Black Friday Laptop Buying Guide 2024

Black Friday 2024 is just around the corner, offering some of the best deals of the year on laptops for every type of user—from gamers to professionals and casual users. This annual sales event is a prime opportunity to find premium laptops at significant discounts, whether you need a gaming powerhouse, a workhorse for productivity, or a budget-friendly option for everyday use.  

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know to make an informed purchase, from essential specifications like processors, RAM, and display quality, to choosing the right laptop type for your specific needs. We also highlight the top brands likely to feature exceptional Black Friday deals, including Acer, Lenovo, HP, and Apple. With some planning and a focus on the right specs, you’ll be well-prepared to find a high-quality laptop at an unbeatable price this Black Friday. 

Key Considerations When Buying a Laptop on Black Friday 

1. Purpose of Use 

When choosing a laptop, it's essential to think about how you’ll be using it. Here are some typical categories of laptop users, with features tailored to each: 

Gaming: Gamers need high-performance laptops with powerful GPUs (e.g., NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series), processors like Intel i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9, and 16GB of RAM or more. For an immersive experience, a high refresh rate (120Hz, 144Hz, or even 240Hz) and a fast SSD are essential. Alienware, ASUS ROG, and Acer Predator are popular brands that deliver high performance for gaming needs. 

Professional Use: Laptops for work prioritise long battery life, portability, and reliability. Professionals who work with demanding applications may also need powerful processors, such as the Intel i5/i7 or AMD Ryzen 5/7, along with 16GB RAM or more. Lenovo ThinkPad, HP Spectre, and Dell XPS are well-regarded in this segment due to their quality keyboards, sturdy build, and high-resolution displays. 

Everyday Use: Casual users who browse the web, stream videos, and handle basic tasks can often make do with an affordable laptop. Aim for at least 8GB of RAM, a Full HD display, and a reliable processor (like an Intel i3/i5 or AMD Ryzen 3/5). Acer Aspire and ASUS VivoBook models offer excellent functionality at budget-friendly prices. 

Creative Work: Content creators need high-resolution screens, fast processing power, and dedicated graphics cards to handle tasks like video editing and graphic design. Look for laptops with Intel i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 processors, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX/RTX GPU, 16GB or more of RAM, and a 4K display if possible. The MacBook Pro, Dell XPS 15, and Lenovo Yoga are popular choices among creatives. 

2. Budget Considerations 

On Black Friday, laptop deals span a range of price points, allowing buyers to find a device within their budget: 

Entry-Level Laptops (£200–£600): These laptops are ideal for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and streaming. Typically, these models come with 8GB of RAM, HD or Full HD displays, and basic processors. Common models in this range include Chromebooks like the Acer Chromebook Plus 514, which is ideal for students or light use. 

Mid-Range Laptops (£600–£1,200): Mid-range laptops offer better performance, faster storage, and improved displays. They usually feature Intel i5 or Ryzen 5 processors, 256GB+ SSDs, and may have premium build qualities. If you’re looking for an all-purpose laptop that’s affordable yet capable, options like the Acer Aspire 5 or HP Pavilion are good choices. 

High-End Laptops (£1,200+): High-end laptops feature top-of-the-line processors, ample storage, and displays with colour accuracy, higher resolutions, and fast refresh rates. Designed for power users, high-end laptops come with at least 16GB of RAM, 512GB or 1TB SSDs, and dedicated graphics. Models like the Dell XPS 15 or Apple MacBook Pro are ideal for those who need top performance and are willing to invest. 

3. Hardware Specifications 

Processor (CPU): The processor is the laptop's “brain.” Intel’s 13th-gen Core i5, i7, or i9 processors and AMD Ryzen 5, 7, or 9 chips are strong options. Aim for the highest processor tier available within your budget for demanding tasks like gaming or video editing. 

RAM: RAM affects multitasking capability and speed. Most users should aim for 8GB at minimum, though 16GB is ideal for smoother performance with multiple applications open. Gamers, content creators, and professionals working with large files may benefit from 32GB or even 64GB of RAM. 

Storage (SSD): SSDs are faster than traditional hard drives, leading to quicker load times and smoother performance. A 256GB SSD is sufficient for light users, but 512GB or 1TB is better if you handle large files, store a lot of data, or work with creative applications. 

Display Quality: A Full HD (1080p) display is standard and suitable for most users. However, a 4K display offers sharper visuals, which benefits designers, video editors, and those who enjoy high-quality streaming. 

Graphics Card (GPU): Integrated graphics are enough for everyday tasks, but dedicated GPUs (like NVIDIA’s GTX or RTX series) are necessary for gaming, 3D modelling, and video editing. NVIDIA’s RTX 3060 or 3070 are great for most gaming, while RTX 3080 or 3090 is ideal for high-performance needs. 

Top Laptop Categories for Black Friday Deals 

1. Gaming Laptops 

Gaming laptops are often featured in Black Friday promotions, with discounts on popular models from brands like ASUS, Alienware, and Acer. Key features in a gaming laptop include: 

• Performance and Speed: Look for at least an Intel i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or better, and 16GB of RAM. Higher refresh rates (144Hz+) offer smoother gameplay, essential for fast-paced games. 
• Cooling Technology: Gaming laptops generate more heat due to powerful processors and GPUs, so effective cooling technology is crucial. 

Top Picks: 

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14: Compact yet powerful, with a high-refresh display and powerful GPU options. 

