The best Black Friday laptop deals in 2024: early discounts now live

The best Black Friday laptop deals

Black Friday laptop deals

(Image credit: Future)

Black Friday laptop deals are hitting the shelves this week, with retailers like Dell, Walmart, Best Buy, and Newegg all revving up their early holiday sales. That means we're seeing some particularly strong discounts already up for grabs, with record-low prices across premium MacBooks and the Dell XPS range as well as cheaper prices on more budget-friendly rigs like HP Chromebooks and more.

This week has seen a few previous offers swept off the shelves, particularly at Best Buy. I've noticed this retailer rotating its early Black Friday laptop deals over the last few weeks, though, so there's always something new around the corner. If none of the early prices below suit, stay in touch.

I've been tracking these discounts for years now, and I've gathered all the tips and tricks we've learned along the way just below. Whether you're after a cheaper everyday browsing machine or something more robust, this year's holiday sales are sure to have something in stock to suit.

Today's best laptop deals ahead of Black Friday

UK

HP Chromebook 14-inch | $203 $159.99 at AmazonSave $44 -

HP Chromebook 14-inch | $203 $159.99 at Amazon
Save $44 - Even a smaller saving on a cheaper Chromebook is going to take you far over Black Friday, and this 14-inch HP Chromebook is down to a record-low price thanks to that $44 discount at Amazon. Costs have generally stuck at around $200 here over the last few months, but were closer to $300 as recently as September.

Specs: Intel N100 | 4GB RAM | 64GB eMMC

Buy it if:

✅ You just want to browse the web
✅ You want a laptop for streaming
✅ You still want a good sized display

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need to work from your laptop

Lenovo IdeaPad 1i 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop | $499.99 $249.99 at Best BuySave $250 -

Lenovo IdeaPad 1i 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop | $499.99 $249.99 at Best Buy
Save $250 - If you want a touchscreen device I'd head straight to this $250 discount on the Lenovo IdeaPad 1i this week. Best Buy has the i3 laptop down to $249.99 right now - a solid saving on a mid-range spec.

Specs: Intel i3-1215U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD

Buy it if:

✅ You'll make use of that touchscreen
✅ You want a good amount of storage
✅ You want a laptop for school

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need more RAM for multi-tasking

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6-inch laptop | $429 $349 at WalmartSave $80 -

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6-inch laptop | $429 $349 at Walmart
Save $80 - This Lenovo IdeaPad is squeezing a Ryzen 5 processor and 256GB SSD into a $350 price tag at Walmart this week. That's perfect for anyone after a cheaper laptop for work or school.

Specs: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD

Buy it if:

✅ You want a laptop for work
✅ You need speedy storage
✅ You want a good-sized display

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need to multitask between heavier programs

Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop | $799.99 $419.99 at Best BuySave $380 -

Lenovo IdeaPad 1 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop | $799.99 $419.99 at Best Buy
Save $380 - This more sophisticated version of the Lenovo IdeaPad, and not only is it packing a 512GB SSD into a rare low price, but it's also taking a record-breaking discount this week. That's excellent news for anyone after a laptop for work or school.

Specs: AMD Ryzen 7 5700U | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD

Buy it if:

✅ You need to multi-task
✅ You run more demanding programs
✅ You need a number pad

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need a backlit keyboard

HP 17.3-inch laptop | $629.99 $429.99 at Best BuySave $200 -

HP 17.3-inch laptop | $629.99 $429.99 at Best Buy
Save $200 - The HP 17 is a larger rig, but that size extends to your storage here as well. It's rare to find a $400 laptop with a 512GB SSD under the hood, but that's exactly what you're getting here. This model has been $20 cheaper in the past, so if you're after a record-low it's worth watching.

Specs: AMD Ryzen 5 7430U | 8GB RAM | 512GB SSD

Buy it if:

✅ You regularly use split-screen
✅ You want to store larger files
✅ You want big-screen streaming

Don't buy it if:

❌ You prioritize portability

Dell XPS 13 13-inch laptop | $1,199.99 $899.99 at DellSave $300 -

Dell XPS 13 13-inch laptop | $1,199.99 $899.99 at Dell
Save $300 - With $300 off the final price, this Snapdragon build of the Dell XPS 13 is looking particularly strong at Best Buy right now. You're getting a solid amount of power in a luxury chassis here - with 512GB of SSD storage space to boot.

