Here Are The Coolest 2-in-1 Tablets Unveiled At CES 2021

PC makers including Microsoft, HP, Lenovo and Dell are using the CES digital trade show to debut their latest 2-in-1 tablets for business users.

Top Tablets

CES 2021 is turning out to be an epic show for laptops, with just about every PC maker launching a large portfolio of new notebooks to meet the surging demand from remote work and learning. Still, while tablets are getting nowhere near as much focus as laptops at the all-digital CES, there have been some major 2-in-1 tablet announcements in connection with the show. Most prominently, the pioneer in the 2-in-1 tablet category--Microsoft--announced a new version of the Surface Pro 2-in-1 this week at CES 2021 (a break from recent years, when Microsoft had mostly stayed out of the spotlight at CES). Meanwhile, the three largest PC makers--HP Inc., Lenovo and Dell--also took the opportunity at CES to debut their latest 2-in-1 Windows tablets. And, Lenovo unveiled a new Android tablet with 2-in-1 capabilities, as well. While business travel is still constrained for now, PC makers clearly see demand from professionals for 2-in-1 tablets that offer strong performance and portability--even if the tablet’s portability is mainly coming in handy around the house.

What follows are our picks for the coolest 2-in-1 tablets unveiled at CES 2021.

Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ for Business

While Microsoft’s 2-in-1 Surface Pro line has always been targeted at professionals, the company says that its new variant of the Surface Pro 7--dubbed the Surface Pro 7+ for Business--is designed to be even more business-friendly. The Surface Pro 7+ for Business is “purpose-built with the needs of our business and education customers in mind,” Microsoft says. Main differences from 2019’s Surface Pro 7 include optional LTE Advanced connectivity and a removable SSD to help enhance security and data retention -- as well as longer battery life (up to 15 hours on a charge, compared to 10.5 hours on the Surface Pro 7). The Surface Pro 7+ for Business also moves up to 11th-gen Intel Core processors, from the 10th-gen Intel chips of the Surface Pro 7, for a performance boost of more than 2X, according to Microsoft. The Surface Pro 7+ for Business retains the 12.3-inch display size of the original version, while also continuing to include both USB-C and USB-A ports.

The Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ has a starting price of $899 for the Wi-Fi-only model, and $1,149 for the model that supports LTE Advanced. The Surface Pro 7+ is available to order now through local resellers, and will begin shipping at the end of this week.

Dell Latitude 7320 Detachable

Dell is using CES 2021 to roll out its latest 2-in-1 tablet offering for business users, with the Latitude 7320 Detachable. The tablet features a new 13-inch display size with FHD+ resolution and 500 nits of brightness, along with a webcam that’s been enhanced to provide sharper and brighter video (including in low-light situations). Other key capabilities include a digital pen that charges up in just five minutes, improved serviceability in the field and a newly designed folio keyboard that is both sturdy and attractive with its faux suede design, according to Dell. On performance and connectivity, the Latitude 7320 Detachable offers up to the 11th-gen Intel Core i7 with vPro for its processing power as well as support for WiFi 6 and optional LTE connectivity.

Pricing and availability for Dell’s Latitude 7320 Detachable were not immediately available.

HP Elite x2 G8

HP is using CES 2021 to update to its Elite 2-in-1 tablet series with the debut of the HP Elite x2 G8. The 13-inch tablet features display options that include resolution of up to 3,000 x 2,000 (and up to 450 nits of brightness) or 1,920 x 1,280 resolution with the Sure View Gen 3 integrated privacy screen (and up to 1,000 nits of brightness). The Elite x2 G8 also offers an optional 11th-gen Intel Core processor, integrated Tile tracking and AI-based technology for suppressing background noise.

The HP Elite x2 G8 is planned for availability in April. Pricing was not released.

Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable

After two years without debuting a new 2-in-1 tablet in the ThinkPad X1 series, Lenovo is reviving the concept with the debut of the new ThinkPad X12 Detachable. The tablet will feature a 12.3-inch FHD+ display with a 3:2 aspect ratio, 400 nits of brightness and Gorilla Glass 5 for durability. Overall on durability, the tablet is designed to “withstand extreme heat and cold, dust, drops, spills, direct impact, and more,” Lenovo says. The ThinkPad X12 Detachable connects to a backlit folio keyboard and also supports use with an optional Lenovo Precision Pen or Lenovo Digital Pen. Meanwhile, the 2-in-1 tablet will provide strong performance via 11th-gen Intel Core processors (up to Core i7 vPro) and up to 10 hours of battery life. Other key features include a 5-megapixel webcam and always-on responsiveness, Lenovo said.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X12 Detachable will have a starting price of $1,149 and will be available in January.

Lenovo Tab P11

Lenovo is further expanding its 2-in-1 tablet lineup at CES 2021 with the debut of the Lenovo Tab P11, an Android tablet that can connect to a detachable keyboard and supports the Lenovo Precision Pen 2 stylus (both sold separately from the tablet). The Tab P11 features an 11-inch display with 2,000 x 1,200 resolution, an 85 percent screen-to-body ratio, 400 nits of brightness and reduced blue light technology. On performance, the tablet includes Qualcomm’s eight-core Snapdragon 662 processor and 6 GB of RAM, and offers up to 15 hours of battery life on a charge. Additionally, the Tab P11 features Dolby Atmos speakers, an aluminum alloy body and a built-in kickstand.

The Lenovo Tab P11 has a starting price of $229.99 and is available now.