The best 2-in-1 laptops in 2023: ideal for students and creatives on the move

Best 2-in-1 laptops
(Image credit: Getty Images)

The best 2-in-1 laptops are incredibly versatile, due to their unique form factor and touchscreen capability, which allows them to take different forms – a traditional laptop, a tablet, and a display for presentations and content.

These 2-in-1 laptops take on the job of several different devices in a single device, which not only allows you to save a bit of cash and minimize the number of devices you need, but also seamlessly switch from work mode to play or relaxation mode whenever you want.

Whether you're going back to school, college or university soon, the versatility of the best 2-in-1 laptops is unsurpassed. Even with the jaw-dropping performance from the likes of Apple's M2-powered MacBook, there's no match to what these hybrid notebooks can offer when it comes to adaptability and usability.

What to look for in the best 2-in-1 laptops?

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For creative professionals, the best 2-in-1 laptops will allow you to transition between editing with a stylus pen to sending out emails and typing up proposals to clients without ever having to switch devices or interrupting your workflow.

Not all 2-in-1 laptops work the same way, however. Apart from the differences in size and specs, the hybrid functionality differs from one device to another. Many 2-in-1s rely on their hinges to go from laptop mode to tablet mode while some come with a detachable keyboard and trackpad that allows them to feel much more like a traditional tablet. A handful, like the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, boast an easel-inspired design, which might be more conducive to design work.

Besides the design, it’s also important to consider the availability of ports and card slots, screen resolution and color support, and naturally, the innards. Bear in mind that most 2-in-1 laptops need to stay as thin as possible, sacrificing space that could have been used to put in a discrete graphics card, let alone a powerful one. So, if you’re looking to use your laptop to stitch together 10-minute 4K videos or edit 50 or more high-resolution images at once daily, save yourself a lot of time and hair-pulling frustration and get a laptop with heftier internals instead. 

Otherwise, the best 2-in-1 laptops offer more than enough power and versatility for all your computing needs. Here are our top picks...

The best 2-in-1 laptops in 2023

(Image credit: Gareth Bevan)

1. Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Best original 2-in-1 is still the best

Specifications

CPU: 12th gen Intel iCore i5 or i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe graphics
RAM: 16 GB, 32 GB (LPDDR5)
Screen: 13.3-inch Pixel Sense, 2880 x 1920, 267 PPI, 120hz
Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB SSD
SD card reader: No
Thunderbolt 4: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile laptop/tablet detachable hybrid
+
Very light and portable
+
Deceptively powerful for its form factor
+
Surface Pen is excellent

Reasons to avoid

-
Power might not be enough for demanding tasks
-
Keyboard not for heavy typers
-
Lacking in ports

The Surface Pro is the original 2-in-1 that started the whole new wave of devices we have today, and the Surface Pro 9 still keeps its place as the best hybrid laptop tablet available today. It is a very beautifully built and captivating device with that kickstand and hinge that still reigns supreme in the 2-in-1 world. If you choose to buy the Surface Type Cover and Surface Slim Pen (which you really should) then this is a fantastic productivity device for on the move. 

While it is not the most powerful dedicated device for photo editing, it is the perfect device for editing while on the move, or for setting up quickly on shoots. If you choose the Intel i7 version then it can easily handle Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom, and even do a decent job of Premiere Pro, and it truly flies in day-to-day productivity. With a beautiful screen with touch input and pen support, there are a lot of ways to edit on the Surface Pro 9.

