The best 2-in-1 laptop 2018: find the best convertible laptop for your needs

The best 2-in-1 laptops have changed the way we use our laptops – we can’t even look at traditional laptops the same way anymore. The best 2-in-1 laptops come in every shape and size, and they’re some of the best laptops for college students,as they’re perfect for streaming some Netflix after a long bout of studying.

Some of the top 2-in-1 laptops, like the Dell XPS 15 2-in-1 will come strapped with the best processors, and will be among the best laptops on the market in 2018. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for this convenient form factor.

The best 2-in-1 laptops in 2018 will be convertible, meaning they’ll have keyboards that swivel around the back, transforming them into tablets. There are a few outliers, however, that feature detachable keyboards, like the sublime Surface Book 2, whose high-resolution PixelSense display is held up by sheer magnetic force.

No matter how the best 2-in-1 laptops implement their tablet modes, they’ll usually work with a stylus – even if they’re rarely included these days. Plus, to help you make your mind up, we’ve looked at all the best 2-in-1 laptops, with all their pros and cons considered.

Luckily, buying one of the best 2-in-1 laptops doesn’t mean you have to refinance your home. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner, and we’re sure that the best 2-in-1 laptops are going to be among the best Black Friday laptop deals – they’re pretty ubiquitous, after all. So, be sure to pay attention to your favorite retailers and manufacturers on Black Friday – and don’t forget to stay tuned to TechRadar for all your holiday shopping needs.

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. Australian and UK readers: check out a fine alternative in the Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch).

We never thought that the best Chromebooks and the best 2-in-1 laptops would cross paths, but here we are. The Google Pixelbook is a fantastic device that takes its platform and elevates it to levels we never anticipated. Thanks to its powerful internals, and including full Android app integration, the Google Pixelbook tears down the barriers that stopped windows and Mac users from trying Chrome OS. And, now that the Pixelbook may soon be able to boot Windows 10, those barriers keep getting smaller.

Read the full review: Google Pixelbook

This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Lenovo Yoga 920

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

If you’ve been looking for one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but you also kind of wanted something with some serious horsepower, you’re in luck. The Dell XPS 15, already one of the best Ultrabooks you can buy today, has been transformed into one of the best 2-in-1 laptops – with discrete class Radeon RX Vega graphics to boot. What this means is that you can get a beautiful 2-in-1, without sacrificing sheer power. And, while that means it’s a bit expensive on the high end – it’s totally worth it.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 2-in-1

We already loved the 13-inch Surface Book, so when we first heard that a 15-inch Surface Book 2 was on the way, our expectations shot into the sky. Microsoft’s second 2-in-1 laptop isn’t perfect, but it’s an impressive device held back by a handful of concessions. First, the Surface Book 2 features a cutting-edge 8th-generation Intel processor and Nvidia 10-series graphics for gamers and creative types alike. When you take that power and pair it with its nifty convertibility – it’s easy to see why it’s a winner.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13-inch)

While it doesn’t offer the same level of graphics performance, the Lenovo Yoga 920 is a much more affordable alternative to the Surface Book 2. For anyone who’s looking for value, rather than a detachable screen, the Lenovo Yoga 920 has a lot to offer. The design, for example, is less pronounced and has the subtlety of a more traditional Ultrabook. Meanwhile it’s thin and powerful at the same time.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920

To be fair, we loved the 13-inch Surface Book already, so when we first caught word that a 15-inch Surface Book 2 was in the works, our expectations were amplified. In the end, Microsoft’s second 2-in-1 laptop isn’t perfect, but it is an impressive feat held back by a handful of (frankly necessary) concessions. For starters, this machine features cutting-edge 8th-generation Intel processors and Nvidia 10-series graphics for gamers and creative types alike. Pair that with its nifty convertibility, and we have ourselves a winner.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (15-inch)

If you’re in the market for one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, but want to save a few bucks, look no further than the Lenovo Flex 6 14. For less than $1,000, you’re getting specs that will be able to handle most common workloads life throws at it – in a chassis that doesn’t just look good, but is rigid and even supports the Lenovo Active Pen. The only real downside here is the tinny speakers and the lack of Thunderbolt 3 – but even that’s not enough to hold it back from – especially at its bargain price.

Read the full review: Lenovo Flex 6 14

The HP Spectre x360 isn’t just one of the best HP laptops, but with its strikingly thin frame, it’s one of the best 2-in-1 laptops on the market right now. It’s packing all the power offered by the 8th-generation Kaby Lake R processors, so despite its slim build, the HP Spectre x360 can stream 4K video and even run some games at 720p. And, unlike many of the best 2-in-1 laptops, the stylus is in the box.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360

For years, HP’s Spectre line of Ultrabooks and 2-in-1s has been all about elegance and performance, and the 2018 HP Spectre x360 15 is no different. Packed with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 CPU, Nvidia MX 150 graphics and 16GB of RAM, you’re going to be able to do anything your work day throws at you – even up to some light gaming. However, the Spectre x360 is a bit heavy for a 2-in-1, so you likely won’t be using it in tablet mode very often, instead putting it in tent mode to watch some movies on its gorgeous 4K panel.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 15 2018

Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas have also contributed to this article