Specs: Snapdragon X Elite X1E-80-100 | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD

Buy it if:

✅ You want a slimline machine
✅ You regularly multi-task
✅ You want to store larger files

Don't buy it if:

❌ You need an Intel device

Apple MacBook Air M3 | $1,299 $1,099 at AmazonSave $200 -

Apple MacBook Air M3 | $1,299 $1,099 at Amazon
Save $200 - The M3 MacBook Air has never been cheaper than this, with a $200 discount dropping the 512GB 2024 model down to a brand new record-low price. Previous discounts have bottomed out at well over $1,200 on this one, so savings are looking particularly strong ahead of official Black Friday laptop deals.

Specs: Apple M3 | 16GB RAM | 512GB SSD

Buy it if:

✅ You have other Apple devices
✅ You prefer MacOS
✅ You want a super portable laptop

Don't buy it if:

❌ You want more storage in a Windows device

Asus Vivobook Pro 15.6-inch OLED laptop | $1,699.99 $1,199.99 at Best BuySave $500 -

Asus Vivobook Pro 15.6-inch OLED laptop | $1,699.99 $1,199.99 at Best Buy
Save $500 - This high-end OLED laptop is perfect for content creators with its wealth of RAM and dedicated RTX 4060 graphics card. However, it's also sitting at a record-low price on Best Buy's shelves right now.

Specs: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H | Nvidia RTX 4060 | 24GB RAM | 2TB SSD

Buy it if:

✅ You need a laptop for media editing
✅ You prioritize display quality
✅ You use heavier programs

Don't buy it if:

❌ You don't need dedicated display features

What to expect from Black Friday laptop deals in 2024

Acer Chromebook 314

(Image credit: Acer)

Last year's Black Friday laptop deals offered some excellent discounts in the entry level and mid-range areas. We're optimistic for more of this action in 2024, with entry level models like the HP Pavilion, Acer Aspire 3, Dell Inspiron 15 3000, and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 falling further into this bracket this November.

That means you can expect to find an Intel i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB or 512GB SSD inside one of the laptops above for between $259-$349 during the height of the sale (and potentially well before then). We'd expect to see the majority of these machines at retailers like Dell and Walmart, with Best Buy and Amazon both lacking slightly in this price range last year (head to Currys and Argos in the UK).

If you're looking for something a little more substantial, it's worth noting that the Dell XPS tends to take the jump from elite ultrabook to mid-range level pricing in Black Friday laptop deals. This is a particularly competitive space, with retailers all pushing their flashier machines for new record low prices. That's why we expect the biggest value to be on laptops priced between $500 and $800 (£500-£800) this year; you'll likely find an Intel i7 processor in there, and, depending on the actual model you choose, potentially 8-16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD.

The biggest savings will likely hit the premium end of the spectrum in this year's Black Friday laptop deals. This is the $1,000+ / £1,000+ machines that have plenty of wiggle room on their costs due to the sheer size of their price tag. We often see high-end configurations of the Dell XPS 13 in this category, but also mid-range MacBooks and starter Black Friday gaming laptop deals as well. This year we're expecting some of the biggest offers to land on M2 MacBook models, the Dell XPS 13, the Razer Blade 14, and the HP Spectre x360.

What should you look for in Black Friday laptop deals?

M2 MacBook Air

(Image credit: Apple)

If you are already looking for Black Friday-level laptop deals, it's worth keeping in mind the kinds of specs and features you're after for your cash. There are a few easy to spot hallmarks of a good deal, though, which is helpful considering it's difficult to work out whether you really are looking at a Black Friday-level offer or not.

