When it comes to laptop deals, our experts at CNET have been reviewing the best the tech world has to offer for decades. With thousands of bargains under our belt, we've got the unique insight on epic Prime Day laptop discounts. We're in the final hours of Amazon's sale, which means time is running out for your to get in on these bargains before they disappear.
Several Apple MacBook models are hugely discounted on Amazon, including the Apple MacBook Air with the M3 chip. The 13-inch MacBook Air M3 with 8GB of unified memory is currently on sale for $849, a savings of $250. If you want to snag a proper laptop for college or splurge on a top-tier gaming computer, we've got you covered. You can save $380 on the HP Victus gaming laptop right now at Walmart's Anti-Prime Day sale.
It's worth noting that some of these Amazon deals are exclusive to Prime members. To see these prices, make sure you're signed into your account. That said, non-Prime subscribers can still take advantage of sales. But if you'd like to take advantage of these bargains, you better take action soon as you only have a few more hours to shop the sale.
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
Best Prime Day laptop deals
Although not the most recent model, this 2022 version still has a powerful M2 chip and gives you many of the great specs the M3 has at a lower price.
Details
With a 12th generation Core i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and fast charging capabilities, HP's 14-inch laptop packs enough grunt for everyday browsing or casual multimedia use.
Details
This 13-inch MacBook Air has an M3 chip, 8GB of memory and a 256GB solid-state drive. The MacBook Air M3 was chosen as the best overall laptop in our roundup of the best laptops of 2024. It's currently listed on Amazon for $899, a $200 discount. But there is also a $50 on-page coupon you can apply to bring it down to $849. Multiple colors are available at this price.
Details
With the crazy fast M3 chip and Liquid Retina XDR display, an HD camera and a battery life of up to 18 hours, this is a top-tier laptop that is mercifully discounted by $300 right now if you opt for the silver variant.
Details
More Prime Day laptop deals:
- HP Victus 15.6-inch gaming laptop: $599 (save $380). Equipped with Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics and built-in Omen gaming hub, this is a solid gaming laptop.
- Acer Aspire A315 slim 15-inch laptop: $300 (save $22). The thinnest, lightest laptop in the Acer Aspire lineup, the A315 offers a full HD display and an improved thermal system.
- Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3: $650 (save $150). At under 3 pounds, this 12-inch touchscreen laptop is ultraportable.
- HP Stream 14-inch laptop: $179 (save $50). Score a basic laptop with decent specs for under $200. It comes with a free 12-month subscription to Microsoft 365.
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro 16-inch laptop: $1,640 (save $410). This high-end laptop is built with a top-of-the-line AMOLED touchscreen.
- Samsung 14-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro: $1,150 (save $300). A high-end laptop with a more portable feel.
- Acer Nitro V gaming laptop: $660 (save $120). This more reasonably priced gaming laptop packs in an RTX 4050, 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It's a great choice for indie gaming.
- ASUS Rog Strix G16: $1,100 (save $300). A more powerful gaming laptop with great specs and plenty of oomph.
- Dell Inspiron 15: $350 (save $280). An excellent laptop for working on the go, researching or just watching some TV.
- Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 chromebook: $159 (save $160). An ultrathin laptop with a 14-inch touchscreen display.
- HP Spectre x360: $1,300 (save $300). Our editor's pick as the best convertible laptop of 2024.
- AceMagic 15.6-inch laptop: $360 (save $940). A solid laptop with plenty of storage and a unique lay flat design.
- Lenovo ThinkPad T14 14-inch laptop: $1,067 (save $712). A powerful laptop made with sustainable materials.
Should I Buy A Chromebook Or a Laptop?
Chromebooks are a budget-friendly option that may appeal to back-to-school shoppers looking for a cheaper laptop for college. They work well performing basic functions like web browsing and writing essays, but don't have all of the features of a normal laptop. The biggest difference is that Chromebooks run on Google's Chrome operating system as opposed to the Windows or MacOS systems you may be used to seeing in a laptop. This operating system is a bit more limited and many software programs are not natively compatible with it.
Ultimately, the best choice will come down to your needs and budget. If you're a student looking for the cheapest option to handle some homework and browsing, a Chromebook can be a solid choice. If you need a laptop for gaming, video editing or professional use, you may be better off spending a bit more to get a standard laptop.
What is Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day is a two-day sale that happens every summer for Amazon Prime members. It started yesterday on July 16 and ends tonight, July 17, at 11:59 p.m. PT. It's like Black Friday in the summer, as subscribers will be able to score deeply discounted items throughout the week. Some items may not be on sale for very long, so make sure you pick them up before they're gone.
Is Prime Day the best time to shop for a laptop?
Prime Day offers a huge array of products on sale, and among those are laptops as well. However, you don't have to limit yourself to Amazon for amazing deals. Frequently, outlets like Best Buy will offer incredibly competitive pricing during Prime Day. We also see Walmart doing the same. If you're shopping for back-to-school season, Prime Day is a great time to grab a laptop at a discount, although Black Friday tends to offer the very lowest prices if you can hold out until the fall.
Are Prime Day laptop deals the same on Day 2?
Prime Day deals can be changeable, or expire, before Day 2 rolls around but generally speaking the bulk of deals launched on Day 1 of Prime Day have stuck around for Day 2. Don't delay much longer, though, as the sale ends tonight.
What else should I buy during Prime Day?
Amazon will offer discounts on just about all of its categories. Big savings typically can be seen with Amazon smart home devices, tablets and TVs as well as with everyday items, fashion, fitness, home goods, kitchen gadgets and more.