(Zain Awais)
Perhaps you've heard that Amazon Prime Big Deal Days 2024 is coming up on October 8-9. While that gives us only a few days to prepare to shop until we drop, we've been able to track down some early deals on some top laptops before the official start time, which is 12:01 a.m. PDT on Tuesday. Make sure to check back here early and often for updated deals and discounts over the next week. You don't want to miss out on some amazing savings! And don't forget to check out the rest of our Prime Day Deals coverage, which spans a host of tech across the board.
When our expert reviewed the Acer Swift Go 14, they lauded the bright screen, durable aluminum chassis, and impressive performance. "Intel’s Core Ultra 7 processor propelled the Swift Go 14 to the top of our performance charts, especially in the graphics tests, thanks to its new integrated Arc graphics. An aluminum build, a snappy keyboard, a bright screen, and a broad port selection also earn it points. Reasonable pricing naturally goes a long way, too," says our expert. This laptop is geared towards productivity and will be a great fit for working from home or getting classwork done in a classroom or library.
This affordable budget gaming configuration won’t blow your mind, but it will offer competent performance when playing mainstream titles without blowing a hole in your budget. Our expert liked the large display with a rapid 144Hz refresh rate and good connectivity, but the hefty build made it less than portable. Give the Asus TUF Gaming F17 a second look if you’re on the market for a competent budget gaming rig that doesn’t necessarily have to go on the road with you. "The Asus TUF Gaming F17's best attribute may be its price tag, but in this inflated PC market that may be enough," opines our editors. Well, that price tag just got slashed!
Our expert rated this 14-inch Macbook Pro M3 “Excellent” due to its keyboard, long battery life, and processing power. Gamers are in luck because this model has boosted gaming performance and can keep pace with modern day titles. "Count on it to provide effective productivity and performance while running the occasional game—something we thought we'd never mention regarding a base model," says our expert. This MacBook is a best-of-both-worlds setup made more affordable with the current price cut.
FAQ
Hi, I’m Joe Osborne, PCMag's Deputy Managing Editor focused on computing hardware. I have more than a decade of experience testing and evaluating computers, so here are my answers to three of the most frequently asked questions about buying a new laptop, especially around a sales event like Prime Big Deal Days.
How Much Should You Pay For a Laptop?
Laptop prices will range based on features and performance. Basic but full-featured models can cost as little as $400, while gaming juggernauts and workstations can run you more than $3,000. The most important factors to remember are the ones you need most, as the price range will determine what you’re getting—and what you’re sacrificing. For example, a low-budget laptop will have less storage space and RAM than a high-end laptop. It will be suitable for casual use without multitasking or running CPU-demanding programs.
How Long Should My Laptop Last?
When it comes to long-term lasting power, a computer can last a few years if you treat it well. This means using malware protection when web browsing, a dedicated surge protector to protect your hardware from electrical damage, managing battery health, and more. Our how-to article has longevity-boosting tips for your laptop.
As for battery life, that generally varies based on usage. Laptops with 4K displays running demanding games that test the limits of your GPU will naturally drain more quickly than a laptop that is just being used to surf the web. We test battery life by playing a locally stored video file nonstop with no wireless connections active and 50% screen brightness, which may not match your usage profile but is the best comparative measure for which system will provide longer battery life overall. More processor-intensive work will soak up battery life, so keep that in mind.
What’s the Best Low-Priced Laptop?
PCMag’s current top-rated budget laptop is the Acer Aspire 3. Simple and effective, it's priced competitively for a Ryzen 3 processor, 128GB SSD, and a 15.6-inch 1080p display. It’s still one of the best deals in laptops after hitting shelves in early 2023.