9+ Best 2 in 1 Laptops Under $ 300 | 2022 Unrivaled Guide

Your new job requires a large amount of travel and, for this reason, you have decided to buy a  2-in-1 laptop  to use on the move even as a tablet: since it would be your first device of this type, however, you have decided to search the Net for a series of information on this, to make a careful purchase in line with your needs. This is how things are, am I right? Then I am happy to tell you that your research has led you to the right place, at the right time!

In the course of this tutorial, in fact, I will show you the most important choice parameters to take into consideration when buying a new 2-in-1 laptop that can be used as a normal laptop or as a tablet, then listing those that are the  best laptops. 2 in 1  currently available on the market with relative technical characteristics.

Best 2 in 1 Laptops Under $ 300

So, without further ado, take a few minutes of your free time for yourself, make yourself comfortable and carefully read everything I have to explain to you on the subject: I guarantee you that, at the end of reading this guide, you will be perfectly able to choose the device that best suits your needs. Having said that, there is nothing left for me to do, if not, wish you good reading and good shopping!

Best 2 in 1 Laptops Under $ 300  | Comparison Table 2021

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Best 2 in 1 Laptops Under $ 300  | 2021 Products Overview

Best 2 in 1 Laptops Under $ 300  | 2022 Guide

Features of 2-in-1 laptops

Before even delving into the purchase of a  2-in-1 laptop , it is good that you learn to evaluate, independently, the characteristics of each device, so that you can confidently choose the one that best suits your needs. I am sure that, after having read the indications that I am going to give you, you will succeed in your enterprise without any difficulty.

Keyboard format

There are at least two categories of  2-in-1 laptops : those characterized by a “tablet” body that can be detached from the keyboard, and those that do not provide this possibility.

In the first case, the entire hardware compartment of the computer is contained within the screen, which can also be used as a tablet; the base with keyboard , often supplied with the PC, can be connected to it by means of a special hinge, via USB or, again, via Bluetooth. Keyboards of this kind usually do not contain additional ports (or contain very few) and hardly have a dedicated backlight.

In the second case, however, the keyboard  cannot be disconnected  from the computer body, however a specific flexible hinge allows the rotation of the screen in different angles, up to obtain the complete overlapping of keyboard and display (which, in this way, can be used exactly like a tablet). Computers of this type are called convertible laptops , are equipped with a touchscreen and are much closer to the “common” definition of laptops.

Exactly as it happens for portable PCs, even the keyboards of 2-in-1 laptops can differ in specific characteristics: the  stroke of the keys , that is the “depth” reachable by the key during the pressure phase; the  layout  (which, in the case of Italian keyboards, is QWERTY); the presence or absence of  backlighting or, again, the  size of the keyboard, which may vary according to the size of the screen to which it is combined (affecting the space available between the keys and their size).

Display size and quality

One of the most important features of a 2-in-1 laptop is the  display , on which a huge number of factors depend and which, consequently, must be evaluated very carefully. Here are some features to keep in mind to distinguish a good quality screen from one that is not exactly excellent.

• Dimensions – 2-in-1 laptops can be equipped with displays of various sizes, ranging from 10.1 “for the smallest models, up to 15” or more, for the high-end models. If you need to work on the go, when needed, or to perform operations that do not require prolonged use sessions, you can consider purchasing a device with a 10.1 ″ diagonal; if, on the other hand, you need to use the computer more intensively, exactly as you would with a common laptop PC, I suggest you opt for a model with a diagonal of 12 “or more (able to accommodate more performing components than those in use on smaller convertibles).
• Resolution  – this is a parameter that determines the degree of sharpness of the content shown on the display. It is measured in  pixels : the higher the number of pixels, the sharper the image. The most common resolutions found on 2-in-1 laptops are  HD (1280 x 720 pixels)  and  Full HD (1920 x 1080 pixels ) resolutions . On high-end laptops, you can also find higher resolutions, or support for HDR  and  P3 technologies : the latter allow, respectively, to display a wider range of lights and shadows and colors.
• Pixel Density  – Measured in ppi  (pixels per inch), density is another parameter that helps determine the degree of sharpness of screen images. The higher the number of pixels contained in an inch, the sharper the reproduced image will be.
• Panel type – most 2-in-1 laptop screens are equipped with IPS LCD displays : the latter have a wide viewing angle, faithfully reproduce colors and are discreetly visible even in sunlight. In other cases, Super AMOLED panels are used  , which ensure better contrast, deeper blacks and a decent energy saving compared to LCDs (as the black pixels are actually turned off). Furthermore, you should evaluate the quality of a single panel by looking, among the online reviews, for information such as the viewing angle, the reactivity to the touch, the oleophobic treatment (i.e. the attitude not to retain fingerprints) and so on.
• Touch points  – all 2-in-1 laptops are equipped with a touch-screen which, depending on the quality (and the market range), is able to correctly detect a certain number of simultaneous touch points: generally , this value is between 5 and 10, however it can also rise significantly on very high-end devices.
• Refresh rate  – measured in Hz, this parameter identifies the refresh rate of the content played on the screen. The higher the refresh rate, the smoother the images.

