As laptops became ubiquitous in the modern world, the sub-categories of portable computing solutions grew to become household phenomena as well, and this includes the mighty 2-in-1.
This category offers up some of the best features of the laptop and the tablet in one schmick package, and while they started out as relatively low-powered machines, they are now increasingly more capable.
What defines a 2-in-1 is its ability to morph from a laptop as we know it – complete with keyboard and trackpad – to a tablet with a touch interface. Some products, like Microsoft’s Surface Book range, allow for the keybed to detach completely, while others simply flip it around the back of the device.
Generally, a device in this category will have compatibility with a stylus, making it an ideal companion for creatives and professionals on-the-go, although not all of them will include a stylus by default.
Here, we’ve gathered all our knowledge from extensive reviews, benchmarks and field tests, and put together a list of the most worthwhile 2-in-1s on the Australian market today.
The best 2-in-1 laptop in Australia at a glance
- HP Spectre x360 (2020)
- Microsoft Surface Book 3
- Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
- Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
- Lenovo Yoga 9i
- HP Spectre x360 (2021)
- Microsoft Surface Book 2
- HP Elite Dragonfly G2
- HP Envy x360 15 (2021)
- Looking for a more conventional laptop? Check out our guide on the best laptops in Australia.
- Compare Australian prices on the latest 2-in-1s on Getprice
1. HP Spectre x360 (2020)
HP’s 2020 flagship 2-in-1 is still the best value out there
CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch – 13.3″ diagonal 4K (3840 x 2160) UWVA BrightView micro-edge AMOLED multitouch | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD
Stylish and high-quality finishGreat all-around performanceBuilt-in security features are usefulBattery life takes a hitCan run hot at times
The 2020 version of HP’s beloved and highly praised Spectre x360 is certainly not the latest 2-in-1 on the market, but in Australia, it still presents the best value proposition. Its impeccable 2-in-1 design and pristine gem-cut chassis, security features and Bang & Olufsen speakers are certainly striking, and the 10th-gen Intel chipset and Intel Iris graphics keep up admirably in today’s market. If you care about aesthetics as much as you do performance and overall quality, this is the laptop for you.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 (2020)
2. Microsoft Surface Book 3
An extremely premium piece of kit
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G7 – i7-1065G7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design | RAM: 8GB – 32GB 3733Mhz LPDDR4x | Screen: 13.5-inch 3000 x 2000 (267 PPI) – 15-inch 3240 x 2160 (260 PPI) PixelSense Display | Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe SSD
Beautiful designComfortable keyboardGorgeous screenWeak U-series processorTiny trackpadLackluster speakers
In many ways, the Surface Book 3 is an example of just how far the best laptops have come in just a few short years. It has an extremely premium piece of kit – with one of the best displays we’ve used in a laptop, a keyboard that will put the MacBook Pro’s new Magic Keyboards to shame, and a hybrid design with a removable screen. At less than an inch thick, and only 12.3 x 9.14 inches for its 13-inch model and 13.5 x 9.87 inches for its 15-inch version, this is also among the best Ultrabooks and best 2-in-1s around. It doesn’t necessarily have the strongest processor when compared to many rivals on this list, so you’ll need to weigh up this delightful form factor against your more intensive computing needs.
Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 3
3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
Best 2-in-1 laptop for business users
CPU: 11th generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Xe Plus | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 14-inch, 1920 x 1200p, IPS touchscreen, 400 nit | Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD
Fantastic 16:10 displayExcellent battery life especially with its outstanding performanceRather plain design for the price
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 isn’t just among the best 2-in-1s out there. It’s also among the best laptops 2021 has to offer, touting sheer power, an excellent battery life, and a breathtaking 16:10 display. Of course, being an Evo-certified laptop targeted for business professionals, it comes with many security add-ons for business users. It’s a little on the expensive side, but if you can afford it, it’s well worth the price. Especially because it comes with a few extras like an SD card slot and a garaged stylus.
Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
4. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020)
One of the best Windows laptops around
CPU: 10th Generation Intel Core i3 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus | RAM: up to 16GB 4267MHz LPDDR4x | Screen: 13.4-in. touch display | Storage: up to 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Great displayFantastic battery lifeExpensive
It may now have penetrated the premium game, forcing its budget-conscious fans to look for cheaper alternatives, but that higher price tag hasn’t changed the fact that these are some of the best laptops in the world, with the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020) touting more versatility thanks to its hybrid design. We love this laptop so much, we’d get it just for the pleasure of using it. But, if that price is holding you back, let us assure you: this is worth paying extra for.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020)
5. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
Everything that netbooks should have been
CPU: MediaTek Helio P60T Processor | Graphics: ARM G72 MP3 800GHz | RAM: 4 GB LPDDR4X | Screen: 10.1″ FHD (1920 x 1200) IPS, glossy, touchscreen, 400 nits | Storage: Storage: 64 GB eMMC
Lightweight and portableLong battery lifeVery affordableTiny keyboard and finicky trackpadCharger and headphones share a single port
Is it a Chromebook or is it a tablet? Well, luckily, you won’t have to decide. True to its name, this Chromebook delivers two form factors in one, while utilizing the versatility of the Chrome OS and setting you back much less than many of the top Windows tablets out there. Of course, true to its Chromebook nature, its battery packs an incredibly long life of almost 22 hours – you could pull an all-nighter, work through the day and mid-afternoon, and you’ll still pass out before it runs out of juice. For this price, sacrifices have to be made, naturally – the keyboard is tiny, the trackpad isn’t as reliable, and the charger and headphones share one port. However, if budget is your top priority, this is definitely among the best 2-in-1 laptops in 2020.
