If you’re looking for an affordable Windows machine under $500, a blazing fast gaming beast for those intense matches, or a portable 2-in-1 for school or work, you’ve got plenty of great choices right now.
Want to see even more? Take a peek at PCWorld’s list of the top laptops you can get right now.
Why you should trust us: It’s in our name! PCWorld prides itself on laptop experience and expertise. We’ve been covering PCs since 1983, and we now review more than 80 laptops every year. We’re also committed to reviewing PC laptops at every price point to help you find a machine that matches your budget.
Best budget laptop deals under $500
Dell
Our top pick: Dell 15 Laptop, $379.99 ($150 off at Dell)
Need an affordable laptop for the basic stuff? The Dell 15 Laptop is the one to spring for. Its AMD Ryzen 3 7320U chip is well suited for the daily stuff like browsing, streaming, email, and so on. You also get 8GB of RAM and a roomy 512GB SSD, which is enough for most day-to-day workloads. The 15.6-inch 1080p display is also sharp enough for everyday use.
Amazon
- Lenovo V15, Intel N150 processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/128GB SSD, $349.99 ($247 off at Amazon)
- HP Pavilion 15, Intel N100 processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/256GB SSD, $399.99 ($200 off at Amazon)
Best Buy
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i, Intel Core i3-N305 processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/128GB UFS storage, $403 ($46.99 off at Best Buy)
- Lenovo IdeaPad 1, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/256GB SSD, $389 ($140.99 off at Best Buy)
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i, Intel Core i5-1335U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $469.99 ($360 off at Best Buy)
Adorama
- Asus Vivobook 15, AMD Ryzen R5-3500U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/256GB SSD, $419.99 ($100 off at Adorama)
- Asus Vivobook 14, Intel Core 5 120U processor/14-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $499.99 ($150 off at Adorama)
Dell
- Dell 15 Laptop, AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/8GB RAM/512GB SSD, $379.99 ($150 off at Dell)
Best mid-range laptop deals
HP
Our top pick: HP OmniBook 3, $799.99 ($200 off at Microcenter)
Need a little more oomph in the performance department? The HP OmniBook 3 fits the bill. With 16GB of RAM, it’s well-equipped for seamless multitasking, while the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 chip can chew through more demanding workloads. You’re also getting a 14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen that’s sharp enough for streaming or productivity. At $699.99 ($300 off at Microcenter), it’s an excellent value for a capable day-to-day laptop.
Best Buy
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x, Snapdragon X X1-26-100 processor/15.3-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $599.99 ($250 off at Best Buy)
- Samsung Galaxy Book4, Intel Core 7 Series 1 150U processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $719 ($70.82 off at Best Buy)
Adorama
- HP OmniBook 3, AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $549.99 ($350 off at Adorama)
- HP OmniBook X, Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor/17.3-inch 1920×1080 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $775 ($574 off at Adorama)
Microcenter
- HP OmniBook 3, AMD Ryzen AI 5 430 processor/14-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $799.99 ($200 off at Microcenter)
Best gaming laptop deals
HP
Our top pick: HP Omen 16, $1,549.99 ($670 off at Best Buy)
Want a gaming laptop that’s not crazy expensive but still beastly as far as performance goes? The HP Omen 16 is the one to spring for. With a Ryzen 9 processor and RTX 5060 graphics, it should deliver smooth, high-performance gaming. The 16-inch 1920×1200 144Hz screen also keeps visuals looking nice and crisp, while 32GB of RAM and a1TB SSD ensure fast load times and plenty of room for your ginormous library of games.
