A 2-in-1 laptop, or hybrid notebook, is a mobile computer that can serve as both a laptop and a tablet, either in a detachable design that sees the touchscreen doubling as a tablet, or a convertible approach in which the notebook's hinge rotates 360 degrees for a similar effect.
Hybrid laptops are generally priced in a range between $700 (about £450, AU$800) and $2,000 (around £1,169, AU$2,131). However, some manufacturers, like Acer, make budget hybrids, and there are even 2-in-1s designed specifically for the business user, like the Dell Venue 7000 series.
Now that we're approaching the second year of Windows 10, 2-in-1s are becoming increasingly prevalent across the market. Although a handful of hybrids - such as Microsoft's fantastic Surface Pro 4, and even the Dell XPS 12 - didn't quite qualify for this list, that's not to say 2-in-1s excluded from this list aren't worth your consideration.
In fact, you might find your needs are better suited for one of the 6 best Windows tablets. With that, here are the best 2-in-1 laptops that we've reviewed:
1. Lenovo Yoga 900
A thoughtfully refined 2-in-1 convertible
CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch QHD+ 3,200 x 1,800 IPS display | Storage: 256GB SSD
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Gorgeous display
Slim design
Shallow keyboard
Display drivers issues
Whereas the Lenovo Yoga Pro 3 had a winning design and underwhelming performance, the Yoga 900 is the full package. By integrating more powerful Intel Core i processors and a larger battery, Lenovo's latest flagship convertible can stand toe-to-toe with most Ultrabooks and even Microsoft's latest Surface Book.
Much of this extra power only contributes to the weight and thickness of the Yoga 900, it still retains a slender physique and flexible frame allowing it to easily fold back into tablet mode.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 900
2. Microsoft Surface Book
The ultimate Windows 10 hybrid laptop
CPU: 2.4GHz Intel Core i5-6300U | Graphics: Intel HD graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense Display | Storage: 128GB PCIe3.0 SSD
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Futuristic design
Seamless tablet separation
Battery life falls well below promises
Major updates are still in tow
In 2015, Microsoft made some noise in announcing the company's first laptop, the Surface Book. Although there's still work to be done, namely in its perhaps ill-advised 3:2 aspect ratio and 13.5-inch screen, it's still one of the best in convertible laptop options.
In its tablet, or Clipboard, mode it's among the most powerful and thinnest Windows 10 devices on the market. Dock it into the keyboard base, however, and you're in for a real treat assuming you opt for a discrete GPU configuration.
3. HP Spectre x360
Sublime. Near-perfect
CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-5200 | Graphics:Intel HD Graphics 5500 | RAM: 4GB DDR3 (1600Mhz) | Screen: 13.3-inch, 1,920 x 1,080 FHD Radiance LED-backlit touchscreen | Storage: 128GB SSD
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Superbly thin
Vibrant, bright display
Excellent performance and battery life
Too heavy to use as a tablet
Weird, wide trackpad
A vote for the HP Spectre x360 is a vote for one of our most recommended machines Complete with an excellent 1080p screen, solid performance, good battery life, and sturdy build quality, the Spectre x360 is one of the best hybrids money can buy, especially considering its modest price point of $999 (£800 AU$1,899).
If it weren't for the x360's unwieldy trackpad, this laptop would have easily stood amongst the most highly rated laptops TechRadar has ever reviewed. Despite its flaws, though, the Spectre x360 is still one of the best-looking and powerful devices HP has ever produced and well worth a look over many, many other 2-in-1 laptops. And hey, at least it fared much better than its performance deficient predecessor.
