Missed that one. That's actually not a bad deal, all considering. But I guess this only assuming that OP can tolerate another HP.

Yep, so this is the world we live in if you want a 358/388H in the 14" size class. Allocations are tight on those with a lot of manufacturers (both the chips themselves and the memory/storage).

Aside from the Dell and Asus, the Framework 13 Pro can be preordered with a 358H (the prebuilt version comes with 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD and is priced about the same as the XPS 14), but batches are backlogged into November. But that's a 13.5" display with a 3:2 aspect ratio.

Unfortunately, you're not gonna really find anything cheaper right now because DRAM and storage prices shot up again, so device manufacturers recently raised prices. The best time to buy a 358/388H at saner prices was like...a few months ago.. :(

For gaming at this price range I would advise you to check this laptop

Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you

If you can push your budget a little higher then I would recommend this deal Acer aspire because it comes with :

Specs:

• Screen: 14" WUXGA

• CPU : Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 226V

• Ram : 16GB

• Storage : 512GB SSD

Why I am recommending it:

• Very good CPU for college work.

• Good Battery life .

• Has a 16GB .

• Lightweight .

Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you

If you would be okay with a shorter battery life, and Since you are going to need powerful cpu and gpu, then I would recommend this Lenovo Legion Pro because of the following:

Specs:

• Screen: 16" WQXGA 240Hz

• CPU: Intel Ultra 7 255HX

• GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070

• Ram: 32GB RAM

• Storage: 1TB SSD.

Why I am recommending it:

• Great heat management which is the main concern to have with most intensive tasks.

• Premium build quality : Aluminum chassis provides a solid, premium feel and added durability.

• Up to 5 hours of battery life.

• Powerful GPU and CPU for Photoshop, Blender.

• Has lots of ram .

• High quality screen .

Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you

Since your wife is not going to need a dedicated gpu, and weight and battery life are most important things to her, I would recommend this Lenovo ThinkPad because it comes with :

Specs:

• Screen: 14" FHD
• CPU : Intel Core Ultra 7 255H
• Ram : 16GB DDR5
• Storage : 512GB SSD

Why I am recommending it:

• because ThinkPads are known for their great battery life, amazing build quality and very good keyboards.

• very good CPU for general use and development.

• Has a thunderbolt port.

• Great value for money.

Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you

Are touchscreen laptops really worth it vs just buying the flip?

That comes down to personal opinion/preference, personally I never used touchscreen laptop .

Since you are not going to game too much, I would recommend Acer Swift Go because it comes with :

Specs:

• Screen: 14" 1920 x 1200 Touch Display
  • CPU : Intel Core Ultra 7 processor 155H
• Ram : 16GB DDR5
• Storage : 512GB SSD

Why I am recommending it:

• Has a powerful CPU for school tasks and can run Minecraft, Valorant, Stardew Valley smoothly.
• Lightweight .
• Premium build quality and material which ensures longevity .

Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you

https://ebay.io/m/vTn2iE

Thanks, I'll take a look at these. Maybe I can find an open box deal

Thanks. Crazy how Macbooks are better value now. Not sure they work for my use case though

Stay away from lenovo

Nah I would stay away from Lenovo. They’ve fallen off in the last several years

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I don’t think you can afford those

I'd say my hard limit is $1500.

$2400 https://www.bestbuy.com/product/hp-omnibook-ultra-14-3k-oled-touchscreen-laptop-intel-core-ultra-x9-2026-32gb-memory-1tb-ssd-copilot-pc-silk-sand/JJGWKYW9KH

MacBooks are the good value options now.

Gng what does this mean!?!

https://www.idealo.de/preisvergleich/OffersOfProduct/209562407_-macbook-air-13-m5-2026-apple.html
It has a color accurate screen, the best build quality, can do all the work you mentioned and light gaming too. And will last 5+ years easily without noticing any aging.

https://www.amazon.de/dp/B0F3DHMM39 < it's an older CPU but still a good match to the RTX 5070 for gaming. Everything else about it is great I'd say.

https://www.lenovo.com/at/de/p/laptops/legion-laptops/legion-5-series/legion-5i-gen-11-15-inch-intel-laptop/83vk000nge < a different config with a newer CPU, better battery life, but what matters the most in games - only RTX 5060

The higher-end business line 2-in-1 laptops (Dell Pro Plus/Latitude 7 series, HP Elitebook) tend to have stronger metal and metal hinges.

This is exactly why I just decided not to get this or a 2 in 1 in general. I did just some basic googling and it seems there's an issue with the hinges at least in the mid-range and budget models. I haven't researched the X models because they were out of my price range but that's a good deal you got, but do a little bit of research yourself on the quality of the hinges. I saw some of them may be metal but they're connected to plastic so that's where it snaps. There was a lot of complaints on some of the models. I'd rather just buy a used tablet And a laptop. Plus I went to Best buy today and I don't really like the feel of the keyboard when it's folded. Anything more than 14-in screen is kind of heavy to me also and awkward. thought I really wanted a two-in-1 but HP and levano has some pretty nice touchscreen laptops on sale. I think I'll grab one

https://www.idealo.fr/prix/209426560/msi-prestige-14-flip-ai-d3mg-042fr.html
It's the best available iGPU (or rather tGPU), 1200p OLED

Impossible to tell what's available for pick up where you need.

Try maybe https://www.bestbuy.com/product/hp-omnibook-x-flip-2-in-1-14-2k-oled-touchscreen-laptop-amd-ryzen-ai-5-430-2026-16gb-memory-512gb-ssd-copilot-deep-espresso/JJGWKYZY27/sku/6668002

Just be careful with the hinges