Best 2-in-1 detachable laptops 2020: best tablet-laptop hybrids

The many affordable tablets on the market can come in handy when you just want a lightweight device to take with you, but also want an extra-large screen to enjoy media. Unfortunately, stand-alone tablets don’t tend to have the same levels of productivity as proper laptops, especially since they tend to lack a laptop’s keyboard and many ports. But 2-in-1 detachable laptops offer the best of both worlds.With a 2-in-1 detachable laptop, you get all of your computing gear packed in the form factor of a tablet, and you can get one. Transparent keyboard dock design that turns the device into a fully functional laptop. Best of all, by making your laptop and tablet one device, you won’t have to download and copy the same programs and data to separate devices. Many of these devices will also have an advantage over traditional laptops, as they tend to have better performing touchscreens and stylus support that make them great for mobile gaming ports and art or design.

We’ve rounded up the best options on the market so that you can meet your desires for both tablet and laptop while only requiring one device.

TL; DR – Here are the best 2-in-1 detachable laptops:

1. Surface Pro 7

Best 2-in-1 detachable laptop

Microsoft’s Surface Pro line has always demonstrated what a great removable 2-in-1 laptop looks like. That holds true with the Surface Pro 7, which allows Microsoft to continue to hold the throne for this form factor. The new Surface Pro 7 continues to offer a pixel-dense display that measures 12.3 inches in diameter. And, to let you get the most out of this display, it supports touch input as well as active styluses.

This makes it just as well suited for casual games and doodling as it is for precise graphic work. And, when it’s time to get serious, the available Intel Core i5 or i7 processors, both of which offer Intel Iris Plus graphics, deliver decent power. The Surface Pro 7 also offers the USB-C port that was lacking on previous models. This helps complete the device, letting it connect to many more modern accessories and giving it a second charging option when you don’t have the Surface Connect charger handy.

2. Surface Go 2

Best Budget 2-in-1 Detachable Laptop

Microsoft’s Surface line has long shown what a 2-in-1 laptop with an excellent display and stunning design could be. The Surface Go 2 (see our opinion) takes a lot of these lessons and puts them in a much more affordable package. The Surface Go 2 runs on a modest Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y processor, although there are more powerful options available. We have selected a model with 8 GB of RAM to ensure that it offers the memory needed to enjoy most programs and handle browsing, and it includes a 128 GB SSD to deliver faster speeds than the eMMC model of 64 GB.

The Surface Go 2 has a compact 10.5-inch display to give it efficient portability as a tablet, and that screen is a crisp Full HD panel. It not only supports touch pens, but also active pens like Surface Pen, giving you access to a powerful creative tool. And, just like the Surface Pro line, the Surface Go 2 supports Microsoft Type Cover keyboards for a full 2-in-1 experience.

3. Asus ROG Mothership

Best 2-in-1 Detachable Gaming Laptop

If you really want to go crazy, the ASUS ROG Mothership GZ700 gaming laptop is the only answer. This massive gaming laptop has a 17.3 inch Full HD 144Hz screen that detaches from the keyboard. You can then use the keyboard wirelessly or via a USB-C cable. It’s basically an all-in-one Gaming pc that looks and works like a laptop when the keyboard is connected, and we’re so interested in it.

Behind the screen is an overclocked Intel Core i9-9980HK, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, a 1.5TB SSD and 64GB DDR4 RAM. A ROG Ranger is included with the Mothership. laptop backpack and a Gladius II gaming mouse, the first one you will need to carry all 10.58 pounds.

4. Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Best budget detachable 2-in-1 Chromebook

Don’t necessarily need Windows 10? Look no further than the recently released Lenovo Chromebook Duet. This little 2-in-1 is exactly what Google hoped the Pixel Slate would be. Starting with Chrome OS 81, which is installed by default, there is a dedicated tablet interface, with gesture navigation.

Included in the box is a back cover and a keyboard, all for under $ 300. You can quickly switch from a pseudo Android tablet with access to the Play Store to a full version Chromebook simply by attaching the keyboard. And with access to Google Docs or Microsoft’s Office suite of apps, the Duet is an affordable and capable detachable 2-in-1.

5. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 tablet

Best 2-in-1 detachable laptop for work

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 isn’t the prettiest detachable on our list, but it’ll do the job nonetheless. The familiar ThinkPad design should at least look familiar to you.

The default kit comes with the 12-inch 2-in-1, Lenovo keyboard, and an active stylus.

Inside is an Intel Core m7 processor, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of memory which should be more than enough for office and school work, and even occasional gaming in Roblox or Minecraft (what the GB 2 accomplished with a slower processor). Accessories that you can attach to the tablet are sold separately to add items like a portable projector, extra battery or extra ports. It’s a versatile offering, without a doubt.

6. Surface Book 3

Best high-end 2-in-1 removable laptop

The Surface Book 3 combines the power and resources of a more traditional laptop with the appeal of a detachable 2-in-1. The single hinge is back, allowing the screen to disconnect from the base and be used as a tablet.

You can opt for a 13.5 inch model or the larger 15 inch model that we offer here. The larger of the two comes standard with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660Ti Max-Q or Nvidia Quadro RTX 3000 Max-Q with an Intel Core i7-1065G7 processor.

The GTX 1660Ti is more than capable of powering long video editing sessions, or a weekend’s worth of AAA gaming without any issues. This is the detachable you want if you expect performance from your computer, even though the screen can be removed.

What to look for in a 2-in-1 detachable laptop

One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a device that duplicates a laptop and a Tablet is what you are going to use it for. For someone who just needs a method to check email, watch videos, and buy from Amazon, you won’t need the latest Intel i-series processor and a ton of storage. Something like the Surface Go 2 with an Intel Core m3 and the base storage will be more than enough.

That said, if you plan on using your detachable 2-in-1 to do more resource-intensive tasks like editing photos or the occasional video, you will ideally want to look for an Intel Core i5 or i7 that comes with the iris. from Intel. More graphics.

When it comes to memory, the more the better, especially for Windows 10 2-in-1, but again, it’s a factor that depends on how you intend use your new laptop and tablet combo. 8GB for a Windows 10 device is good enough for most casual uses, but you’ll want to crank it up to 16GB when possible if you’re planning on doing more than online shopping and social media – and even more if you want to. wish it. Game.

Another aspect to keep in mind is that most 2-in-1 detachable ones don’t come with a keyboard. This means that you will need to factor in about an additional $ 150 into the overall cost.

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Jason Cipriani has covered tech full time for the past 8 years. During this time, he worked freelance for CNET, Fortune, Time, ZDNet, Macworld, Wired and TechRadar.