If you're looking for a device that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, a detachable laptop might be just what you need. These laptop/tablet hybrids offer the best of both worlds, giving you the power and productivity of a laptop with the portability and convenience of a tablet. They're perfect for those who need a lightweight and versatile device that can easily switch between typing up reports and browsing the web or streaming content on the go.
TL;DR – These are the Best Detachable Laptops:
- Surface Pro 9 – Best Overall
- Asus VivoBook 13 OLED – Best Budget
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 – Best Ultracheap
- Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 – Best Chromebook
- Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 – Best for Work
- Asus ROG Flow Z13 – Best for Gaming
Investing in a detachable laptop means you’re getting a device that’s not only portable but also incredibly practical. Whether you’re working on the move, attending classes, or just relaxing at home, these devices are designed to adapt to your needs. You can easily detach the keyboard for a more tablet-like experience or snap it back on when you need to get down to business.
The Best Detachable Laptops
1. Surface Pro 9
Best Detachable Laptop
Microsoft arguably created the 2-in-1 market with its Surface lineup, and the Surface Pro 9 continues to push the path forward regarding portability and power. There are several different builds, but we recommend the model offering up Intel's Evo i7 CPU.
Designwise not much has changed on the Surface Pro 9 from the Pro 8, as it totes a similar lightweight, sturdy chassis with two USB-C ports. You also get a crisp and vibrant 13-inch PixelSense Flow display with a 2,880 x 1,920 resolution and 120Hz refresh rate for super smooth scrolling. The Pro 9 doesn't include a keyboard, so you'll need to pick up the $180 Surface Pro Signature Keyboard, which has a compartment to store (and charge!) the Surface Slim Pen 2.
2. Asus VivoBook 13 OLED
Best Budget Detachable Laptop
The Asus VivoBook 13 OLED is a solid, budget-minded alternative to the pricey Microsoft Surface Pro 9. With a 13.3” OLED FHD touchscreen, you’re in for bolder, more vibrant colors and deeper blacks than the traditional LCD panels you see on many cheaper screens. The display turns into a full-fledged laptop using the detachable keyboard and trackpad that connect directly to the Vivobook without Bluetooth. An included stylus also lets the display work just as effectively as a digital canvas.
Our favorite Asus VivoBook 13 OLED model offers a whopping 8GB of memory along with 256GB NVMe PCIe SSD storage and is powered by an Intel Pentium N6000 quad-core processor. That’s plenty of oomph to breeze through your everyday routine tasks, but it’ll struggle if you’re using the device for gaming or editing. Also under the hood is a 50Whrs battery that should last over 9 hours, meaning you can take this machine along to work or on busy travel days. If you run low on juice, the 65W fast charging should come in handy.
3. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
Best Ultracheap Detachable Laptop
A 2-in-1 detachable laptop doesn't have to run Windows. In fact, some of the best options are ChromeOS devices. Starting at a bit over $350, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is an excellent example — you not only get a 10.9-inch tablet for that price, but you also get a detachable keyboard. Chromebooks are often misconstrued as being nothing more than glorified devices providing access to Google's Chrome browser. However, ChromeOS runs Android apps, and there is plenty of app variety offering the same productivity tools and functionality as you expect on Windows or macOS.
With the Duet 3, you're getting a few upgrades to the Duet that previously held this spot. The screen is a bit bigger and brighter, and it’s packing a little more power under the hood. This device totes a Qualcomm Snapdragon SC7180 processor and 4GB of memory, and that equates to it being fast enough for your daily tasks with the occasional gaming or photo editing session. A 12-hour battery life also makes the Duet 3 a perfect companion for long travel days where you need to get a bit of work done — or marathon a show or two.
4. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5
Best Detachable Chromebook
If you want more from a 2-in-1 Chromebook, Lenovo's Chromebook Duet 5 is a bit bigger, has a nicer 13-inch OLED display and a beefier processor. At $429, you're getting a tablet, 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage, plus an included keyboard so you won't have a spend any extra cash on accessories.
