The possibility of using certain 2-in-1 convertible laptops for gaming has been discussed extensively in the past. Sure, you can throw a little game on the HP Envy x360 or an Acer Nitro 5 Spin, but none of these models were built specifically for gamers. Until now. As 2021 comes to an end, we can find quite a few convertible actual gaming laptops on the market. Below we will share our best 2-in-1 gaming laptop picks for this year.
ASUS ROG Flow X13 2-in-1 Gaming Laptop
The Flow X13 can be named the first truly portable and truly convertible touchscreen 2-in-1 gaming laptop. However, despite the small size, the model is packed with premium gaming hardware, including the AMD Ryzen 9 5980HS processor and optional NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series graphics.
This computer won the iF Design Award 2021, and many laptop gamers also praise the model for top-level performance and mobility.
The convertible design opens up a possibility of a multi-use. For example, you can get your Asus ROG Flow X13 into a stand mode for screen sharing or a tent mode for streaming.
Switching between modes for optimized performance can also improve laptop CPU cooling. Alternatively, users can push back the display to take advantage of a touchscreen tablet feature with active stylus support for drawing and taking notes. All of this means you can easily use the Flow X13 2-in-1 gaming laptop for various work tasks. Besides, it looks sleek and minimal in all-black chassis and would blend in well in any office environment. At only 2.87 pounds, this laptop is the lightest gaming 2-in-1 laptop on the market, certainly beating another Asus portable option, ROG Zephyrus G14.
What’s even more impressive is the laptop’s price for what it has to offer. For example, the RTX 3050 Ti-based version with 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage will cost you $1499.99 at Best Buy. Not bad at all for a touchscreen gaming laptop.
Acer Predator Triton 900 Convertible Gaming Laptop
Acer put a different spin on laptop gaming, literally. Unlike the Asus ROG Flow, this computer is pretty huge and sports a 17.3-inch rotating 4K touchscreen display panel. At 9 pounds, this laptop is heavy and will no doubt take up a good chunk of your desk, but you still can easily pick it up and move around whenever needed. Plus, the flippable display definitely adds mobility, allowing you to find the perfect viewing angle.
While its design is somewhat of a novelty, you can undoubtedly recognize a gaming laptop when looking at the Acer Predator Triton 900 model. Hardware-wise, it is powered by the 9th generation Intel processors (Core i7 or Core i9) and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2080 graphics card. However, Acer did not update the computer with the latest GPUs this year, so it is safe to assume the line will likely be discontinued. And while the laptop can deliver a solid gaming experience, the price is pretty steep. Even now, in 2021, they retail for well over $3800 brand new. Regardless, we think the model looks impressive, and thanks to a convertible touchscreen display, among other things, it made our best 2-in-1 gaming laptops list.
Dell XPS 13 9310 2-in-1
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 2021 model among the best 2-in-1 gaming laptops. This one is another excellent portable convertible gaming computer with a very reasonable price tag.
The Dell XPS 13 9310 runs on the latest 11th generation Intel chip and features a 13.4-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1080) touchscreen display. Unfortunately, it loses to the ASUS ROG Flow X13 due to a lack of dedicated graphics options. But Intel Iris Xe can still be plenty for a casual or entry-level gamer.
The model is ENERGY STAR certified and ships in packaging made from recycled plastic. Furthermore, 90% of the laptop’s parts are recyclable and can be reused.
The XPS 13 9310 2-in-1 gaming laptop is lightweight (2.9 pounds) and will look great on your desk. However, it lacks I/O ports (no HDMI and Ethernet), so purchasing a port replicator to go with it might be good.
The cheaper Intel Core i5 configuration starts at $1169.99 on the Dell site, while the beefier Core i7 version will cost gamers at least $1469.99.
What About a Resale Value of a 2-in-1 Gaming Laptop?
2-in-1 gaming laptops are still somewhat of a novelty and an expensive one at that. And because most seasoned gamers prefer to build their own gaming stationary rigs, these devices may not be in huge demand. Not yet, anyway. For that reason, be ready for your pre-owned convertible 2-in-1 computer to drop dramatically in resale value pretty quickly.
If you own one of those, we recommend reselling it sooner rather than later. Unlike traditional gaming laptops, manufacturers seemingly still experiment with convertible versions and frequently update them. So if you want to sell your pre-owned 2-in-1 gaming laptop for top value, we suggest moving quickly. And for those showing around for a price, we at Gadget Salvation would be happy to provide you with an instant estimate.
In Conclusion
Sure, you can use plenty of 2-in-1 laptops for casual gaming, but none of the available models to date were designed specifically with gamers in mind. ASUS changed that with their Flow X13 2-in-1 gaming laptop. And while XPS 2-in-1 laptops were around for a while, they, unfortunately, lag in terms of gaming hardware. Lastly, if you are willing to invest in a one-of-a-kind device, then Acer Predator Triton 900 might be your type of gadget. So, did we miss anything?
What other model would you like to see on the best 2-in-1 gaming laptops list?
