Best laptop deals: Top picks from budget to extreme

Are you in the market for a laptop? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you need something for gaming or coursework, we’re here to help you every step of the way. The team at PCWorld has been perusing the web for the best laptop deals available today. However, since many laptop manufactures tend to discount undesirable machines as a way to get rid of stock, we’re only pulling out the deals we consider true bargains.

Right now, we’re seeing awesome deals on gaming laptops and Chromebooks. We’ve also included useful shopping advice as well as roundups on the best back to school deals on monitors and tablets. If you buy one of the laptops below, you may want to check out our guide on how to to get ready for that new PC before it arrives.

The best laptop deals in 2022

Lenovo Legion 5

From: eBay

Was: $899.99

Now: $544 ($355.99 off)

The Lenovo Legion 5 is an excellent laptop for the budget-conscious gamer, and you almost never see gaming laptops going this cheap. It has an AMD Ryzen 5 4600H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. The display has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz. Given the entry-level GPU, you may want to scale the graphics back to medium or high on newer titles. That said, this laptop shouldn’t have any trouble running older games. For ports, it has one HDMI, one USB Type-C, one DisplayPort, and one headphone/microphone combo. This laptop will likely sell out fast, as it’s a killer deal. Make sure you take advantage of this opportunity and buy now.

See the Lenovo Legion 5 at eBay

Acer Chromebook 315

From: Best Buy

Was: $249

Now: $129 ($120 off)

The Acer Chromebook 315 should be a decent laptop for everyday tasks like browsing the web, listening to music, and so on. It has an Intel Celeron N4000 CPU, Intel UHD graphics, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of eMMC storage. The display is 15.6-inches and has a resolution of 1366×768. It’s not the most powerful laptop around, but that’s totally fine, so long as you use it as intended. This machine is really only designed for lightweight tasks. If you just need the basics, then the Acer Chromebook 315 is fantastic choice. You really can’t beat the $129 price tag, either.

See the Acer Chromebook 315 at Best Buy

Samsung Chromebook Plus

From: Amazon

Was: $500

Now: $299.99 ($200 off)

The Samsung Chromebook Plus is a good option for someone who needs a lightweight convertible. It has an Intel Celeron processor, 4GB of memory, and 32GB of eMMC storage. It’s a little light on storage and memory, but this shouldn’t be a problem if you store most of your stuff in the cloud. The 11-inch touchscreen display has a resolution of 1900×1200, and the Chromebook has two USB-C ports. It’s powerful enough for everyday browser tasks like checking e-mail, writing papers, listening to music, and so on. The 2-in-1 also weighs a little under three pounds, making it a capable travel companion. Plus, it comes with a stylus for doodling or note taking.

See the Samsung Chromebook Plus at Amazon

Asus Vivobook Pro 14 K3400

From: Walmart

Was: $749

Now: $549 ($200 off)

If you’re into creative work, the Asus Vivobook Pro 14 is a fantastic option. This laptop has a 14-inch 2880-by-1800 OLED display with a 16:10 aspect ratio. OLED screens are great, so you can expect a sharper, more vibrant image. The Vivobook is also packing a Core i5-1330H, a Tiger Lake CPU with four cores, eight threads, and a boost to 4.4GHz. There’s even 8GB of RAM, which is a good amount for some video editing. Onboard storage is a 256GB NVMe SSD, and you’re getting Thunderbolt 4, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.0.

This is a nice laptop with a very good display, but for storage you’ll likely have to rely mostly on the cloud. Speaking of which, you also get a free, three month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud as part of the package.

See the Asus Vivobook Pro 14 K3400 at Walmart

Lenovo Legion 5i

From: Walmart

Was: $1,029.99

Now: $749 ($280.99 off)

This is a nice gaming laptop at a solid price. It’s packing the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, a 1080p graphics card. With this you should be able to play most games on medium to high with a jump to ultra on older games.

The processor is the Intel “Comet Lake” Core i5-10500H, which has six cores, twelve threads, and a boost to 4.5GHz. It’s an older processor, but still fast enough for gaming. As for RAM, it’s 8GB and onboard storage is 256GB. This is still considered a budget gaming rig, but for $100 extra you get an upgraded GPU.

See the LG Lenovo Legion 5i at Walmart

Acer Aspire A5 (Intel)

From: Amazon

Was: $389.99

Now: $333 ($56.99 off)

We already have a similar model from the same series available in this roundup, but this one is a little cheaper and swaps a Ryzen 3 APU for an Intel Core i3 processor. This version of the Acer Aspire A5 still has a 15.6-inch 1080p display, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of onboard NVMe storage. It’s also rocking Windows 11 Home in S Mode. You can do a one-way switch to regular Windows 11 Home if you prefer, but you may not want to given the CPU.

The big difference is the processor. This model has the Intel “Tiger Lake” Core i3-1115G4, which has two cores, four threads, and a boost to 4.1GHz. That’s good enough for casual uses like web browsing, video streaming, and so on. It would likely struggle as a productivity laptop, but for someone with light computing requirements, it offers a nice size screen at a solid price.

