Portable devices featuring touchscreens are undeniably the future of computing, but some users still want a full keyboard as well.

Thankfully, you no longer have to choose between a tablet and a laptop! With hybrid machines hitting the market, now you can get the best of both worlds.

If you’re just starting to compare and contrast what’s available, we’re here to help with a roundup of the 10 absolute best 2-in-1s in 2020!

Unfortunately, Apple hasn’t jumped into the convertible arena yet, so there won’t be any iPad style devices listed below. There’s no shortage of options from other manufacturers however, from Dell to Samsung to Acer and beyond.

Recommendations for October 2020

Best 2-In-1 Laptops Under $600 In 2020

Lenovo Chromebook C330 – Cheap 2-In-1 Laptop

Sale Lenovo Chromebook C330 Just getting started trying out hybrid 2-in-1s, or looking for a very cheap model to give to the kids? This should be your pick if sticking to a budget is your main concern over any other feature and need the best 2-in-1 under $200.

Here’s the thing — you get what you pay for. Convertible laptops with Windows 10 at this price range won’t have nearly the speed or power of a regular laptop.

With only 4 GB of onboard memory and an integrated graphics card, this isn’t a powerhouse machine by any stretch of the imagination.

If you don’t need a high end machine though, this is the perfect low budget option. You simply won’t find a fully functional Windows 10 computer with a touch screen anywhere else at this price.

Managing expectations will be key to getting the most out of this Lenovo Chromebook C330 unit. With these specs, you’ll primarily be web browsing, sending emails, and typing documents.

Anything past that will strain the device beyond its capabilities. Keep in mind you will also need to buy a microSD card for extra storage.

The standard Windows 10 updates will eat a 32GB storage capacity for breakfast. If you intend to save any documents or images on this laptop, you will absolutely need extra storage space. Thankfully this 2-in-1 laptop runs on Chrome OS.

There’s one big advantage to this model over others though — you get a decent HD screen with a 1366 x 768 resolution, which isn’t often found in budget laptops.

Keep in mind that there’s an alternative to this unit if you find running Windows 10 with 4 GB of RAM is too slow for your needs.

If you don’t mind using all Android apps, you should strongly consider a tablet or chromebook instead if you need to stay under the 0 price range.

Recommended configuration for Lenovo Chromebook C330

CPU: MediaTek MT8173C Quad-Core | Graphics: Integrated PowerVR GX6250 Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 11. 6″ HD (1366×768) 10-point Multi-touch IPS 300nits Anti-glare Display| Storage: 32GB eMMC| Operating System: Chrome OS | Battery Life: 10 hours | Weight: 2.6 pounds

Lenovo Flex 14 – Ryzen Processor and Vega Graphics

Lenovo Flex 14 Want the same level of specs you’d expect from a full business laptop but in a budget form with a 2-in-1 design? Lenovo’s Flex 14 has you covered as our top pick for the best budget 2-in-1 laptop on the market right now.

Laptop aficionados will endlessly debate the perfect size for a hybrid machine. Your personal preference may vary, with some users preferring the tiny 10 inch and others needing the 13 – 14 inch designs.

The Flex 14, as its name implies, is on the larger end of the scale packing a 14-inch screen. Its larger size does come with added weight, however, the portability of this machine is still very good.

At this price range, you can finally get out of the lower end and find some machines that will offer fast performance no matter what kind of programs you use.

With 12 GB of RAM and aa AMD Ryzen 5-3500u 4 core CPU, Lenovo’s Flex 14 can easily serve as your main work, home, or school machine. The integrated Vega graphics are far superior to Intel’s offerings, making this a more formidable option than the Intel based laptops in this price range.

The screen on the Flex 14 is really good. With a Full HD 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, everything looks crisp and sharp.

When your done with work and are ready to switch to tablet mode, simply fold it over and enjoy your favorite TV shows and movies comfortably.

The great performance, compact form factor (for the screen size), and lightweight construction of the Lenovo Flex 14 are what make it the perfect choice for a 2-in-1 laptop under $600.

Recommended configuration for Lenovo Flex 14

CPU: Ryzen 5 3500U processor| Graphics:AMD Radeon Vega 8| RAM: 12 GB RAM | Screen: 14-Inch 1920x1080p display| Storage: 256GB| Operating System: Windows 10| Battery Life: up to 10 hours | Weight: 3.52 lbs

ASUS Vivobook Flip 14 – Thin And Light

ASUS Vivobook Flip 14 Looking for a high end 2-in-1 experience with a focus on portability at a low price point? This should easily be your pick if you only have a few hundred to spend and want a lightweight device.

Although it is about the same size as the Lenovo model listed above, you get significant hardware specs by picking the Asus VivoBook instead.

The big selling point here is packing those specs into an incredibly portable 14 inch device. If you’ve found that other hybrid models are too bulky or unwieldy in tablet mode, this is an excellent pick.

With a decent RAM and storage space, you also get reliable performance and significantly more room for saving files or installing programs.

That being said, 128 GB is still pretty small for a Windows 10 machine, so make sure to pick up a USB storage drive or an SD card for extra storage.

Note that his version of Windows starts in S Mode, which only lets you download certified apps from the Microsoft app store. If you prefer the full Windows 10 experience, it’s simple (and free) to upgrade from S to Home.

To get these specs at this price in a 2-in-1 model you’ve got to go refurbished, which means the device has been previously used but repaired and restored to factory settings.

If you’re willing to bump up slightly above $300, note that there are several brand new 2-in-1 VivoBook options readily available at Amazon.

Recommended configuration for ASUS Vivobook Flip 14

CPU: Intel Quad-Core Pentium N5000 Processor | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 605 | RAM: 4 GB RAM | Screen: 14 ” HD 1366 x 768 pixels display| Storage: 128 GB | Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: 7.5 hours | Weight: 3.3 lbs

Acer Spin R13 – 360 Degree Display

Sale Acer Spin R13 Willing to ditch Windows 10 and go with the more secure Chrome OS instead? This should easily be your pick for a killer 2-in-1 touch laptop!

Most of the 2-in-1 devices in our list of contenders will feature the full Windows 10 operating system. That’s not the case with this Acer model, which utilizes the Chrome OS.

There are both pros and cons to this approach. Most notably, it means you can’t install Windows programs and have to use apps instead.

There’s a major silver lining there, however. The Chrome OS has significantly enhanced security over the many vulnerabilities in the Windows platform.

For users who bought this model, the main selling points are the extremely high battery life, fast boot time, and excellent screen.

There are several design issues frequently criticized by buyers who write reviews after using the device for a few months. They all deal with the way Acer chose to deal with the issues inherent to a laptop that can spin around 360 degrees.

First up, the power button is an awkward position that makes it easy to accidentally press down. Whether picking it up or placing it in your backpack, you can expect to turn it on and off while getting used to the design.

That same issue is brought up with the SD card slot. An inserted SD card pops out fairly easily as well, so be careful where you hold the R 13 in tablet mode for the first few days.

Finally, the stock power cable is a little wiggly and can fall out easily when moving the device. If you leave your tablet on your lap when charging, it may be worth investing in an aftermarket charger.

Recommended Configuration For Acer Spin R13

CPU: Quad-Core MediaTek MT8173C| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics| RAM: 4GB RAM | Screen: 13.3-inch 1920×1080 FHD IPS display| Storage: 32GB SSD| Operating System: Chrome OS| Battery Life: up to 12 hours | Weight: 3.28 lbs

ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 – Small Bezels

ASUS Chromebook Flip C434 The most complete chromebook on the market, which is also a 2-in-1 laptop, is by far the ASUS Chromebook Flip 14. It does everything you want in a chromebook, and it does it extremely well.

ASUS has created a top notch Chromebook in the Flip 14. Super portable and powerful enough to do everything that is needed on Chrome OS.

While not all chromebooks are 2-in-1’s, having the ability to fold this laptop into tablet mode puts it well above most of the competition. And the almost bezel less display makes the tablet mode one of the most enjoyable experiences we have ever used in a 2-in-1.

Chromebooks are underpowered when compared to their Windows based counterparts, but the ASUS still packs enough punch to give one of the best chromebook performances on the market. The Core M3 processor combined with 4GB of RAM are more than enough for your apps and daily use cases.

The 14-inch 1080p display is stunning. Great colors and good brightness make it a joy to not only work with, but to watch movies and videos.

The keyboard is fully backlit and has a 1.4mm travel distance, making it a true joy to type on. The trackpad feels great and is extremely responsive, making this chromebook a breeze to use.

There is nothing about this laptop that is lacking. When compared to all other chromebooks on the market, especially 2-in-1 solutions, the ASUS Chromebook Flip 14 blows them out of the water.