Alienware m15 R6: Known for impressive gaming performance and Alienware’s signature design. 

2. 4K Laptops 

4K laptops are popular among designers, photographers, and video editors due to their high-resolution displays and accurate colour reproduction. Look for laptops with: 

Colour-Accurate Display: For creative work, displays with high colour accuracy (sRGB or Adobe RGB coverage) are essential. 

Powerful Specs: These laptops typically come with Intel i7/i9 or AMD Ryzen 7/9 processors and dedicated graphics cards. 

Top Picks: 

Dell XPS 15: A go-to for creative professionals, with a 4K screen and sleek design. 

Apple MacBook Pro (16"): Known for its M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, offering performance and battery efficiency. 

3. Budget Laptops 

Budget laptops are ideal for light users who need reliable performance without high costs. Common features in budget models include: 

Battery Life: Look for budget laptops that offer 8+ hours of battery life. 

Portability: Many Chromebooks are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for students or frequent travellers. 

Top Picks: 

Acer Chromebook Plus 514: Perfect for web-based tasks and light productivity. 

HP Pavilion 14: Offers decent performance for a range of tasks at an affordable price. 

Best Laptops for Work 

Work laptops prioritise battery life, keyboard quality, and security features. Professional-grade models from Lenovo, HP, and Dell often feature: 

Long Battery Life: Aim for laptops with 10+ hours on a single charge. 

Security Features: Many business laptops have fingerprint readers, IR cameras, and TPM security chips for data protection. 

Top Picks: 

• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon: Lightweight, durable, with a top-notch keyboard. 

• HP Spectre x360: Premium 2-in-1 with excellent battery life and design. 

 

Top Brands for Black Friday Laptop Deals 2024 

Acer 

Acer laptops balance performance and affordability, appealing to students, casual users, and gamers alike. Black Friday often brings substantial discounts on Acer models, such as the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 and Acer Aspire 5 A515-48M. 

Lenovo 

Lenovo’s laptops, especially the ThinkPad and Yoga series, are built for productivity and flexibility. Known for their reliability and professional build quality, Lenovo laptops are ideal for both students and business professionals. 

HP 

HP offers a broad range of laptops, including the affordable Pavilion series, the premium Spectre x360, and the powerful Omen line for gaming. HP’s Black Friday deals will likely feature a range of options across these series. 

Dell, ASUS, and Apple 

• Dell: The XPS series is a favourite among professionals and creators. The G series offers solid gaming performance at a more accessible price. 
• ASUS: Known for gaming laptops like the ROG and TUF series, as well as affordable options in the VivoBook line. 
• Apple: MacBook Air and MacBook Pro often receive modest Black Friday discounts. MacBooks are known for their M1 chips, long battery life, and sleek design. 

Where to Find the Best Black Friday Laptop Deals 2024 

1. Box.co.uk: Known for exclusive tech discounts on brands like Acer, Lenovo, and HP. They also feature financing options to help spread out the cost of your purchase. 

Featured Products 

Acer Chromebook Plus 514 (NX.KP4EK.004) 

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 is a highly affordable and user-friendly option, ideal for anyone looking for a lightweight, efficient device for browsing, streaming, and light productivity. It features a 14-inch Full HD touchscreen display, offering vibrant visuals and smooth navigation. Running on Chrome OS, this Chromebook provides seamless integration with Google Workspace and the Google Play Store, allowing easy access to Android apps and cloud-based tools. With 8GB of RAM and 128GB eMMC storage, it balances speed with adequate storage for everyday tasks, and its long-lasting battery life ensures up to 10 hours of usage on a single charge. The Chromebook Plus 514 is designed for portability, with a sleek aluminium body weighing around 1.2 kg. 

Acer Aspire 5 A515-48M 

The Acer Aspire 5 A515-48M is a versatile mid-range laptop designed for students and casual users who need power for multitasking without sacrificing affordability. Powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 processor with integrated Radeon graphics, this model is capable of handling demanding applications with ease. It features 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a fast 512GB SSD, ensuring swift boot-up times and ample space for files, multimedia, and applications. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display provides crisp visuals and wide viewing angles, making it perfect for media consumption, web browsing, and document editing. Additionally, it includes a backlit keyboard, Wi-Fi 6 support for faster connectivity, and up to 7 hours of battery life—all housed in a stylish yet sturdy chassis. 

Final Thoughts 

Black Friday 2024 is the ideal time to find a laptop that perfectly matches your needs, whether for gaming, work, creative projects, or everyday use. By focusing on the right specifications, setting a clear budget, and exploring top brands like Acer, HP, Lenovo, and Apple, you can secure a laptop that offers lasting value. If you’re looking for a premium experience, high-end laptops deliver powerful performance, vibrant displays, and robust build quality—perfect for those who need reliability and speed. Mid-range options provide great functionality at a more accessible price, while budget models are perfect for light tasks, students, or secondary devices. 

Be sure to visit trusted retailers like Box.co.uk for exclusive Black Friday deals and quick shipping. To maximise savings, check for early-bird specials or bundle offers on accessories. Stay alert for additional markdowns and lightning deals throughout the sales period.  

Happy shopping, and may you find the perfect laptop at an unbeatable price this Black Friday! Some of the products featured in this article are part of paid partnerships, chosen to bring you a curated selection of top gift ideas.