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Best Black Friday Laptop Deals 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget

Best Black Friday Laptop Deals 2026: Top Picks for Every Budget

November 4, 2026

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Black Friday Laptop Deals 2026 featuring Josh from Just Josh Tech alongside gaming laptops, MacBooks, and everyday laptops.

The Best Black Friday Laptop Deals of 2026, handpicked by Just Josh Tech. Discover top discounts on gaming laptops, MacBooks, and everyday laptops.

Summary

We've tested hundreds of laptops to help you find the best Black Friday laptop deals of 2026, with our top picks for gaming, work, school, and everyday use, plus the discounts we're watching closely.

Table of contents:

Best Black Friday Laptop Deals 2026Best Student Laptop Deal: Acer Swift 16 AIBest Budget Laptop Deal: Chuwi UniBookBest Affordable Everyday Laptop Deal: HP OmniBook 3 and 5Best Windows Laptop Deal: ASUS Zenbook 14Best MacBook Deal: MacBook Air 13 M5Best Premium Ultrabook Deal: ASUS Zenbook S14Best Premium Windows Laptop Deal: Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16Best Creator Laptop Deal: Apple MacBook Pro 16 M5Best Dual-Screen Laptop Deal: ASUS Zenbook Duo 14Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals 2026Best Budget Gaming Performance Deal: Gigabyte Aero X16Best Budget Gaming Laptop Deal: Lenovo Legion 5iBest Value Gaming Laptop Deal: ASUS ROG Strix G16Best High-Performance Gaming Value Deal: MSI Raider 16Best Premium Gaming Laptop Deal: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16Best High-Performance Gaming Laptop Deal: HP HyperX Omen Max 16Best Slim Gaming Laptop Deal: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16Final Recommendation

The best Black Friday laptop deals can sell out quickly. Use our Live Laptop Deals page to track discounts, set price-drop alerts on laptops you're interested in, and compare previous-generation models before buying. Be sure to check each retailer's return policy so you know your options if a better deal appears.

Best Black Friday Laptop Deals 2026

Best Student Laptop Deal: Acer Swift 16 AI

Best for: Professionals, students, and everyday users who want a premium 16-inch Windows laptop without the bulk.

Why we like it: The Acer Swift 16 AI combines a beautiful high-resolution OLED display, lightweight design, and powerful Intel Core Ultra X7 processor. Its Arc B390 integrated graphics also make it surprisingly capable for light gaming and video editing. If it drops below $1,000 this Black Friday, it would be an exceptional value.

Drawbacks: The oversized haptic trackpad has frustrating palm-rejection issues, making an external mouse highly recommended. Integrated graphics are also less suitable for demanding gaming workloads.

Our Verdict: One of the best 16-inch thin-and-light laptops to watch this Black Friday. If it drops below $1,000, its display, portability, and performance make it a compelling deal, provided you can live with the trackpad issues.

▶️ Watch our full Acer Swift 16 AI Review
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Budget Laptop Deal: Chuwi UniBook

Best for: Budget-conscious students and everyday users looking for an affordable Windows laptop.

Why we like it: The Chuwi UniBook delivers excellent value with a lightweight aluminum design, good battery life, and a generous selection of ports. It handles everyday tasks like browsing, schoolwork, and office productivity without the premium price tag.

Drawbacks: Just 8GB of non-upgradeable RAM, limited storage, and a mediocre display. Not suitable for demanding workloads or gaming.

Our Verdict: A great budget option for basic everyday use, especially at a Black Friday discount. If you need more performance or plan to keep your laptop for several years, consider a model with 16GB of RAM.

▶️ Watch our full Chuwi UniBook Review
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Affordable Everyday Laptop Deal: HP OmniBook 3 and 5

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want an affordable laptop for browsing, schoolwork, streaming, and everyday productivity.

Why we like it: HP's OmniBook lineup is one of the best places to look for aggressive Black Friday discounts. The OmniBook 3 with a Snapdragon processor, OLED display, and 16GB of memory has previously dropped below $500, making it an excellent value. If you can spend a little more, the redesigned OmniBook 5 offers a more stylish, lightweight design and a more premium feel, especially in its distinctive color options.

Drawbacks: Build quality isn't as premium as more expensive laptops, and some discounted OmniBook 5 configurations may require compromising on memory. The Snapdragon-based OmniBook 3 also requires checking compatibility with any Windows applications you rely on.

Our Verdict: Two of the best affordable Windows laptops to watch this Black Friday. Look for the OmniBook 3 under $500 or the OmniBook 5 under $600. Both can offer excellent everyday value at those prices.

