Black Friday laptop deals that are actually worth shopping for
Of all the deals happening during Black Friday, laptop sales are perhaps the most attractive. But with all the brands and models on sale, how do you know which laptop deal is the best?
I decided to buy a Windows laptop to complement my beloved Chromebook and Lenovo Duet – but Apple’s Mac range does have its own appeal. Not to mention budget PCs and the power level I actually need versus what I need think I need.
CNET tested and tried every computer we could get our hands on to help you buy the best laptop this holiday season. We’ve sifted through the countless laptop deals to make sure you get one for a stunningly low price from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. For example the Apple MacBook Air M3CNET’s pick as the best MacBook overall has been reduced by $200.
Keep an eye on this guide as we’ll be updating it regularly over the holiday weekend through Cyber Monday. If you’re looking for something a little more mobile, check out our roundups of the best Black Friday phone and tablet deals.
Best Black Friday Laptop Deals
The latest model in Apple’s lightweight range, the M3 MacBook Air, tops our list for the best laptop of 2024. This model features a 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display, 18 hours of battery life, 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage space. storage. It is also designed to work with Apple Intelligence. All colors and configurations are currently $200 off at Best Buy.
This HP Pavilion Plus took overall first place on our list of the best Windows laptops of 2024. This configuration features a 14-inch display with 2,560 x 1,600 pixels, 512 GB of storage, and an Intel Core i5 processor. It’s also equipped with multiple USB-C and USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack for serious versatility.
Details
With a 14-inch touchscreen of 1,920 x 1,200 pixels, the Lenovo Yoga 7 is the best two-in-one laptop of 2024. This competitively priced configuration features powerful hardware, including 16 GB RAM, a 1 TB SSD, an AMD Radeon 780M GPU and an AMD Ryzen 7 processor. It also comes with the Lenovo Digital Pen stylus.
Details
This Alienware model is already one of our favorite gaming laptops for those on a budget, and now you can get it for even less. There are a few different configurations available for purchase, but this $1,300 model comes equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16 GB of RAM, and 1 TB of storage.
Details
This laptop can handle just about anything you need without weighing down your backpack or lap. It has a 16-inch touchscreen, an Intel Core i7 processor, 32 GB of RAM and a whopping 1 TB of storage.
Details
This 2024 laptop has a touchscreen display, 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD storage. It also has the Snapdragon X Elite processor, AI capabilities via Copilot Plus, and up to 20 hours of battery life.
Details
Black Friday gaming laptop deals
This 16-inch gaming laptop has 16GB of RAM and a GeForce RTX 4060 along with a 1TB SSD. It’s not top of the line, but it’s a very solid choice for just about anyone who wants to game on the go and still enjoy solid specs.
This 15.6-inch gaming laptop has a refresh rate of 165 Hz, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, 32 GB RAM and an AMD Ryzen 9 processor for gaming as fast as your fingers can type. You can also store your games and work files on the 1TB SSD drive, so there is still space left.
Details
Black Friday laptop deals for students
This budget-friendly Acer is the best cheap laptop of 2024. With an AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, it’s designed for the basics like scrolling social media and checking your email. It also has a built-in webcam and an HDMI port and weighs just 3.2 pounds, making it easy to carry.
Black Friday MacBook deals
A large screen and powerful hardware make this one of the best laptops for creatives. It also has some decent specs with 18GB of RAM and a beautiful 16-inch screen. An excellent choice for Apple fans or future fans.
Black Friday Chromebook deals
This affordable Lenovo two-in-one is one of the best Chromebooks of 2024. It has a compact 11-inch screen, making it easy to carry around all day, and it still has 4GB of memory.
What should you look for in a Black Friday laptop deal?
One of the biggest considerations is what laptop configuration is available for purchase. The best laptop deals typically only discount a specific version of the laptop, and making changes to the hardware, specs or even color can affect the price. This means that you sometimes notice that, for example, the 512GB model is actually cheaper than the 256GB option. Be careful when adjusting specifications and be aware of sudden price changes.
Ultimately, you’re looking for the biggest savings, not only compared to price, but also to the typical street price for a laptop. Don’t be fooled by list prices. Use price comparison sites or store extensions to make sure the discounted price is actually a good deal.
Which retailers typically offer the best Black Friday laptop deals?
You can usually find laptop deals at various retailers. Major retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, plus smaller competitors like New egg, Adorama And B&H phototend to offer sales on more specific models, while manufacturers such as PK, Lenovo And Dell usually organize larger sales covering more models and configurations. If you’re looking for a specific model, make sure you keep up to date with the latest deals during the holiday shopping season.
Will laptops be cheaper on Cyber Monday?
Usually there are no significant differences between the Black Friday and Cyber Monday discounts. Big hitters like Best Buy and Amazon tend to release the big discounts right on Black Friday. You may be able to save some extra on items that are not yet available. If there’s something that catches your eye, we recommend you jump on it right away. Most of these discounts end once the product is out of stock.
