Thinking about a laptop again... suggestions? Thin AMD?

[JD]

I think you might already be spiralling into the eGPU "want" for what you said was an impulse buy

These would be my impulse picks for you:
Non-OLED: https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/lapt...vo-yoga-7-2-in-1-gen-9-14-inch-amd/83dk000fus
OLED: https://www.hp.com/ca-en/shop/product.aspx?id=9W3D7UA&opt=ABL&sel=NTB#technical-details w/ 80HP999 code ($80 off) - yes this is Intel but the performance is effectively identical to the 8840HS. Mostly as you mentioned you like the Envy 360 line and this has TB4 + WiFi-7. The AMD version is 16" and lacks modern connectivity.

 

[CMetaphor]

I think you might already be spiralling into the eGPU "want" for what you said was an impulse buy

I mean, I haven't done much laptop gaming recently, but still don’t want to drop $1k on a laptop that will never be a gamer. With USB4 and full eGPU support, I could pretty easily game on this nice new thinner and lighter laptop when needed, but not be bogged down with a heavy/thick gaming laptop when I just want to watch a video or write (or even draw).

These would be my impulse picks for you:
Non-OLED: https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/p/lapt...vo-yoga-7-2-in-1-gen-9-14-inch-amd/83dk000fus
OLED: https://www.hp.com/ca-en/shop/product.aspx?id=9W3D7UA&opt=ABL&sel=NTB#technical-details w/ 80HP999 code ($80 off) - yes this is Intel but the performance is effectively identical to the 8840HS. Mostly as you mentioned you like the Envy 360 line and this has TB4 + WiFi-7. The AMD version is 16" and lacks modern connectivity.

The Intel one is immediately out, not just because it's Intel but because that model is over $1,500? Maybe you linked the wrong sub- model, but regardless, I'm an AMD person.

Speaking of sub- models though, the Yoga 7 spec sheet claims there's an OLED version, with 16gb of ram, a 8845HS (with 780m) and pretty much everything else I wanted/needed/could've hoped for! But I can't seem to find that sub- model or how much it costs on their website.

Maybe I'll try contacting them directly tomorrow to see what's up... might even stretch my budget a bit more, we'll see.

Just hope that the reason that sub- model is gone isn't because it's out of stock and/or EOL because they're bringing in the newer models with thr AI AMD chips in them... maybe there was a sale to dump the 8xxx series ones already? Don't know. The AI chips would be interesting and obv could handle way more gaming on their own, but I really REALLY doubt they'd be anywhere near $1k... Just like my concerns for a possible emulator PC buiild, I just can't see those parts being affordable at all. My guess would be $1,500 for a base model Yoga, no OLED no nothing.

We'll see... still looking and researching.

 

[JD]

The Intel one is immediately out, not just because it's Intel but because that model is over $1,500? Maybe you linked the wrong sub- model, but regardless, I'm an AMD person.

I don't foresee OLED coming in under $1000, you'll have to pay up if you really want it. It was showing as $1399, perhaps the sales have ended as maybe it was for President's Day?

The AI chips would be interesting and obv could handle way more gaming on their own, but I really REALLY doubt they'd be anywhere near $1k

As I posted a few back, Ryzen 365 models look to be around the $1500 price point. The Ryzen 395 is in the ROG Flow Z13, only "laptop" I've seen so far with it, for $3000

 

[CMetaphor]

Guess I'll contact Lenovo directly and pray they haven't sold off the 8xxx + OLED models yet. Maybe there will even be a sale on them (if it hasn't already happened) once more AI CPUs appear? Fingers crossed.

 

[Caldezar]

No chance you get OLED at your price point. As a Lenovo Pro Business partner, this is one of the better deals I've seen for a laptop including OLED. And it's only on this price for clearance.

(Images since the model sells for $2400 without a Pro login)

 

[CMetaphor]

No chance you get OLED at your price point. As a Lenovo Pro Business partner, this is one of the better deals I've seen for a laptop including OLED. And it's only on this price for clearance.

(Images since the model sells for $2400 without a Pro login)

Appreciate the insider info! I got real busy today and only am free just now, but I'll still try contacting Lenovo directly RN and see what the story is re: Are the 8xxx laptops gone gone/out of stock/going to be on sale soon to make room for the AI- series CPUs. I can always wait a few weeks or a month or two, so if doing so means I wait till a solid sale when those AI models start replacing the 8xxx series models, I just might find an OLED panel version around $1k.. maybe haha.

Or ill just drop the OLED part? It's not a complete deal-breaker to Not have one, but dam am I hooked on them! Funny side stat: the OLED panel is actually a 1/4 lb lighter than the IPS model (for the Yoga 7), thinner too I think. But it's actually noticeable when the whole laptop it's only 3ish pounds haha

Also: my bad, but I forgot to add touchscreen to the Nice to Haves list. I don't think you can't Not have it in the Yoga series (a 2 in 1 in tent mode would be awkward as heck without it), but it sours the idea of a ThinkPad-series laptop without that feature. Thinkpads are a bit on the heavy/thick side too, so I might shy away from those.

I'm kinda bummed that it seems HP hasn't made an Envy 360 model using an AMD chip in ages. Explains why I can't find any, anywhere I guess, unless they're on the old side- fastest used Envy 360 with an AMD chip has a 5700U and obviously not USB4 so.... yeah, guess that's off the list.

It's really looking like Lenovo Yoga series is going to be my pick. Not impressed with ASUS (bleh) offerings nor ACER ones. Also, I'm already a sucker for Lenovo parts since I got a tablet from them around a year ago which has been an absolute gem. So ya, Yoga series is where I'm staring.. just gotta wait for deals? They certainly tick all the boxes on my list (like ALL the boxes, the only Q mark is the OLED panel really).

Fingers crossed?

 

[Caldezar]

If you can find good clearance options for the 7xxx CPU's, don't shy away from them. They're great performers, and they run the same 780m mobile GPU as the 8xxx, so gaming performance will be similar.

I'm a huge fan of Lenovo since they're so easy to work on and their warranty is really hard to beat.

 

[CMetaphor]

Sorry... this whole idea is going back on the shelf.

Royal F up with taxes... they somehow assumed I made twice what I actually made, gotta resolve it all and spend a bunch of time stressed out on the phone tomorrow.

Will have to wait a while, possibly a long while, before this idea can be revisited. Sorry.

 

[Bond007]

No need to apologize, but sorry to hear things aren’t going as expected. Best of luck with it being as painless as possible.

 

[Marzipan]

while it's a niche / specialized product...the price of the Asus ROG Flow 13 2025 isn't encouraging for the 395 having any sort of reasonable pricing.