What Is a Hybrid or Convertible Laptop? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Software & Apps > Windows 92 92 people found this article helpful
What Is a Hybrid or Convertible Laptop?
Mobile computing devices that function as both a laptop and tablet
By Mark Kyrnin Mark Kyrnin Writer University of California, Berkeley Mark Kyrnin is a former Lifewire writer and computer networking and internet expert who also specializes in computer hardware. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 10, 2020 Tweet Share Email lenovo.com / Lenovo Group Ltd. Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide Since the release of Windows 8, there has been a greater emphasis on having a touch-enabled screen for the user interface. One of Microsoft's goals with the new software release was to unify the user experience between a desktop, a laptop, and a tablet computer system. One way that manufacturers are addressing this is by producing a new style of laptop called either a hybrid or convertible. So what exactly does this means for consumers? What Is a Hybrid or Convertible Laptop
In essence, a hybrid or convertible laptop is any type of portable that can essentially function as either a laptop or a tablet computer. They are of course referring to the primary means of data input. With a laptop, this is done through a keyboard and a mouse. On a tablet, everything is done via the touchscreen interface and its virtual keyboard. They are still primarily laptops in their basic design. The most common method to create a convertible laptop is to create a touchscreen display that opens out of a clamshell design like a traditional laptop. To convert the laptop into a tablet, the screen is then either rotated, pivoted or flipped such that it then is back into a closed position but with the screen exposed. Some examples of this include Dell XPS 12, Lenovo Yoga 700, and Lenovo LaVie Z 360. Each of these uses a slightly different method for taking the screen and folding, sliding or pivoting the display. Tablet computers aren't really new. Back in 2004, Microsoft released their Windows XP Tablet software. This was a variant of the popular Windows XP that was designed to be used with a touchscreen but it didn't really catch on as the touchscreen technology was still relatively expensive and rudimentary and the software not well optimized for the interface. In fact, the most popular XP Tablets sold were actually convertibles that essentially were just laptops with touchscreen displays. Some of them could rotate or fold the screen much the same way that they do today. The Drawbacks
Of course, there are drawbacks to convertible laptops. The first and foremost problem is their size. Unlike tablets, the convertible laptops must be larger in order to include the keyboard and peripheral ports required of the larger and more flexible laptop designs. This meant that they can be a lot heavier than a straight tablet. This generally makes them larger and heavier than a tablet which is not easy to use for extended periods of time. Instead, they are more flexible when it comes to using them in non-traditional modes that are not carried such as a stand or tent mode that keeps the screen up and accessible but folding the keyboard behind so it is not in the way. With the increasing technological advancements in terms of low power consumption and less heat generated, laptop computers continue to get smaller. As a result, there are now many kinds of convertible laptops available on the market that are much more functional as tablets than they were in the past. In addition, there is also a trend in the new 2-in-1 style of systems. These differ from the convertible or hybrid because they tend to have all of the computer components inside of a tablet and then feature a dockable keyboard that can allow it to function as a laptop. Is a Hybrid Laptop Something You Should Consider
In general, the most functional of these laptops tend to be extremely expensive in order to provide the engineering to be as close in size and weight to a stand-alone tablet. The problem is that they generally sacrifice some performance in order to get to that size. As a result, you are either looking at something as large as or bulkier than a regular laptop or something that is very expensive and sacrifices performance compared to a straight laptop. The advantage is that you would not necessarily need to carry two devices. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Foldable MacBook: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors 8 Things to Consider When Buying a Tablet The Foldable iPhone: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors Which Microsoft Surface Is Best for You? Should You Buy an iPad Keyboard? 3 Reasons Why You Might Want To The 8 Best 2-in-1 Laptop Tablets, Tested by Experts Google Pixel Fold: News and Expected Price, Release Date, Specs; and More Rumors Should You Buy a Tablet? What Is the Difference Between an iPad and a Tablet? Should You Buy a Tablet or a Laptop? What Is a Tablet? Expert Tested: The 8 Best Windows Laptops in 2022 How to Use Tablet Mode in Windows 11 The 9 Best Laptops for College Students of 2022 The 7 Best Chromebooks, Tested by Lifewire Asus Chromebook Flip C302CA Review: Cheap, Convertible, and Seriously Great Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies