What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Important: This is a historical recap of Black Friday 2024 laptop deals, not a list of live offers. The underlying roundup was updated on November 30, 2024, and its prices, stock levels and coupons should not be treated as current in 2026. For a current purchase, verify the exact configuration, seller, condition, return policy and final checkout price at the retailer.
The strongest deals were not necessarily those with the largest advertised discounts. Value depended on the processor generation, RAM, storage, display, upgradeability and the buyer’s operating-system needs. The historical offers below are useful as benchmarks for what a genuinely good sale price looked like.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Historical Black Friday laptop deals at a glance
| Use case | Historical pick | Configuration and price | Main qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best MacBook for most people | 13-inch MacBook Air with M3 | $844 at Amazon | Fixed retailer configuration; limited post-purchase upgrades |
| Best large-screen MacBook | 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 | $1,044 | Historically discounted version had only 256GB storage |
| Best Windows ultraportable | Microsoft Surface Laptop 7, 13.8-inch | $899 | Snapdragon ARM compatibility varies by application and peripheral |
| Best business laptop | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 | $1,099 with coupon | Coupon and inventory were time-sensitive; RAM was not upgradeable |
| Best budget Windows laptop | HP Pavilion Aero 13 | $580 | Compromises included chassis feel and webcam quality |
| Best Chromebook | Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus | $369 | Relatively heavy and offered mediocre battery life |
| Best lower-cost gaming option | ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition | $680 | Older 2023 model with bulk, heat and a dim display |
| Best high-performance gaming option | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) | $1,615 | Battery life and webcam were weak points |
These historical prices and configurations come from Engadget’s Black Friday 2024 roundup. They are examples, not current recommendations or guarantees of availability.
The best historical deals by buyer
Best MacBook deal: 13-inch MacBook Air with M3
The 13-inch MacBook Air with Apple’s M3 chip was listed at $844 at Amazon, described as $255 below MSRP. It was the most balanced Apple option in the roundup for everyday work, school, browsing and general creative tasks.
#1 Best Overall
- FULL HD IPS DISPLAY - Enjoy vibrant, crystal-clear images with 178-degree wide-viewing angles
- AMD RYZEN 3 30 PROCESSOR - Everyday performance you can count on; Multitask, stream, game casually, and edit photos smoothly with responsive power and vibrant HDR visuals
- ENJOY UP TO 14 HOURS AND 15 MINUTES OF BATTERY LIFE - HP Fast Charge restores battery from 0 to 50% in approximately 45 minutes
- AMD RADEON 610M GRAPHICS - Experience smooth entertainment; Built for streaming and multitasking, enjoy realistic visuals and efficient performance for work and play
- STORAGE AND MEMORY - 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD offers fast speed and efficient storage; and 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM memory boosts performance with higher bandwidth
Its advantages were the efficient Apple silicon platform, light design and strong macOS software ecosystem. The trade-offs were more important than the discount percentage: RAM and storage could not be upgraded after purchase, and buyers moving from Windows needed to confirm that their applications and accessories worked with macOS.
Best for: general productivity, students, writing, browsing and people already invested in Apple devices. Check first: the exact RAM and SSD configuration, because retailer inventory may differ from Apple’s build-to-order options. Apple’s current buying destination is its official Mac store.
Best large-screen laptop: 15-inch MacBook Air with M3
The 15-inch M3 MacBook Air was historically listed at $1,044. Its larger display and stronger speakers made it more comfortable for split-screen work, spreadsheets and media, while retaining a thinner design than a MacBook Pro.
The larger chassis is less portable, and the discounted configuration’s 256GB of storage could become restrictive for large photo, video or development libraries. Paying for a larger SSD at checkout may be better value than trying to manage external storage later.
Lower-cost Apple option: 13-inch MacBook Air with M2
The older 13-inch M2 MacBook Air reached $749 during the 2024 sale period. It was an attractive entry point into Apple’s laptop lineup, but the lower price reflected an older chip generation, slower base storage and weaker external-display capability than newer alternatives.
