As a seasoned researcher and tech enthusiast with years of experience under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of laptops come and go. But the HP Envy x360 16 has truly caught my eye. With its affordable price tag, thanks to Best Buy’s generous discount, it’s a steal for students on a budget.
HP’s mid-range Envy series continues to excel, with noticeable improvements from my initial evaluation of the cost-effective Envy x360 15 in 2021. Since then, HP has enhanced both the design and features, and now offers a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) for local AI acceleration, making it one of the most affordable AI-capable PCs available on the market today.
Instead of having 13-inch and 15-inch versions, the updated model now comes in sizes of 14 and 16 inches. I’m particularly drawn to the larger PC due to an enormous discount offered exclusively at Best Buy.
On regular days, you’d find an Envy x360 16 equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS processor, Ryzen AI Boost NPU, 8GB of high-speed LPDDR5-6400MHz RAM, integrated Radeon 760M graphics, a swift 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid-state drive (SSD), and a spacious 16-inch FHD+ IPS display priced at $850. However, Best Buy is currently offering a $350 discount on this model!
The cost now stands at only $500, making it an affordable option for the majority of students. Given that the Envy x360 laptop I presented to my college professor continues to serve as their primary tool for daily tasks, students can manage a substantial workload with ease.
At Best Buy, the deal on Windows laptops doesn’t end there! For your purchase, you’ll receive 15 months of Microsoft 365 Personal, but you’ll only pay for 12 months worth.
A convertible AI PC with tons of great features for students
Among the Windows laptops I often suggest, particularly for budget-conscious individuals, is HP’s Envy x360 16. This laptop boasts several impressive features that are especially beneficial for students returning to school.
The design of this device permits a 360-degree rotation of its screen, transforming it from a regular laptop into a tablet. While it functions perfectly well as a traditional clamshell notebook, such as the Spectre x360 16 that I’ve never utilized in tablet mode, the additional functionalities can be quite useful for tasks like drawing, note-taking, or watching movies.
As a frequent traveler who relies heavily on my laptop for work, I appreciate the convenience of having a device that offers a large screen without adding too much bulk to my bag. The 16-inch Spectre x360, with its 16:10 aspect ratio and FHD+ resolution, provides ample space for multitasking while keeping the overall weight and thickness to a minimum. Weighing just 4.23 pounds (1.9kg) and measuring only 0.72 inches (18mm) thin, this laptop has become my go-to companion for long hours of work on-the-go. Its sleek aluminum chassis not only looks stylish but also feels durable enough to withstand the rigors of daily travel. In terms of brightness, the 300 nits are more than sufficient for most lighting conditions I encounter during my travels. Overall, the Spectre x360’s combination of a spacious screen, lightweight design, and compact dimensions make it an ideal choice for anyone who values productivity and portability in their technology.
The screen features narrow borders at the top, accommodating a 5MP webcam equipped with an IR sensor for Windows Hello facial recognition. This extra security feature is unusual in laptops under $1,000. The sound quality is impressive too, courtesy of the dual Poly Studio speakers positioned above the keyboard.
HP’s typing performance ranks high, and the Envy x360 laptop follows suit. Spacious keys and good key travel ensure comfort even during extended typing sessions, while a generously-sized touchpad is provided for precise navigation.
As a tech enthusiast who has gone through the frustration of juggling multiple dongles and adapters to connect my devices, I can confidently say that this device’s port selection is a game-changer. With dual USB-C (10Gbps) and USB-A (10Gbps) ports, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack, it allows for seamless connectivity of my laptop accessories without the need for an additional docking station. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 further enhances its appeal, offering fast and reliable wireless connections that have significantly improved my workflow. I’m excited to see how this modern combo will streamline my setup and reduce clutter in the future.
Do you really need an AI PC?
In the year 2024, it seems almost inevitable that you’ll encounter some Artificial Intelligence-powered laptops during your shopping spree. However, one might wonder if such a device is truly essential for everyday use.
From a personal perspective, I’d describe an AI PC as a computer equipped with specialized hardware designed to speed up local artificial intelligence processing. This component is known as a Neural Processing Unit (NPU). Its efficiency is usually gauged in Tera Operations per Second (TOPS). Notably, this NPU can enhance features like Windows Studio Effects for the built-in webcam and contribute to various tasks within third-party applications.
The new version of Copilot+, an advanced artificial intelligence software, is exclusive to laptops powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X SoCs for now. This upgrade offers enhanced AI capabilities, but it necessitates a Neural Processing Unit (NPU) with a minimum capacity of 40 Tera Operations Per Second (TOPS).
As an analyst, I found that the AMD Ryzen 5 8640HS CPU in the Envy x360 has a performance of up to 16 TFLOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) when not competing for resources with Copilot+. This surpasses the Intel Core Ultra NPUs, which manage around 11 TFLOPS. It’s worth noting that most high-performance AI PCs on the market today do not include Copilot+, so the absence of it in your system should not be a significant concern.
On the Envy x360 16 laptop, you’ll find an integrated CPU paired with 8GB of fast LPDDR5x RAM (soldered). It also comes equipped with a 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD that can be upgraded if needed. The graphics are handled by the built-in Radeon 760M, and it has a 68Wh battery designed to last throughout most of a typical day of classes without needing a recharge.
If you’re looking for a less expensive Microsoft 365 subscription that includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, and more, Best Buy offers a special promotion: You can get 15 months of service for the price of 12 months when you purchase a new laptop. Simply check the appropriate box during checkout to take advantage of this deal.
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2024-08-16 19:45