If you're after a cheap Chromebook, for example, we'd recommend waiting for one with at least 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage for under $150 / £150 (you can check out Black Friday Samsung deals for more). However, for a Windows machine with a similar entry level spec (4GB RAM, 128GB SSD storage, i3 processor), you'd be better off aiming for a $249 / £249 price tag to make an early buy worthwhile.

Once you double up your RAM and potentially think about moving up to an Intel i5 processor, $299-$499 / £299-£499 is a strong sales price that we tend to see in official Black Friday laptop deals (and would be well worth a punt ahead of them). However, of course, that is all depending on the price of the actual machine you're buying - these prices are geared towards more budget-minded models like the Dell Inspiron 3000 or Lenovo IdeaPad 3, as opposed to the MacBook and Dell XPS configurations on offer.

If you're moving more into the mid-range ahead of this year's Black Friday laptop deals, it's worth making sure that you're picking up a 2-in-1 convertible display, extra long battery life, or a super slim bezel on your machine while also potentially moving up to 512GB of SSD storage space. We would expect to see prices on these kinds of machines sitting at between $499 and $699 / £499-£699 over Black Friday, and you might even find some particularly strong deals on the big name ultrabooks in this category as well.

Once you move up beyond this price tag, early Black Friday laptop deals start to become a lot easier to discern. That's because these models, regardless of the configuration, rarely introduce new record low prices. If you spot a MacBook Air M1 for under $849.99, or a Dell XPS 13 for under $649, for example, you can already assume you're getting a good deal.

FAQ

When will Black Friday laptop deals officially start?

Black Friday laptop deals will officially launch on November 29, but we generally see the main sales starting from Thanksgiving week. That means we're right in the middle of this year's sale, with more retailers launching their official discounts and some even starting to run off the shelves.

Where will the best Black Friday laptop deals be?

Given the fact that Black Friday laptop deals are some of the most in-demand discounts of the weekend, it's no surprise that all of the major retailers break out the big guns around this sales event. We're already seeing some excellent early offers from retailers in both the US and UK, as well, and considering the potential shipping delays earlier in the year, it may well pay off to shop a little early. If you want to get a head start you'll find all our go-to stores just below.

US:

Amazon: regular discounts on budget and mid-range machines
Dell: record low prices on XPS and super cheap Inspiron prices
Best Buy: offering price guarantee for My Best Buy members
HP: frequent flash sales with super low prices
Lenovo:
heavy discounts on everyday laptops and Legion gaming
Walmart: best for budget friendly Chromebooks and laptops
Microsoft: discounts on Surface devices and Windows machines
Newegg: additional rebates and price guarantees available

UK:

Amazon: speedy delivery and a wide range of machines
Currys: often offers additional software and accessories for free
Argos: budget prices and same day delivery often available
Dell: offers excellent discounts on budget and premium models
John Lewis: big savings on high end laptops with excellent warranties
AO: sometimes offers record low prices but stock moves quickly
Laptops Direct: super low prices but £5 shipping fees for faster delivery
Ebuyer:
best for refurbished laptops and accessories
Very: often price matches other retailers with plenty of stock

Is Black Friday a good time to buy a laptop?

Black Friday is an excellent time to buy a laptop, with some of the year's lowest prices up for grabs. That's because the majority of brands announce their new models at the start of the year, giving each new device (and all the latest generation tech under the hood) plenty of time to settle into the shelves before November rolls around. On top of that, brands and retailers know they will have new stock to compete with once January turns up - so are more likely to go even further with price drops to end out the year.

Do laptop prices drop on Black Friday?

Laptop prices do drop on Black Friday, but they also generally drop from mid-October onwards. This sales season extends far beyond the Thanksgiving week that we're used to - with discounts from a range of retailers kicking off as early as October 1. That said, the biggest flash sales tend to take place on the big day itself.


Of course, if you're after something a little more portable, be sure to check out the best Black Friday iPad deals we expect to see this year. On the other hand, those after a desktop could do well with this year's Black Friday gaming PC deals as well. We're also looking to Black Friday gaming monitor deals for more setup inspiration as well.

TOPICS
Tabitha Baker
Managing Editor - Hardware

Managing Editor of Hardware at 12DOVE, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.