If you've been waiting all year to buy a new laptop, your patience has paid off. The holiday shopping season is here, and that means some of the best savings on top-rated models.
Black Friday doesn't officially start until November 29, but that doesn't mean retailers aren't getting in on the sale action early. That includes one of our favorite categories: Laptops (we are PCMag, after all). Now we know a laptop is a big purchase and you're probably not buying a new one every year. But if it's on your holiday wish list, now is the best time to snag a deal. Check out these on-sale laptops and check back early and often for more options heading into Black Friday.
This no-frills laptop is built with productivity in mind. The 16-inch display is large enough to view content without the need for a monitor, from spreadsheets to power points, and Windows 11 Home will streamline your user experience.
This 2-in-1 Asus Vivobook S 16 Flip will handle multiple browser tabs and applications without a hitch. The 360-degree hinge enables you to switch seamlessly from laptop to tablet and the spacious 16-inch touch display makes a great canvas.
Our expert called the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 1 a "capable big-screen business laptop at a bargain price" when reviewing a similar configuration. Build with productivity in mind, This doorbuster deal sees this configuration at a deep 40% discount, making this the prime time to buy.
Laptops FAQs
Hi, I'm Joe Osborne, PCMag's Deputy Managing Editor focused on computing hardware. I have more than a decade of experience testing and evaluating computers, so here are my answers to three of the most frequently asked questions about buying a new laptop, especially around a sales event like Black Friday or Cyber Monday.
How Much Should You Pay For a Laptop?
Laptop prices will range based on features and performance. Basic but full-featured models can cost as little as $400, while gaming juggernauts and workstations can run you more than $3,000. The most important factors to remember are the ones you need most, as the price range will determine what you're getting -- and what you're sacrificing. For example, a low-budget laptop will have less storage space and RAM than a high-end laptop. It will be suitable for casual use without multitasking or running CPU-demanding programs.
How Long Should My Laptop Last?
When it comes to long-term lasting power, a computer can last a few years if you treat it well. This means using malware protection when web browsing, a dedicated surge protector to protect your hardware from electrical damage, managing battery health, and more. Our how-to article has longevity-boosting tips for your laptop.
As for battery life, that generally varies based on usage. Laptops with 4K displays running demanding games that test the limits of your GPU will naturally drain more quickly than a laptop that is just being used to surf the web. We test battery life by playing a locally stored video file nonstop with no wireless connections active and 50% screen brightness, which may not match your usage profile but is the best comparative measure for which system will provide longer battery life overall. More processor-intensive work will soak up battery life, so keep that in mind.
What's the Best Low-Priced Laptop?
PCMag's current top-rated budget laptop is the Acer Aspire 3. Simple and effective, it's priced competitively for a Ryzen 3 processor, 128GB SSD, and a 15.6-inch 1080p display. It's still one of the best deals in laptops after hitting shelves in early 2023.