Top 8 Detachable Laptops to Purchase in 2026

At a Glance

Category	Product	Why We Picked It
Best overall	Microsoft Surface Pro 12	For its polished design and serious performance
Best value	Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3	Because it includes everything under $500
Best for creative work	Lenovo Yoga Book 9i	With its innovative dual-screen OLED setup
Best for business	HP Elite x2 G4	Built for security and professional use
Best convertible alternative	Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 10	Versatile hinge offers multiple usage modes
Also recommended	Acer Chromebook Spin 514	A solid budget pick with great battery life
Also recommended	Microsoft Surface Pro 11	A great value if you can find it on sale
Also recommended	Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8	Last year's model, but a steal when discounted

How we chose and tested

We analyzed multiple expert our criteria balanced portability, battery life, display quality, and whether the keyboard is included or an extra purchase. We prioritized devices that actually work well in both laptop and tablet modes.

The best detachable laptops right now

Microsoft Surface Pro 12 - Best overall

The Surface Pro 12-inch (2025) offers Microsoft's familiar premium design in a more compact form factor, though reviews note compromises in storage and value.

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Key highlights

Snapdragon X Plus processor options
Premium build quality with magnesium alloy body
12-inch PixelSense display (13-inch model also available)
Versatile kickstand with full adjustability
Surface Pen support with magnetic attachment

Pros

Premium display quality
Professional design that looks appropriate in any setting
Good performance for productivity tasks
Solid battery life

Cons

Keyboard and pen sold separately (adds significant cost)
More expensive than many competitors
Limited port selection requires dongles

Who it is for: Professionals, creatives, and anyone who needs premium performance in a portable package. It's ideal for those who value design and display quality.

Skip if

You're on a tight budget or want everything included in the box. The extra costs for accessories add up quickly.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 - Best value

At just over $350, the Chromebook Duet 3 delivers remarkable value with everything included. It proves you don't need to spend a fortune for a capable detachable.

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Key highlights

Complete package with keyboard and kickstand included
10.9-inch 2K display that's surprisingly good for the price
Qualcomm Snapdragon processor optimized for ChromeOS
15-hour battery life for all-day use
4GB RAM and 64GB storage in base configuration

Pros

Everything included at an affordable price point
Excellent battery life for extended use
Lightweight and truly portable at under 2 pounds
ChromeOS is simple and secure for basic tasks

Cons

Limited to ChromeOS and web apps
Performance struggles with demanding tasks
Storage and memory are minimal in base model
Display smaller than most laptops

Who it is for: Students, budget buyers, and anyone who needs basic computing on the go. It's perfect for web browsing, documents, and streaming.

Skip if

You need Windows applications or serious multitasking. The performance and storage limitations become apparent with heavier use.

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i - Best for creative work

The Yoga Book 9i reimagines what a detachable can be with dual OLED screens. It's an innovative but expensive tool for creative professionals.

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Key highlights

Dual 13.3-inch OLED displays with incredible color accuracy
Innovative design that works in multiple configurations
Included stylus with 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity
Powerful Intel Core processors for demanding creative apps
Premium build with aluminum construction

Pros

Revolutionary dual-screen setup boosts productivity
Excellent display quality for photo and video work
Included stylus works well for digital art
Multiple usage modes (laptop, tablet, tent, book)

Cons

Very expensive (around $1,949)
Learning curve for dual-screen workflow
Heavier than single-screen detachables
Battery life impacted by dual displays

Who it is for: Creative professionals, digital artists, and early adopters who want cutting-edge technology. It's ideal for those who work with visual content.

Skip if

You're on a budget or prefer traditional laptop workflows. The dual screens are innovative but not necessary for everyone.

HP Elite x2 G4 - Best for business

The Elite x2 G4 brings business-grade security and durability to the detachable form factor. It's built for professionals who need reliability above all.

