Black Friday can be a good time to buy a laptop, but choosing the right computer matters more than chasing the largest advertised discount.
Start with what you’ll actually use the laptop for.
A student who mainly works in a browser has very different needs from someone editing video, running demanding software, or playing PC games. Spending more doesn’t automatically result in a better purchase if you’re paying for performance you won’t use.
For 2026, we’re watching Windows laptops, Chromebooks, gaming laptops, 2-in-1s, and budget models from brands including ASUS, Lenovo, Dell, HP, and Acer.
Instead of trying to keep up with constantly changing prices, this guide helps you narrow down the laptops worth checking. Use our Amazon links to see the current price and any available promotions for the configuration you’re considering.
If you’re shopping across several categories, our complete Black Friday shopping guide covers TVs, tablets, gaming gear, smartphones, and other products worth researching before the holiday sales begin.
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Table of Contents
Best Laptops to Check This Black Friday
You don’t need to compare every laptop that goes on sale.
Start with the type of computer you need, then compare processors, memory, storage, display quality, battery life, and price.
These are the types of laptops we’d focus on first.
| Laptop | Best for | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS Zenbook 14 | Best everyday Windows laptop | Portable design with strong everyday performance |
| Dell XPS 13 | Students and portability | Compact Windows laptop for work and school |
| Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 | Best Chromebook | Versatile ChromeOS 2-in-1 |
| Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 | Best 2-in-1 | Touchscreen versatility for work and everyday use |
| Lenovo Legion Pro 5i | Gaming | Dedicated graphics and higher-performance hardware |
Exact specifications can vary within the same laptop family. Always check the processor, RAM, storage, display, and graphics configuration before ordering.
ASUS Zenbook 14: Best Everyday Windows Laptop to Check
The ASUS Zenbook 14 is the type of laptop we’d put near the top of the list for someone who wants one portable computer for everyday use.
Current versions are available with modern Intel, AMD, and Snapdragon processors, while ASUS also offers OLED display configurations.
That gives shoppers several options depending on whether battery life, performance, display quality, or price matters most.
Why We Picked the ASUS Zenbook 14
The Zenbook 14 fits one of the largest groups of Black Friday shoppers: people who want a good laptop without needing a specialized gaming machine or workstation.
A 14-inch laptop is also easier to carry than many 16-inch models while still providing enough screen space for web browsing, documents, streaming, and everyday productivity.
Best for: Everyday use, students, work, travel, and general productivity.
Consider another laptop if: You need powerful dedicated graphics for gaming or demanding creative software.
Who Should Buy the ASUS Zenbook 14?
Consider it if you want a portable Windows laptop that can handle ordinary work, school, browsing, streaming, and multitasking.
Pay close attention to the exact configuration during Black Friday. Two Zenbook 14 listings can look almost identical while having different processors, memory, storage, or displays.
Check ASUS Zenbook 14 at Amazon
Dell XPS 13: A Compact Laptop for Work and School
The Dell XPS 13 is another laptop family worth comparing if portability matters.
Current 2026 configurations include compact 13.4-inch models, making the XPS 13 particularly relevant for students, commuters, and people who frequently work away from a desk.
A smaller laptop won’t be the right choice for everyone, but the reduced size can make a meaningful difference if you carry your computer every day.
Why We Picked the Dell XPS 13
The XPS 13 gives us a compact alternative to larger mainstream laptops.
Rather than buying the biggest screen available, some shoppers are better served by a lighter machine that’s easier to put in a backpack and use on the go.
Best for: Portability, students, travel, office work, and everyday use.
Consider another laptop if: You prefer a large display, need lots of built-in ports, or want dedicated gaming graphics.
Who Should Buy the Dell XPS 13?
Consider it if portability ranks above having a large screen.
It’s especially worth comparing for college, commuting, and hybrid work where your laptop regularly moves between locations.
As always, check the exact specifications before buying.
