Tomorrow’s Tech, Today: Innovation That Moves Us Forward
- Best overall deal: Microsoft Surface Laptop, lightweight, long battery, Snapdragon X Elite, 16GB RAM, 15-inch PixelSense display.
- Best gaming pick: Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S, 240Hz OLED, RTX 5060, Intel Core Ultra 9, high performance, heavier laptop.
- Budget winners: Asus Vivobook Go for basic browsing under $500; HP Victus 15 for affordable 1080p gaming (RTX 3050).
- Smart buying tips: use CamelCamelCamel to verify discounts, be an Amazon Prime member, target 8GB+ RAM, 16GB recommended.
I’ve been spending the past few months digging into laptop pricing, and one thing is incredibly obvious here. Laptops are getting wildly expensive thanks in part to the rising cost of RAM. But with Prime Day just around the corner (October 6th and 7th), some genuinely compelling discounts are starting to appear.
That’s why I’ve pulled together the best laptop deals worth watching right now across the biggest categories: everyday budget laptops, gaming laptops, Chromebooks, and so on. I’m pretty tuned in to the landscape because I oversee all laptop and Chromebook coverage here at PCWorld. I also maintain our best laptop deals roundup daily, along with our best laptops of roundup weekly.
Before diving in, don’t forget that you’ll need to be a Prime subscriber to take advantage of those deals. You can discover how to get Amazon Prime for free here.
Deals at a glance
- Best laptop deal: Microsoft Surface Laptop, $1,379.53 ($220.46 off at Amazon)
- Best budget laptop deal: Asus Vivobook Go 15, $399.99 ($64.81 off at Amazon)
- Best gaming laptop deal: Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S, $1,366.11 ($762.89 off at Amazon)
- Best budget gaming laptop deal: HP Victus 15, $749.99 ($149.01 off at Amazon)
- Best Chromebook deal: Lenovo Chromebook Plus, $450 ($75 off at Amazon)
Best laptop deal: Microsoft Surface Laptop, $1,379.53 ($220.46 off at Amazon)
Microsoft
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants a really good laptop at a fantastic discount should consider the Surface Laptop.
Why is this a good deal?
The Surface Laptop is pretty much the complete package as far as I’m concerned. Not only is it pretty lightweight at 3.7 pounds, but it’s also got a Snapdragon X Elite chip and 16GB of RAM. That’s plenty for hopping on video calls and streaming your favorite shows. Throw in the excellent battery life (Microsoft says it can last up to 20 hours) and a 15-inch 2496×1664 PixelSense touch-enabled display, and it’s easy to see what makes this machine so appealing.
Get the Microsoft Surface Laptop for $1,379.53
Best budget laptop deal: Asus Vivobook Go, $399.99 ($64.81 off at Amazon)
Asus
Who is this for?
The Vivobook Go is for anyone who just needs a barebones machine. Just something reliable for browsing or streaming. Whatever it is you do when you’re busy killing time.
Why is this a good deal?
The Vivobook Go sits in that increasingly important “just enough laptop” category. It’s not trying to be crazy powerful. It’s trying to be consistent.
This is the laptop you use for reading Reddit stories, watching Netflix, and getting lost in a Wikipedia hole. The lighter stuff. That’s what the entry-level AMD processor is exactly made for. This is a good machine, especially for under $500.
Get the Asus Vivobook Go for $399.99
Best gaming laptop deal: Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S, $1,366.11 ($762.89 off at Amazon)
Acer
Who is this for?
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S is for anyone who wants great gaming performance and a high refresh rate display. Its 240Hz OLED panel is especially appealing for more competitive games where smooth motion is a must.
Why is this a good deal?
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S sits squarely in the “upper midrange” box. This is where discounts start to matter a lot. Inside there’s an RTX 5060 GPU with 8GB of GDDR7 memory and an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, which is plenty of punch for modern titles, especially when paired when Nvidia’s vaunted DLSS performance-boosting AI feature.
