There will always be a use case for owning both a laptop and a tablet as stand-alone products. But the 2-in-1 laptop is the utopian dream of combining these two into a single device.

No 2-in-1 laptop is equally good at being both a tablet and a laptop—they always lean toward one or the other. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't buy one, especially since the convenience of having both in one device makes it an easier pill to swallow, price-wise.

Microsoft's Surface Pro 12 stands out as the most successful small tablet, with its large keyboard and cheaper price point compared to previous models. It still runs a full version of Windows but isn't without its limitations when it comes to touch functionality.

The iPad Air and iPad Pro are ideal for those who want to use their device primarily as a tablet, thanks to the App Store's breadth of touch-first apps. The M4 model is particularly powerful with great performance, especially in the larger 13-inch version. However, the small palm rests on the Magic Keyboard can be an issue.

The Asus ROG Flow Z13 brings gaming to a new level in the 2-in-1 category, keeping heat away from your hands and offering an extra benefit of higher-quality audio through its built-in speaker.