Best Chromebook Black Friday Deals
Chromebooks deserve their own consideration rather than being treated as inexpensive Windows laptops.
ChromeOS is built heavily around web-based applications and cloud services. That can make a Chromebook a practical choice for students, browsing, email, streaming, Google Docs, and other everyday tasks.
But it can also be limiting if you depend on specialized Windows or macOS desktop software.
That’s why we’d choose the operating system first and the discount second.
Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514: Our Chromebook Pick
The Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 is one Chromebook we’d compare during Black Friday.
Current models combine a 14-inch touchscreen with a convertible 2-in-1 design. A recent 2026 review highlighted configurations with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, Wi-Fi 7, and the MediaTek Kompanio Ultra platform.
Why We Picked the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514
A cheap Chromebook isn’t necessarily a good Chromebook.
The Spin 514 is more interesting because it combines ChromeOS simplicity with hardware that can make the computer useful beyond basic browsing.
Its convertible design also lets it serve as a conventional laptop or touchscreen device.
Best for: Students, web-based work, browsing, streaming, and ChromeOS users.
Consider another laptop if: You need full Windows desktop software, serious PC gaming, or specialized professional applications.
Who Should Buy a Chromebook?
A Chromebook can make sense if most of your work already happens through a browser.
Students who primarily use Google Classroom, Docs, web research, email, and streaming may not need to pay for a more powerful Windows laptop.
But don’t buy one simply because it’s cheaper.
Make sure ChromeOS supports the applications you need first.
Check Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 514 at Amazon
Best Black Friday 2-in-1 Laptop Deals
A 2-in-1 laptop combines a conventional notebook with a touchscreen design that can fold or convert for different uses.
This can be useful for handwritten notes, presentations, watching video, drawing, or simply using the computer away from a desk.
The tradeoff is that you may pay extra for flexibility you rarely use.
If you know you’ll leave the laptop in conventional notebook mode almost all the time, a standard laptop may provide better value.
Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1: Our Convertible Pick
The Lenovo Yoga 7i 2-in-1 is one model we’d compare.
Current Lenovo listings include 14-inch Intel versions, including configurations based on Intel’s newer platform.
Why We Picked the Lenovo Yoga 7i
The Yoga line makes sense for shoppers who genuinely want the flexibility of a convertible computer.
A touchscreen and folding design can be useful for students, travelers, presentations, media consumption, and people who like handwritten input.
Best for: Students, productivity, touchscreen users, and people who want laptop/tablet flexibility.
Consider another laptop if: You don’t expect to use the touchscreen or convertible design.
Who Should Buy a 2-in-1 Laptop?
Consider one if the ability to switch between laptop, tent, and tablet-style use would actually change how you use the computer.
Otherwise, don’t pay extra just because the feature looks impressive on the product page.
Check Lenovo Yoga 7i at Amazon
Best Gaming Laptop Black Friday Deals
Gaming laptops require a different buying strategy.
The graphics processor becomes one of the most important specifications, and the cheapest laptop with “gaming” in its name may not provide the performance you expect.
Current gaming laptops span everything from relatively affordable RTX machines to much more expensive systems with high-refresh displays and powerful GPUs.
Before buying, check the exact GPU, processor, RAM, storage, display resolution, and refresh rate.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i: Gaming Laptop to Watch
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is one gaming family we’d put on the comparison list.
Current Lenovo configurations include Legion Pro 5i systems with RTX 50-series graphics, including RTX 5070 Ti options.
Why We Picked the Lenovo Legion Pro 5i
The Legion gives shoppers a recognizable gaming platform with configurations that extend well beyond ordinary integrated graphics.
More importantly, it illustrates why Black Friday gaming-laptop shopping requires checking the model number and hardware rather than just the discount.
Best for: PC gaming and shoppers who need dedicated graphics.
Consider another laptop if: Battery life, low weight, or basic everyday productivity matters more than gaming performance.
Who Should Buy a Gaming Laptop?