This kind of deal makes sense only when the savings are substantial and the workload is modest. A newer model at a slightly higher effective price may have a longer useful life and better resale value.
Rank #2
- Intel Celeron N4120: 4 Cores & Threads, 1.1GHz Base Clock, Up to 2.6GHz Boost Clock, 4MB Cache, Intel UHD Graphics 600. The perfect combination of performance, power consumption, and value helps your device handle multitasking smoothly and reliably with four processing cores to divide up the work.
Best Windows ultraportable: Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
The 13.8-inch Surface Laptop 7 was listed at $899. It was the premium everyday Windows choice in the historical roundup, combining a compact design with a modern processor platform and a polished laptop experience.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesThe key question was not generic performance but software compatibility. Surface Laptop 7 configurations using Snapdragon processors run Windows on ARM. Many everyday applications work normally or through emulation, but specialized business software, older drivers, virtual machines, anti-cheat games and certain peripherals may behave differently. Check the applications and accessories you actually use before buying. Microsoft’s official Surface store is useful for comparing current configurations.
Best business laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12
The ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 12 was listed at $1,099 with a coupon. Its appeal was less about flashy specifications than its lightweight business design, excellent keyboard and useful port selection.
The cited configuration had non-upgradeable RAM, so buyers needed to choose enough memory at purchase. Coupon pricing can also disappear at checkout, and Lenovo inventory can vary by model number. Compare the processor, RAM, SSD, display and keyboard layout rather than relying on “X1 Carbon” in the product name. Lenovo’s US laptop store lists the manufacturer’s current range.
Best budget Windows laptop: HP Pavilion Aero 13
The HP Pavilion Aero 13 was listed at $580, making it a comparatively affordable lightweight Windows option. It suited basic office work, browsing and school tasks when configured with enough memory and an SSD.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →The compromises were build quality and webcam performance. A low price is less compelling if the laptop will be used daily for video meetings or carried heavily. HP’s laptop store can help distinguish current Pavilion configurations from older sale stock.
Rank #3
- Stunning 15.6" FHD IPS Display: Experience crisp 1920x1080 resolution on this 15.6 inch laptop with an IPS panel that delivers wide viewing angles and vivid colors. The narrow-bezel design maximizes screen real estate for comfortable viewing on this Win 11 laptop, whether you're studying or working.
- Celeron J4105 Processor & 256GB SSD: Powered by a reliable Celeron J4105 processor paired with 12GB DDR4 memory and a fast 256GB M.2 SSD. This laptop computer supports SSD expansion up to 2TB and TF card expansion up to 1TB, so your storage grows with your needs. Delivers smooth multitasking for daily productivity.
- AI-Powered Win 11 Laptop: Built-in AI features enhance your productivity with smart assistance for writing, summarizing, and task management. Pre-installed with Win 11 and includes Office 365 subscription. This student laptop is backed by 1-year warranty and 24/7 customer support.
- All-Day 7000mAh Battery & 180° Hinge: The high-capacity 7000mAh battery keeps this laptop powered through long classes or meetings. The 180-degree lay-flat hinge lets you share your screen effortlessly during presentations. This durable laptop computer adapts to your dynamic workflow.
- Versatile Connectivity Hub: Equipped with USB 3.2, Type-C, Mini HDMI, and 3.5mm audio jack to connect all your peripherals. Stay online anywhere with high-speed 5G WiFi and Bluetooth 4.2. This college laptop keeps you connected at home, in the library, or on the go.
Best Chromebook: Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus was listed at $369. Its touchscreen and 16:10 display made it more flexible than many basic Chromebooks, and ChromeOS can be a good fit for browser-based school and office work.
