The best 2-in-1 laptop in Australia: find the best convertible for your needs

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REASONS TO BUY
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best 2-in-1 laptops
(Image credit: Future)

Update: While Microsoft may be at the top of our list for the best 2-in-1 laptops in Australia, it's worth mentioning that Lenovo offer a veritable suite of options in this category – no less than half of our recommendations are Lenovo machines.

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

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  1. Microsoft Surface Book 3
  2. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
  3. Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6
  4. Microsoft Surface Go 2
  5. Lenovo Yoga 9i
  6. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020)
  7. HP Spectre x360 (2021)
  8. Lenovo ThinkBook 14S Yoga
  9. Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable
  10. HP Elite Dragonfly G2
  11. Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook
  12. HP Envy x360 15 (2021)

Microsoft Surface Book 3

(Image credit: Microsoft)

1. Microsoft Surface Book 3

An extremely premium piece of kit

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Beautiful design
+
Comfortable keyboard
+
Gorgeous screen

Reasons to avoid

-
Weak U-series processor
-
Tiny trackpad
-
Lackluster 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

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook packs an incredibly long life of almost 22 hours. (Image credit: Lenovo)

2. Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook

Everything that netbooks should have been

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight and portable
+
Long battery life
+
Very affordable

Reasons to avoid

-
Tiny keyboard and finicky trackpad
-
Charger 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.

Read the full review: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook 

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 laptop with the screen open

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga Gen 6 a little on the expensive side, but if you can afford it, it’s well worth the price. (Image credit: Lenovo)
Best 2-in-1 laptop for business users

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic 16:10 display
+
Excellent battery life especially with its outstanding performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Rather 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

Microsoft Surface Go 2

(Image credit: Microsoft)

4. Microsoft Surface Go 2

Premium design, more affordable price

Specifications

CPU: 8th Gen Intel Core m3 – Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4425Y
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615
RAM: 4GB – 8GB
Screen: 10.5” 1920 x 1280 (220 PPI) PixelSense Display
Storage: 64GB eMMC – 128GB SSD
Connectivity: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, Bluetooth 5.0, Qualcomm Snapdragon X16 LTE Modem

Reasons to buy

+
Premium design
+
Affordable
+
Can run full Windows 10

Reasons to avoid

-
No Touch Cover or stylus included
-
Base model's specs are weak

Microsoft’s devices are known for their higher price tags, which is why the Surface Go line proves popular with the more budget-conscious crowd. It’s Microsoft’s best affordable premium tablet, and the follow up, Surface Go 2, continues that tradition with its reasonable price and premium design. It even runs the full Windows 10 operating system, so it’s even more capable than other tablets out there as far as what applications it can run. Unfortunately, as with the original, it suffers from the same curse of being underpowered, especially at the base configuration. However, it does offer a slight bump in performance over its predecessor. If you’re looking for a solid and affordable 2-in-1 and the above options are way out of your price bracket, then this is the one for you.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go 2

Lenovo Yoga 9i

(Image credit: Lenovo)

5. Lenovo Yoga 9i

Powerful, stylish 2-in-1 that can go the distance

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Outstanding battery life
+
Garaged stylus

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

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

Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020)

You’ll be hard-pressed to find fault in the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2019). (Image credit: Dell)

6. Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (2020)

One of the best Windows laptops around

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Great display
+
Fantastic battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

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) 

HP Spectre x360 (2021)

HP’s beloved and highly praised 2-in-1 is back with a vengeance. (Image credit: Future)

7. HP Spectre x360 (2021)

A brilliant update

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Gorgeous design
+
Excellent battery life
+
Great performance for day-to-day work

Reasons to avoid

-
Fans can get noisy
-
Pricey

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 the previous year's model.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 (2021)

The Lenovo ThinkBook 14S Yoga at an angle against a white background

A solid and affordable convertible laptop, the Lenovo ThinkBook 14S Yoga boasts some great features and excellent performance. (Image credit: Lenovo)

8. Lenovo ThinkBook 14S Yoga

An excellent 2-in-1

Specifications

CPU: 11th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: up to 24 GB DDR4 3200MHz
Screen: 14.0” FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS, glossy, touchscreen, 300 nits
Storage: up to 1TB PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Great performance
+
Garaged stylus 

Reasons to avoid

-
Battery life is just OK

Lenovo’s latest release, the ThinkBook 14S Yoga, is a solid and affordable convertible that comes with some great features and terrific performance. Even though admittedly, it isn’t perfect, there’s a lot to love here, starting with its great price-to-performance ratio. You’ll appreciate the specs behind that power – that 11th-gen Intel Core chip and Intel Iris Xe graphics inside will ensure that it’ll see you through even arduous tasks. And, although that coveted 2-in-1 design may come standard on every hybrid, for example, its garaged pen is not, making it a boon to those who tend to lose small peripherals. Plus, its webcam shutter is there to protect your privacy.

