The 10 best 2-in-1 laptops of 2017: the best hybrid laptops ranked

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If you’re going to buy one of the best 2-in-1 laptops, you’ve picked the perfect time to do just that. After all, the market reached several milestones in 2017, working out kinks in the process.

In 2017, we saw the Google introduce the Pixelbook, the company’s first foray into converging Chrome OS with a suite of Android apps that knocked our socks off, garnering a five-star review. However – after two years in agony – we also got our first-look at Microsoft’s Surface Book 2, the much-anticipated sequel to the 2-in-1 laptop that arguably started the craze. 

That’s not out yet, but it will be soon. In the meantime, the best 2-in-1 laptops you can buy are here right now. There are 10 of them we’ve had the chance to use, review and reflect on, many of which have won awards from our editorial team. They don’t all transform in the same way; some of our selections are detached from the keyboard in tablet mode while others flip inside out. But, every notebook on this list is guaranteed to grace your days with duality.

Below, you’ll find each of the best 2-in-1 laptops laid out plainly in front of you, complete with individual spec lists, pricing information and a brief hand-written synopsis that’ll give you an idea of what to expect from them. From the gorgeous and value-packed Samsung Notebook 9 Pro to the bezel-less beauty that is the Lenovo Yoga 910, here they are: the top-ranking 2-in-1 laptops around.

1. Samsung Notebook 9 Pro

Hands down, the best 2-in-1 laptop there is

CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – AMD Radeon 540 Graphics (2GB GDDR5) | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch – 15.6-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED display with Touch Screen Panel | Storage: 256GB SSD

Uses S-Pen to great effect

Excellent look and feel

Inconsistent battery life

Downward-firing speakers

The Samsung Notebook 9 Pro can go head-to-head with the 15-inch MacBook Pro, and for a substantially lower cost. Though it’s limited to only one configuration, albeit across two different sizes, the Samsung Notebook 9 Pro is as powerful as it is pragmatic. Defined in part by its inclusion of the S-Pen, this heavy-hitting hybrid is every bit as capable as Microsoft’s Surface Book and without the need to recharge its stylus.

Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9 Pro

  • This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and AU readers: check out a fine alternative in the HP Spectre x360 15.

2. Google Pixelbook

Making good on its Android promises

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 12.3 inch QHD (2,400 x 1,600) LCD touchscreen | Storage: 128GB – 512GB SSD

Gorgeous design

Vibrant, responsive display

Android app support

Expensive

Pixelbook Pen sold separately

No biometric login

Google’s new Pixelbook does something that we couldn’t have seen coming. It takes the Chromebook platform and shoots it straight into the stratosphere, competing with premium products from Apple and Microsoft. It’s able to accomplish this herculean task by beefing up the internals and, more importantly, by including full Android app support. This means that this device tears down the barriers that would prevent macOS or Windows users from jumping on the Chromebook bandwagon. It might cost a lot more than other Chromebooks on the market, but the Pixelbook is truly the future of the platform.

Read the full review: Google Pixelbook

3. Asus Chromebook Flip

A 2-in-1 Chromebook Android users won’t refuse

CPU: Intel Pentium – Core m7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 510 – 515 | RAM: 4GB – 8GB | Screen: 12.5-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED backlit anti-glare display | Storage: 32GB – 128GB eMMC

Elegant tablet mode

Gorgeous, vivid screen

No out-of-box Android support

Middling speakers

For half the price of the Chromebook Pixel 2 in its heyday, the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 could bring premium Chromebooks to the mainstream. Introducing a touchscreen and convertible design to Google’s cloud-based Chrome OS, the Asus Chromebook Flip is made better by its compatibility with Android apps. That’s right, although they don’t always scale perfectly, Android users will appreciate the added touch of functionality that Google Play brings.

Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip

Best 2 in 1 laptop

4. HP Spectre x360

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 4GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) IPS UWVA-backlit multi-touch | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

Ultra thin and light styling

Snappy keyboard

Lacks SD card reader

Especially thick bottom bezel

With Kaby Lake now ruling the roost in terms of CPUs, HP decided it’s high time to flip the switch on its Spectre 2-in-1. With an overhauled keyboard and suave new logo, the HP Spectre x360 holds its own against anything Apple can show. At the same time, none of this stifles the battery life, which exceeds 8 hours of straight use. What’s more, the HP Spectre x360 can now be configured with a 4K screen and 1TB of SSD storage, too.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360

5. Microsoft Surface Book i7

Same Surface Book design, new Surface Book benchmarks

CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-6600U | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M; Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense Display | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

Vastly improved graphics

Huge battery life gains

Big starting price for tiny storage/RAM

Toting the same design as the original Surface Book, the Surface Book i7 hasn’t done away with the controversial fulcrum hinge, but then again, neither has its follow-up, the Surface Book 2. At least until November 16, we can say this is the newest Surface Book and it’s not bad either considering it brings 131% better graphics and a 20% battery life boost over the vanilla Surface Book. It’s expensive, but still cheaper than the 15-inch Surface Book 2 to start.