Do not treat it as a Windows laptop at a lower price. ChromeOS depends on web applications, Android apps and, where appropriate, Linux workflows. Full desktop Adobe applications, engineering software, some accounting tools and Windows-only programs may not work. The model also had mediocre battery life and was relatively heavy for a 14-inch Chromebook. Confirm the device’s ChromeOS update-support end date before buying.
Best gaming laptop under $700: ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition was listed at $680. Its discrete Radeon graphics made it a compelling historical value for buyers who needed real gaming performance at a lower price.
It was a 2023 model, however, and the discount came with clear compromises: a bulky chassis, heat under load, a mediocre keyboard and a dim display. Gaming laptops also require realistic expectations about fan noise, battery life away from the charger and the size of the power adapter. ASUS’s ROG laptop pages are the appropriate place to compare newer gaming configurations.
Best high-performance gaming laptop: ASUS ROG Strix G16
The 2024 ASUS ROG Strix G16 was listed at $1,615. It was the stronger gaming choice for buyers willing to spend more for higher performance than the budget TUF model.
Evaluate the exact GPU, its power limit, cooling system, RAM arrangement and display refresh rate. The same GPU name can deliver different results in different chassis. The Strix G16’s weaknesses included battery life and webcam quality, so it was more suitable as a plugged-in gaming system than as an all-purpose travel laptop.
Rank #4
- Efficient Performance for Everyday Computing: Powered by Intel N150 processor with up to 3.6 GHz Intel Turbo Boost Technology, 6 MB L3 cache, 4 cores, and 4 threads, this HP laptop delivers responsive performance for web browsing, streaming, document editing, and multitasking. Paired with 4GB LPDDR5 RAM and 128GB UFS storage, it handles daily tasks smoothly. Includes 1-year Microsoft 365 Personal subscription for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and cloud storage to maximize your productivity.
- 14-Inch HD Micro-Edge Display:Enjoy clear visuals on the 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) anti-glare screen with 250-nit brightness and 62.5% sRGB coverage. The micro-edge bezel delivers a 79% screen-to-body ratio in a compact design. An HP True Vision 720p HD camera with noise reduction and dual-array microphones supports clear video calls, remote work, and online learning.
- Modern Connectivity and Wireless Technology: Stay connected with Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) for faster wireless speeds and Bluetooth 5.4 for seamless pairing with accessories. Versatile port selection includes 1 USB Type-C 10Gbps with DisplayPort 1.2 for external displays, 2 USB Type-A 5Gbps ports for peripherals, 1 HDMI 1.4b port, 1 headphone/microphone combo jack, and 1 multi-format SD media card reader. Connect monitors, transfer files quickly, and expand your workspace with ease.
- All-Day Battery Life and Portable Design: Enjoy up to 11 hours of video playback, 7.5 hours of mixed usage, or 7.5 hours of wireless streaming on a single charge, perfect for students and professionals on the go. Weighing just 3.24 lb and measuring 12.76" x 8.86" x 0.71", this lightweight laptop fits easily in backpacks and bags. The stylish willow green top cover with matte finish and natural silver keyboard deck with vertical brushing pattern offer a modern, professional look.
- AI-Enhanced Productivity: Access Microsoft Copilot instantly with the dedicated Copilot key for faster assistance. AI Noise Reduction filters background sounds and improves voice clarity during calls. Dual speakers provide clear audio, while the full-size natural silver keyboard and HP Imagepad support comfortable typing and navigation.
Premium large-screen gaming: Alienware m18 R2
The Alienware m18 R2 was listed at $2,200. Its large display and high-end hardware targeted buyers who wanted desktop-like gaming performance without building a desktop PC.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →At roughly 4.7 pounds before accounting for the charger and accessories, it was extremely heavy. It was a poor fit for frequent commuters and a better fit for a mostly stationary setup where screen size and performance outweighed portability. Dell’s laptop store includes Dell and Alienware systems.
High-end creative and coding option: 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro
The 14-inch MacBook Pro with M4 Pro was listed at $2,099, while the 16-inch version was listed at $2,199. These were aimed at demanding coding, editing and other sustained workloads rather than ordinary web and office use.
