Did you know that around 78% of households own a desktop or a laptop? With more people working remotely and more students attending school virtually from home, you might be shopping for a laptop for either yourself or your child. If you are wondering “what is a 2 in 1 laptop?”, we are here to help.
Keep reading to learn what a 2 in 1 laptop is and all the ins and outs of these laptops.
What Is a 2 in 1 Laptop?
A 2 in 1 laptop is a combination of a tablet and a laptop. You can use it to write essays and create presentations or to simply watch a movie during your downtime. 2 in 1 laptops come with keyboards that detach or keyboards that fold 360 degrees around the device.
These are a great choice for anyone that is having a difficult time deciding between a laptop and a tablet because you get the best of both worlds. There are a few things you want to take into consideration when you are choosing the perfect 2 in 1 laptop for yourself.
Distinctive Features
There are a few features that make a 2 in 1 stand out from laptops and PCs. One of these differences is the touch screen. Some 2 in 1’s will be centered around the touch screen itself with a keyboard that is hidden under a flexible cover or that flips out from another part of the laptop. Some will have the touch screen housed like a laptop cover with special hinges that will flip 180 degrees allowing you to use it as a tablet.
Another feature is its keyboard. A 2 in 1 will have a physical keyboard that is sometimes built into the device and you can’t disconnect it at all. Other models have a keyboard that is on hinges where it can be flipped out from the body or the screen of the device.
Another feature is faster multi-core CPUs that are similar to higher-end laptops because these are larger than most tablets vs the processors found in smaller tablets. Many run a full-fledged operating system like Windows with zero power issues.
1. Will It Be Used In Campus?
If you are a student and you are planning on using this 2 in 1 laptop around campus then you want to make sure that you choose a computer that has a long battery life and that is not very heavy.
There are several options out there that will keep you from having to plug in often and won’t be too heavy to carry around. One option is the Microsoft Surface Go laptop because it will give you great performance thanks to its processor and will work for quickly writing down notes or typing up your essays. Plus you will also get nine hours of battery life which should get you through a full day of school or work.
Lenovo 2 in 1’s will also give you a great battery life option while giving you great performance. Take a look at this for even more details and options if you are a Lenovo fan.
2. Detachable or Hinged?
If you prefer to have the freedom of using just the tablet or carrying it around without the keyboard then the detachable option is probably best for you. Detachable 2 in 1’s tend to have smaller screens than the hinged models. Keep in mind that the detachable options usually also have less powerful processors.
If you want the look and feel of a premium laptop then a hinged 2 in 1 might be best for you. These have larger screens and they have more powerful processors. The larger screens are also perfect for presentations.
Some 2 in 1 options also have a hinge that is 360° which allows you to use it in tent mode. This means that you don’t have to worry about misplacing or losing your keyboard while you are watching a show, video, or a movie.
3. Power
Something else that you want to take into consideration is how much power you need it to have. The processor of the computer is kind of like the brain and the more powerful it is the more you will be able to do with your 2 in 1.
The cheaper options will usually come with either a Premium processor or an Intel Celeron processor. These processors are perfect for simply surfing the internet when doing research or to write essays. Keep in mind that they won’t be able to handle editing videos and pictures or gaming.
4. Presentations
If you have to give presentations for either work or school then you can choose a 2 in 1 laptop that will help leave your audience with the wow factor. An option like the Microsoft Surface Book 2 will give you a lightweight option but with the latest tech that can handle creating a presentation and giving it.
There are even options where you can present with 3D graphics instead of a flat presentation.
5. Watching Videos and Movies
For those that love binge-watching shows on sites like Netflix and Hulu then you want to keep the screen quality in mind. Look for 2 in 1’s that have full HD displays so that you get the crispest and most colorful picture in the market.
An Ultra-HD resolution will give you the same resolution as a 4K screen. The biggest con of such a high resolution is that they suck up a lot of battery power. Depending on how important battery life is to you, this is something you will want to take into consideration.
6. Consider the Size
You do not want to forget to take the size of your device into consideration. If you are an employee that has to commute in public transportation then you probably do not want a big bulky laptop. The same goes for students that have multiple books to carry around, you too might prefer something smaller and more portable.
If you won’t really be moving your laptop much and will be mainly using it at home then a larger one might be better and will also offer you a larger screen to see from. Maybe you want to have the option to see movies in bed with a larger display.
2 in 1’s will range between 10″ models to 15″ options. The 10″ option is the best for an all-around on the go laptop. The 11″-13″ models are the best all-purpose hybrid laptops and the bigger 15″ models are for those not really moving their laptops around.
7. Budget
When it comes to pricing the range is pretty large for 2 in 1’s. There are some options that start as little as $150 and the price can go all the way up to $2,500. As the specs and size increase so does the price.
If you are on a tight budget but need a 2 in 1 option with a good battery life please make sure that you are aware of how long the batteries will last before you have to charge it up. Sometimes the cheaper units will have noticeable lower battery lives.
Advantages Compared to Tablets
If you are debating whether to buy a tablet or a 2 in 1, there are a few advantages of opting for the latter option. One of the biggest advantages is that it has multiple uses. You can use it in an office or school setting or you can use it wherever a touch screen interface is a better option.
Another advantage is that you have everything in one without having the need for multiple gadgets. Instead of buying a tablet to watch shows or to download your favorite apps plus buy a laptop for work you have just one device to grab and go. For those that like the computing experience of a laptop and the experience to stream movies on a tablet, a 2 in 1 is the perfect marriage of the two devices.
One last pro worth mentioning is that you have more creative space. Users that use their devices to create flow charts or brainstorming sessions prefer to have the features of the tablet in a 2 in 1 because it is more powerful than a tablet on its own. Many people find the drawing and tablet interface to be an enhancement over a regular laptop.
Ready to Go Laptop Shopping?
Now that we answered the question “what is a 2 in 1 laptop?” you can make an informed decision while you are shopping for your laptop. Take all of the tips above into consideration while you are narrowing down your options.
Did this blog post help you out today? Please keep browsing the rest of our site for some more helpful reads.