CPU e RAM

Regarding the performance obtainable from a computer, it is of fundamental importance to look at parameters such as the type of  CPU / processor  and the amount of  RAM memory . The CPU, in practice, is the “brain” of the computer, the chip that performs all the mathematical calculations fundamental for the execution of the operations.

To be able to choose a CPU instead of another, you must consider its  family , the  number of cores it  has (which is equivalent to the number of operations that can be performed simultaneously) and the  operating frequency  of the same, expressed in GHz. for example, the Intel Core processors of the i3, i5 and i7 families are the most powerful on the market, while the Intel Atom and the Core m3, m5 and m7 have a lower power and are usually found on medium-low range laptops. The implementation of the processors must then be evaluated, analyzing parameters such as consumption, maximum temperatures supported and the constancy of performance based on heat dissipation.

Not only because some new devices are proposed with an architecture of mobile processors, that is of the ARM type. The ARM architecture basically indicates a family of 32-bit and 64-bit microprocessors developed by ARM Holdings and first used on smartphones or tablets thanks to its low power consumption characteristics, in relation to the performances that lead to an energy saving of the batteries that it is fundamental in these devices. In recent years, companies have decided to bring them to other devices such as laptops. Apple has made its M1s for the MacBook Air, Pro and Mac Mini but there is also Qualcomm which has already made ARM SoCs to be inserted in laptops. The chips in question ensure truly amazing performance, but being based on an architecture different from the classic Intel and AMD ones, they make use of software emulation for programs not written specifically for ARM processors.

The  RAM memory  works in close cooperation with the processor, and is the area in which are housed the data related to processes running on the device. Consequently, the greater the amount of RAM, the more programs that can run at the same time, the better the performance of the computer.

In practice, to have a decent level of performance it is necessary to have at least 4 GB of RAM ; I advise you not to evaluate the purchase of devices with a lower amount of RAM, as you may encounter blocks of various types while using the computer.

Internal memory and expandability

As things currently stand, 2-in-1 laptops can have  fixed  or  expandable memory : in the first case, it is possible to store data only on the internal memory, while in the second, a microSD can be combined with the device, on which to move part of the data. save yourself.

The 2-in-1s belonging to the lowest range of the market, generally, have a rather small amount of internal memory, equal to a maximum of  64 GB : keep in mind that it is not completely available for saving data, as , from that value, it is necessary to subtract some GB occupied by the operating system and by the default programs installed on the device.

Another influencing factor in terms of performance is the  type of memory  the device is equipped with: SSDs , usually used on medium-high-end 2-in-1s, allow for data transfer speeds that are significantly higher than that. of memories  eMMC , used instead for medium-low range laptops.

Autonomy

The autonomy  of a 2-in-1 laptop is linked to several factors: the battery capacity  , measured in  milliamper hours  ( mAh ) or  watt hours ( Wh ); the type of  operating system  in use, whose optimizations can significantly affect the final autonomy of the device; and the ability of the  CPU  to optimally manage the energy consumption of the various peripherals.

To tell the truth, what determines the autonomy of a 2-in-1 laptop in a sensitive way is the union of these three parameters, together with the operations that, in practice, are usually carried out through the computer. For this reason, some manufacturers provide information on the maximum achievable autonomy, or the battery life in specific situations (eg video playback).

If you are interested in getting a real evaluation of what the performance of a device’s battery can be, I recommend that you look for reviews that specifically talk about the behavior of the battery during everyday activities.

Connectivity

All the 2-in-1s available on the market today support the classic 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks  , those created by most wireless routers, with standard b / g / n and support for the wireless AC standard  .  (which allows data to be transferred within the local network at speeds of up to 1.3 Gbps, compared to 300 Mbps for N technology).

Some laptops, in particular those consisting of a tablet + keyboard, are equipped with support for 4G / LTE networks  : in them it is possible to insert a SIM card to be used for connecting to the Internet on the move. If you are interested in this possibility, I recommend that you purchase a device with support for  LTE Cat.6 or higher technology , which allows browsing with speeds up to 300 Mbps.

