Why 2-in-1 Notebooks Aren’t Great Tablet Replacements

The introduction of Windows 8 in 2012 saw an influx of touch-sensitive devices. Among them was the Lenovo Ideapad Yoga 13, the first true 2-in-1 convertible notebook. This notebook featured a then-unique 360-degree hinge design that allowed the entire display to fold flush with the bottom of the notebook, effectively turning it into a tablet. Other companies followed suit with similar concepts, including Dell with its memorable XPS 12. The overall idea was to have a primarily notebook-only device that could conveniently be turned into a tablet.

We’re going to re-evaluate convertible notebooks in this article to help you make the best purchase decision. Specifically, we’ll be focusing on whether convertible PCs make practicable tablet replacements.

Read the full content of this Article: http://www.notebookreview.com/feature/2-1-notebooks-arent-great-tablet-replacements/

 

The largest problem with 2 in 1's is the fact that Microsoft bailed on their mobile platform therefore limiting software. now, I use Memu for android apps on my dell 2 in 1 and it works, but...it would be awesome if Microsoft got the developers on board. The exposed keyboard is not a huge issue if it automatically turns off when "flipped". I use my 13" dell as tablet sometimes and it works great!

 

I'm not a fan of exposed keyboards. To me the device doesn't feel symmetrical in tablet mode, it's a constant reminder you are using a compromised device. I think as long as you view tablet mode as a bonus, then a convertible PC is fine.

Agreed that software is the limiting factor. I actually think Windows 10 was a step backwards vs. Windows 8.1 when it comes to touch interface.

Charles

 

In my mind it isn't two in one, unless you can make one into two parts...

Rest of the stuff (360, convertibles) are just touchscreen laptops with a gimmick. No matter how one would twist or turn one, it still weighs like a regular laptop so a "tablet like use" will be limited. On the other hand tablet first devices with floppy keyboards like Surface Pro need some additional support to stand in working position. Not good either, unless on a table.

 

How to fix the exposed keyboard awkwardness? Bring back swivel hinge!

 

Yes, indeed.
Or something like the Dell XPS 12.

Charles

 

That thing reminds me of Inspiron Duo 1090 sans the docking station, too bad cause it's so cool when docked (doubles as a multimedia hub at home).

By the way, I wonder why manufacturers have ditched swivel hinges, (in some cases) the center extrusion makes a perfect grip. FYI I always grip my 2740p that way when I need to use it on the go.

 

Yeah, it's strange that the swivel hinges have lost popularity. My guess is that they are expensive versus the 360 degree hinges.

Fujitsu still uses the swivel hinges on some of their convertible notebooks, as does Panasonic.

Charles

 

Never mind how funny it feels in hands, lay it on the coffee table on top of a sandwich for a couple moments. That will be fun to wipe clean compared to tablet or just a regular laptop bottom.

I've owned all basic device types: swiveled tc4400, a pavilion x360 (gave to my mom), venue 8 pro, surface pro 2 (traded to->) Spectre X2 Pro. Windows 10 and programs aren't yet finger friendly enough for totally keyboardless life (venue 8 pro). For the same reason my Surface Pro 2 was mostly ignored, the keyboard was usable only on table and it wasn't that good to begin with. X360 and swivel designs are just something to bring the screen down to a pen/finger friendlier position, generally you don't take such computer to bed and watch youtube/netflix while holding it in hands above, something I can easily do with my samsung android tablet or ipad. Even they slip sometimes but don't hurt nearly as much on my face...

Best of both ends in my mind is a detachable device, since it is roughly half the weight in tablet mode yet functions like a normal laptop otherwise. Altough my current Spectre is a bad example, it is 13.3" and darn heavy, even when split in half it is still about as much as Surface Pro 2 was.

 

I think the industry has their terms screwed up...I think the flip devices, Like I have, the dell 2 in 1, IS a two in one device. where as the 2 in1 devices like you show are/should be called convertables. You convert it to a tablet by removing the keyboard. I agree the keyboard feels somewhat wonky, but I still like having the option to flip my 2 in 1, into a tablet and use it. The windows 8.1 was awesome, however..I am talking about lack of apps for tablet use. I use my ipad daily with lots of apps that are not available, or crappy on windows 10. But like I said, MeMU helps out there.

 

Hello everyone, nice site & forum,

I find 2-1 devices to have more potential but have to agree that the most popular on the market (/360 degrees) is not all that useful. I have an Asus 15.6 inch than can rotate 360 degrees and of course is way to heavy to use it in tablet mode. Besides that it is often not practical if you want to only quickly use it in a tablet mode (for quickly drawing or browsing or such). Though I do rarely use it at ~135 degrees, which is a bit more than is possible with most normal laptops I think. Touchscreen on a big laptop however is really nice I think, especially after I found this open source program GestureSign which allows custom touchscreen gestures (something that windows 10 somewhat lacks). With a 15.6 inch and a bit of increased scaling, buttons are big enough and if my the screen is to far away I shove my laptop closer to me.
I also have an old dell detachable (~11 inch) and I find the detachable feature alot more useful than the 360 degrees feature. For tablet usage there is no compromises and for laptop usage only the cap at 90-100 degrees to open it with keyboard attached is annoying. Also the extra battery in the keyboard is also very handy.
I know it sounds crazy but I would love to see 15.6 inch laptops that are detachable, I think such devices would be great for sketching/drawing, notes, browsing, reading etc. Acer r7's ezel hinge also looked useful for these things but I never tried it: )