When Black Friday rolls around, you know it’s the prime moment to snag a new laptop at a sweet price. But with an ocean of options, zeroing in on the perfect deal can be daunting. For those who, like many editors, designers, and creators, crave ample memory, two standout choices caught my attention.
One contender is the HP Envy x360 16, a reliable favorite from my past reviews. It’s consistently been a go-to for those seeking an affordable yet versatile PC. This model usually goes for $1,349.99, but Best Buy has slashed the price to $899.99. With its Core Ultra 7 155H CPU, 32GB of LPDDR5-6400MHz RAM, and a whopping 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, it’s hard to overlook.
On the other hand, if you’re after a higher-resolution display and more oomph both in processor and graphics, the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 is an excellent option. Normally $1,699.99, it’s now down to $1,299.99 at Best Buy. If memory’s been your bottleneck, these laptops could be just what you need.
🔥 Hot Black Friday Deals
Why I Love HP’s Envy x360 16, Even at Full Price
Black Friday’s a timespan where discounts fly at us left and right, especially for laptops. A common pitfall is that many discounts target PCs with just barely enough specs to tempt buyers. These deals, though, steer clear of that trap.
The HP Envy x360 16 evolved from the 15-inch model I reviewed back in 2021, which left a solid impression then and has only grown better with time. It’s crafted to feel as premium as HP’s high-end laptops but brings you the flexibility of a convertible.
The keyboard and touchpad feel precise and comfortable, while the top-firing speakers ensure clear sound however you’re using your laptop. Modern connectivity options including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1 enhance its appeal.
In terms of performance, it’s driven by Intel’s Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and features a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for AI applications. While it’s categorized as an AI PC, it might not have the chops for running Windows 11’s Copilot+ tools.
What makes this deal shine involves its memory and storage. With 32GB of LPDDR5-6400MHz RAM and a 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, the RAM’s soldered but the SSD is upgradeable, giving room for future-proofing.
For today’s power users, 32GB of memory is becoming essential, especially when multitasking or running RAM-hungry applications like photo editors. Often, 16GB doesn’t quite cut it anymore for demanding processes.
And with a $450 markdown at Best Buy, landing it at $899.99, this Envy x360 model is tough to top even by HP.
🍁 More Great Black Friday Deals 🦃
- Best Buy: Get mega savings on games and accessories
- Walmart: Early deals on just about everything
- Target: Active promotions on a broad array of items
- Dell: Incredible deals on laptops, gaming rigs, and more
- HP: Significant discounts on laptops, desktops, and extras
- Lenovo: Doorbuster bargains across Lenovo’s range
- Newegg: Savings on gaming hardware and components
- Razer: Enjoy free shipping while it lasts
- Samsung: Holiday discounts extend to laptops, TVs, and phones
- Amazon: Always-evolving sales on countless items
Why Recommend the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i as an Alternative?
One area the Envy x360 might feel like a compromise is its display. At 1920×1200 resolution, touch capability, and 300 nits brightness, it caters nicely to the average user. But for anyone requiring even sharper visuals, Lenovo’s Yoga Pro 9i 16 (Gen 9) steps in to fill that gap.
Unlike its name might suggest, it’s not a convertible; if using your laptop as a tablet is appealing, then the Envy x360 remains the choice. However, the Yoga Pro 9i scores higher across various aspects, from having a number pad to a more generous touchpad, and the speakers are top-notch. Port selections are similar too, featuring Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and multiple USB-A options.
Significantly, its performance hardware and display truly stand out. Anchored around a more robust Intel Core Ultra 9 185H CPU and coupled with an NVIDIA RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, it doesn’t solely rely on integrated Intel graphics.
Moreover, it touts 32GB of faster LPDDR5x-7467MHz RAM, albeit with a smaller 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD—upgradable after purchase, thankfully. The display offers a striking 3200×2000 resolution, 165Hz refresh rate, 400 nits brightness, plus touch capability. Factor in Dolby Vision support with full sRGB and DCI-P3 color coverage—creators, take note!
Best Buy’s selling the Yoga Pro 9i for $1,299.99, shaving $400 off the regular price. Spending a bit more than on the Envy x360? Yes, but the Yoga Pro’s additional features certainly justify the expense.