(Image credit: Gareth Bevan)
Fantastic 2-in-1 for portability and performance

Specifications

CPU: Up to Intel Core i7-1250U
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
Memory: 8GB - 16GB
Storage: 256GB - 512GB
Display: 13-inch 2880x1920 touch display
Size: 297 x 207 x 14.35mm
Weight: 2.83lb (1.3kg)

Reasons to buy

+
Sleek chassis ideal for tablet mode
+
A lot of power for a small laptop
+
Beautiful design you’d want to show off

Reasons to avoid

-
XPS Folio is finicky to use
-
Not a lot of ports

It’s hard to fault the sleek and stunning Dell XPS 13 2-in-1, even if it is a tad expensive. This thin and lightweight notebook has inherited everything great about the XPS line, including that premium design (which now bears more than a coincidental resemblance to a Microsoft Surface product!) and a whole lot of power for something that’s not much bigger than a tablet. In its laptop form, it is a great productivity device, although is hampered by a slightly annoying Folio and keyboard design. We also wish Dell would add a couple more USB-C ports, though at least the two you get are super-fast Thunderbolt 4 ports. Still, if you’re looking for one of the best 2-in-1 hybrid laptop-tablet devices out there, you can't go wrong picking this one.

Read our full Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 review.

(Image credit: Acer)

3. Acer Spin 5

Best in value 2-in-1 laptop for students

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5-1035G4 - Intel Core i7-1165G7
GPU: Intel Iris Xe - Intel Iris Plus
Memory: 8GB - 16GB
Storage: 256GB - 512GB
Display: 13.3-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) touch - 13.5-inch (2256 x 1504) touch display
Size: (L x W x H) 300 x 236 x 15mm
Weight: 2.65 lb (1.20kg)

Reasons to buy

+
Stylus already included, adding more value
+
Long battery life of up to 12 hours

Reasons to avoid

-
3:2 HD IPS display is a double-edged sword

Acer’s Spin line feels like the underdogs in the laptop market because it does seem like they don’t get as much credit as the Dell and HP flagships. But, do not underestimate these 2-in-1 laptops as they do offer the best value in the business. Not that the Acer Spin 5 is any cheaper than its direct rivals, but has a feature-rich stylus pen already included, giving its tablet, tent, and presentation modes a bit more functionality, and a 3:2 HD IPS display that makes it ideal for note-taking when in tablet form. Plus, it’s got a great battery life and a surprising selection of ports for a 13-inch, including an HDMI 2.0 port.

(Image credit: HP)

4. HP Elite Dragonfly G2

Best premium 2-in-1 laptop for power users

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i3-1115G4 - Intel Core i7-1185G7
GPU: Intel Iris UHD - Intel Iris Xe
Memory: 8GB - 32GB
Storage: 128GB - 2TB
Display: 13.3" (1920x1080) touch - 13.3-inch UHD (3840x2160) touch display
Size: 304 x 198 x 16mm
Weight: 2.18 lb (0.98kg)

Reasons to buy

+
Smart yet sleek and stylish design
+
Stunning screen and comfortable keyboard
+
Battery life to last a whole workday

Reasons to avoid

-
Premium price makes it a pricey investment
-
Only two Thunderbolt 4 ports

Whether you need one for business or your creative projects, you might want to pick up an HP Elite Dragonfly G2. By paying just as much attention to its security and privacy features as it does to its design and power, HP has created an excellent tool for pros – one that is much more travel-friendly and versatile than other business laptops. There are a few other nice surprises in this hybrid notebook as well, like a gorgeous touchscreen and a battery life that lasts all day. You hardly see those on big and bulky business laptops. Of course, for all that, you’ll be expected to pay a premium, and it's a rather hefty one.

(Image credit: Andrew Williams/Digital Camera World)
Most versatile 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5-11300H - Intel Core i7-11370H
GPU: Intel Iris Xe - Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
Memory: 16GB - 32GB
Storage: 256GB - 2TB
Display: 14.4-inch PixelSense 2400 x 1600 Touch Display
Size: 323.28 x 228.32 x 18.94 mm
Weight: 3.83 lb (1.74 kg) - 4 lb (1.82kb)

Reasons to buy

+
Stunning QHD display with a fast refresh rate
+
Easel-like design is the biggest selling point
+
Excellent keyboard and trackpad

Reasons to avoid

-
Not enough power or ports for the price
-
Heavier than the competition

Microsoft’s Surface laptops have always sat at a much higher price point than their rivals considering they offer just a bit less power. But, with the aptly named Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, you’re also getting a much more unique and versatile form factor – not to mention, the option to have a discrete graphics card inside. Especially if you’re a graphic designer or an illustrator, you will without a doubt make the most of that easel-like display that offers a more seamless creative workflow. And, upgrading to an RTX 3050 Ti configuration means you’re getting a much more powerful graphics card for photo and video editing. Just bear in mind that you’ll be paying a hefty sum, and without a stylus pen included.

