The main point of buying a 2-in-1 laptop is so you can save money by not having to buy a separate laptop and tablet. But if you do not like using a tablet or do not think you will ever really use it much, then a convertible notebook is not a good option.
For the same money, you will be able to purchase a more high-end and standard laptop. However, if you think that you require a tablet in some limited circumstances, it is quite possibly still a good idea to go for a 2-in-1 laptop. After going through this whole article, you can decide whether 2-in-1 laptops are worth purchasing or not.
Before we get into the main discussion, we need to understand the two main types of 2-in-1 laptops.
- The first type is a laptop with a detachable keyboard which you can use as a tablet by detaching the keyboard. It is very convenient to operate, but you have to compromise the performance. Because these types of 2-in-1 laptops mainly integrate all the components or hardware into the display portion. So you can use the display as a laptop even when the keyboard is completely detached.
- The other type of 2-in-1 laptop does not offer you the advantage of a detachable keyboard. Instead, you will find a 360-degree hinge mechanism, so when you want to use it as a tablet, you easily fold the keyboard. The downside is that you will end up with a thicker tablet. However, with time the manufacturers always try to make them as thin as possible.
Being able to turn your laptop into a tablet can give you plenty of advantages. For instance, you are going somewhere, and you have a detachable 2-in-1 laptop, so you can bring the tablet portion with you, which will fit easily into the bag. You can also use it on public transport.
Hybrids are all about versatility, and 2-in-1 offers more than just converting into a tablet. You can also use these in Stand Mode by folding the keyboard, which can be great for giving presentations or watching Netflix. And of course, just like any other tablet, you can use your 2 in 1’s touchscreen with a stylus which comes in great help in taking notes.
So there are a solid number of reasons why you might want to buy a 2-in-1 laptop. But what about the reasons not to take it?
“Well, as we mentioned earlier, if you’re after raw power and performance, a 2-in-1 is likely to disappoint you. It may not come with the most powerful processors and often rely on integrated graphics, as their primary purpose is ultra-portability.” Additionally, there is always a concern about breaking the hinge when folding the laptop and detaching the keyboard. Not to mention, the repair cost is also very high.
Finally, it’s worth mentioning that some 2-in-1s, particularly the sleekly designed models boasting premium level build quality, can demand extremely high prices.
And that is pretty much it of our breakdown of 2-in-1 laptops. To sum things up, if you are a general user and looking for portability, you should go for an affordable, lightweight, and standard laptop. But if you are a power user, who games a lot or does heavy CPU-intensive tasks, then perhaps, a heavyweight laptop with dedicated graphics is likely a good option for you. However, you should go for a 2-in-1 laptop if you are looking for flexibility and like using a stylus or touchscreen a lot.