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Key highlights

Business-focused security features including fingerprint reader
Durable construction tested to MIL-STD-810 standards
Fast SSD storage and ample RAM for multitasking
Windows 11 Pro with enterprise management capabilities
Backlit keyboard and premium trackpad

Pros

Excellent security features for business use
Durable build quality that can handle travel
Good performance for office productivity
Professional appearance appropriate for meetings

Cons

Heavier and thicker than consumer detachables
More expensive than similar consumer models
Design prioritizes function over style
Battery life average compared to newer models

Who it is for: Business professionals, executives, and anyone who needs enterprise-level security. It's ideal for corporate environments.

Skip if

You're a casual user or student on a budget. The business features add cost that home users won't appreciate.

Lenovo Yoga 9i 14 Gen 10 - Best convertible alternative

While technically a convertible rather than a true detachable, the Yoga 9i deserves mention for those who want premium 2-in-1 flexibility without separating components.

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Key highlights

14-inch OLED display with excellent color and brightness
360-degree hinge for laptop, tablet, tent, and stand modes
Powerful Intel Core Ultra processors
Premium sound system with rotating speaker bar
Included active pen for note-taking

Pros

Beautiful OLED display that's great for media
Excellent build quality and premium materials
Good performance for creative and productivity work
Versatile hinge offers multiple usage modes

Cons

Heavier than true detachables in tablet mode
More expensive than many detachable options
Tablet mode is bulkier due to attached keyboard
Not a true tablet experience

Who it is for: Those who want premium 2-in-1 flexibility but don't need true tablet-light portability. It's perfect for users who value display quality.

Skip if

You specifically want the light tablet experience of a true detachable. The attached keyboard makes it heavier in hand.

Also Good

Acer Chromebook Spin 514 - a solid budget pick with great battery life.
Microsoft Surface Pro 11 - a great value if you can find it on sale.
Lenovo Yoga 9i Gen 8 - last year's model, but a steal when discounted.

How to Choose

Consider these factors when picking your detachable laptop:

1.Keyboard inclusion: Some detachables include the keyboard (Lenovo Duet), while others sell it separately (Surface Pro). Factor this into your budget.
2.Operating system: ChromeOS is simpler and more secure but limited to web apps. Windows offers full application support but requires more management.
3.Performance needs: Basic web browsing and documents need less power than photo editing or multitasking. Match the processor to your actual workload.
4.Display quality: OLED displays offer better color and contrast but cost more. Consider if you need premium visuals or can accept a good IPS panel.
5.Portability vs performance: The lightest detachables use efficient but less powerful processors. More performance usually means more weight and less battery life.
6.Accessory ecosystem: Some brands (like Microsoft) have excellent accessory support with pens, docks, and cases. Others have more limited options.

FAQ

What's the difference between a detachable and a convertible laptop?

Detachables separate completely into tablet and keyboard (like Surface Pro). Convertibles have a 360-degree hinge but keep keyboard attached (like Yoga 9i). Detachables are lighter as tablets but require carrying two pieces.

Do I really need a detachable over a regular laptop?

Only if you genuinely use tablet mode regularly. For occasional tablet use, a convertible might suffice. For frequent tablet use or maximum portability, detachables make sense.

How important is the included stylus?

Very important if you take notes, sketch, or mark up documents. Some include excellent pens (Yoga Book 9i), others sell them separately (Surface Pro). Test the writing experience if this matters to you.

Can detachable laptops handle gaming or video editing?

Higher-end models with dedicated graphics can handle light gaming and 1080p video editing. For serious work, traditional laptops with better cooling and graphics cards are better choices.

What about battery life in tablet mode?

Generally good, but using the screen heavily (brightness, touch input) drains battery faster than laptop mode. Expect 6-10 hours of actual tablet use depending on the device and tasks.

Are detachable keyboards as good as regular laptop keyboards?

The best ones (Surface Pro Signature Keyboard) are excellent. Budget options feel more like tablet covers. Try before you buy if keyboard quality matters for your typing.