Recommended configuration for ASUS Chromebook Flip C434

CPU: Intel Core M3-8100Y| Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615| RAM: 4 GB RAM| Screen: 14-inch Touchscreen, 1920 x 1080 pixels | Storage: 64 GB | Operating System: Chrome OS | Battery Life: 10 hours |Weight: 3 lbs

Microsoft Surface Go 2 – Extremely Light

Microsoft Surface Go 2 Want an absolutely killer hybrid laptop that’s extremely lightweight but doesn’t have a huge price tag? This should be your pick for the best detachable laptop!

You may need to read that weight column a few more times to let it sink in. Yes, this laptop weighs 1.2 pounds.

You’ve probably bought heavier produce at the supermarket! Microsoft manages that weight by using a detachable keyboard instead of the 360 degree rotating hinge of the other contenders.

That’s both a pro and a con, because you have to buy the keyboard separately. Even with that added cost you can stay at just under $600, however.

The Surface Go is easily one of the sleekest and most well designed 2-in-1 devices while still maintaining the specs you want from a laptop.

Two potential issues should be considered before picking the Surface Go that are regularly cited by reviewers.

Due to its size and tablet nature, the Surface Go is clearly meant to be used with a pen, but strangely it doesn’t include one out of the box. If you want to use a stylus for Microsoft Ink, you’ll have to buy that peripheral separately.

This model also ships with Windows 10 S, which is the stripped down version of Windows that can only install apps. That’s significantly more secure than full Windows, but reduces your options considerably.

You aren’t stuck with the S version permanently, however. Its completely free to upgrade to Windows 10 Home — it just means you add a good deal of time to the initial setup process.

Recommended Configuration For Microsoft Surface Go 2

CPU: Intel Pentium| Graphics: Integrated Graphics| RAM: 4GB RAM | Screen: 10.51-inch 1920×1280 Full HD Touchscreen display| Storage: 64GB eMMC| Operating System: Windows 10 S| Battery Life: up to 10 hours | Weight: 1.2 lbs

HP Chromebook x360 – Long Battery Life

HP Chromebook x360 If you are in the market for a 2-in-1 laptop with reliable specs and is able to last for a very long time, then you should check out the HP Chromebook x360. It isn’t very powerful but it sure lasts for a very long time!

Some people want a tiny 2-in-1 chromebook which they can use like a normal laptop. If that is you, then the HP Chromebook x360 is an amazing choice blending the lines of a full laptop and a portable 2-in-1.

The HP Chromebook x360 with it’s 11.6” screen and hefty 2.76 lbs of weight, is definitely not the most portable 2-in-1 on the market but it’s still very portable . However, you get a decent screen and relatively powerful specs, and still the ability to flip it into tablet mode to enjoy your entertainment.

The Intel Celeron CPU N3350 processor is a powerful chip that can run most everyday tasks. Combine that with 4GB of RAM, a Intel HD Graphics 500 GPU, and decent storage and you have a laptop that is capable of being your daily driver without the worry of any slow-downs.

The HD resolution of the HP Chromebook x360 is bright and sharp. It will be a nice display even in outside or brightly lit use cases.

The keyboard and touchpad are both good, with the keyboard being backlit with decent key travel. The trackpad is nice and responsive, giving it an all around great feel when using the laptop.

With desktop rivaling performance, the sturdy x360 hinges, and a fantastic price point, the HP Chromebook x360 is a fantastic 2-in-1 ready for any day to day tasks that you need doing.

Recommended configuration for HP Chromebook x360

CPU: Intel Celeron CPU N3350 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 500| RAM: 4 GB | Screen: 11.6-InchHD WLED-backlit touch screen 1366 x 768 | Storage: 32 GB| Operating System: Chrome OS | Battery Life: 13 hours and 45 minutes | Weight: 2.76 lbs

Dell Inspiron 14 – Sensitive Touchscreen

Dell Inspiron 14 Looking for the absolute best convertible laptop when it comes to a sensitive touchscreen? With a decently sized screen for streaming videos and high specs? The Dell Inspiron 14 should be your pick!

Looking for an amazing convertible laptop with a decent screen for streaming videos and good specs? This should be your pick!

I bet you didn’t expect to see this computer with a 14 inch display in a list of hybrid 2-in-1s! Yes, even the screen may not be the biggest but it treads a fine line between portability and power.