Buy one if you genuinely plan to play demanding PC games or use software that benefits from a dedicated GPU.
If you mostly browse the web, stream video, work in Microsoft Office, and play lightweight games, you probably don’t need to pay for gaming hardware.
View Lenovo Legion Pro 5i at Amazon
Best Cheap Laptops for Black Friday
Budget laptop deals can look especially attractive during Black Friday.
This is also where shoppers need to be careful.
A very low price can mean compromises in memory, storage, display quality, processor performance, or build quality.
For a basic Windows laptop, we’d generally prioritize enough memory and storage for comfortable everyday use rather than buying the absolute cheapest configuration available.
For shoppers with very simple needs, a Chromebook may provide a better experience than an extremely underpowered Windows laptop at a similar price.
How Much RAM Do You Need?
RAM is one specification we’d check carefully before buying any Black Friday laptop.
8GB
This can still work for basic browsing, documents, streaming, and light use, particularly on a Chromebook or inexpensive computer.
For a new Windows laptop you intend to keep for several years, however, we’d prefer more when the budget allows.
16GB
For most Windows laptop shoppers, 16GB is the configuration we’d target.
It gives you more room for multitasking and should provide greater flexibility as software requirements increase.
32GB or More
This is more relevant for demanding creative work, development, professional applications, heavy multitasking, and higher-end gaming.
Don’t pay for 32GB simply because the number is larger.
Buy it because your workload can actually use it.
How Much Laptop Storage Do You Need?
Storage is another area where seemingly similar Black Friday deals can differ.
256GB
Enough for lighter users who store much of their content online.
It can become restrictive if you install large applications, games, or maintain a large photo/video library.
512GB
This is a comfortable starting point for many shoppers.
It provides more flexibility without automatically moving into expensive configurations.
1TB or More
Worth considering for gaming, large media libraries, video work, or anyone who knows they’ll store substantial amounts of data locally.
Intel vs. AMD vs. Snapdragon Laptops
Processor choices have become more complicated.
Current Windows laptops can use Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen AI, or Qualcomm Snapdragon processors. Intel’s current 2026 generation includes Core Ultra Series 3, while AMD and Qualcomm also have newer AI-focused platforms on the market.
Don’t choose solely based on the processor brand.
Look at the exact chip, laptop design, battery life, application compatibility, and overall price.
For many ordinary buyers, the complete laptop matters more than whether the logo beside the keyboard says Intel, AMD, or Snapdragon.
Should You Buy an AI PC on Black Friday?
You’ll see plenty of laptops marketed around AI features in 2026.
Don’t let the term alone determine your purchase.
An NPU and Copilot+ features may be useful for some workloads and future software, but the traditional laptop fundamentals still matter:
processor performance, memory, storage, display quality, keyboard, battery life, ports, and price.
Buy a good laptop that happens to include useful AI hardware rather than buying a mediocre laptop because “AI PC” appears on the box.
HP Laptop Black Friday Deals
HP is another brand worth checking during Black Friday, particularly across mainstream notebooks, 2-in-1s, business systems, and gaming laptops.
But don’t treat “HP laptop” as a single product.
A basic everyday HP notebook and an HP Omen gaming machine target completely different buyers.
Compare the exact model and specifications rather than assuming every laptop from a familiar brand provides similar value.
The same rule applies to Dell, Lenovo, ASUS, and Acer.
What About MacBook Black Friday Deals?
Apple laptops deserve separate consideration because choosing a MacBook involves more than comparing specifications with a Windows laptop.
The operating system, Apple Silicon, battery life, software ecosystem, and integration with other Apple devices all affect the decision.
Rather than squeezing Apple into a few paragraphs here, our MacBook Black Friday deals guide compares MacBook Air and MacBook Pro options in detail.
If you already know you want macOS, start there rather than comparing dozens of Windows laptops you aren’t likely to buy.
Chromebook vs. Windows Laptop: Which Should You Buy?
