Test winner: Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360
Price tip: HP Envy 13 x360
This is how COMPUTER BILD tests convertible notebooks
In a complex test procedure, COMPUTER BILD regularly checks convertible notebooks. The most important test points are as follows:
- Tempo: From now on, the test laboratory will measure the pace of work with new, even more complex test programs. They determine the speeds for office work, Internet tasks, photo, video and 3D editing – including with the benchmark test PC Mark 10.
- Picture quality: From now on, COMPUTER BILD will measure and evaluate the image quality of the displays in the same way as with monitors. Contrast, brightness and color fidelity remain important test points, and the testers also determine the sRGB and DCI-P3 color space coverage – important for color-accurate image processing.
- Battery life: A portable device should be as handy and light as possible. That’s why every test notebook is weighed in the laboratory. Whether the device is not only portable, but also actually mobile, is primarily determined by the battery performance during operation. After determining the endurance, the laboratory uses a measuring instrument to create a charging curve. It records how long it takes for the power pack to fully charge the battery again.
- Loudness: The noise development is also under scrutiny; after all, whirring and humming can disturb concentration. Special microphones measure the operating noise in a soundproof cabin, both during normal operation and under full load. Meanwhile, a thermal imaging camera monitors the heat development.
- Connections: USB 4, Thunderbolt 4 – these are just two of the new connection standards. However, the editors not only assess whether they are available, but also their quality.
- LTE, 5G: More and more notebooks are equipped with LTE, 5G or the upcoming WLAN standard Wifi 6E – these transmission standards are now also included in the evaluation.
- Access Blocks: Fingerprint sensors, facial recognition, vein scanners – the access blocks are also using increasingly sophisticated technologies, which COMPUTER BILD now records and evaluates separately.
Convertible notebook test – the designs
In this test field, there is the right device for every budget and all requirements – from the small 10-inch device for 449 euros to the large 15-inch device for a stately 2,300 euros. The test candidates differ not only in performance and size, but also in their design.
- Foldable display: With models like this Samsung Galaxy Pro 360 or HP Envy X360 the touchscreens are permanently connected to the keyboard like on a normal notebook. If the user folds the display 360 degrees onto the underside of the keyboard, he has a tablet in front of him. If he doesn’t fold the display completely, he can comfortably watch films and pictures or show presentations. On the other hand, such a tablet is quite heavy because it always has a keyboard on its back.
- Detachable display: In models like the Microsoft Surface Go 3, the touchscreen can be detached from the keyboard, as is the case with many other convertibles on the market. This is practical if you only need a handy tablet on the go and a real notebook at home.
- Foldable and detachable display: The two test candidates from Microsoft offer the possibilities and thus the advantages of the other two designs – but do not have their disadvantages! However, the Surface Book 3 13.5 and Surface Book 3 15 models are also damn expensive.
Sharp and precise touch screens
But versatile usability does not make a perfect convertible. For this, a device like any conventional notebook or tablet needs a first-class screen. The best display offered in this comparison Microsoft Surface Book 3 13.5. It showed photos, videos and websites with 3000×2000 pixels really sharply and with high color fidelity. The AMOLED screen of the Samsung Galaxy Pro 360 in the test with extremely high contrast values and even brightness distribution. So the picture looks bright from every viewing angle. Of course, all convertibles have touchscreens for their role as tablets. All test candidates implement inputs at the touch of a finger precisely and without delays.
Tempo test: nimble or lame?
Testing the convertible battery life
In addition to a high working speed, a battery with a lot of endurance is a must. After all, the devices are intended for mobile use and a socket is not always within reach. That came up in the test Lenovo Yoga C740 only four hours and 50 minutes when working without a power outlet. The two proved that things can be done much better Microsoft Surface Book 3: Over seven hours are an announcement! You can easily watch three to four feature films in one go.
But does such a convertible actually have serious disadvantages? After all, the balancing act between notebook and tablet is not easy for manufacturers to master.
- upgrade: As with many notebooks, upgrading the station wagon is a difficult to impossible undertaking. At best, the main memory can be expanded in this way – but that was it. Exchanging the hard drive or SSD for a model with a larger capacity is not possible in most cases. Many current models also have their SSD and RAM soldered to the motherboard. Interested parties should therefore check the equipment carefully before buying, because nothing can be changed later. Good: The RAM and SSD can be exchanged in the tested HP Pavilion x360 (15-dq0221ng).
- No drive: If you need a drive, you often have to buy an external DVD burner – many devices do not have an optical drive.
- Heavy as a tablet: If you are shortlisting a model with a detachable display for frequent use as a tablet, you should not forget that the screens of the tested devices are significantly heavier than pure tablets. A comparison: The detachable display of the Microsoft Surface Book 3 15 it weighs an impressive 814 grams, while the 2021 version of the iPad 10.2 only weighs 490 grams.
Verdict: Convertibles in the comparison test
If you don’t have to pay attention to the cent, you’re with the Samsung Galaxy Book Pro 360 well served. But that is anything but cheap: almost 1,300 euros are due for the tested equipment version NP950QDB-KC3. Anyone who can cope with less battery life, equipment and image quality will get the HP Envy 13 x360 for 400 euros less the price-performance winner, which did very well in the test.
Which is better – convertible or laptop?
A convertible is more versatile than a notebook because it combines a laptop and tablet in one device.
Which convertibles are good?
For whom is a convertible worthwhile?
Especially for those who want to have a device that combines laptop and tablet in one device.
Which processor for convertible?
That depends on the application. If you’re constantly doing exhausting photo and video editing, you should use a model with a Core i7 processor. A convertible with a Core i5 or Core i3 CPU is also sufficient for less demanding tasks.
How does a convertible work?
A convertible is basically nothing more than a notebook with a rotating or even detachable touchscreen. It therefore works just like a laptop.
Do all convertibles have touch screens?
Yes, almost all convertibles have a touchscreen.
What can a convertible notebook do?
Depending on the performance class, a convertible notebook can handle all the applications that a classic laptop can handle.
Which is the best convertible notebook?
What do you call a tablet and laptop in one?
A tablet and laptop in one is called a convertible.