The 16-inch model offered a larger workspace and more battery capacity but weighed 4.7 pounds. Neither model was a practical user-upgrade platform, and the MacBook Pro lacked USB-A ports. For virtual machines, large software projects or professional media work, buying more RAM and storage at checkout may be worthwhile; for ordinary productivity, these models are unnecessary spending.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to tell whether a laptop deal is actually good
- Identify the exact SKU. Record the processor generation, RAM, SSD, display specifications, GPU, operating system and model number.
- Calculate the effective price. Include clipped coupons, membership requirements, shipping, taxes where relevant and any required pickup.
- Separate MSRP from street price. A “$300 off” label may compare today’s price with MSRP rather than the product’s normal recent selling price.
- Check the seller and condition. On Amazon, confirm whether the item is sold and shipped by Amazon or by a marketplace seller. Clearly distinguish new, refurbished, renewed and open-box products.
- Check the return policy and warranty. Retailer return windows, manufacturer coverage and price-match rules differ.
- Confirm availability. Sale stock may be store-specific, pickup-only or sold out even while an old listing remains visible.
Specifications worth prioritizing
- Basic work: 8GB RAM is a minimum; 16GB is preferable for longevity. Choose at least a 256GB SSD, with 512GB more comfortable.
- Students and general productivity: 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD are sensible targets when affordable.
- Coding and photo editing: Start with 16GB RAM; consider 32GB for virtual machines, large projects or local development workloads.
- Video and 3D work: Prioritize sustained cooling, processor performance, memory, storage and display quality over extreme thinness.
- Gaming: Compare the discrete GPU, GPU power limit, cooling, refresh rate, RAM configuration and upgradeability—not just the CPU’s marketing name.
Which operating system fits?
macOS is a strong choice for users who value Apple’s hardware and ecosystem, but MacBooks have limited upgradeability and may not run Windows-only applications or games as conveniently.
Recommended Free Tools
Windows offers the broadest software and hardware range. Traditional x86 systems are generally the safer choice for specialized software, drivers and peripherals. ARM Windows laptops can offer strong efficiency, but compatibility depends on the individual application.
Best Value
- 【Powerful Performance】Equipped with an Intel N150 CPU, featuring up to 4.4 GHz, ensuring efficient and powerful multitasking capabilities.
- 【Versatile Connectivity】Stay connected with multiple ports including USB 3.0 Type-C, USB 3.0 Type-A, and a headphone/mic combo jack, with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for seamless wireless networking.
ChromeOS works well for browser-centered school and office workflows at relatively low prices. It is not a universal substitute for a Windows or macOS computer. Check required applications and the model’s update-support period.
An iPad Pro may replace a laptop for some users, particularly for browsing, media and tablet-focused creative work, but iPadOS can be less convenient for multitasking, file management and desktop software. It should not be compared with a laptop without considering the complete workflow.
Retailer and purchase checks
Manufacturer stores generally provide clearer warranty handling and more configuration choices: Apple, Microsoft, Lenovo, ASUS, HP and Dell.
Best Buy can be useful for pickup and open-box comparisons, but availability may depend on a specific store. Amazon often has aggressive fixed-SKU pricing, but seller identity, condition, warranty and configuration require careful checking.
Verdict on the 2024 roundup
The historically strongest all-purpose values were the M3 MacBook Air, Surface Laptop 7, ThinkPad X1 Carbon and Flex 5i Chromebook Plus—but each served a different buyer. The TUF A16 was a value gaming purchase only for shoppers comfortable with its age, heat and display limitations. The premium MacBook Pro and Alienware options were justified by demanding workloads, not by their discounts alone.
Because all listed prices belong to the November–December 2024 sale period, do not use them as live purchase links or current price claims. A current Black Friday guide should recheck each retailer immediately before publication and display the verification time, exact SKU, seller, condition, coupon terms and stock status.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