Read the full review: Surface Book i7

Best 2 in 1 laptop

6. Samsung Notebook 7 Spin

Capable, versatile and affordable to boot

CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i7-6500U | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 940MX; Intel HD Graphics 520 | RAM: 12GB – 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) LED with touch panel | Storage: 1 TB HDD – 1TB HDD + 128GB SSD

Excellent value

HDR display

Hefty weight

Graphic narrowly miss the mark

Equipped with a Skylake i7 CPU and discrete Nvidia graphics, the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin is nearly as fashionable and powerful as a 2016 MacBook Pro, but for roughly half the cost. With all the trackpad real estate in the world paired with a snazzy, full-size keyboard, the Samsung Notebook 7 is a real treat even without accounting for the fact that it’s a 2-in-1. You’ll flip once you realize that your laptop does too – and with an HDR-capable screen at that.

Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 7 Spin 

  • This product is only available in the US and UK as of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus ZenBook Flip UX360.  

7. Lenovo Yoga 720 (15-inch)

MacBook Pro hydraulics in a Windows 10 hybrid

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 630 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) – Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) IPS LED multitouch | Storage: 256GB – 1TB PCIe SSD

Unparalleled 2-in-1 performance

Competitive battery life

No HDMI or SD card slot

Down-firing speakers

If the 13-inch Lenovo Yoga 720 is a caterpillar, the 15-inch model is a majestic butterfly, freshly hatched from its snug cocoon. Outfitted with the choice between only the best HQ series Core i5 and i7 processors, this 2-in-1 is competitive spec-wise with the 15-inch MacBook Pro while remaining but a fraction of the cost of Apple’s flagship machine. What’s more, it even has the ports you know and love in addition to the still-blossoming USB Type-C interface.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 720 (15-inch)

Best 2 in 1 laptop

8. HP Spectre x360 15

This 15-inch hybrid is more portable than you think

CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce 940MX; Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, Ultra HD (3,840 x 2,160) UWVA eDP BrightView | Storage: 256GB – 1TB PCIe SSD

Flawless keyboard

Spectacular design

Less than stellar battery life

Trackpad gets in the way of typing

More than just a basic hardware refresh, the HP Spectre x360 is as easy on the eyes as it is to use. Because the keyboard feels natural to the touch, there’s no debate as to whether this 2-in-1 is better as a laptop or as a tablet; it comes equally recommended as both. If it made a peep, what with its silent fans and subdued chiclet keys, the HP Spectre x360 15 may even garner a few jealous stares.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 15

9. Lenovo Yoga 720 (13-inch)

A future-proof convertible rocking all the essentials

CPU: Intel Core i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 630 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS anti-glare display | Storage: 256GB – 1TB PCIe SSD

Sturdy hinge

Responsive keyboard and trackpad

The cooling fans run a lot

Only one standard USB port

As homely as a laptop as it is a tablet, the Lenovo Yoga 720’s screen may be tethered by a hinge to its cushy keyboard, but its modest pricing and formidable design choices make it come easily recommended. Although you’ll be in search of the proper adapters if you need a second standard USB port, an SD card slot or HDMI, this laptop’s crystal clear display and hearty build quality make it a winner in our eyes. 

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 720

Best 2 in 1 laptop

10. Lenovo Yoga 910

A svelte spin on a working 2-in-1 design

CPU: Intel Core i7-7500U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD 1,920 x 1,080 – UHD 3,840 | Storage: 256GB – 1TB SSD

Substantially larger screen

Rocking speakers

Heats up (and gets loud) fast

Disappointing battery life

If the 13-inch Yoga 720 is too small and the 15 incher is too big, the Lenovo Yoga 910 brings a happy medium to the table. Miraculously fitting a 14-inch frame into a 13-inch body, this notebook boasts a ritzy, all-aluminum finish with a watchband hinge that’s impossible to ignore. Add a 4K screen and stunning built-in audio to the mix and it’s no wonder we’re in love with Lenovo’s flagship 2-in-1.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 910

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

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