to include a budget 2-in-1 laptop in previous years, this time around there aren't a good pick to include in our top picks. We would usually push a device like the Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, like cheaper Android tablets, are underpowered and don't offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something around $500 that's thin, light, and durable, you're better off looking at a conventional PC this year (like the ones on our list of best budget laptops).
Chris Velazco / EngadgetWhen shopping for a 2-in-1, there are a few basic criteria to keep in mind. First, look at the spec sheet to see the weight of the tablet (alone, and with the keyboard). Most modern hybrids weigh less than 2 pounds, with the 1.94-pound Surface Pro 9 being...
These are our favorite hybrid machines.
The perfect hybrid machine that's as good as a tablet as a traditional laptop still doesn't exist. But throughout the past year, companies like Microsoft, Apple and Google have continued to improve their operating systems for dual-purpose machines. Windows 11 has features that make it more user-friendly for multi-screen devices, while Android has been better optimized for larger screens. Plus, with the rise of ARM chips for laptops, especially Apple's impressive M-series, the prospects for a powerful 2-in-1 with a vast ecosystem of touch apps are at an all-time high.
Quick view
Even the best 2-in-1 laptops have their limits, of course. Since they are smaller than proper laptops, they tend to have less powerful processors. Keyboards are often less robust, with condensed layouts and shallower travels. Plus, they're almost always tablets first, leaving you to buy a keyboard case separately. (And it's not cheap!) So you can't always assume the advertised price is what you'll actually spend on the 2-in-1 you want.
Sometimes buying a third-party keyboard can be just as good, and it's often cheaper than the proprietary offerings. If you're looking to save money, Logitech's Slim Folio is an affordable option, and if you don't need to connect your keyboard to your tablet, Logitech's K780 Multi-Device Wireless Keyboard is also a good one. choice.
While we've usually made sure to include a budget 2-in-1 laptop in previous years, this time around there aren't a good pick to include in our top picks. We would usually push a device like the Surface Go, but the latest model is still too expensive. Other alternatives, like cheaper Android tablets, are underpowered and don't offer a great multitasking interface. If you want something around $500 that's thin, light, and durable, you're better off looking at a conventional PC this year (like the ones on our list of best budget laptops).
Chris Velazco / EngadgetWhen shopping for a 2-in-1, there are a few basic criteria to keep in mind. First, look at the spec sheet to see the weight of the tablet (alone, and with the keyboard). Most modern hybrids weigh less than 2 pounds, with the 1.94-pound Surface Pro 9 being...
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