Sadly, that battery life is no match to the competition. It falls just shy of the nine hour mark, which means that you should take your charger with you if you’re clocking in a full work or school day. Still, for the price you’re paying, this is among the best 2-in-1 laptops out there.

Read the full review: Lenovo Thinkpad 14S Yoga

The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable with its keyboard disengaged against a white background

The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is a respectably powerful hybrid business laptop.  (Image credit: Lenovo)

9. Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable

Putting the Microsoft Surface Pro on notice

Specifications

CPU: 11th Generation Intel Core i3 – i7
Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
RAM: 8GB – 16GB
Screen: 12.3" FHD+ (1920 x 1280) IPS, anti-reflective touchscreen, 400 nits
Storage: 256GB – 1TB PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
Good performance
+
Excellent battery life

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited Ports
-
Terrible Speakers

Business laptops are a dime a dozen, but once in a while, you get one that’s just a little more special than the others. As far as such portables go, the Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable is a more versatile option. It boasts a detachable, portfolio-style keyboard that allows its users to seamlessly go from full traditional laptop to that more convenient tablet mode in seconds, minus the bulk. Don’t worry, though. As it is still a business laptop, it still boasts a host of excellent business-centric features, like robust security features that matter a lot to business customers and surprisingly long battery life of around 10 hours per full charge (that’s considerable for business laptops).

Of course, there’s plenty of power behind all that as well, with 11th-gen Intel Core chips and Intel’s integrated graphics. Although if you’re looking for a business laptop with more robust graphics, you should consider other options as there’s no way to configure it with discrete graphics. 

Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable

The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 at an angle against a white background

The HP Elite Dragonfly G2 is a great business laptop with a stunning design, great battery life and very good performance. (Image credit: HP)

10. HP Elite Dragonfly G2

One of the best laptops we’ve tested, but very expensive

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Great design
+
Comfortable keyboard
+
Excellent screen

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
USB-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 

Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook in tent mode at an angle against a white background

(Image credit: Lenovo)

11. Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook

A pricey, but nearly perfect Chromebook

Specifications

CPU: AMD Athlon Gold 3150C - AMD Ryzen 7 3700C
Graphics: Integrated AMD Radeon
RAM: 4GB - 8GB
Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) IPS LED
Storage: 32GB eMMC - 256GB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful AMD processor
+
Outstanding security features

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive
-
Less than 10-hour battery

The Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook is one of the most powerful Chromebooks money can buy. While you're going to pay extra for this kind of horsepower, especially if you want some of the best features that come with the high-end models, it's well worth it if you're looking for a futureproofed Chromebook that's going to last you for years to come. As a 2-in-1 device, it's got the flexibility that many other Chromebooks lack, and the screen on this thing is stunning. Best of all, it comes packing the new AMD 3000C-series processors - starting with an Athlon 3150C and scaling up to a Ryzen 7 3700C - and this means you'll get more processing power out of this Chromebook than many of it's competitors. 

Read the full review: Lenovo ThinkPad C13 Yoga Chromebook

HP Envy x360 15 (2021) at an angle against a white background

The HP Envy x360 15 (2021) delivers a powerful performance. (Image credit: HP)

12. HP Envy x360 15 (2021)

Powerful performance if not the most comfortable

Specifications

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

Reasons to buy

+
Best-in-class performance
+
Exceptional battery life
+
Fantastic price

Reasons to avoid

-
Tablet mode a bit unwieldy
-
No 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)

Harry Domanski
Harry is an Australian Journalist for TechRadar with an ear to the ground for future tech, and the other in front of a vintage amplifier. He likes stories told in charming ways, and content consumed through massive screens. He also likes to get his hands dirty with the ethics of the tech.