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Best Black Friday laptop deals 2024: 24 live deals based on RAM, storage, and other specs

Black Friday laptop deals are already in full swing at the major digital laptop retailers, and we’ve spotted some great ones on makes and models from all price points from Apple’s MacBook Air to Lenovo’s ThinkPads, to HP, Dell, and more. 

Also: The best Black Friday deals live now

Not all laptops are created equal this holiday season, with such a wide range of configurations among the top models. From Dell’s Inspiron 14 with 8 GB of RAM for $449, to the Alienware m16 R2 with 1 TB of storage for $1,999. With so many options to choose from, we narrowed down the playing field to the popular specs, brands and types you’ll see on Black Friday.

We’ve personally tested most of these devices, so we feel confident vetting them for their performance. From the ultraportable Apple MacBook Air M3 (which is $100 off on Amazon) to Samsung’s sleek and fast Galaxy Book 4 Edge ($500 off at Best Buy), here are the best deals we’ve found ahead of Black Friday. 

Our favorite Black Friday laptop deals

Apple MacBook Air M3

Kerry Wan/ZDNET

  • Current price: $844
  • Original price: $1,099

The MacBook Air M3 is as high-performing as it is ultraportable. The latest in Apple silicon provides a powerful and battery-efficient core to one of the thinnest and lightest laptops out there. With a 13.6-inch liquid retina display, 8-core CPU and 10-core GPU, the MacBook Air set the standard in portability and continues to push the limits for what an ultraportable laptop can do. 

Review: M3 MacBook Air review: Apple’s AI computer for the masses has arrived

  • Current price: $449
  • Original price: $729

Dell’s Inspiron 14 2-in-1 is a well-rounded laptop that can easily swap between different use cases, both due to its 2-in-1 form factor, and solid hardware. This accessible configuration with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage makes for a device that gives a lot of bang for your buck. 

Review: One of the most versatile laptops I’ve tested is a crowd-pleaser with solid hardware

  • Current price: $1,049
  • Original price: $1,399

Microsoft’s flagship Copilot+ PC is a sleek, well-optimized laptop with a marathon battery. We named it our top pick for best overall battery life out of all the laptops we tested in 2024 thanks to the energy-efficient Snapdragon X Elite processor, which keeps it running cool while also providing stand-out performance. 

Review: I tried Microsoft’s new Surface Laptop Copilot+ PC and it beat my MacBook Air in 3 ways

Best Black Friday laptop deals: Categorized by RAM

lenovo-ideapad-1i

Lenovo/ZDNET

Laptops with 8GB of RAM

  • Lenovo Ideapad 1i 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen Laptop: $249 (save $250 at Best Buy): If you need a lightweight device to handle the basics, it doesn’t get more affordable than Lenovo’s IdeaPad 1i. Already at just a few hundred bucks, you can save some extra cash ahead of Black Friday.  
  • HP Pavilion x360 14 inch Laptop for $399 (save $100 at Amazon): If you’re looking for a budget 2-in-1 laptop that’s great for the basics and watching YouTube or digital streaming, this is the best HP deal we’ve seen so far, as the HP Pavilion x360 is a solid 14-inch device for a price you can’t argue with.
  • Acer Aspire 3: $279 (save $42 at Amazon): This laptop comes with Windows S Mode, which is a simplified and secure version that is great for kids, students, and users who don’t want to deal with all the different options in the regular version. 

Laptops with 16GB of RAM

  • Asus Zenbook 14: $699 (save $350 at Best Buy): The ultra-sleek Zenbook S 14 has a brilliant display and ultraportable form factor. Coupled with the Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, it’s one of the best laptops for remote workers. 
  • IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 for $639 (save $255 at Lenovo): The IdeaPad 5 brings a convertible laptop/tablet design to an overall portable form factor, perfect for students commuting to and from campus. The stylus offers more flexibility for note taking or artistic use cases, and the AMD Ryzen 7 delivers solid performance for multitasking.  
  • HP 27-inch touchscreen All-in-One: $849 (save $250 at Best Buy): Instead of a laptop, HP’s 27-inch all-in-one desktop PC might be more your style. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB of RAM and a roomy 1TB of storage, for work, play, and everything in between. 
  • Microsoft Surface Pro: $899 (save $300 at Best Buy): The Surface Pro’s fast and power-efficient Snapdragon X Plus processor paired with 16GB of RAM makes for a high-performing mobile workstation that creators will appreciate. 
  • Acer Nitro V 15-inch: $999 (save $300 at Newegg): Acer’s line of gaming laptops come with lots of ports for all your accessories, and the Nitro V is no exception. The 16GB version is stacked with a Intel Core i9 processor and 144Hz LED-backlit display.

Laptops with 32GB of RAM

dell xps 14

Cesar Cadenas/ZDNET
  • Dell XPS 14: $1,999 (save $500 at Best Buy): Dell’s flagship XPS 14 laptop is as versatile as it is well-equipped. The 2024 version with the Intel Core 7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD is a powerful device that will last your whole time at school, and it’s currently slashed down to just $1,999.   
  • MSI Creator M16 HX: $1,699 (save $300 at Amazon): MSI’s M16 HX features a blazing-fast 240Hz display with superior cooling technology, making it a solid option for both gaming and intensive creative workloads like video editing and graphic design. 

Laptops with 64GB of RAM and above

  • Dell XPS 16: $2,549 (save $700): The XPS 16 is a versatile laptop in its own right, but the configuration with 64GB of RAM and GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card pair nicely with the bright, 120Hz 1920 x 1200 (Full HD+) display to make a great option for photo and video editing. And at $700 off, it’s a steal.   
  • Surface Laptop Studio 2 for $1,899: (save up to $600 at the Microsoft Store): Microsoft’s powerful Studio 2 features a unique 2-in-1 configuration that creatives will love, with an arsenal of powerful hardware, making it one of the best studio laptops you can buy for under $2,000.