Amazon
- Asus TUF Gaming F16 (2025), Intel Core i5 13450HX processor/RTX 5050 graphics/16-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,049.99 ($250 off at Amazon)
Best Buy
- Lenovo LOQ, AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS processor/RTX 4050 graphics/15.6-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $949.99 ($100 off at Best Buy)
- Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor/RTX 5060 graphics/16-inch 2560×1600 display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,424.99 ($300 off at Best Buy)
- HP Omen 16, AMD Ryzen 9 8940HX processor/RTX 5060 graphics/16-inch 1920×1200 display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,549.99 ($670 off at Best Buy)
Adorama
- HP Omen, Intel Core i7-14650HX processor/RTX 4060 graphics/16-inch 1920×1080 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,119.99 ($380 off at Adorama)
Newegg
- Asus TUF Gaming A16, AMD Ryzen 7 260 processor/RTX 5060 graphics/16-inch 1920×1200 display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,449.99 ($100 off at Newegg)
- MSI Crosshair A16, AMD Ryzen 9-8940HX processor/RTX 5060 graphics/16-inch 2560×1600 display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,599 ($200.99 off at Newegg)
Best premium laptop deals
Dell
Our top pick: Dell 16 Plus, $930 ($269.99 off at Best Buy)
Need a laptop that can handle work, streaming, and everyday multitasking without slowing you down? The Dell 16 Plus packs an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, Intel Arc graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a spacious 1TB SSD, giving you plenty of speed for productivity, creative projects, and entertainment. Its sharp 16-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display is also plenty sharp for spreadsheets or movies. It’s a strong all-around pick for anyone who wants premium performance.
Amazon
- Microsoft Surface Pro 2-in-1, Snapdragon X Plus processor/13-inch 2880×1920 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,199.99 ($300 off at Amazon)
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 360, Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor/15.6-inch 1920×1080 AMOLED display/16GB RAM/512GB SSD, $1,199.99 ($150 off at Amazon)
Best Buy
- Dell Plus 16, Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor/16-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/16GB RAM/1TB SSD, $930 ($269.99 off at Best Buy)
- Asus Zenbook S 16, AMD Ryzen AI 9 365 processor/16-inch 2880×1800 OLED touchscreen display/24GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,349.99 ($150 off at Best Buy)
Adorama
- HP OmniBook X Flip 16, Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor/16-inch 2880×1800 OLED touchscreen display/32GB RAM/2TB SSD, $1,074.99 ($524.01 off at Adorama)
- LG Gram 14, Intel Core i5-1350P processor/14-inch 1920×1200 display/16GB RAM/256GB SSD, $1,149.99 ($199.01 off at Adorama)
Newegg
- MSI Venture 15 AI, Intel Core Ultra 9 285H processor/16-inch 1920×1200 touchscreen display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,099 ($100.99 off at Newegg)
- Asus Vivobook S 16, Intel Core Ultra 7 255H processor/16-inch 2880×1800 OLED display/32GB RAM/1TB SSD, $1,299.99 ($300 off at Newegg)
FAQ
How much RAM will I need in my laptop?
You’ll want at least 8GB, though 16GB is preferable, especially if you play games. Don’t buy laptops with under 4GB of RAM or 128GB of SSD storage—though on a Chromebook or a budget Windows machine, this configuration is acceptable. Check out our article on how much RAM does a laptop need for more in-depth info.
What’s the difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop?
The one big difference between a Chromebook and a Windows laptop is the operating system. Chromebooks run ChromeOS and Windows run, well, Microsoft Windows.
Chromebooks make good everyday machines because they’re designed for browsing the web, checking e-mail, and so on. They use less resources and are generally more affordable than the Windows variety. They also don’t need antivirus protection. A Windows laptop is a lot more versatile in what it can do, and not just in terms of running local programs. You can really pump a Windows laptop up with a ton of RAM, storage, and so on.
When should I look for a laptop deal?
You’ll likely find the best laptop deals during Prime Day (mid-July), Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), and back-to-school season (June-August). Sure, you’ll find good laptop deals throughout the year, but if you really want to save big, we’d recommend scoping out your favorite online retailers during those times.
Which retailers offer the best deals?
You can find all kinds of deals across a wide range of online retailers such as Newegg, Walmart, Best Buy, Amazon, and so on. However, we’d recommend checking out deals from laptop manufacturers like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. You’ll usually find many different configurations on sale and the discounts can be pretty darn steep.
For more options, check out PCWorld’s roundup of the best laptops available right now.