The big thing is the display, though. You’re getting a 16-inch 2560×1600 OLED panel with a 240Hz refresh rate, meaning it should be both sharp and fast.
The trade-off is pretty obvious. It’s not exactly lightweight at five pounds, but what can you do really? It’s got high-powered components inside of it. Those need more space to cool down so they can run properly.
Get the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S for $1,366.11
Best budget gaming laptop deal: HP Victus 15, $749.99 ($149.01 off at Amazon)
HP
Who is this for?
Anyone who wants good 1080p gaming performance without dropping a ton of cash, and “good enough” power for late night gaming sessions or some editing work, will appreciate the HP Victus 15.
Why is this a good deal?
HP’s Victus laptops are indeed solid budget gaming laptops, which we can attest to here at PCWorld. The prices are reasonable (for the most part) and performance is consistent. The model that’s on sale today hits that bullseye.
This particular machine comes with an Intel Core i5-13420H CPU and RTX 3050 graphics. I know, I know–that’s older, weaker hardware. But hear me out. It’s perfectly capable of delivering good-looking 1080p gaming, especially when you’re mindful of the graphics (don’t go cranking it up all the way). Instead, remember to lean on Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology in games that support it–you’ll be fine.
Get the HP Victus 15 for $749.99
Best Chromebook deal: Lenovo Chromebook Plus, $450 ($75 off at Amazon)
Lenovo
Who is this for?
The Lenovo Chromebook Plus is for anyone who mainly works in the browser, prefers Chrome’s operating system, and wants something low-maintenance.
Why is this a good deal?
Chromebook Plus models are Google’s attempt to push Chromebooks out of the extreme budget category. Honestly? It works. Just go in with realistic expectations and you’ll be fine.
Inside the Lenovo Chromebook Plus, there’s an Intel Core 3 N355 processor and 8GB of RAM. It shouldn’t slow down on you when you’re chatting with friends on Discord, but if you’re deeply into gaming or creative work, then this isn’t the laptop for you — no Chromebook should be.
Get the Lenovo Chromebook Plus for $450
Other great early Prime Day deals
These aren’t the only early Prime Day deals being tracked by the PCWorld team. If you’re looking to supercharge your home setup with the juiciest tech sales, hit the links for only the best expert-curated picks we’ve found.
- Best early monitor deals for Prime Day: OLED, home office, and more
- Best early Prime Day mini PC deals: Big savings on tiny computers
- Best early Prime Day deals on Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs
- Best early Amazon Prime Day tech deals: Great sales chosen by experts
FAQ
What kind of laptop should I get?
Good question! Always on the go? A 2-in-1 is handy, you can flip it into tablet mode for notes. Gaming? Look for good graphics and a high-refresh screen. Just want something for emails and browsing? Budget Windows laptops work fine.
How can I tell whether a laptop is a good early Prime Day deal?
I rely on a free tool called CamelCamelCamel (yes, that’s really the name). It tracks Amazon price history, so you can tell if that “deal” is actually the real thing. Just make an account, copy the ASIN number from the product page (it starts with “B”), and you’ll get a graph showing how the price has gone up or down. It’s a super easy way to see if you’re getting the lowest price.
Do laptop brands matter?
Not as much as you might think. Most big names like Dell, Acer, HP, Lenovo make good machines. You might have a personal preference, though.
How much memory do I need?
I usually tell people to shoot for at least 8GB of RAM. Anything less and your laptop’s going to feel sluggish. If you can spring for 16GB, you’ll definitely notice things running smoother, especially if you’re the type that keeps 20 tabs open at once (no judgement here, I’m just as bad) — though 16GB laptops can be fairly expensive in today’s PC climate. And if you’re doing heavier stuff like video editing, big spreadsheets, or creative work, 32GB+ is the way to go.
Is now a good time to buy?
Yes! Prime Day usually has some of the lowest prices of the year.
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