Traditional notebook or convertible 2-in-1 laptop: pros and cons

A traditional one-piece laptop is still what most laptops of today look like: you have the screen to look at and the keyboard to type on. One-piece laptops are still the golden standard today, but now they are in competition with convertibles: computers with a touch screen that detaches from the keyboard and can be used independently. So what type of design should you go with? Well, it all depends on your priorities.

Performance

Most high-powered laptops of today are one-piece. And so are most gaming laptops. More space demands manufacturers to pack in more tech and the traditional design is still more widespread with most companies.

The benefits of strong performance are obvious: no lagging, smooth operation, easy multitasking, etc. Memory is another consideration — most traditional laptops come with more storage than the smaller and thinner convertibles. Like the Xiaomi Air 13 Notebook powering on Windows 10 OS, Intel Core i5-6200u processor with large 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD.

With that said, some of the latest laptop editions have already started to explore the possibility of combining powerful functionality and flexible design — like the Microsoft Surface Book packing the Intel Core i7-6600U processor with 16GB of RAM, 1T storage and a detachable 13.5 inch touch screen.

Screen size

You can mostly find large (up to 17 inches) displays on traditional laptops, while convertible models put forward portability. For most users, an 11-14 inch screen is more than enough. However, if you are an avid gamer or have to work a lot with detail (design projects, drawing, Excel sheets, etc.), a big screen may be essential for efficiency and comfort.

Convertibles mostly come with screens in the range of 10-12 inches, though some models feature larger displays like the CHUWI Hi13 2 in 1 Tablet PC with a 13.5 inch 3K screen. If what you are looking for is maximum portability, take a look at the 7 inch ASUS ZenPad 3S.

Portability & Flexibility

This is where convertibles take an undeniable lead. All you have to do is detach the touch screen and you can travel light anywhere you want having a fully-powered laptop at your disposal. If you have to move around frequently or like to work from different locations, you will truly appreciate how light and easy it is to travel around with a tablet.

The ability to instantly convert your laptop into a screen can come in handy in many situations. Say, you are in a meeting presenting a new project. You can quickly snap off the screen and pass it around to others for a closer look. Not to mention the convenience of taking off the screen and getting comfy on the couch for your favourite game or pre-bed reading.

The verdict

In the end, it all comes down to what you are looking for and what you are looking to sacrifice. Two-in-one laptops offer impressive versatility and portability. They are a great solution for someone who is always on the move or a great second device option if you already have a high-powered but bulky laptop.

Then again, if your primary concern is the processor, storage, RAM and screen size, you might find more suitable options in the traditional (one piece) laptop category.