Best 2-in-1 Laptops: Surface Pro, iPad, Asus ROG Flow, and Lenovo Yoga

The Microsoft Surface Pro 12 is the best 2-in-1 laptop to buy right now. Rated 6/10 in the WIRED review, its compact design and small screen make it a practical choice for anyone who wants a tablet that can be held in one hand—at least some of the time.

The Surface Pro 12 was not my favorite when it launched, mainly because its price was high. However, configuration changes and price increases across the Surface Pro lineup have made this model my top recommendation.

Best compact 2-in-1 laptop: Microsoft Surface Pro 12

The Surface Pro 12 is arguably Microsoft’s most successful small tablet. It keeps the premium build quality of larger Surface models without becoming too bulky. Despite its 12-inch display, the keyboard is large enough for comfortable typing, and the device feels remarkably portable.

There is no OLED display option, but the Surface Pro 12 still feels premium. It is also more portable than its larger siblings, making it a strong choice for travel and everyday use.

The Surface Pro 12 is cheaper overall and is the only model offered with 256GB of storage, giving buyers a more affordable starting configuration. Its Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus processor provides strong battery life and stable performance. Because Surface devices run a full version of Windows, the Surface Pro 12 can serve as a complete laptop replacement.

Choose your configuration carefully: Microsoft sells a $750 starting model with only 8GB of RAM. That amount of memory can limit multitasking and performance in demanding applications.

Best larger Surface 2-in-1: Microsoft Surface Pro 13.8

The Microsoft Surface Pro 13.8 is an even better laptop alternative for users who want more screen space. Rated 7/10 and recommended by WIRED, it offers a larger display, a more comfortable touchpad on the keyboard cover, and a fabric-like textured palm rest with built-in keyboard storage.

The option to upgrade to an OLED display makes the Surface Pro 13.8 a stronger competitor to the iPad Pro. However, the higher price makes it feel expensive for a compact travel device, especially because the keyboard cover is sold separately.

The 2026 Snapdragon X2 Elite and X2 Plus models nearly replace the $1,600 2024 model tested. An older Snapdragon X Elite configuration remains worth considering because it includes an OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a keyboard, a stylus, and terabytes of storage.

Best iPad alternative to a 2-in-1 laptop

Surface hardware makes an excellent tablet, but Windows is still not especially touch-friendly and lacks the touch-first app ecosystem available on iPadOS. The iPad Air and iPad Pro are among the best tablets you can buy because of the wide range of touch-focused apps in the App Store.

For many people, an iPad is the ideal 2-in-1 laptop. It is lighter than a Surface device and easier to hold with one hand. The USB-C port and optional Magic Keyboard add a full-size keyboard and trackpad, while the design does not rely on a kickstand. That makes the iPad easier to use on your lap than the Surface Pro.

iPadOS is not perfect, but improved windowing and cursor support have made the iPad behave more like a laptop. The latest model tested, the M4 iPad Air, offers plenty of performance and costs less than the Surface Pro when paired with the Magic Keyboard. The 13-inch model provides more room for multitasking, although the Magic Keyboard’s palm rest is very small.

Best gaming 2-in-1: Asus ROG Flow Z13

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 is one of the most unusual detachable 2-in-1 laptops available. It combines a tablet-style design with gaming hardware. You may not use it as a tablet very often, but its detachable form factor keeps heat away from your hands. Unlike many portable gaming devices, it helps keep your hands cool while you type and play.

The 2025 Asus ROG Flow Z13 remains a good buy, although it is expensive. A special-edition version appeared in 2026.

Best convertible 2-in-1 laptop

Convertible 2-in-1 laptops look like traditional notebooks but add a 360-degree hinge and touchscreen. The hinge lets you flip the screen behind the keyboard for watching movies and videos or fold it completely into tablet mode.

In practice, convertible laptops are usually more comfortable in tent or stand modes than as handheld tablets. Their thickness and weight can make them awkward to hold once the screen is folded against the keyboard.

Lenovo Yoga 9i: Premium convertible laptop

The Lenovo Yoga 9i is one of the strongest examples of the traditional convertible design. Although the touchscreen is useful, the 360-degree hinge can result in a wobbly screen, an unattractive hinge, and additional cost. Lenovo’s Yoga series has nevertheless established a strong reputation in this category.

The 2025 Lenovo Yoga 9i reviewed well, with a premium design, a glossy OLED display, and a thin chassis. Its 360-degree hinge also incorporates a loudspeaker, helping deliver better audio in different modes.

The 2026 Yoga 9i 2-in-1 Aura Edition is largely the same laptop with a newer Intel Core Ultra 7 355 processor. It remains one of the most premium convertible laptops available, combining a polished design, a crystal-clear OLED display, and improved audio from the hinge.

Which 2-in-1 laptop should you buy?

Choose the Surface Pro 12 if portability, full Windows compatibility, and one-handed tablet use matter most. Pick the Surface Pro 13.8 if you want a larger screen and more comfortable keyboard cover. The iPad Air or iPad Pro is a better choice for touch-first apps and lightweight tablet use, while the Asus ROG Flow Z13 is the most compelling option for gaming. For a traditional laptop design with a touchscreen and 360-degree hinge, the Lenovo Yoga 9i is the strongest choice.