Read the full review: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
6. Lenovo Yoga 9i
Powerful, stylish 2-in-1 that can go the distance
CPU : 11th Generation Intel Core i3 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: up to 16 GB LPDDR4X | Screen: 14.0″ FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, glossy with Dolby Vision – 14.0″ UHD (3840 x 2160) IPS, glossy, touchscreen, HDR 400 | Storage: up to 1 TB PCIe SSD
Outstanding battery lifeGaraged stylusExpensive
If you want a high-performance 2-in-1 laptop that will keep going long after its rivals have given up, the Intel Evo-certified Lenovo Yoga 9i is the best 2-in-1 laptop for you. The price of entry here isn’t what you would categorize as cheap, but given the power, battery life, and premium features like the rechargeable Lenovo Active Pen and its reasonably-quick pen charging dock built-in on the laptop, it’s actually quite reasonably priced. This means that you’re getting a lot of value for paying just a bit more.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 9i
7. HP Spectre x360 (2021)
A brilliant update
CPU: 11th-gen Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 – Iris Xe | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3″ diagonal, FHD (1920 x 1080) OLED touch – 13.3″ diagonal, 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) OLED touch | Storage: 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD – 2 TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
Gorgeous designExcellent battery lifeGreat performance for day-to-day workFans can get noisyPricey
The HP Spectre x360 (2021) is the newest in the flagship product line and continues the tradition of pairing elegance and premium design with the newest in specs for a 2-in-1 laptop that’s as much substance as it is style. This gorgeous Windows laptop comes with the new 11th-gen Intel CPU and enough battery life to get you through a long day at work. Its 2-in-1 factor can be bulky for those making use of its tablet mode, and it can get rather loud in operation, and compared to its global pricing, isn’t nearly as appealing in Australia as last year’s model.
Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 (2021)
8. Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13-inch)
A hole in one for 2-in-1s
CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 620 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (2GB GDDR5) | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.5-inch, 3,000 x 2,000 PixelSense display | Storage: 256GB – 1TB
Very good battery lifePowerfulVery expensiveNo Surface Pen included
It might not be the latest in the lineup, but we were big fans of this 2-in-1, and now it has a successor, you’re more likely to find it for a great price. Microsoft’s second 2-in-1 laptop isn’t perfect, but it’s an impressive device held back by a handful of concessions. The Surface Book 2 does feature an 8th-generation Intel processor and an Nvidia 10-series graphics chip, making it suitable for gamers and creative types alike. When you take that power and pair it with its nifty convertibility, it’s easy to see why it’s a winner.
Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13-inch)
9. HP Elite Dragonfly G2
One of the best laptops we’ve tested, but very expensive
CPU: 11th-generation Intel Core i3 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: 8GB – 32GB | Screen: 13.3-inch diagonal BrightView LED FHD, 400 nits – 13.3-inch diagonal BrightView LED 4K UHD HDR-400 550 nits | Storage: up to 2TB SSD
Great designComfortable keyboardExcellent screenExpensiveUSB-C ports on only one side
HP’s impressive business laptop is back with its smart design, great battery life, and 2-in-1 prowess. The HP Elite Dragonfly was among the best HP laptops, and it’s successor is following in its footsteps. Of course, being a follow-up, it’s more powerful now than its predecessor. Now, the line is touting 11th-gen Intel Core chips, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and now a 4K display, upgrading from its previous Full HD models. Of course, there’s a whole lot more to love here. It might just be as close to being the perfect business laptop as any manufacturer can get, but it’s also stylish enough to appeal to the more casual users. That is, if they can afford it – as this laptop is as expensive as it’s always been and in Australia, that price is even more severe.
Read the full review: HP Elite Dragonfly G2
10. HP Envy x360 15 (2021)
Powerful performance if not the most comfortable
CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 – 7 / 11th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: AMD Radeon / Intel Iris Xe Graphics | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 15.6″ diagonal 4K UHD, UWVA, BrightView, AMOLED – 15.6″ diagonal FHD, IPS, micro-edge, WLED-backlit | Storage: up to 256 GB Intel SSD + 16 GB Intel Optane memory
Best-in-class performanceExceptional battery lifeFantastic priceTablet mode a bit unwieldyNo docked stylus
The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) is nearly in a class in its own right, a 2-in-1 laptop that combines impressive CPU and GPU power with an elegant yet robust design, a stunning display, and outstanding battery life – all for an incredible price. In fact, if you don’t want to spend a fortune, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better value for a 2-in-1. Especially when you’re already getting best-in-class performance. Its huge collection of ports make it an even better value. If you have a few peripherals in your arsenal, you won’t find its connectivity options lacking.
It’s not the most comfortable to use as a tablet, however. Because it’s on the heavier side, it doesn’t offer the best tablet mode experience. However, the positives far outweigh these points for us, especially because even the most premium contenders on this list aren’t perfect, so it’s easy to forgive this laptop for that.
Read the full review: HP Envy x360 15 (2021)
