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| Microsoft's new Surface Pro 3 is designed for use with a keyboard, even though the accessory is sold separately. BUY Microsoft Surface Pro 3 >>> Credit: Microsoft |
A laptop is the perfect productivity machine when you need to work away from the office. A tablet, meanwhile, is better suited for consuming content and using touch-screen mobile apps. But you don't necessarily have to choose between the two. With a convertible laptop/tablet hybrid, you can get the best of both worlds in a single device.
Hybrids come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some allow you to detach the display from the keyboard entirely, while others are basically laptops with screens that fold, pivot or swivel so you can use the devices like tablets. Either option gives you the ability to choose how you work on the fly: with a keyboard and touchpad, or with an unobstructed touch-screen display. Here are the best hybrids for business users.
HP Spectre 13 X2
Credit: HP
Operating system: Windows 8.1
This hybrid device is a laptop first, since the big, 13-inch (33 centimeters) display is a bit unwieldy when detached from the keyboard dock. Still, the HP Spectre 13 X2 is a good pick for business users who want a solid, versatile work machine. Detach the screen to use it like a tablet, or snap the display onto the heavy-duty hinge to use the device like a standard laptop computer. Hardware highlights include a sharp, vivid 1080p touch screen and a speedy Intel Core i5 processor that delivers good performance. The Spectre also offers pretty good battery life, running for more than seven hours with continuous use between charges. Overall, it's a decent alternative to the Surface Pro 3 for business users who want a slightly bigger display and don't mind a little extra bulk.
- 4G LTE capable
- 2-in-1 laptop hybrid
- Multitasking friendly
- Long battery life
- Includes USB port
- Includes SD card reader
Surface Pro 3
Credit: Microsoft
Operating system: Windows 8.1
Microsoft's new Surface Pro 3 is designed for use with a keyboard, even though the accessory is sold separately. Still, Microsoft's Type Cover keyboard is one of the better tablet keyboards you'll find, with a super-thin design and a large, responsive touchpad. The tablet's 12-inch (30.5 cm) tablet display is large and beautiful, giving you tons of space for screen-intensive tasks such as editing a spreadsheet from your tablet. But the best feature of the Surface Pro 3 is the redesigned kickstand, which lets you prop up the tablet at any angle you want; the original Surface Pro allowed just a single position, while the Surface Pro 2 let you pick between two different angles. As a bonus, the Surface Pro 3 includes a stylus, so you can take notes right on the touch-sensitive display.
- Stylus-equipped
- 4G LTE capable
- Multitasking friendly
- Long battery life
- Includes kickstand
- Keyboard not included
- Desktop dock capable
- Includes USB port
- Includes SD card reader
Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro
Credit: Lenovo
Operating system: Windows 8.1
The Yoga 2 Pro is Lenovo's flagship Ultrabook, featuring top-end processing power, a super-sharp display and a flexible design. The machine lives up to the Yoga name with a display that can fold back a full 180 degrees, transforming the device into a large tablet. Meanwhile, the notebook's 13.3-inch (33.8 cm) display is the right size for mobile users who need a machine that balances portability with productivity. That makes this notebook, which starts at $999, a good pick for serious business users who want a new mobile business companion with quality hardware and plenty of horsepower.
- 4G LTE capable
- 2-in-1 laptop hybrid
- Multitasking friendly
- Desktop dock capable
- Includes USB port
- Includes SD card reader
ASUS Transformer Book T100
Credit: ASUS
Operating system: Windows 8.1
The ASUS Transformer Book T100 is a super-versatile tablet, thanks to the included keyboard dock. And at $379, it's a steal for business users looking for a super-affordable laptop/tablet hybrid. The budget-priced device boasts decent specs, and features a beefy hinge, so it can function like a traditional clamshell notebook when the keyboard is attached. You can adjust the display to any viewing angle without the need for a kickstand. And this hybrid runs the full version of Windows 8.1, so it can handle all the programs you already use at work. With great hardware and an affordable price point, the T100 is one of the most productive budget tablets available.
- 4G LTE capable
- Multitasking friendly
- Budget friendly
- Long battery life
- Keyboard included
- Desktop dock capable
- Includes USB port
- Includes SD card reader
BUY ASUS Transformer Book T100 >>
ASUS Transformer Pad TF701T
Credit: Asus
Operating system: Android
Not every good tablet/laptop hybrid runs Windows. The 10.1-inch (25.7 cm) ASUS Transformer Pad TF701T is a premium Android tablet that's designed to work like a laptop when its snap-on keyboard accessory (sold separately) is attached. The combination can turn Android into a real productivity platform when coupled with the right apps, such as the Google Drive office suite. When detached from the keyboard, the Transformer Pad TF701T stands alone as a solid tablet with a high-res display and handy software features such as Floating Windows, which lets you run multiple apps on the screen at once.
- 4G LTE capable
- Multitasking friendly
- Budget friendly
- Keyboard not included
- Includes USB port (on keyboard dock)
- Includes SD card reader
Dell Venue 11 Pro
Credit: Dell
Operating system: Windows 8.1
Dell's Venue 11 Pro is a powerful, keyboard-ready tablet that's a bit more affordable than Microsoft's Surface Pro 3. Business users can take advantage of the device's sharp, 10.8-inch (27.4 cm) screen and powerful Intel Core i5 processor. But what makes this hybrid really good for work is Dell's keyboard dock, sold separately, which snaps on for use in extended typing sessions. The keyboard even includes an external battery that boosts the Venue 11 Pro's longevity by up to 50 percent, helping you get through the workday. The tablet's ports and connectivity options include one full-size USB 3.0 port for connecting a mouse or external hard drive, and a micro HDMI port that lets you hook up a larger monitor when you're working at your desk. The keyboard dock adds two extra USB ports and a mini DisplayPort, which could come in handy for business presentations.
- 4G LTE capable
- 2-in-1 laptop hybrid
- Multitasking friendly
- Long battery life
- Keyboard friendly
- Desktop dock capable
- Mobile-payment friendly
- Includes USB port
- Includes SD card reader
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