7 Best 2 in 1 Laptops That Fold Into Tablets
For all-round use, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 leads on its OLED screen and included pen. Want a real tablet? The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 detaches fully. Chasing screen and speed per dollar? The HP Envy x360 15 delivers, with the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 as the value pick.
Most people should start with the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14, our top all-round convertible. Genuinely want a tablet first? The Microsoft Surface Pro 9 handles that better than any folding design. Chasing screen and performance per dollar points you to the HP Envy x360 15.
A 360 degree hinge is easy to fit, but comfort in tablet mode depends on weight, screen size and pen support that many models skip. We compared published weights, display panels, pen compatibility, rated battery life and ports, then weighed owner reports on hinge stability and real runtime.
The shortlist, ranked
Lenovo Yoga 9i 14
A bright OLED touchscreen meets a rotating soundbar hinge that keeps speakers facing you in every mode, which pays off in tent position for video. Lenovo bundles the pen rather than charging extra, and the chassis stays rigid enough that the screen barely wobbles under touch. Sustained load runs it warm, the usual cost of a thin convertible.
Pros
- Bright, accurate OLED panel
- Rotating soundbar aims sound in every mode
- Active pen ships in the box
Cons
- Warms up under sustained load
- OLED at full brightness drains the battery
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
Pull the keyboard off and you hold a slate, not a folded laptop pressing keys against your palm. A kickstand adjusts to almost any angle, and the 3:2 display suits documents and note taking. Both the keyboard cover and the Slim Pen sell separately, pushing real cost above the headline figure.
Pros
- Comfortable to hold as a true tablet
- Kickstand sets almost any angle
- Tall 3:2 screen favours documents
Cons
- Keyboard and pen cost extra
- No USB-A, and some models drop the headphone jack
HP Envy x360 15
A full-size screen, a number pad and strong multi-core performance land well below premium ultraportables. Size is the trade, since a 15 inch convertible tires the arms as a handheld tablet. As a laptop that folds flat for sketching or presenting, it is the most practical buy here.
Pros
- Large screen with a full number-pad keyboard
- Strong performance for the outlay
- Keeps HDMI alongside USB-A
Cons
- Too heavy for long handheld use
- Thicker than 14 inch rivals
ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED
A high-resolution OLED panel in a taller aspect ratio adds noticeable vertical working space over standard widescreen. Colour accuracy is the standout, so photo and design work look right where a typical convertible panel would not. Battery life runs average, since OLED at high brightness is demanding.
Pros
- Colour-accurate OLED for creative work
- Taller ratio adds vertical space
- Solid build for the weight
Cons
- Battery life only average
- Pen not always included
Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1
Coursework and browsing get a comfortable keyboard, a useful spread of ports and enough performance without a premium price. A conventional LCD replaces OLED, which is the main compromise. Owners report the hinge stays firm over time, not a given at this price.
Pros
- Strong value for everyday study
- Comfortable keyboard
- Wide port selection with card reader
Cons
- LCD lacks OLED contrast
- Modest performance under heavy load
Acer Chromebook Spin 714
ChromeOS instead of Windows means instant wake, years of sustained speed and a routine full working day on a charge. A garaged stylus lives inside the chassis, so it never goes missing. Software is the limit, since heavy Windows apps will not run, though web and Android apps cover most daily needs.
Pros
- Full-day battery life
- Stylus docks inside the chassis
- Fast, low-maintenance operating system
Cons
- Cannot run Windows applications
- Limited offline capability for some tasks
HP Pavilion x360 14
This is the cheapest route into a genuine 360 degree convertible with a touchscreen and a reasonably solid hinge. Performance suits browsing, documents and video rather than demanding work, and the display is functional rather than impressive. For a second machine or a first laptop, the compromises land in the right places.
