Whether you're in the market for a new laptop for work or leisure, the upcoming October Prime Day presents an excellent opportunity to find what you need at a great price. Amidst a variety of clothing, shoes, household essentials, and other tech gear, there are some fantastic laptop deals available for Prime members, and even some options for those without a subscription. However, understanding what makes a “good deal” on a laptop during Prime Day can be daunting, primarily due to the volatile nature of laptop prices on platforms like Amazon. Prices can fluctuate based on model, brand, configuration, seller, and more.
Fortunately, Engadget has curated a list of the best October Prime Day laptop deals, so you don’t have to sift through countless listings to find the perfect device.
For those interested in Apple's offerings, the latest laptops include the MacBook Air M4 and the MacBook Pro M4. These models are recommended for anyone seeking a device that is as future-proof as possible. Throughout the year, you can find decent deals on MacBooks on Amazon, typically focused on base configurations. A recent update from Apple has ensured that all base models of the MacBook Air M4 now come with 16GB of RAM by default, which is the same memory found in the base-level Pros.
Apple MacBook Air (15-inch, M4) for $1,078 (10% off) Apple MacBook Pro (14-inch, M4) for $1,399 (13% off) Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, M4) for $2,249 (10% off)When it comes to Windows laptops, the options are plentiful, which can be both beneficial and overwhelming. It’s advisable to select a laptop from a reputable brand such as Microsoft, Dell, Acer, or Lenovo. Look for models that can effectively handle daily tasks, which typically means having at least 16GB of RAM and 245GB of SSD storage, along with the latest Intel or AMD CPUs. If you're in the market for a gaming laptop, you'll require additional power and a dedicated graphics card.
HP Ultrabook 14 (14-inch, Intel N100) for $280 (20% off) Lenovo IdeaPad 1i (Windows 11, 15-inch, Intel Celeron) for $280 (30% off) Acer Aspire 3 laptop (Windows 11 Pro, 15-inch, Intel Core i3) for $400 (11% off) Dell 15 3530 laptop (Windows 11 Pro, 15-inch, Intel Core i5) for $649 (28% off) Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 (Windows 11 Pro, 15-inch, Intel Core i7) for $800 (27% off)While most Chromebooks are already quite affordable, Prime Day offers the chance to snag them at even lower prices. The market has also seen the introduction of numerous premium Chromebook models that weren’t available just a few years ago, making this an ideal time to look for discounts on these devices. For a Chromebook serving as your daily driver, aim for at least 4 to 8GB of RAM and a minimum of 128GB of SSD storage.
In summary, October Prime Day is a fantastic opportunity to find a new laptop, whether you need a MacBook, Windows laptop, or a Chromebook. By arming yourself with knowledge about what constitutes a good deal and what specifications to look for, you can make a well-informed purchase that suits your needs.