Obviously the bigger screen means a heavier overall computer which is why the Dell Inspiron 14 chose to go lights. While this is nearly half the weight of most other contenders on our list, it remains under an inch thick for power.

It’s not just the size that’s big either, as the specs on this Dell inspiron are quite decent as well. 4 GB of RAM and an 8th gen processor mean you’ll have a screaming fast experience with any kind of usage.

There’s also an Intel UHD Graphics 620, so if you like some gaming on the side that option is available although don’t expect much since its still an integrated graphics card.

Dell made an interesting trade off on the storage capacity front, which could be a positive or negative depending on your needs.

This model has a pretty reliable storage capacity with a full 128 GB SSD hard drive. Going that route means that you’ll have faster loading times thanks to your compact hard drive.

For reviewers, there are two potential problems to consider with this model. First off, if you were expecting to get an optical drive along with the bigger size, you’ll be disappointed.

The larger viewing area also makes this model less useful in some configurations. While it’s easy to prop up into entertainment viewing mode, you probably won’t use it for resource intensive programs considering its i3 processor.

Recommended configuration for Dell Inspiron 14

CPU: 8th Generation Intel Core i3-8145u Processor | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 4 GB RAM | Screen: 14.0-Inch HD (1366 x 768) LED-backlit Touch Display | Storage: 128 GB SSD | Operating System: Windows 10 Home | Battery Life: 8.5 houes | Weight: 2.9 pounds

Samsung Chromebook 3 – Good For Students

Samsung Chromebook 3 If you’re a college student on a budget, the Samsung Chromebook 3 is a fantastic option for all of your schoolwork needs. You have all the apps available on Chrome OS to go with the lightweight and portable design to carry to all of your classes.

While there are plenty of “bargain” laptops available on the market, generally they are extremely slow and lacking in many areas. This is generally due to them running Windows operating system, so going with a Chromebook is a great option for students.

The Samsung Chromebook 3 is not only affordable, but has the specs to make it a laptop that can handle any school work you can throw at it. The ability to put it in tablet mode and take notes with the included pen is just another nice addition for college students.

The Chromebook 3 is using an Intel Atom x5-E8000 processor, giving it decent processing power but without draining the battery too fast. Combine that with 2GB of RAM and storage that is expandable, and you have a chromebook that is a worthy Windows laptop replacement.

The real star of the Samsung Chromebook 3 is the high resolution 11.1-inch display. Packing 1366 x 768 pixels into such a small display makes for an extremely crisp and beautiful picture.

The keyboard has a nice size for such a small device, making it easy to type on. The trackpad is responsive and smooth.

While a lot of college students opt to go for a Macbook or Windows laptop, this Chromebook should not be overlooked. It has great performance, making it a good choice if you’re looking for something very affordable but good for school.

CPU:Intel Atom x5-E8000 processor | Graphics:Intel HD graphics card | RAM: 2GB LPDDR3 RAM | Screen: 11.6 inch diagonal HD SVA BrightView WLED-backlit (1366 x 768) Display | Storage: |16GB eMMC |Operating System: Chrome OS| Battery

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – For Basic Editing

Lenovo IdeaPad 3 If you are looking for a great work or business 2-in-1 that can give you reliability and a solid build, this laptop is unrivaled. TheLenovo IdeaPad 3 high performance, great screen, and sleek styling are bound to impress your business partners. It also has the specs for some basic video editing which is a huge plus for work.

When trying to find a business laptop, you want a sleek design and a rock-solid, stable performance. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offers both of those, as well as class leading security solutions.

The inclusion of Windows 10 makes sure that you get all the added enterprise features your business ventures will need.

Rocking an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor, with a fantastic 8 GB of RAM, this computer will be able to handle any business or productivity task easily. The 256 GB of SSD storage is extremely fast, and offers plenty of space to save all of your files.

With these specs doing some basic video editing would be easy especially because of its AMD Radeon Vega 8 GPU which is one of the best integrated graphics cards out there to handle video editing on a basic level.

The 14-inch display is 1080p in resolution, and looks good in color and clarity. However, we wish that the display was a bit brighter for better use in direct light.

The keyboard on theLenovo IdeaPad 3 is great. The key travel and overall feel of the keyboard make this laptop a joy to type on, even on long work days.