▶️ Watch our full OmniBook 5 Review
📊 See OmniBook 5 full test results, pricing history, and current deals

📊 See OmniBook 3 full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Windows Laptop Deal: ASUS Zenbook 14

Best for: Students, professionals, and everyday users who want a premium Windows laptop with strong performance and an OLED display at a reasonable price.

Why we like it: The ASUS Zenbook 14 offers an excellent combination of performance, display quality, and premium design. The configuration we're watching pairs an AMD Ryzen 9 465 processor with 16GB of memory and an OLED display. It feels more modern and premium than similarly priced HP OmniBook 7 and X models, while delivering plenty of performance for demanding productivity tasks.

Drawbacks: The 16GB memory configuration may be limiting for users running especially demanding applications or heavy multitasking workloads.

Our Verdict: One of our favorite Windows laptops to watch this Black Friday. If the Ryzen 9 configuration drops to around $900, it will be an excellent choice for buyers who want premium features without spending well over $1,000.

📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best MacBook Deal: MacBook Air 13 M5

Best for: Students, professionals, and everyday users who want a premium, lightweight laptop with excellent battery life.

Why we like it: The MacBook Air 13 combines Apple's M5 processor with 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, delivering excellent everyday performance in a thin, fanless design. Its premium build quality, outstanding battery life, and excellent keyboard and trackpad make it one of the best all-around laptops for most people.

Drawbacks: Limited ports, no upgradeable memory or storage, and a 60Hz display. The fanless design also limits sustained performance during demanding workloads.

Our Verdict: One of the easiest laptops to recommend for students, work, and everyday use. At around $1,000, the M5 MacBook Air offers excellent performance, portability, and battery life. However, if you can find a comparable M4 model for $100 less, that's the better value for most buyers.

▶️ Watch our full MacBook Air M5 buying guide
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Premium Ultrabook Deal: ASUS Zenbook S14

Best for: Professionals and power users who want a thin, premium Windows laptop with excellent performance, display quality, and portability.

Why we like it: The ASUS Zenbook S14 takes everything we like about the Zenbook 14 and adds an even more premium, lightweight design. The configuration we're watching features Intel's power-efficient Series 3 H processor, 32GB of memory, and a sharp, high-resolution OLED display with a fast refresh rate. It delivers strong performance, comfortable operating temperatures, and solid battery life in a beautifully designed laptop.

Drawbacks: More expensive than the standard Zenbook 14, and buyers who only need basic productivity performance may not benefit from the additional memory and premium features.

Our Verdict: One of the most compelling premium Windows laptops to watch this Black Friday. If the 32GB configuration drops below $1,300, it offers excellent value, particularly compared with upgrading a MacBook Air to similar specifications.
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Premium Windows Laptop Deal: Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16

Best for: Professionals, content creators, and power users who want a premium Windows laptop with excellent performance and display quality.

Why we like it: The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i combines Intel's Core Ultra 9 386H processor, NVIDIA RTX 5060 graphics, and a stunning Tandem OLED display in a premium 16-inch design. With 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, it's exceptionally well-equipped for demanding productivity, photo and video editing, and everyday use.

Drawbacks: Larger and heavier than typical ultrabooks, with shorter battery life under demanding workloads. The RTX 5060 also isn't ideal for users seeking maximum gaming performance.

Our Verdict: An excellent premium Windows laptop for buyers who want a beautiful display, powerful hardware, and versatility without stepping up to a bulky gaming laptop. Particularly compelling at a Black Friday discount.

▶️ Watch our full Yoga Pro 9i review
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Creator Laptop Deal: Apple MacBook Pro 16 M5

Best for: Professional video editors, 3D artists, and content creators who need exceptional performance, display quality, and battery life.

Why we like it: The MacBook Pro 16 pairs Apple's powerful M5 Max processor with a 40-core GPU, 48GB of unified memory, and 2TB of storage. Its stunning Mini-LED display, excellent battery life, and outstanding sustained performance make it an exceptional workstation for demanding creative workflows, including 4K and 8K video editing.

Drawbacks: Extremely expensive, heavy compared to smaller laptops, and memory and storage cannot be upgraded. Some 3D and GPU-accelerated applications perform better with NVIDIA graphics.

Our Verdict: An outstanding choice for professional creators who need exceptional performance and battery life. Look for Black Friday discounts of around $400, but don't overlook the previous M4 generation. If you can save $200 on a comparable M4 configuration, it's likely the better value for most buyers.