See the Acer Aspire A5-515-56-36UT at Amazon

Lenovo Chromebook 3

From: Best Buy

Was: $139

Now: $79 ($60 off)

Sometimes deal hunting means making compromises to take advantage of those incredible prices. This is one of those. The Lenovo Chromebook 3 features an 11.6-inch display with a 1366-by-768 resolution. We try not to recommend anything below 1080p, but given the screen size and the fact that it’s under $100, this is fair value for that resolution. It also has 4GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. That’s plenty for a Chromebook. The processor is Intel’s Celeron N4020, another good choice for the minimal requirements of a Chromebook.

This laptop will also run Linux apps as well as Android apps from Google Play. This Chromebook will also continue to get updates until June 2027.

See the Lenovo Chromebook 3 11 at Best Buy

Acer Aspire 3

From: Walmart

Was: $549

Now: $479 ($70 off)

You don’t often find a laptop deal with an Intel Alder Lake CPU, which is why we decided to highlight this specific sale. The Acer Aspire 3 features Intel’s Core i5-1235U with eight efficiency cores and two performance cores with HyperThreading for a total of 12 threads and a maximum boost to 4.4GHz. It also has 8GB of RAM, a 15.6-inch display with 1080p resolution, 256GB of onboard storage, Intel Iris Xe graphics, and it’s running Windows 11 Home.

See the Acer Aspire 3 at Walmart

Acer Aspire 5 A515

From: Amazon

Was: $399.99

Now: $335.99 ($62 off)

If you’re looking for a solid everyday laptop, you’ve come to the right place. The Acer Aspire 5 features a 15.6-inch 1080p display, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of onboard SSD storage. The processor is a Ryzen 3 3350U, which has four cores, four threads, and a maximum boost to 3.5GHz. It’s packed with modern features like Wi-Fi 6, a backlit keyboard, and a fingerprint reader for biometric logins. Acer starts this laptop off with Windows 11 in S mode, but there’s no reason not to do a one-way upgrade to full Windows 11. This is being sold by a third-party retailer, but Amazon is handling shipping, which means it falls under the company’s return policy.

See the Acer Aspire 5 A515 at Amazon

Lenovo IdeaPad 3i

From: Amazon

Was: $999.99

Now: $829.99 ($170 off)

If you’re looking to save a bit of cash on an entry-level gaming laptop, then you’re in luck. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i features an Intel Core 12500H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. You should be able to run most games on medium or high graphics, but we’d recommend scaling things back on newer AAA titles. The 15.6-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1080. The onyx grey color scheme is also quite eye-catching and a welcome departure from the typical gamer aesthetic (red accents and so on).

See the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i at Amazon

HP Victus

From: HP

Was: $1,249.99

Now: $1,049.99 ($200 off)

HP is currently having a back-to-school sale. So, if you’ve been looking for a laptop that can handle schoolwork and late night gaming sessions, then you’re in luck. The HP Victus is powerful, easy on the eyes, and $200 off. It has an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce 3050 Ti GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. The non-touch display has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a refresh rate of 144Hz. It weighs a little over five pounds, which is par for the course for a gaming laptop. However, if you don’t mind the extra heft, then this laptop is well worth considering. You better act now, as this back-to-school sale won’t last much longer.

See the HP Victus at HP

Lenovo Legion Slim 7

From: Amazon

Was: $1,618.69

Now: $1,449.99 ($168.70 off)

The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 is a good laptop for either gaming or intense coursework. It has an AMD R7 5800H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Max-Q GPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. That’s plenty of oomph for most games, but you may want to turn down the graphics to medium on newer titles. The 15.6-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a maximum refresh rate of 165Hz. For connectivity options, it has two USB Type-A and two USB Type-C. This is a great deal, especially if you’re a student who enjoys those late night gaming sessions.

See the Lenovo Legion Slim 7 at Amazon

HP Spectre x360

From: HP

Was: $1,799.99

Now: $1,349.99 ($450 off)

Need a great laptop for getting stuff done? The HP Spectre x360 is a great option, and today it’s got a great discount to match. This model features an Intel Core i7-11390H CPU, Intel Iris Xe graphics (integrated), 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of PCie NVMe SSD storage. The 16-inch touch-enabled display has a resolution of 3072×1920 and is covered in protective Corning Gorilla glass. According to HP, it also has a maximum brightness of 400 nits. In other words, you can expect a picture that’s sharp and vibrant. It’s suited for tasks like watching videos, working on spreadsheets, doodling, and so on. We’d recommend getting on this deal ASAP, as it’s part of HP’s back-to-school sale, so it won’t last long.

See the HP Spectre x360 at HP

HP Omen

From: Best Buy

Was: $1,699.99

Now: $1,199.99 ($500 off)

The HP Omen is powerful, chic, and $500 off. It’s a fantastic option for gamers. This capable machine is rocking an Intel Core i7-12700H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. That’s plenty of power to run most games on high or very high graphics. The 16-inch display also has a resolution of 2560×1440 and a refresh rate of 165Hz, which means you can expect a vibrant picture as well as buttery smooth visuals. For ports, it has one Ethernet, one HDMI, and three USB Type-A. You better act now, though. With back-to-school season quickly drawing to a close, we don’t expect this deal to last very long.

