Your Ultimate Guide to Black Friday Laptop Deals in 2025

Planning to buy a new laptop during Black Friday 2025? You’re making a smart move. The year’s biggest sales event is the perfect time to find a fantastic machine at a great price. This guide will give you the key insights and strategies you need to navigate the deals and make an informed decision.

Start Your Search: How to Prepare for the Sales

Success on Black Friday isn’t about luck; it’s about preparation. Before the deals even begin, you should have a clear idea of what you need. This prevents impulse buys and ensures you get a laptop that will serve you well for years to come.

Step 1: Define Your Primary Use Case

A laptop for a college student writing essays has very different needs than one for a graphic designer or a competitive gamer. Be honest about what you’ll use it for most of the time.

  • General Use (Web Browsing, Email, Streaming): You can focus on budget-friendly models. Look for at least 8GB of RAM, a modern processor like an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3, and a Solid State Drive (SSD) for fast boot times. Chromebooks are also an excellent option in this category.
  • School or Office Work: Portability and battery life are key. You’ll want a lightweight machine with a comfortable keyboard. Aim for at least 16GB of RAM to handle multitasking with multiple tabs and applications. An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor is a great starting point.
  • Creative Professionals (Video Editing, Graphic Design): Prioritize a powerful processor (Intel Core i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7⁄9), a dedicated graphics card (NVIDIA GeForce RTX series), at least 16GB of RAM (32GB is better), and a high-resolution, color-accurate screen.
  • Gaming: The graphics card is the most important component. Look for a recent NVIDIA GeForce RTX (like the 4050, 4060, or higher) or AMD Radeon equivalent. A high refresh rate display (120Hz or more) is also essential for smooth gameplay.

Step 2: Set a Realistic Budget

Laptop prices can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Decide on a price range you are comfortable with. This will help you filter out deals that are outside your budget and focus on the best options within your price point.

  • Under $500: Expect entry-level Windows laptops and premium Chromebooks. Perfect for basic tasks.
  • \(500 to \)900: This is the sweet spot for many people. You can find excellent mid-range laptops with great performance for work, school, and everyday use. Brands like HP, Dell, and Lenovo offer strong competition here.
  • \(900 to \)1,500: This range includes premium ultrabooks, entry-level gaming laptops, and base model MacBooks. You’ll get better build quality, faster performance, and more features.
  • $1,500+: This is the territory of high-end gaming laptops, powerful creative workstations, and fully upgraded MacBooks.

Step 3: Make a “Must-Have” Feature List

Beyond the core specs, what else do you need?

  • Screen Size: Do you want a compact 13-inch model or a large 17-inch display?
  • Ports: Do you need USB-C, Thunderbolt, HDMI, or an SD card reader?
  • Touchscreen or 2-in-1: Do you want the flexibility of a tablet?
  • Operating System: Are you set on Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS?

Where to Find the Best Black Friday Laptop Deals

While many stores offer discounts, a few key retailers consistently lead the pack with the best laptop offers. Keep an eye on their websites as November approaches.

  • Best Buy: Often has a huge range of deals, from budget-friendly doorbusters to significant discounts on premium models from HP, Dell, and even Apple. Their gaming laptop selection is particularly strong during sales.
  • Amazon: Amazon’s Black Friday week is a massive event. They will price-match many competitors and offer exclusive “Lightning Deals” on a wide variety of laptops. This is a great place to look for deals on brands like Acer, ASUS, and Lenovo.
  • Walmart: Known for its aggressive pricing on entry-level and mid-range laptops. If you’re looking for a basic machine for under $400, Walmart is often the place to find the deepest discounts.
  • Direct from Manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo): Don’t forget to check the manufacturers’ own websites. Dell, for example, is famous for its Black Friday sales on XPS and Alienware laptops. HP and Lenovo also offer compelling direct-to-consumer deals.
  • Apple: Apple itself rarely offers large discounts. Instead, they typically offer gift cards with purchases. For actual price cuts on MacBooks, look to third-party retailers like Best Buy and Amazon, which often discount previous-generation models.

Brands to Watch and What to Expect in 2025

Based on historical trends, we can predict what certain brands are likely to offer.

Dell

Dell is a Black Friday powerhouse. Expect significant markdowns on their Inspiron series, which are great all-around laptops for home and school. Look for major deals on their premium XPS line, especially for models that are about to be refreshed. Gamers should watch for discounts on Alienware and Dell’s G-series gaming laptops.

HP

HP consistently offers some of the best value during Black Friday. Their Pavilion laptops are fantastic mid-range options that often see deep price cuts. Also, watch for deals on their more premium Envy and Spectre 2-in-1s, which compete directly with Dell’s XPS line.

Lenovo

Lenovo’s business-class ThinkPads are known for their durability and excellent keyboards, and Black Friday is a great time to get one at a discount. For consumers, the IdeaPad and Yoga series will see aggressive pricing, offering excellent features for the money. Gamers should keep an eye on the Legion series.

Apple

As mentioned, don’t expect a 50% off sale from Apple. However, Black Friday 2025 will be an excellent time to buy an M2-powered MacBook Air. With newer M3 and M4 chips becoming more common, retailers will be eager to clear out older (but still incredibly capable) stock at the best prices of the year.

Your Black Friday Game Plan

Follow these final tips to make sure you get the best deal without the stress.

  1. Start Monitoring Early: Deals no longer start on Friday. Many retailers will launch “early Black Friday” sales starting in late October or the first week of November.
  2. Use Price-Tracking Tools: Use browser extensions or websites to check the price history of a laptop you’re interested in. This ensures a Black Friday “deal” is actually a good price and not just an inflated discount.
  3. Compare Specs Carefully: Some Black Friday models are made specifically for the sale with lower specs (e.g., less RAM or a slower processor). Double-check the model number and specifications before you buy.
  4. Check Return Policies: Make sure the store has a reasonable return policy in case the laptop isn’t what you expected.

By planning ahead and knowing what to look for, you can confidently navigate the Black Friday sales and walk away with the perfect laptop for your needs and budget.