Image: IDG
If you’re looking to score a fast laptop at a killer price, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re on the hunt for a blazing fast gaming rig, an affordable laptop under $500, or an everyday Chromebook, we’ve assembled a list of the best laptop deals available right now, using our finely honed editorial judgement to only recommend truly compelling deals on worthwhile notebooks.
For more notebook options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now. We’ve got can’t-miss picks for every use case and budget, putting our thousands of hours of hands-on testing to work for you.
Best laptop deals (at a glance)
Lenovo IdeaPad 1, $229.99 ($190 off at Microcenter)Asus Vivobook 14, $249.99 ($180 off at Best Buy) Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3, $299 ($230 off at B&H)HP Envy x360, $569.99 ($379.01 off at Adorama)Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8, $749 ($560 off at B&H) HP Dragonfly Pro, $799 ($600 off at B&H) Dell XPS 13, $799 ($300 off at Dell) Acer Swift Go 14, $799.99 ($200 off at Amazon) Dell Inspiron 16, $819.99 ($540 off at Dell) XPG Xenia, $999 ($700.99 off at Walmart) Lenovo Flex 7, $1,039.99 ($220 off at Adorama) Lenovo Legion Pro 5i, $1,179 ($620 off at B&H) Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1, $1,199.99 ($450 off at Best Buy) Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4, $1,229 ($650 off at Adorama) HP Omen Laptop, $1,249.99 ($450 off at HP) Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon $1,391.42 ($1,007.58 off at Lenovo)
Best laptops deals under $500
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo IdeaPad 1: $249.99 ($170 off at Microcenter)
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 has an AMD Ryzen 5 5599Y processor inside of it, which is capable of handling day-to-day tasks like browsing the web and checking e-mail. The 14-inch 1080p display is perfect for everyday use and the connectivity options include one USB 2.0 Type-A, one USB 3.2 Type-C, one USB 3.2 Type-A, one HDMI, and one audio. The port selection is surprisingly diverse for such an inexpensive machine, so you don’t have to carry around an adapter. The 720p webcam isn’t great, but you can always plug into an external webcam if you want to look better on Zoom calls.
Asus
Asus
Asus
Asus Vivobook 14: $249.99 ($180 off at Best Buy)
The Asus Vivobook is an inexpensive Windows laptop with a 1080p display. The laptop’s Intel i3-1215U CPU is a few generations behind at this point, but it’s still powerful enough to handle everyday tasks like checking e-mail and watching Netflix. It also comes with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage. The 14-inch 1080p display has a brightness level of 250 nits, which isn’t super bright, but it’s perfectly fine for web surfing and office work. In fact, with dimmer displays, you’ll likely get better battery life out of the machine, as the display can be a major power suck. This is a great machine for anyone that’s on a tight budget.
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3: $299 ($230 off at B&H)
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is another good option for everyday work, school, or home use because of its Intel Core i3-1315U processor and robust connectivity options. You should be able to zip right through office tasks or binge your favorite show on Netflix, and the large 15.6-inch 1080p matte display is sharp enough for those types of tasks. The port selection includes one USB-C 3.0, two USB-A 3.0, one HDMI, and one audio–effectively eliminating the need for an adapter. Similar to other laptops in this price range, it has a 720p webcam, which isn’t the best, but it’s a reasonable sacrifice in the budget laptop realm.
Best laptops deals under $1,000
HP
HP
HP
HP Envy x360: $569.99 ($379.01 off at Adorama)
The HP Envy x360 is powerful, lightweight, and versatile. The 2-in-1 form factor means you can fold the screen back and use the laptop like a tablet, and it comes equipped with a good amount of RAM (16GB) and storage (512GB SSD). The 1080p display is quite large at 15.6-inches and it’s a touchscreen, which is perfect for habitual notetakers and doodlers. The keyboard is also full-sized and has backlighting–useful for when you’re using the laptop in low light environments.
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8: $749 ($560 off at B&H)
The Lenovo LOQ 15IRH8 is a good entry-level machine for the budget-minded gamer. Thanks to the Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, a powerful combination, it should have no problem flying through the latest triple-A titles. The 1080p display is also quite roomy at 15.6-inches and it has a refresh rate of 144Hz, so visuals should be free of any screen tearing, making for a more enjoyable gaming experience. This laptop also comes with a 1080p webcam, dual 85-blade fans, and Super Rapid Charge technology (in other words, this laptop will reach a charge of 30 percent in just 10 minutes, according to Lenovo).