See the HP Omen at Best Buy

Alienware X15 R1

From: Dell

Was: $2,749.99

Now: $1,799.99 ($950 off)

The Alienware X5 R1 has a lot to offer gamers, and now it’s nearly a thousand dollars off. It features a chic design, a backlit keyboard, and a diverse selection of ports. The specs are powerful, too. This laptop is armed with an Intel Core i7-11800H (eight cores) CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and 512GB of PCIe NVMe SSD storage, so it’ll absolutely chew through modern games. The 15.6-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a ridiculously high refresh rate of 360Hz. This is a killer deal. Go get it, gamers.

See the Alienware X15 R1 at Dell

Razer Blade 15

From: Amazon

Was: $2,299.99

Now: $1,989.99 ($310 off)

From strong gaming performance to a 240Hz refresh rate, the Razer Blade 15 has a lot to offer. It features an Intel Core i7-11800H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. In other words, it should be able to run most older games on high or ultra graphics. However, you may want to scale down the graphics on newer titles. The 15-inch display has a resolution of 2560×1440, an aspect ratio of 16:9, and a refresh rate of 240Hz. That means this screen should produce a vivid picture. This deal is part of Amazon’s gaming week, which ends on September 9th. You best act fast before it’s gone.

See the Razer Blade 15 at Amazon

Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (plus bag)

From: Amazon

Was: $2,999.99

Now: $2,579.99 ($420 off)

The Acer Predator Triton 500 SE is a great choice for hardcore gamers or content creators. While we like the RGB backlit keyboard and the included carrying bag, what really matters is what’s underneath the hood. It has an Intel Core i9-12900H CPU, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. You should be able to run most games on very high or ultra graphics, as this machine is packing a lot of processing and graphics power. The 16-inch display has a resolution of 2560×1600, a refresh rate of 240Hz, and an aspect ratio of 16:10. According to Acer, the screen measures up to 500 nits of brightness. You should expect a vibrant, sharp picture.

This is a real gem of a deal, so you better swoop in before it ends on September 9th.

See the Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (plus bag) at Amazon

MSI GP66 Leopard

From: Newegg

Was: $2,299

Now: $1,964.99 (after $100 rebate)

The MSI GP66 Leopard is a solid gaming laptop that promises strong graphics performance. It has an Intel Core i7-11800H CPU, an RTX 3080 GPU, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and 1TB of NVMe SSD storage. The 15.6-inch display has a resolution of 1920×1080 and a maximum refresh rate of 240Hz. For ports, it has one Mini DisplayPort, one HDMI, and three USB Type-A. Newegg even bundled a free MSI gaming headset with this purchase. If you want to shave off another $100, you can turn in the mail-in rebate. Overall, this laptop is a steal and the free headset really sweetens the honey pot.

See the MSI GP66 Leopard at Newegg

Laptop deal buying tips

If you’ve shopped online before for laptop deals you’re probably aware that there’s a vast range of laptop configurations available.

A good place to start is with the processor. Buy laptops with Intel 10-series Core chips or higher, such as the Core i5-10510U, or the Core i7-11800H (for even more details see our Intel 10th-gen mobile CPU buying guide); or go with an AMD Ryzen processor (but not an AMD Athlon or A-series chip). Avoid laptops with Pentium or Celeron processors unless it’s a Chromebook (running Chrome OS). You’re going to need to pay attention with gaming laptops, too, as some GPUs, like the RTX 3050 Ti, don’t offer much boost over their RTX 2xxx-series cousins, and Nvidia has dropped the Max-Q designation on certain low-power options. Our laptop CPU and GPU cheat sheet can help you shop smart.

Display resolution is a gotcha. If you see a laptop labeled as “HD” resolution that means 1366-by-768 and often isn’t worth your time for a laptop under 13 inches unless the deal is absolutely standout. What you want is “Full HD” or “FHD,” which means 1080p.

Don’t buy laptops with under 4GB of RAM or 128GB of SSD storage—though on a Chromebook, this configuration is acceptable. We have more explanation in our laptops versus Chromebooks buying guide, as well as in our primer on how to buy a budget laptop without getting screwed. Also watch out for eMMC storage, which is something we don’t recommend for a Windows laptop but works fine for a Chromebook.

Reviews can be helpful. Even if you can’t find a review of a specific configuration, try related models. They’ll often give you a good idea of the build quality and performance. Also buy from brands you trust. Amazon’s daily laptop deals right now are full of brands we’ve never tested or talked to (Broage, Teclast, DaySky, Jumper) and it’s just a good idea to be wary.

Most older laptops will run Windows 10, and that’s fine—there’s no rush to upgrade. Windows 10 in S Mode, though annoying, can be switched out of easily if you find it on a budget laptop. If you want to buy a Windows 10 PC with the intent of upgrading it to Windows 11, we recommend you start here with a list of older laptops that are Windows 11-eligible.

Updated on September 2 with new pricing and to remove expired deals.