It is the sector that is advancing the most, the one that has the most appeal, the most pull in the market and, therefore, the one that has to be most at the forefront of technology given its limitations. And it is that laptops were already important before the pandemic, but after it they have exploded and to be specific there is a tremendously interesting branch that has emerged with more force, that of convertible laptops in their different versions, but what characteristics should they have?
Some brand them as opposed to traditional laptops, others even try to change the definition of the latter to the former, but the truth is that although they have many similarities, the so-called convertibles are different in functionality, which makes them unique.
In addition to this, we must bear in mind that within what is called convertibles there are two different aspects that have their fans and their detractors, complicating a little more, if possible, to be able to choose wisely what is best for us. So with that said, let’s start with the basics to gradually enter a world that is really interesting and at the same time complex.
What is a convertible laptop?
The definition is simple, the explanation extensive, the examples difficult, and the segmentation really complex. Thus, we understand by a convertible laptop to that model that houses at the same time the properties and characteristics (total or partial, this point is interesting) of a laptop and a tablet (or tablet for purists).
The objective here is to achieve a team that has the most outstanding characteristics of both sectors in the same common point and therefore they focus on two different markets according to their users:
- Traditional users looking for a laptop: You need the power of a regular laptop with enhanced features brought from tablets.
- Traditional tablet users: They want to not lose their features, but they need to be able to work with a PC, its advantages and its operating system.
Therefore, it is a complex and very open market that little by little closes the terms and definitions to each model that is released on the market. And it is that given these explanations, convertible laptops are also called, or perhaps misnamed if we are specific, as 2 in 1 and at the same time a third name flows that is called hybrid laptops.
That is, each one chooses the way to name them, but they all emphasize the same principles, so whatever each one likes to call them is their personal choice, since it depends on the model, it fits more towards one or the other.
Features of convertible laptops
Swampy terrain where they exist, since the interpretation of the characteristics is the responsibility of the manufacturer and his “concept”. Right now there are many innovations on the table and encapsulating them is complicated, but as main features convertible laptops should have the following being generalists:
- great performance
- Physical integrated keyboard
- Touch screen
- Rotatable, foldable and adjustable screen
That said, there is a fifth feature that is not subject to all models and although it is gradually gaining ground on the market, it may just be a fad and therefore must be added separately. And it is that we take for granted that the screen is fixed to the chassis and the keyboard as such, but there are convertible laptops that allow it to be separated from it and leave it as a pure and simple tablet, losing nothing more than the keyboard and mouse as such.
The convertible laptops that have it fixed have been called internally as Attached, which are not called Mobile, but there is more, since these Mobile were formerly called detachable, so they should not be confused because in the end of accounts are the same with a more technical name. Therefore, it is one more characteristic that we must take into account in order to catalog them correctly.
Advantages
The current trend is very different from the concept of just a few years ago, so we will not go into this one and will focus on the present and the future for obvious reasons. The advantages are quite clear in this regard:
- A performance well above a tablet, which makes it similar to ultrabooks and even exceeds them in some models, a detail that positions them as more complete options in the vast majority of cases.
- Compact size. Here again they compete with ultrabooks, except that they tend to win because they touch a more specific market niche that also coincides with the following point.
- Light weight. Once again in dispute with the ultrabooks, although always above them. The user is looking for portability and light weight, but does not want to lose many features, which limits the reduction of grams in favor of better dissipation systems and general characteristics for convertible laptops.
- Fixed or removable touch screen. It is not relevant, except for the user who is fixed or can take it anywhere, since what is really interesting here is that the touch screen gives a new form and use to the convertible laptop, being ideal both for home and for the office, work and leisure in the same device.
- Goodbye to the tablet, less space, less weight and one less device in general. Having a Mobile convertible laptop does not make sense to have a tablet to use, much less to travel with it, so it is directly one less “junk” to carry.
Given the advantages, let’s go with the disadvantages, because they also have them logically.
Disadvantages of a Convertible Laptop
They will not be surprising, but they must be taken into account if we want to have the complete picture and a more objective vision to decide on the purchase.
- They are more expensive than a normal laptop with the same hardware features. In addition, by a considerable stretch, although just taking into account the advantages seen just above. Obviously, if we talk about a laptop with a detachable screen and Mobile, the price goes up a lot more, since it is truly a 2 in 1 , while if the screen only rotates 360º with state-of-the-art hinges, the price is much more adjusted.
- Linking to point 1, the hinges must be of high quality. When we have a convertible laptop in our hands, we have to take into account the stress that turning the screen puts on the hinge and supporting the union of the two bodies. And it is that even if it seems incredible, there are many models that suffer from breakage problems in them, so taking a good look at the model to choose in this section is vital, since a breakage can lead to greater physical damage to the equipment.
- Worse performance/price ratio. And it is that the hardware will not be the best as a general rule, something that we accept due to the nature of the convertible laptop, since for the best performance there are Workstation or gaming laptops, but it must also be taken into account that because the user seeks The lightness and compactness usually these convertible laptops include less RAM or SSD than a normal and typical one.
It is true that there are a few models that break with this rule, but the vast majority of those for sale on the market follow this trend.
And so far, everything you need to know about convertible or 2-in-1 laptops. You have to keep in mind that the market is advancing, technology is changing and that, as such, the definition will also change, as well as its characteristics, therefore, you have to have an open mind to this change because in a decade this has evolved a lot and will continue to do so.