HP
HP
HP
HP Dragonfly Pro: $799 ($600 off at B&H)
The HP Dragonfly Pro is a lightweight laptop with a lovely 1200p touchscreen display. It weighs just 3.1 pounds, which is hardly a back breaker–great news if you’re a frequent traveler. It’s also powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7736U CPU and AMD Radeon 680M graphics, so you shouldn’t experience any slowdowns with office work or daily tasks. The 14-inch 1200p touchscreen display has an aspect ratio of 16:10 and a maximum brightness of 400 nits. The taller aspect ratio is nice because it makes scrolling through documents and webpages a lot easier. Connectivity options also include two USB-C and one USB-C 3.1. Overall, this is a solid laptop, especially for $600 off.
Dell
Dell
Dell
Dell XPS 13: $799 ($300 off at Dell)
The Dell XPS 13 is a good laptop for office work, school work, everyday activities, and so on. It’s rocking an Intel Core i7-1250U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage–that’s more than enough power for watching movies, writing papers, surfing the web, and more. The 13.4-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1200, a refresh rate of 60Hz, and a maximum brightness of 500 nits. That means the display is capable of producing a vibrant, sharp-looking picture. Additional bits include an aluminum chassis, a 51 watt-hour battery, and a chic Sky colorway.
Acer
Acer
Acer
Acer Swift Go 14: $799 ($200 off at Amazon)
The Acer Swift Go 14 is one of the most well-rounded laptops you can buy. We awarded it 4 out of 5 stars in our review, praising how well-rounded it is. It features plenty of connectivity options, a wonderful typing experience, a zippy processor, and much more. The model that’s on sale today has less storage than the one we reviewed, but other than that they’re nearly identical. According to our review, it outperforms other laptops with the same processor, so you should be able to blitz through office work, coursework, everyday tasks, and so on. The 14-inch display also has a resolution of 1920X1200 and is touch-enabled. It’s fine for casual use, but black colors look washed out.
Dell
Dell
Dell
Dell Inspiron 16: $859.99 ($500 off at Dell)
The Dell Inspiron 16 is a great laptop for day-to-day use as well as some light gaming. In addition to the powerful Intel Core i7-1360P CPU and 1TB of SSD storage, this machine also has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 GPU, which should be powerful enough to run most games at 1080p resolution. The 1600p display is a spacious 16-inches with a refresh rate of 60Hz and a maximum brightness of 300 nits. Have we seen brighter screens? Sure. That said, it’s bright enough for daily use as well as some casual gaming. Other cool features include a 1080p webcam, up to 13 hours of battery life (according to Dell), and a fingerprint reader.
XPG
XPG
XPG
XPS Xenia 15G: $999 ($700.99 off at Walmart)
If you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop, the XPG Xenia will certainly fit the bill. You don’t see many gaming laptops with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU go on sale for under $1,000 often, so this is a true deal. Between the Intel Core i7-13700H CPU and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, you should be able to play triple-A titles on the High or Ultra graphics detail. This machine even comes with 1TB of SSD storage, which is good news if you’ve got a massive backlog of games. The 15.6-inch 1080p display should also provide fluid gameplay thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate. If you can afford it, this would be a better long-term gaming option than the $800 models listed above thanks to the RTX 4060’s much faster performance.
Best laptops deals under $1,500
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo Flex 7: $1,039.99 ($220 off at Adorama)
The Lenovo Flex 7 is a great laptop for those who want an affordable 2-in-1. You’re getting a lightweight design as well as a decent amount of power for just over $1,000. It has an Intel Core i7-1355U CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. Zipping through spreadsheet work, everyday tasks, and so on should be no problem for this machine. In addition to the 2-in-1 form factor, in which the screen swings back 360 degrees, it also weighs just 3.53 pounds. That means you can easily slip it in a backpack or messenger back and take it with you anywhere.
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i: $1,179 ($620 off at B&H)
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is a good option for those who play more intensive titles. We say this because of the display’s ridiculously high 240Hz refresh rate. Gameplay should be as smooth as your mother’s freshly churned butter. There’s a lot of power behind that display, too. You’re getting an Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB of RAM (that’s a lot!), and 1TB of SSD storage. Other goodies include an Ethernet port, an RGB backlit keyboard, and a 1080p webcam.