Choose a Chromebook if your needs are primarily web-based and ChromeOS supports the software you use.
Choose a Windows laptop if you need broader desktop software compatibility, more hardware choices, PC gaming, or specialized applications.
Neither is automatically better.
A Chromebook can be a better purchase than a cheap Windows laptop for one shopper and completely unsuitable for another.
The operating system should match what you actually need to do.
What Screen Size Should You Buy?
Laptop screen size affects both usability and portability.
13- to 14-Inch Laptops
Good for portability, school, travel, and commuters.
This is where we’d start for someone who carries a laptop frequently.
15- to 16-Inch Laptops
Provide more workspace and can be more comfortable when the laptop spends most of its time on a desk.
They’re also common among gaming and higher-performance systems.
17 Inches and Larger
Best suited to shoppers prioritizing screen size over portability.
At that point, think carefully about how often you actually intend to carry the computer.
Should You Buy an OLED Laptop?
OLED isn’t only for TVs.
Laptop OLED displays can provide excellent contrast, deep blacks, and vivid image quality.
They’re particularly appealing for media consumption and shoppers who care heavily about display quality.
But OLED shouldn’t automatically take priority over battery life, performance, memory, or price.
For a basic school or office laptop, you may get more value by spending that money elsewhere.
Should You Buy a Previous-Generation Laptop on Black Friday?
Yes, potentially.
Previous-generation laptops can become especially interesting when newer processors arrive, and retailers still have older configurations in inventory.
A one-generation-old laptop doesn’t suddenly become slow because a replacement launched.
Compare what actually changed.
If the newer model provides only a modest performance improvement while the older computer receives a substantial discount, the previous generation may offer better value.
But check memory, storage, battery life, display, ports, and software support rather than looking only at the processor generation.
Don’t Buy a Laptop Based on the Discount Percentage Alone
A laptop advertised as 40% off isn’t automatically a better deal than one that’s 20% off.
Configurations make laptop pricing especially tricky.
The same model name may be sold with different processors, RAM, storage, displays, and graphics.
Before deciding, compare the exact configuration.
A laptop with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD may be worth paying more for than a heavily discounted version with substantially weaker hardware.
That’s also why HolidayDealRadar doesn’t try to maintain constantly changing Amazon prices beside every recommendation.
Use the Amazon link to see the current price and promotion, then evaluate that offer against the configuration you’re actually getting.
Black Friday Laptop Deals FAQ
Is Black Friday a good time to buy a laptop?
It can be. Laptops are a major holiday shopping category, but the quality of individual deals varies.
Choose the type of laptop and specifications you need first, then evaluate the sale price.
How much RAM should a laptop have in 2026?
For many Windows shoppers, we’d target 16GB when the budget allows.
Basic users and some Chromebook buyers may be comfortable with less, while gaming and demanding professional workloads can justify 32GB or more.
Is a Chromebook better than a cheap Windows laptop?
Sometimes.
If your needs are primarily browser-based, a good Chromebook may provide a better experience than an extremely inexpensive Windows laptop.
If you need Windows-specific software, the Chromebook won’t be a suitable substitute.
Are gaming laptops worth buying on Black Friday?
They can be, but compare the exact GPU and other hardware.
Two gaming laptops with similar names can deliver very different performance.
Are 2-in-1 laptops worth it?
A 2-in-1 is worthwhile if you’ll actually use its touchscreen and convertible modes.
If you want a conventional laptop, don’t pay extra solely for flexibility you don’t need.
Should I wait for Cyber Monday to buy a laptop?
We wouldn’t pass on the right laptop at a price you’re comfortable paying solely because Cyber Monday is approaching.
Inventory and configurations can change, and there’s no guarantee your preferred model will receive a better offer later.
Should I buy a previous-generation laptop?
It can be a smart way to save money.
Compare the older model’s hardware and features with the current generation and decide whether the improvements justify the price difference.