Convertible Laptops – All You Need to Know and More

Today, tablets are some of the most popular products when it comes to electronics. That is mainly because they are very portable, yet multifunctional devices. Tablets are great for browsing the web, watching videos and movies, listening to music, online shopping and even for gaming. However, laptops continue to be more powerful and helpful when it comes to typing, for instance, as well as for working. As a result, consumers now face a dilemma – tablet or laptop. The answer is simple – convertible laptop!

What is it?

Convertible laptops are known under many names. Among them are 2-in-1 laptops and hybrid PCs. They combine the features of smart mobile devices like tablets and personal computers like laptops. That is why they offer many new advantages that are hard to find in most high-tech products.

These devices usually have a hinged display and keyboard similar to laptops. However, unlike laptop PCs, convertible computers may come with a display that can be rotated and closed. Nevertheless, apart from the rotating-hinge hybrids there are also sliding-screen models and detachable 2-in-1 laptops. All of these devices can be quickly transformed from regular notebooks into tablets and vice versa.

Advantages

As it was already mentioned, convertible computers offer many of the key advantages of both tablets and laptops. That is why many consumers see them as a good investment. For instance, just like tablets, most hybrid PCs have a touchscreen and, similar to laptops, they have a keyboard. Therefore, they do now really require any additional accessories like a computer mouse or a pad. They keyboard of these devices is fully functional and it is great for people who need to type often. Also, these gadgets are very suitable for creating notes or using touchscreen apps. In addition, the touchscreen of hybrid devices is perfect for graphic design applications, for example. That is especially true for convertible laptops that can use a pen. 2-in-1 PCs are also very powerful. In other words, they offer a faster performance and a bigger internal memory capacity. Despite that, they are more portable than notebook computers.

Disadvantages

However, this type of PCs has its disadvantages. Although portable, convertible laptops are heavier and bulkier compared to tablets. They come with a keyboard and many of them have a big screen size. Another downside about these gadgets is that, in most cases, they rely on a desktop operating system and not on a portable OS. That is why they consume more battery power and their battery life is similar to that of a regular laptop.

Price Range

When it comes to price, convertible PCs are usually pricier compared to tablets or laptops. That is mainly due to the fact that they come with an additional mechanism which enables the screen of the device to rotate, slide or to detach. That is why prices can often go as high as $1,500 or $2,000. Nevertheless, there are many budget models that come with price tag of around $200 to $400. Still, they rarely have the robust performance of laptop PCs.

New & Popular Models

Even though technology companies started manufacturing convertible computers rather recently, the variety on the market is already impressive. As a result, you may even find it hard to select the right 2-in-1 PC for you.

One great option is Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro. This device features impressive 3,200 x 1,800 screen resolution and robust battery. This is actually the second generation of Yoga Pro and many of its functions have been improved and upgrades. Also, the fact that it is a professional edition mean that it comes with a number of advantages. The current price of this product is $949.

If you like to browse the web for hours, than ASUS Transformer Book T100TA is the ideal convertible for you. It is the hybrid version of a netbook. It comes in a compact size and with 11-hour battery life. In addition, it runs on Microsoft’s latest desktop OS – Windows 8.1. The price of this gadget is very affordable – $448.99.

Those, who are looking for a bigger and more powerful hybrid PC, should invest in Dell XPS 12. It is equipped with Windows 8 and it offer a stunning image quality. However, it may lack the portability of other 2-in-1 computers. The price tag of this Dell product does not fall in the category “cheap,” yet it is reasonable.

Without a doubt, one of the most compact convertibles on the mass market today is HP EliteBook Revolve 810. It is ultrathin and surprisingly light. Its biggest disadvantage is its price – $1,339.99.

Sony Vaio Duo 13 and 11 are also a top choice when it comes to hybrid laptops. With just a single charge, the device can last for long hours of work. Also, the touchscreens and the keyboards of these gadgets will allow you to do various task on the go. Depending on your screen-size preferences and budget, you can select either the 11” or the 13” model. The 13-inch edition will cost you around $1,400, while Sony Vaio 11 is $1,150.

Conclusion

There is still much be desired from the convertible laptops. However, if you are living or working in a dynamic environment and the price is not a problem for you, hybrid PCs are worth buying. Just like regular tablets and laptops, they will continue to improve and their price tag may soon go down.