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1: $1,199.99 ($450 off at Best Buy)
The Lenovo Yoga 9i 2-in-1 is a powerful, versatile machine with a stunning 4K display. What more could you ask for? Underneath the hood, you’ll find an Intel Core i7-1360P CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage–so it should have no issues zipping through day-to-day tasks, spreadsheet work, and so on. The 14-inch touch display, which has a resolution of 3840×2400 (4K!), is a real stunner, too. This is the kind of display that’s meant for watching movies, graphically-intensive work, and so on. It also comes with a stylus, which is great because you don’t have to pay extra for a standalone accessory.
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4: $1,229 ($650 off at Adorama)
The Lenovo ThinkPad T14 Gen 4 is a powerful machine with a 1200p display, an array of versatile ports, and 512GB of SSD storage. It’s also lightweight at just under three pounds, making it the perfect travel companion. Driven by an Intel Core i7-1365U CPU, it should be able to handle both day-to-day tasks as well as heavier loads. Connectivity options include one Ethernet, one HDMI 2.1, one headphone/microphone combo jack, one USB 3.2 Gen 1, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Always On), and two Thunderbolt 4. That means you don’t have to worry about carrying an adapter around with you.
HP
HP
HP
HP Omen Laptop: $1,249.99 ($450 off at HP)
The HP Omen is a great laptop for gamers. Not only does it have a big screen with a fast refresh rate, but it also boasts RTX 4060 graphics as well as RGB backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting technology, allowing you to press down multiple keys at once. Crack this baby open and you’ll find an Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. That means this machine is capable of chewing right through those graphically demanding titles. The 1080p display, which measures a massive 17.3-inches, has a refresh rate of 144Hz and a response time of 7ms, so images should look fluid and realistic.
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: $1,391.42 ($1,007.58 off at Lenovo)
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is a competent business laptop with a lot of great features. First, let’s talk hardware. This machine weighs well under three pounds and yet it manages to squeeze in an Intel Core i5-1335U, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB of SSD storage. It has a decent amount of power, especially for such a lightweight laptop. You should be able to zip through office work, everyday activities, and more. The 14-inch 1200p display has a maximum brightness of 400 nits and a refresh rate of 60Hz, which should be clear enough for productivity tasks. Plus, you’re getting a 1080p webcam, a backlight keyboard, a fingerprint reader, and ThinkPad’s famously comfortable keyboard with the red nub in the middle.
FAQ
1.
How much RAM will I need in my laptop?
You’ll want at least 8GB, though 16GB is preferable, especially if you play games. Don’t buy laptops with under 4GB of RAM or 128GB of SSD storage—though on a Chromebook or a budget Windows machine, this configuration is acceptable. Check out our article on how much RAM does a laptop need for more in-depth info.
2.
What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop?
The one big difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop is the operating system. Chromebooks run ChromeOS and Windows run, well, Microsoft Windows. Chromebooks make good everyday machines because they’re designed for browsing the web, checking e-mail, and so on. They use less resources and are generally more affordable than the Windows variety. They also don’t need antivirus protection. A Windows laptop is a lot more versatile in what it can do, and not just in terms of running local programs. You can really pump a Windows laptop up with a ton of RAM, storage, and so on.
3.
When should I look for a laptop deal?
You’ll likely find the best laptop deals during Prime Day (mid-July), Black Friday (November 29th), and back-to-school season (June-August). Sure, you’ll find good laptop deals throughout the year, but if you really want to save big, we’d recommend scoping out your favorite online retailers during those times.
4.
Which retailers offer the best deals?
You can find all kinds of deals across a wide range of online retailers such as Newegg, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and so on. However, we’d recommend checking out deals from laptop manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. You’ll usually find many different configurations on sale and the discounts can be pretty darn steep.
For more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.
Author: Ashley Biancuzzo, Associate Editor
Ashley is a professional writer and editor with a strong background in tech and pop culture. She has written for high traffic websites such as Polygon, Kotaku, StarWars.com, and Nerdist. In her off time, she enjoys playing video games, reading science fiction novels, and hanging out with her rescue greyhound.
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