10 Hybrid PCs for Those Who Want Both the Tablet, Notebook Experience

The growing presence of 2-in-1 hybrid PCs in the market reflects evolving customer interest in this device type. We look at 10 currently available models.

Although Microsoft has tried to pitch the Surface Book as a laptop replacement, in reality, it’s a hybrid. After all, it comes with a 13.5-inch touch-screen that can be detached from its full-size keyboard or pivoted around the top to turn into a writing pad. The Surface Book is arguably the best hybrid Microsoft has ever launched and may just be one of the top-selling Windows devices this holiday season.

The Lenovo Yoga line has been a perennial favorite for 2-in-1 hybrid fans, and the Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro is easily among the best lightweight products the company offers. The Windows-based Lenovo Yoga 3 Pro boasts Intel’s Core M processor and up to a 512GB solid-state drive. Lenovo’s major sales pitch is the Yoga’s portability, touting that it’s “thinner than a pencil” and weighs 2.6 pounds with the keyboard attached.

Like Lenovo, Asus has been one of the standouts in the hybrid category, due in large part to the company’s popular Transformer Book. The latest Transformer Book features a high-resolution 10.1-inch multi-touch display and runs on Intel’s quad-core Bay Trail processor. The device ships with Windows, features a 500GB hard drive and has integrated Intel HD graphics. Its major selling point, however, is its price: It’s available for just $299.

The upcoming Dell XPS 12 promises to be one of the more high-powered hybrids in this roundup. The device, which runs on Windows, is expected to launch in November. When it hits store shelves, it’ll come with a 4K Ultra HD 12.5-inch screen. The screen will latch onto the full-size keyboard with magnets and deliver standard notebook typing. Dell has made its XPS line a standout from a ports perspective, offering Thunderbolt 3, which will allow users to connect to other devices, transfer data and charge the device all in one port.

The HP Spectre x360 comes with what HP calls a 360-degree hinge that can be used to put the device into “stand mode” to watch videos, “tent mode” to play games, and traditional notebook and tablet modes for productivity. In addition, the hybrid features 12.5 hours of battery life. The Spectre x360 comes with a 13-inch quad-HD screen, and HD content can be wirelessly sent to televisions. HP argues the Spectre x360 can appeal to both consumers and enterprise users.

Toshiba isn’t one of the bigger device makers in this roundup, but its Satellite Click 10 deserves a spot in this roundup. Arguably, the device’s most appealing feature is its price, which starts at $350. Beyond that, the Windows-based hybrid comes with an Intel Atom x5 processor, 2GB of on-board RAM and 32GB of storage. The Click 10’s 10-inch screen isn’t a standout in the market, but the device could still prove appealing to people on a budget.

The Acer Switch 10 is another versatile hybrid that comes in a small package. The device has a 10-inch full HD screen that features Gorilla Glass 3 for protection. Unlike the Spectre x360, which comes with a hinge, the Acer Switch 10 plugs into the keyboard. The hybrid comes with an aluminum finish and starts at an affordable $330.

The Dell XPS line is designed to be the higher-end standard-bearer at the PC maker, while the Inspiron line is for the mainstream consumer. That’s why Dell offers the Inspiron 13 7000 hybrid. The computer isn’t as high-powered as the XPS, but with a 13.3-inch screen, 500GB of on-board storage and Intel HD Graphics built-in, it’s a solid choice for any customer looking for an overall appealing hybrid experience.

The HP Stream x360 is another option for consumers who don’t want to pay so much for a hybrid but like the idea of having a notebook and tablet in one. The Stream x360 runs on Windows 8.1 and has an Intel Celeron processor. Its 11.6-inch screen has HD resolution (but not Full HD) and it comes with 32GB of storage. Those specs won’t light up consumers, but they will keep some cash in the wallet: The computer is available for just $270.

HP has earned another spot in this collection, thanks to the company’s recently announced, high-end, Envy 2-in-1. The device is one of the bigger hybrids in this roundup, featuring a 15.6-inch touch-screen. The Envy 2-in-1 runs on Intel’s Core i5 processor, runs Windows 10 and has 8GB of memory. The device’s 1TB hard drive adds even more value to what is effectively a laptop replacement. With all of those features, one can expect to pay a bit more: The device retails for $800.