▶️ Watch our full MacBook Pro 16 M5 buying guide
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Dual-Screen Laptop Deal: ASUS Zenbook Duo 14

Best for: Developers, programmers, and multitaskers who want the flexibility of two displays without carrying an external monitor.

Why we like it: The ASUS Zenbook Duo features two beautiful 14-inch OLED displays, giving developers extra screen space for coding, debugging, and documentation. Its detachable wireless keyboard and versatile design make it an excellent portable workstation, while its powerful Intel processor handles demanding productivity workloads with ease.

Drawbacks: Thicker and heavier than traditional 14-inch laptops, with shorter battery life when using both displays. The unconventional design also takes some getting used to.

Our Verdict: One of the most versatile laptops for developers who frequently multitask. If you value extra screen space and productivity over portability, the Zenbook Duo is a compelling choice, especially at a Black Friday discount.

▶️ Watch our full Asus Zenbook Duo review
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Black Friday Gaming Laptop Deals 2026

Best Budget Gaming Performance Deal: Gigabyte Aero X16

Best for: Budget-conscious gamers and creators who want dedicated NVIDIA graphics, plenty of memory, and a large display without paying premium prices.

Why we like it: The Gigabyte Aero X16 delivers exceptional hardware for the money. Around $1,200, you can get an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, NVIDIA RTX 5060 or 5070 graphics, generous memory and storage, and a bright, high-resolution 16-inch display. Its matte screen coating also helps reduce reflections, making it practical for work and gaming.

Drawbacks: Build quality isn't as premium as more expensive laptops, and the display's color accuracy is less impressive than competing OLED models. It also doesn't offer the same premium gaming experience as the Lenovo Legion 5.

Our Verdict: One of the best value-focused gaming laptops to watch this Black Friday. If you're prioritizing graphics performance, memory, and storage over premium materials and display color accuracy, the Aero X16 is an excellent choice at around $1,200.

▶️ Watch our Gigabyte Aero X16 review
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Budget Gaming Laptop Deal: Lenovo Legion 5i

Best for: Budget-conscious gamers who want strong gaming performance, a premium OLED display, and a well-built laptop without overspending.

Why we like it: The Lenovo Legion 5 combines a full-power NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU with a stunning OLED display and solid build quality. Compared with the similarly priced Gigabyte Aero X16, it delivers a more premium gaming experience with better display colors and stronger GPU performance thanks to its higher power limit. It also offers upgradeable memory, making it easier to improve over time.

Drawbacks: Budget configurations typically come with just 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, which may require upgrading. The RTX 5060 is also less capable than higher-tier GPUs in demanding games.

Our Verdict: Our top budget gaming recommendation for buyers who prioritize gaming performance, display quality, and build quality. We're watching for RTX 5060 configurations around $1,200, which would make the Legion 5 an excellent Black Friday deal.

▶️ Watch our full Legion 5i review
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Value Gaming Laptop Deal: ASUS ROG Strix G16

Best for: Gamers who want powerful performance, effective cooling, and excellent value without paying flagship prices.

Why we like it: The ASUS ROG Strix G16 combines a powerful Intel HX processor with NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics, delivering excellent gaming performance for the money. Its cooling system allows the GPU to sustain high performance without making the keyboard uncomfortably warm. At under $2,000, it's one of our favorite choices for serious gamers.

Drawbacks: Some configurations come with a lower-resolution 1920 × 1200 display and just 16GB of RAM. We recommend choosing the sharper 2560 × 1600 display when possible, especially if you use your laptop for more than gaming.

Our Verdict: One of the best gaming laptops for performance per dollar. With powerful graphics, effective cooling, and a competitive price, the Strix G16 is an excellent choice for gamers who want high-end performance without the premium price tag.

▶️ Watch our full Strix G16 review
📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best High-Performance Gaming Value Deal: MSI Raider 16

Best for: Serious gamers who want powerful RTX 5070 Ti performance and high-end hardware without paying flagship gaming laptop prices.

Why we like it: The MSI Raider 16 delivers impressive performance for the money, pairing NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics with a powerful processor and generous memory. We're watching configurations with 32GB of RAM that Josh expects to be discounted to just over $2,000 this Black Friday. That's a compelling combination for demanding games and performance-heavy workloads.

Drawbacks: Build quality doesn't feel as premium as some competing high-end gaming laptops. Buyers who prioritize design, materials, and overall refinement may prefer the ASUS ROG Strix or Legion series.

Our Verdict: One of the strongest performance-focused gaming laptops to watch this Black Friday. If the RTX 5070 Ti configuration with 32GB of memory drops to just over $2,000, it could be an excellent deal for serious gamers.

📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Premium Gaming Laptop Deal: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16

Best for: Enthusiast gamers who want exceptional gaming performance, premium features, and a comfortable gaming experience without compromise.

Why we like it: The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 combines powerful NVIDIA RTX 5080 graphics with excellent cooling, a premium display, and thoughtful features like Windows Hello facial recognition. Its keyboard stays cooler and its fan noise is less intrusive than many competing high-performance gaming laptops, making it particularly enjoyable during long gaming sessions.

Drawbacks: Expensive, bulky, and less portable than slimmer gaming laptops. It also falls slightly behind the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i in maximum gaming performance.

Our Verdict: Our favorite premium gaming laptop for buyers who prioritize the overall experience, not just benchmark results. An RTX 5080 configuration around $3,000 offers an excellent balance of performance, cooling, and premium features, especially if you can find a discounted previous-generation model.

📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best High-Performance Gaming Laptop Deal: HP HyperX Omen Max 16

Best for: Serious gamers who want RTX 5080 performance without paying premium flagship prices.

Why we like it: The HP HyperX Omen Max 16 delivers powerful gaming performance with NVIDIA RTX 5080 graphics in a capable 16-inch gaming laptop. HP frequently offers aggressive discounts, making this one of the most interesting high-performance laptops to watch during Black Friday.

Drawbacks: Larger and heavier than portable gaming laptops, with a design that prioritizes performance over portability. Memory and storage configurations vary, so buyers should compare specifications before purchasing.

Our Verdict: One of the most compelling high-performance gaming laptops to watch this Black Friday. If an RTX 5080 configuration drops to around $2,500, it would offer exceptional performance for the money.

📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Best Slim Gaming Laptop Deal: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16

Best for: Gamers and professionals who want powerful gaming performance in a slim, premium laptop that's easy to carry.

Why we like it: The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 combines NVIDIA RTX graphics, a beautiful display, excellent speakers, and premium build quality in a surprisingly thin and lightweight design. Its effective cooling keeps the laptop comfortable during gaming, while the latest Intel processor delivers strong everyday performance. The RTX 5070 Ti configuration offers the best balance of performance and value.

Drawbacks: Expensive, with non-upgradeable memory on some configurations. Despite its advertised GPU power limits, actual gaming performance can fall short of thicker gaming laptops with similar graphics hardware.

Our Verdict: Our favorite slim gaming laptop for buyers who want premium design, portability, and strong gaming performance. The RTX 5070 Ti is the sweet spot, and discounted previous-generation models can offer even better value.


📊 See full test results, pricing history, and current deals

Final Recommendation

If you're looking for the best overall value this Black Friday, the MacBook Air 13 M5 remains one of our top recommendations for most people. For affordable Windows laptops, keep an eye on the HP OmniBook 3 and 5, while the ASUS Zenbook 14 and Zenbook S14 offer excellent value at higher price points.

For gaming, the Lenovo Legion 5 is our favorite budget option, while the Gigabyte Aero X16 delivers impressive hardware for the money. The ASUS ROG Strix G16 and MSI Raider 16 are excellent choices for serious gamers, and the HP HyperX Omen Max 16 is one to watch if you want RTX 5080 performance at a competitive price.

Black Friday deals can change quickly, and the best discounts don't always last. Check our Live Laptop Deals page for current prices, set price-drop alerts for laptops you're interested in, or use our Laptop Picker to find the best option for your needs and budget.

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Laptops in this Article

Zenbook Duo 14

Asus Zenbook Duo 14 - 2025

14 Inches1 TB32 GBCore Ultra 9 285H

14 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 285H

On Sale
Great Deal
$1,919$2,099
Save $180
On Sale
Great Deal
$1,919$2,099
Save $180
Legion 5i 15

Lenovo Legion 5i 15 - Gen 10 - 2025

15.1 Inches512 GB16 GBCore Ultra 7 255HXRTX 5060

15.1 Inches | 512 GB | 16 GB | Core Ultra 7 255HX | RTX 5060

Best Price Ever
Good Deal
$1,499$2,373
Save $874
Best Price Ever
Good Deal
$1,499$2,373
Save $874
ROG Strix Scar 16

Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 - 2025

16 Inches2 TB32 GBCore Ultra 9 275HXRTX 5080

16 Inches | 2 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 275HX | RTX 5080

$3,299
$3,299
Acer Swift 16 AI - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 16 GB | Core Ultra X7 358H | Arc B390

8.0
Swift 16 AI
Acer Swift 16 AI - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 16 GB | Core Ultra X7 358H | Arc B390

BestBuy
$1,549
Acer
$1,599

Pros

  • Excellent OLED display with high 2880 x 1800 resolution, vivid colors, deep blacks, and 120Hz refresh rate.
  • Big haptic trackpad that has stylus support.
  • Stays cool to the touch even under heavy use.
  • A very light laptop in the category of 16-inch laptops.