Overall the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 does everything you would want from a business laptop, and it does them well. If you value your security, but want a high end 2-in-1 laptop to do your work, you will definitely enjoy this machine.

Recommended configuration for Lenovo IdeaPad 3

CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U |Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Processor | Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics | RAM: 8GB DDR4 RAM | Screen: 14.0″ FHD (1920 x 1080) | Display: | Storage: 256GB SSD| Operating System: Windows 10 | Battery Life: 4 hours and 30 minutes | Weight: 3.3 pounds

Picking The Best Budget 2-in-1 Laptop Under $600 In 2020

When picking a 2-in-1 machine you want maximum flexibility, and I don’t just mean that it should rotate 360 degrees in any direction.

Hybrid computers are significantly more versatile than either a standard clamshell laptop or a touchscreen tablet.

Because you will be using the device in a variety of different modes, be sure to take into account what features you aren’t willing to lose.

For instance, do you absolutely need an HDMI out port? What about an optical DVD-RW drive or extra USB ports for external peripherals?

From there, it’s time to consider what size will work best for your needs. Are you more excited for an extremely portable unit that’s only 10 inches wide, or do you want a desktop replacement at 15 or 17 inches?

Why Should I Pick A 2-In-1 Over A Normal Laptop?

This entire answer can be summed up in one word: versatility. Nothing else comes close to the wide range of features and options you get with a hybrid notebook computer.

Want to be in tablet mode for reading an ebook or browsing social media? No problem. Need to sit your device up like a tent for streaming videos? Done and done.

When it’s time for some serious typing or you want to use the touchpad for gaming, just flip the machine back over into standard laptop configuration.

Except for at the very lowest price points, hybrid machines typically have great overall specs and high battery life. That means you don’t lose out on anything you’d get with a standard laptop.

If you frequently use a stylus or pen for drawing designs or marking up documents, a 2-in-1 should be your starting pick.

For users who don’t ever utilize the touchscreen features, then going with a standard clamshell laptop would be a better idea, however.

Will I Be Able To Upgrade My 2-In-1 Laptop With More RAM?

This is on the one and only area where 2-in-1 hybrid laptops are currently outclassed by their standard counterparts.

There are a few exceptions here and there, but for the most part 2-in-1 devices aren’t currently designed with upgrading in mind. That may change in the future as they become more prevalent, however.

Comparing all your options before making a final purchase decision is critical with a hybrid machine. The specs you get out of the box are the same specs you’ll have for the life of the unit.

In general, the only upgrade possibility will exist by connecting an external USB hard drive or using an SD card for additional storage space.

For now, a standard laptop is the way you want to go if you intend to upgrade the RAM or want to install a second SSD.

For now, a standard laptop is the way you want to go if you intend to upgrade the RAM or want to install a second SSD.

What Are The Best Sizes And Styles For 2-In-1 Laptops?

Now that hybrid devices are penetrating the market and dominating in sales, we’re seeing an explosion in the number of options available.

Your first decision should be whether to go with a detachable keyboard model or a unit with a 360 degree rotating hinge.

If you want the lightest laptop possible and only use the keyboard sparingly, a detachable unit is the way to go. For users who frequently switch back and forth between tablet mode and laptop mode, make absolutely certain you get the 360 degree flip version.

The best overall size for a hybrid device is a much more subjective choice, and you don’t have any lack of options. From 10 – 17 inches, convertible laptops are available in a huge range of sizes.

For most users, sticking somewhere in the middle will be the best way to try out a hybrid notebook. 10 inch models frequently have overly small keyboard designs, while 15 to 17 inch screens may be too big to use the device effectively in tablet mode.

Because of their slim designs and smaller screen sizes, there will be a lot of overlap between 2-in-1 devices and ultrabooks. You may want to take a look at what lightweight laptops are up for grabs as well.

Finally, don’t forget you can often choose between Windows 10 or the Chrome OS with hybrid machines. While you may be more familiar with Windows as an operating system, Chrome is worth checking out if you use web-based applications more than executable files.

Finding An Amazing Hybrid Machine For Any User

What did you think of our picks, and are you planning on buying any of these models soon? Let us know when you find your perfect hybrid laptop in the comments below!

Be sure to check back often as well, as new hybrid devices are constantly arriving. For the videophiles in particular, keep in mind that Dell will launch a brand new line of Inspiron 2-in-1 machines with 4k displays in October

Frequently Asked Questions