In addition, almost all 2-in-1s available on the market have support for Bluetooth technology  , through which it is possible to connect headphones, speakers, mice and external keyboards (even different from those supplied).

Gate

2-in-1 laptops can have a fairly varied set of ports. Below you will list the ports that are most commonly found on devices of this type.

• Standard USB ports  – these are the “classic” USB ports available on most commonly used PCs (they are technically referred to as “type A”). In 2-in-1s, they are usually found on the keyboard base, more rarely on the “screen” part of the computer. Depending on the supported standard, they guarantee different data transfer speeds: USB 2.0  ports  can transfer data up to 60MB / s,  USB 3.0 / 3.1 first generation  up to 625MB / s, while  USB 3.1 second generation  travel up to 1250 MB / s.
• MicroUSB  and  USB Type-C  ports – these ports are usually found on the convertible’s “display body”. The former are very similar to standard USB ports, albeit smaller; the latter, on the other hand, are more flexible, as they can also be used to recharge the computer or to connect to external monitors.
• Standard HDMI / microHDMI ports – allow the device to be connected to external monitors, televisions, projectors, and other categories of video devices.
• MicroSD slot  – as mentioned above, these slots allow you to expand the memory available for data and application storage.
• Keyboard Connectors  – On some 2-in-1 laptops, you may find proprietary connectors used to connect the device to the detachable keyboard.
• LAN  ports – this is the port used to house the Ethernet cable, designed to connect the computer to the Internet via cable. To date, these ports have practically disappeared from 2-in-1 laptops and so-called ultrabooks, still remaining “in vogue” only on classic laptops and desktop PCs.
• Thunderbolt  ports – the most advanced 2-in-1s are now also in possession of the so-called Thunderbolt ports, which is a standard technology developed by Intel in collaboration with Apple and which defines an interface with the aim of allowing the connection between multimedia devices. Here the transmission speeds are very high, i.e. up to 10Gbit / s bidirectional with the first generation but with the possibility of development up to 100Gbit / s.

Multimedia compartment (audio and cameras)

If you’re interested in buying a 2-in-1 to work on the go, you probably won’t pay much attention to what the photography department has to offer; however, it is good that you know that many devices of this type provide for the presence of a front camera  for making video calls and remote conferences; others, however, are also equipped with a rear camera, which can be used to take photos and videos of the surrounding environment.

Furthermore, I advise you to pay close attention to  the audio department as well , especially if you are interested in using your new computer to watch movies and TV series, or to play music: if this is your real need, I recommend that you opt for computers equipped with two or more external speakers . In any case, to get a real opinion on the audio performance of the device, I recommend that you search and carefully read the reviews dedicated to the topic.

Other features to consider

Those I have told you about so far are the most important features to take into consideration to choose the  best 2 in 1 laptop  suitable for your needs, but they are not the only ones: below, I list a series of parameters that, in specific situations, they could affect the choice of one device over another.

• Operating system  – the vast majority of 2-in-1 laptops currently on the market have the Windows 10 operating system  , in the Home or Pro version, which easily adapts to numerous usage scenarios (work, productivity, graphic editing and so on) ). In some cases, you may find  Windows 10 Home  version  S: this particular meaning of Windows is designed to protect the security of the device, therefore it only allows the installation of applications from the Microsoft Store. This limitation, however, can be easily eliminated by converting Windows 10 Home S into Windows 10 Home, through a simple procedure that can be carried out from the same Microsoft store. However, after conversion, it is not possible to return to Windows 10 Home S. 2-in-1 laptops are hardly equipped with  Android  (the same one found on smartphones) or other operating systems other than Windows.
• Display touch points  – as I mentioned in one of the previous sections of this guide, touch screens are able to recognize a number of contemporary “touches”. In particular, the low-end devices are able to efficiently process a minimum of 5 simultaneous presses, a value that rises significantly as the quality of the display improves. Furthermore, some panels are also able to recognize the level of applied pressure, carrying out different operations based on the intensity of the same.
• Pen support  – most 2-in-1 laptops can support screen use via pen input  . In this regard, it is good to make a clarification regarding the types of pens available:  active pens , for example, are the most accurate, but they only work with the computer models for which they were created. The passive pens , however, are compatible with most of the screens, however, require external power and are not very precise.
• Support for biometric sensors  – some 2-in-1 laptops, especially those belonging to the high end of the market, have a  fingerprint sensor : usually placed inside the Home button, it allows you to unlock the device and perform authentication operations simply placing your finger on it. Other computers, such as the Windows Surface Book 2, allow you to unlock the system via face recognition, thanks to the Windows Hello system (which requires the presence of a particular hardware technology inside the front camera).