Pros
- Lowest-cost true convertible here
- Light enough to carry daily
- Retains HDMI and USB-A
Cons
- Modest performance ceiling
- Basic display brightness and colour
The lineup, side by side
| # | Model | Display | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 | 14 inch OLED touchscreen | Best overall | 9.4 | Check price |
| 2 | Microsoft Surface Pro 9 | 13 inch PixelSense, 3:2 ratio | Best for tablet first use | 9.2 | Check price |
| 3 | HP Envy x360 15 | 15.6 inch touchscreen | Best value | 9.0 | Check price |
| 4 | ASUS Zenbook 14 Flip OLED | 14 inch OLED, taller aspect ratio | Best display | 8.8 | Check price |
| 5 | Dell Inspiron 14 2-in-1 | 14 inch touchscreen LCD | Best for students | 8.6 | Check price |
| 6 | Acer Chromebook Spin 714 | 14 inch touchscreen | Best for battery life | 8.3 | Check price |
| 7 | HP Pavilion x360 14 | 14 inch touchscreen | Best budget | 8.0 | Check price |
What matters most
Convertible or detachable, and which suits you A convertible folds the keyboard behind the screen on a 360 degree hinge, so you always carry the keyboard and tablet mode leaves keys against your hand. A detachable like the Surface Pro separates fully, giving a better tablet but a less stable lap. Choose around the mode you will actually use most, because the other is always the compromise.
Weight decides tablet comfort Past roughly 1.5 kilograms, holding a device as a tablet tires the arms within minutes, which is why 15 inch convertibles get folded flat far more than held. Prioritise a 13 or 14 inch model if tablet use matters. Treat it as an occasional convenience and the extra screen of a 15 inch machine is the better trade.
Pen support and what actually ships Included pens vary more than marketing suggests. Some models bundle an active stylus, some sell it separately at real cost, and a few support only basic touch. Handwritten notes or sketching need an active pen with pressure sensitivity, so confirm it is in the box. Garaged pens that dock inside the chassis are far harder to lose.
Ports, battery and the thinness trade Thin convertibles drop USB-A and HDMI, so older peripherals and projectors need a dongle. Battery ratings come from light-use tests, so expect meaningfully less with a bright OLED panel and real workloads. ChromeOS machines break that pattern, routinely reaching a full day thanks to a lighter operating system.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 2 in 1 laptop worth it over a regular laptop?
It is if you will genuinely use tablet or tent mode for reading, sketching or presenting. If not, a traditional laptop at the same price usually offers better performance and battery for the money.
Which 2 in 1 laptop has the best battery life?
The Acer Chromebook Spin 714, since ChromeOS is far less demanding than Windows. Among Windows models, non-OLED configurations generally last longer than the bright OLED panels.
Do all 2 in 1 laptops support a stylus?
No. Most support touch, but active pen support with pressure sensitivity varies by model. The Lenovo Yoga 9i and Acer Spin 714 include a pen, while the Surface Pro sells its Slim Pen separately.
Is a 15 inch 2 in 1 too big?
For handheld tablet use, generally yes. A 15 inch convertible works folded flat or in tent mode but tires the arms when held. Pick 13 or 14 inches if tablet mode is a priority.
Can a 2 in 1 replace a tablet completely?
A detachable like the Surface Pro comes close, since it is a real slate with the keyboard off. A folding convertible is heavier in the hand, so it works better as a laptop that occasionally converts.
Is OLED worth the extra cost on a 2 in 1?
For contrast, colour and video, OLED is a clear step up and obvious in daily use. Trade-offs are higher battery drain at high brightness and a small burn-in risk with static interface elements over years.
How durable are the 360 degree hinges?
Owners of premium models report hinges staying firm over years of daily folding. Budget convertibles vary more, with some developing screen wobble, so extra spend is genuinely visible here.
Can a 2 in 1 laptop run demanding software?
Mainstream Windows convertibles handle office work, photo editing and light video comfortably. Sustained heavy workloads suit a thicker laptop with better cooling, since thin convertibles throttle sooner.
Surface Pro vs Yoga 9i, which should I buy?
Pick the Surface Pro 9 if a detachable tablet is the point and you accept paying extra for the keyboard and pen. Choose the Yoga 9i for a laptop-first convertible with OLED and a pen already included.
Our take
Most people should buy the Lenovo Yoga 9i 14, since the OLED panel, included pen and rotating soundbar make every mode genuinely usable. Anyone set on a real tablet should accept the extra cost of the Surface Pro 9 with its keyboard and pen. For maximum screen and performance per dollar, the HP Envy x360 15 wins, as long as it rarely gets held as a tablet.
