If you’ve been eyeing a foldable PC, Back-to-School season is one of the better times to hunt for markdowns. Best Buy’s seasonal sale is live now, and while headline “$500 off” promos come and go quickly, there are foldable options worth tracking—especially Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Fold (16″) and HP’s Spectre Foldable 17. Pricing and availability change by store and day, so verify the current offer before you buy.
What’s actually available right now
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Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 (Gen 1) — Best Buy lists the 16.3-inch OLED foldable; pricing and stock vary by location. If you see a discount, confirm whether it’s new, clearance, or open-box.
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HP Spectre Foldable 17 — Currently showing open-box inventory (not new) with sizable markdowns relative to original MSRP. Great savings for the right buyer, but read the condition notes.
Note: There’s no widely used “ThinkPad X1 Fold Gen 3” naming on Best Buy today; Lenovo’s mainstream retail listing is the 16-inch Gen 1 refresh.
How to maximize savings at Best Buy
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Check the Back-to-School hub first. It aggregates the week’s laptop promos and limited-time bundles.
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Leverage membership offers. Best Buy replaced its student program with My Best Buy tiers (free, Plus, Total). Member-only prices and extended returns can sweeten a deal.
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Consider open-box grades. “Excellent/Certified” usually includes full accessories and near-new condition; “Satisfactory” may have wear—price accordingly.
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Stack payment promos. Bank/issuer offers (Amex Offers, Visa/MC promos) often stack with retailer sales.
Who should consider a foldable PC?
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Students & travelers: A single device that shifts between tablet, book, and laptop layouts can replace multiple gadgets.
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Creatives & presenters: A big, portable OLED canvas is great for sketching, reviews, and impromptu demos.
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Early adopters: Expect trade-offs (weight, accessories, price) in exchange for the flexible form factor.
Buyer checklist (before you click “Buy”)
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Keyboard/pen included? Many foldables ship the keyboard/stand and pen separately—that changes the real price.
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Return window & warranty. Membership tiers can extend returns; open-box items may have different coverage.
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Ports & accessories. Budget for USB-C hubs, stands, and sleeves.
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Condition & restocking fees. For open-box, read the grade description closely.
Bottom line
There isn’t a verifiable, across-the-board “$500 off” on a new foldable at Best Buy right now, but the store’s Back-to-School page, member-only prices, and open-box listings can yield hundreds off the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Fold 16 or HP Spectre Foldable 17, depending on your timing and location. Track the product pages, verify what’s in the box, and pounce when the right configuration dips.