Inside the tablet is a 2.55 GHz Snapdragon processor that will hum right along as you go about your normal workflow. In case Snapdragon sounds familiar, it’s the same brand of chip you find in most Android phones so it’s even better at running all of your favorite apps from the Play Store. Lenovo touts up to 15 hours of battery life you're sure to have enough battery power to keep you going long into the night.
5. Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1
Best Detachable Laptop for Work
For work, you need a versatile laptop that you can use in almost any scenario. Packed to the brim with high-end specs, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 is an expensive, but worthy investment if you want a future-proof device. But what really sets this laptop apart is its stunning OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate and 500 nits of brightness.
As well as all the hardware, the Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 comes with a privacy camera and stylus, so you can easily navigate your way through your everyday tasks. There are also multiple Thunderbolt 4 ports, USB 4.0, and USB-C ports.
6. Asus ROG Flow Z13
Best Detachable Gaming Laptop
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more powerful 2-in-1 laptop than the Asus ROG Flow Z13. This beast of a machine is made to play the best PC games with a 12th gen Intel Core i7 processor, and unlike most detachable options, it’s packing a separate NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU. You also get 16GB LPDDR5 memory and 512GB of storage. With those internals, your favorite titles should have no issues booting up, and you’ll be cruising through games.
Though some gaming PCs and gaming laptops pack a bit more oomph under the hood than this tablet, it’s a whole lot more portable. The Asus ROG Flow Z13 weighs just over 2.5 pounds and offers up a 13.4-inch FHD+ display. Its bright touchscreen is capable of a 120Hz refresh rate with adaptive sync for ample motion fidelity in your games. This computer is also loaded with some convenient ports, including a Thunderbolt 4 to hook up a gaming monitor, hub, or other peripherals.
How to Pick the Best Detachable Laptop
Choosing the best detachable laptop doesn’t have to be a chore if you know what to look out for. Before you dive in, though, you should think about what you’ll be using your laptop for. Is it primarily going to be for work, college, or entertainment?
Once you’ve decided on its primary usage, think about performance and specifications. Do you need a powerful processor for multitasking and productivity? How about ample storage for all your files and applications? Laptops tend to be less upgradeable than desktop PCs, so what you choose might have to last you for the foreseeable future.
Portability is another key factor to consider. After all, one of the main advantages of a detachable laptop is its lightweight and portable design. Think about where you'll be using your device the most and whether you need something that's easy to carry around with you.
One of the biggest perks of a detachable laptop is its ability to transform from a tablet to a laptop and back again with ease. Consider how often you'll be switching between modes and whether you need a device that can seamlessly adapt to your changing needs.
Battery life is also important, especially if you'll be using your detachable laptop on the go. Look for a device with long battery life that can keep up with your busy lifestyle without needing frequent recharges.
Of course, budget is plays a big part too. You can get some really budget-friendly 2-in-1 laptops, but you can also get powerful ones, too, that are better suited for multitaskers and professionals.
FAQs
Are Detachable Laptops Worth It?
The answer really depends on what you need from a detachable laptop. Compared to standard laptops, 2-in-1 laptops often boast better battery life, are more portable, and of course, more versatile. However, they tend to use less power-intensive hardware, so if you’re planning on using a detachable laptop for gaming, you may have to reconsider your options.
Are Laptops With Touchscreens Worth It?
Touchscreens can increase productivity thanks to the ability to quickly switch between apps and navigate easily using gesture-based commands.
How Much Ram Should a Laptop Have?
For basic computing and word processing tasks, up to 8GB of RAM is recommended. However, for anything beyond the basics, at least 16GB of RAM is needed to run apps smoothly and prevent bottlenecking.
Where to Get the Best Detachable Laptop in the UK
Jason Cipriani has covered technology full-time for the past 8 years. During that time he has freelanced for the likes of CNET, Fortune, Time, ZDNet, Macworld, Wired, and TechRadar.
Danielle Abraham is a freelance writer and unpaid music historian.