Best Black Friday creator laptop deals

Dell XPS 16

Dell/ZDNET
  • MSI Creator M14: $800 (save $300 at Amazon): The aptly-named Creator is designed from the ground up for artists and creatives. It features an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU and Color Boost technology for a vivid display and graphics capabilities. 
  • HP Envy 16: $999 (save $500 at Best Buy): HP’s 16-inch Envy is a massive $500 off for Black Friday, bringing an RTX 4060 GPU, full 1TB of storage, and Intel Core i7 processor for a very accessible price. 
  • HP Envy 2-in-1: $579 (save $370 at Best Buy): HP’s Envy lineup consists of versatile, accessible devices, and this 2-in-1 is no exception. With an Intel Core 7 processor and 16GB of memory, this is a flexible tablet/laptop for school. 
  • Asus TUF 16: $1,699 (save $200 at Antonline): If you’re looking for a powerful gaming or creator laptop that can withstand a beating, Asus’ TUF lineup is as comfortable in the office as out in the field, thanks to its solid build. 

Best Black Friday gaming laptop deals

acer-predator-helios-neo-16

Acer/ZDNET
  • Asus ROG Zephyrus G16: $1,599 (save $400 at Best Buy): Armed with a fast and powerful Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU, 16GB of memory and a 16-inch, 240Hz OLED display, Asus’ flagship gaming laptop is as sleek and lightweight as it is high-performing. 
  • MSI Stealth A16 AI+ -Copilot+ PC for $1,699 (save $300 at Best Buy): MSI’s Stealth A16 comes with the AMD Ryzen AI 9-365, a top-of-the-line AI processor that runs cool and extremely power efficient, while delivering solid performance for gaming with 32GB of RAM and a RTX 4070 GPU. 
  • Acer Predator Helios Neo 16-inch: $999 (save $500 at Best Buy): Acer’s Predator series is a staple of gaming machines. The 18-inch comes with a 165Hz display, Intel Core i9, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, and 16GB of memory.
  • Asus TUF A16 Gaming Laptop: $699 (save $400 at Best Buy): From Asus’ durable line of gaming laptops, the 16-inch version is just the right size for portable gaming with a good-sized screen. This one comes with 16GB of RAM, Radeon RX 7700S GPU, and 512GB of storage.    
  • Lenovo LOQ: $784 (save $214 at Amazon): Lenovo’s LOQ line offers gaming laptops that won’t break the bank. This 15.6-inch device features an accessible 16GB of memory, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, and AMD Ryzen 7 processor for a capable but inexpensive configuration. 
  • Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9: $2,699 (17% off at Lenovo): Lenovo’s 9th-generation Legion Pro 7i is a powerful gaming machine with tons of storage. At $570 off, it makes the price a whole lot more accessible. 
  • Asus ROG Strix G17 (2022) Gaming Laptop: $1,449 (save $450 at B&H Photo Video): The ROG Strix G17 from Asus’ 2022 lineup is marked down to make room for the 2024 models, but that doesn’t mean this machine can’t handle high-end gaming. It’s got 16GB of RAM, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, and a bold design for $450 off the regular price.
  • AOC 16-inch Gaming Laptop: $599 (save $1,100 at Amazon): Armed with an AMD Ryzen 7 and 16GB of RAM, this budget gaming machine is 65% off, making a solid choice for a travel device for cloud gamers.   

FAQs

What’s your favorite laptop under $900?

This is a great question, since I think there are quite a few solid laptops out there under the $1,000 mark. Here are a few highly-recommended laptops I’ve tested personally that won’t cost you more than $900. 

  • Samsung Galaxy Book 4 Edge: $799 (save $550 at Best Buy): Samsung’s first Copilot+ PC has a gorgeous AMOLED display, and high-end Snapdragon X Elite processor that’s fast, responsive, and battery-efficient. It’s sleek and stylish, and a steal at this price. 
  • Dell XPS 14: $1,999 (save $500 at Best Buy): Dell’s flagship XPS 14 laptop is as versatile as it is well-equipped. The 2024 version with the Intel Core 7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD is a powerful device that will last your whole time at school, and it’s currently slashed down to just $1,999.  

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday occurs the day after Thanksgiving. This year, it’s on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. 

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday falls on the Monday immediately after Black Friday. This year, it’s on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. 

Are laptop deals really better on Black Friday?

Absolutely! Amazon has added tons of devices from all the big brands over the past few years to hype up their Black Friday sales events, and they’ve gotten quite good. For example, when Amazon first started selling Apple’s MacBooks and MacBook Pros at discounted rates, it was one of the first online retail outlets to do so. 

What’s the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Black Friday has traditionally been a more general sale day to kick off the holiday shopping season. Cyber Monday specifically refers to sales offered by online retailers that aren’t available in physical brick-and-mortar stores. These deals are often sharply discounted, as retailers can adjust prices far more easily online than on physical products on a shelf. 

Cyber Monday typically has some very good deals on a smaller selection of products/models, while Black Friday sales tend to be more general and encompass larger inventories.

How did we choose these Black Friday deals?

There are tons of Chromebook deals out there, but we only highlight products we’ve either gone hands-on with personally or would consider ourselves. For example, laptops and Chromebooks come in a myriad of configurations and versions. If we’ve tested one model that we recommend, but a lower- or higher-end configuration is on sale, we’d still feel confident recommending it. 

We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. 

Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals? 

The biggest retailers for laptops (that also have the best sales) are Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon, and B&H Photo Video, and many of our top-rated sales come from these destinations. 

What are the best Black Friday 2024 deals?

ZDNET’s experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, by category:

And more Black Friday deals:

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