iPad or 2-in-1 laptop

Samsung's Galaxy Book Pro 360 is the pick of the bunch when it comes to 2-in-1 devices. The fusion of great design with powerful internals and attractive screen make it the convertible to beat, especially as it's priced in line with other premium laptops.

A combination of 11th-gen Intel chips and Iris Xe integrated graphics deliver solid all-round performance, even if there's no discrete GPU. Battery life is also excellent, rivalling some of the longest-lasting laptops you can buy. Elsewhere, the display provides a rich, vivid viewing experience, even with the resolution capped at 1920x1080.

However, the 360-degree hinge is the big selling point here. It can be adjusted to any angle from regular laptop to tablet, alongside an S-Pen that magnetically attaches to the back of the display. There's also the option for 5G support, but the competitively-priced 4G will offer everything most people are looking for in a 2-in-1 laptop. This slight extra affordability gives the Pro 360 the edge over other options in this list, most notably Samsung's own Galaxy Book Flex 2.

Apple doesnt make MacBooks with a touchscreen, let alone a 360-degree design. However, the iPad Pro is the closest the company has got to a laptop replacement, especially using the new M1 chip.

Performance is predictably excellent, while the gorgeous 120Hz display is another real highlight. It can also comfortably last 10 hours on a single charge, provided you're not carrying out demanding tasks.

Cameras are also the best you'll find on any tablet, while the iPad Pro retains the ultra-premium design and build we've come to expect from the line.

It's also worth considering the 11in version, but this 12.9in variant comes much closer to replacing your laptop. You will need to pair it with a pricey Magic Keyboard, though, and the iPad Pro is still held back by the limitations of iPadOS.

The first-gen Galaxy Book Flex remains an extremely impressive 2-in-1 in 2021, but its successor takes things to the next level.

While the 13.3in AMOLED display and 69.7Wh battery remain unchanged, this is anything but an iterative update. Key upgrades here include the move to 11th-gen Intel chips [which yield a big improvement in battery life], a secondary 13Mp camera and 5G support.

Convertible functionality comes in the form of a 360-degree hinge, which is now much sturdier and more robust. It means the device can be used as a laptop, tablet or in 'tent mode' for hands-free viewing.

There's also the built-in Bluetooth S-Pen, which has shifted to the front of the device to make way for a newly expanded port selection. One of the three USB-C ports dropped in favour of a USB-A port and full-size HDMI.

However, its not all good news. The screen is still only Full HD [1920x1080], while the trackpad is fiddly enough to make a mouse necessary for long-term use.

Then theres the price, with the Flex 2 starting at £1,649 in the UK. It's one of the most complete convertible laptops on the market, but you'll pay for the privilege.

The Surface Pro has popularised the tablet with detachable keyboard form factor since it was first introduced, and the Pro 7+ is the best version yet.

Despite being aimed at business and education customers, the device delivers a compelling experience for consumers too.Key upgrades over the regular Pro 7 include a move to Intel's 11th-gen processors, which combine with Iris Xe integrated graphics and up to 32GB of RAM for excellent performance.

Connectivity options are just as good, with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5 support joined by 4G LTE on some models. There's also a decent port selection and much-improved battery life.

However, five years after its introduction, the design is starting to look a bit tired. It's also significantly more expensive [especially once you buy the Type Cover separately], so you may want to opt for the Surface Pro 8 instead.

It might not have got the best score in the context of the wider laptop market and the lack of upgrades over the previous generation, but the Surface Book 3 really is the ultimate hybrid machine.

Microsofts innovative fulcrum hinge allows the screen to fully detach from the keyboard, yet still offers a very secure fit when in laptop mode. As such, it's really the only device out there that's truly a laptop and a tablet.There's plenty more to like about this device, including a stunning display and one of the best keyboards on the market. You also get a choice between 13.5in and 15in screen sizes.

The Book 3 is expensive and isnt as good for gaming as advertised. But if money is no object and you don't already own a Surface Book, it's one of the best 2-in-1s out there.

It's also probably the last ever entry in the Surface Book line. Microsoft has replaced it with the Surface Laptop Studio, but that device doesn't have a detachable screen.

It's not all about Windows devices and iPads where 2-in-1s are concerned though - there are plenty of options if you're looking for a Chrome OS device.

HP's Chromebook x360 is our top pick, combining super-fast performance with a great design and excellent keyboard & trackpad. The Full HD display is another highlight, even if it doesn't get very bright, while the Bang & Olufsen speakers deliver an excellent audio experience.

Elsewhere, you also get a great port selection and impressive battery life, all for a price that won't break the bank.

If you can look beyond poor outdoor visibility and some occasional bugs, the x360 14c could be a great option for you. Just make sure you're content with the limitations of Chrome OS.

The ZenBook Flip S might ditch the headphone jack from its predecessor, but it still establishes itself as the go-to premium convertible.

Among the highlights is a gorgeous 4K OLED display, which offers a rich, colour accurate viewing experience. There's also Thunderbolt 4 support and a bumper 1TB SSD, all within an extremely thin and light body.

Unfortunately, that sleek design does impact performance from the 11th-gen Intel chips, with some throttling issues. You also miss out on a fingerprint sensor.

These may be dealbreakers considering the high asking price, but if money is no object and you're looking for a premium portable device, the Flip S is a great choice.

The audio experience is often overlooked on modern laptops, but the excellent speakers on Lenovo's Yoga Slim 7i deserve special attention. A total of four speakers combine to deliver detailed, rich sound.

Along with the stunning 4K display, it makes the Slim 7i a superb device for content consumption. Tent mode allows for hands-free viewing, but a 360° hinge means it can also be used as a regular laptop or tablet.

The device features 11th-gen Intel processors, which combines with Iris Xe integrated graphics and up to 16GB of RAM for solid performance. There's also a decent port selection [including Thunderbolt 4 support] and impressive battery life, all within a lightweight, robust design.

If you can look beyond the slightly frustrating keyboard, the Slim 9i is a great 2-in-1 option.

Those wanting a tablet first design should consider the Surface Pro 7. Theres very little competition in the Windows tablet market so its perhaps no surprise that Microsoft itself makes the best ones.

Microsoft hasnt changed the formula here so its more of the same. Wed like smaller bezels but the Surface Pro 7 does the job its designed to do.

Not including the Type Cover is a pain but the Pro 7 has an excellent 12.3in PixelSense display and powerful components.

Microsoft has since released the Surface Pro 8, but that's significantly more expensive. The regular model's age means it regularly gets some useful discounts.

Those with enough cash to splash wont be disappointed with the ZenBook Flip 15.

Asus has taken its popular ZenBook design and flipped it, literally - the device's hinges fully rotate. Its also got an impressive range of specs and gorgeous design.

While it could be a great option for anyone, the ZenBook Flip is primarily aimed at designers. You get a stunning 4K touchscreen here, along with Asus' signature ScreenPad, a trackpad that doubles as a secondary display. There's also a stylus included in the box, great for digital artists or people who want more granular control over their work.