Which is better for schoolwork and office tasks?

The HP 15-dy2791wm. Its SSD and newer processor handle browsing, documents and video calls without the lag a hard drive causes.

Which has the better screen?

Both are 15.6-inch Full HD. The Envy adds touch and 360-degree modes; the HP 15 is sharper to look at only in the sense of a non-touch panel, so pick the Envy if touch matters.

The HP 15 has the newer components and a fresh battery, so expect more years of useful service. The Envy's 2015 CPU and hard drive are already near the end of practical life.

Is the Envy x360 worth stepping up to?

Only if you specifically want a convertible touchscreen. On speed, storage type and battery, the HP 15 is the stronger machine.

Can I upgrade either one?

The HP 15 supports up to 32 GB RAM and its SSD can be swapped. The Envy can take a RAM upgrade and an SSD replacement, which would noticeably speed it up.

Which is better for drawing or note-taking?

The Envy x360, because of its touchscreen and tablet mode. Neither includes a stylus, so check pen support before relying on it.

HP 15-dy2791wm Laptop vs HP Envy x360 15-W154NR

The HP 15-dy2791wm is the safer buy for most people. Its 11th-gen-class Core i3, 256 GB SSD and 8 GB RAM run Windows 11 smoothly, and owners rate it 4.2 out of 5 across over 1,000 ratings. The Envy x360 15-W154NR is a much older machine: its Core i7-5500U dates to 2015, and a 1 TB spinning hard drive makes everyday use feel slow. Buy the Envy only if you need a touchscreen convertible and can accept the aging platform.

Choose the HP 15-dy2791wm if you want a dependable everyday Windows laptop with fast SSD storage and a modern processor.
Choose the HP Envy x360 15-W154NR if a 360-degree touchscreen convertible matters more to you than speed and you can live with an older CPU and a hard drive.

Prices

HP 15-dy2791wm Laptop: $269.00 at eBay (last seen Nov 2)
HP Envy x360 15-W154NR: $269.00 at KenDoTronics (last seen Nov 12)
Difference: both cost the same at the latest prices (Nov 2 and Nov 12)