(Image credit: HP)
Best in design 2-in-1 laptop

Specifications

CPU: Up to Intel Core i7-1255U
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
Memory: Up to 16GB
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
Display: Up to 13.5-inch 3000 x 2000 touch
Size: 298 x 220 x 16.9mm
Weight: 1.36kg

Reasons to buy

+
Gem-cut design is an absolute stunner
+
Battery life that will outlast your workday
+
10-core processor for demanding work

The HP Spectre x360 line has, sadly, gotten more expensive over the last couple of years, but we could hardly blame HP. It makes sense for a premium laptop to have a premium price tag, and frankly, we’re surprised that HP didn’t raise the prices on these earlier. This 13-inch hybrid laptop deserves every penny you pay for it, considering the attention to detail that’s been put into its gem-cut design that you’ll want to show off to everyone. Of course, there’s just as much substance as there is style. There’s a lot of power here, enough to see you through your less demanding photo editing needs, and more than enough battery life to last you through a whole workday. And don't forget the stunning OLED screen on the top models - its 500-nit peak brightness means it's HDR-ready, while the 100% DCI-P3 color coverage is ideal for accurate video editing.

(Image credit: Lenovo)

7. Lenovo Yoga 9i

Best 2-in-1 laptop for 14-inch fans

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7 - Intel Core i7-1185G7
GPU: Intel Iris Xe
Memory: 8GB - 16GB
Storage: 256GB - 1TB
Display: 14.0-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) touch - UHD (3840 x 2160) touch display
Size: 319.4 x 216.4 x 14.6-15.7mm
Weight: 3.02lb (1.37 kg)

Reasons to buy

+
Smart, stylish design with a garaged stylus
+
Battery life will blow you away
+
14-inch is the new Goldilocks of portables

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavier than many of its rivals
-
You’re paying a lot its breathtaking performance

A 13-inch screen just not big enough for you? A 14-inch one might be the ticket, and for that, there’s the Lenovo Yoga 9i whose features – apart from a stunning 14-inch screen with up to 500 nits of brightness – include up to a whopping 15 hours of battery life, a garaged stylus pen you won’t have to pay extra for, and a pivoting soundbar so that the sound quality is consistent no matter the mode the laptop is in. There are a couple of reasons why this hasn’t scaled higher on this list – namely that you are sacrificing portability and a more traditional laptop screen ratio for that bigger display. However, there’s already a lot to love here that those flaws aren’t deal-breakers.

How we test laptops

When reviewing a laptop, we assess its internal hardware features, build quality, ergonomics, performance in a variety of usage scenarios, value for money, and its overall suitability for its target buyer. Although we'll evaluate a laptop with a typical user in mind, we will also pay particular attention to the perspective of photo and video enthusiasts, with special focus given to screen quality and color space coverage. 

Where possible, a monitor calibrator will be used to measure a laptop's display performance to assess whether it matches a manufacturer's claims, and software benchmarks like GeekBench are used to measure a laptop's processor and graphics card capabilities.

Find out how we test and review on Digital Camera World if you want to know more.

If you didn't find what you were looking for here, you might also like the best laptops for photo editing, the best student printers, or if you're an Apple fan, the best MacBooks and iPads.

Michelle Rae Uy

Michelle is a writer and photographer based in Los Angeles, California. She regularly writes for Fodor's Travel, Steve's Digicams, Thrillist and Techlicious, and is currently a freelance SEO and Production Editor for TechRadar.