Cons

  • Chassis is not as solid or premium-feeling as a MacBook or XPS.
  • Glossy display can be annoying in very bright spaces or direct sunlight.
  • No charging-capable port on the right side.
  • Fans are noticeable even in daily usage. Under heavy CPU load they get loud enough to be nearly in gaming-laptop territory.
BestBuy
$1,549
Buy Now
Acer
$1,599
Buy Now
Chuwi UniBook - 2026

14 Inches | 256 GB | 8 GB | Core 3 304 | Intel Graphics

6.6
UniBook
Chuwi UniBook - 2026

14 Inches | 256 GB | 8 GB | Core 3 304 | Intel Graphics

Chuwi
On Sale
$449Save $120
Chuwi
$449Save $120
On Sale
Buy Now
HP OmniBook 3 14 - 2026

14 Inches | 256 GB | 16 GB | Snapdragon X X1-26-100

OmniBook 3 14
HP OmniBook 3 14 - 2026

14 Inches | 256 GB | 16 GB | Snapdragon X X1-26-100

BestBuy
Starlit Blue
Best Price Ever
$499Save $200
HP
Starlit Blue
On Sale
$769
BestBuy
Starlit Blue
$499Save $200
Best Price Ever
Buy Now
HP
Starlit Blue
$769
On Sale
Buy Now
HP Omnibook 5 14 Late - Green - 2026

14 Inches | 512 GB | 8 GB | Core 5 320 | Intel Graphics

7.5
Omnibook 5 14 Late
HP Omnibook 5 14 Late - Green - 2026

14 Inches | 512 GB | 8 GB | Core 5 320 | Intel Graphics

HP
Peony Pink
Best Price Ever
$599Save $150
HP
Smoke Silver
On Sale
$699Save $50
HP
Soft Honeydew
$749
HP
Starlit Blue
$749
HP
Peony Pink
$599Save $150
Best Price Ever
Buy Now
HP
Smoke Silver
$699Save $50
On Sale
Buy Now
HP
Soft Honeydew
$749
Buy Now
HP
Starlit Blue
$749
Buy Now
Asus Zenbook 14 - Qualcomm - 2026

14 Inches | 256 GB | 16 GB | Snapdragon X X1-26-100 | Adreno X1-85

Zenbook 14
Asus Zenbook 14 - Qualcomm - 2026

14 Inches | 256 GB | 16 GB | Snapdragon X X1-26-100 | Adreno X1-85

BestBuy
Arctic Blue
$799
BestBuy
Arctic Blue
$799
Buy Now
Apple MacBook Air 13 - M5 - 2026

13.6 Inches | 512 GB | 16 GB | M5 10-Core | M5 8-Core GPU

7.6
MacBook Air 13
Apple MacBook Air 13 - M5 - 2026

13.6 Inches | 512 GB | 16 GB | M5 10-Core | M5 8-Core GPU

B&H Photo
Sky Blue
On Sale
$1,099Save $200
B&H Photo
Silver
On Sale
$1,099Save $200
B&H Photo
Midnight
Best Price Ever
$1,099Save $200
Amazon
Midnight
Best Price Ever
$1,099Save $200
Amazon
Sky Blue
On Sale
$1,099Save $200
B&H Photo
Starlight
Best Price Ever
$1,099Save $200
BestBuy
Midnight
On Sale
$1,149Save $150

Pros

  • Excellent value and one of the laptops we would recommend to most people that are ok with Apple’s operating system.
  • Very strong performance for light use, with a snappy everyday experience.
  • Excellent real-world battery life for typical office and writing use.
  • Completely silent because there is no fan.
  • Both 13-inch and 15-inch versions are highly portable for their size.
  • Trackpad remains best-in-class with excellent palm rejection.

Cons

  • M5 is only a modest upgrade over M4 in many workloads.
  • Sustained heavy performance is limited by the fanless design.
  • The display is still a 60Hz IPS panel, which could be better in a premium laptop in 2026.
  • The keyboard feels a bit low travel, especially on the 15-inch model.
  • Ports are still limited to two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports and a MagSafe 3 port on the left side (all of the charging ports are on the left side) and a 3.5 mm headphone/microphone combo jack on the right side.
B&H Photo
Sky Blue
$1,099Save $200
On Sale
Buy Now
B&H Photo
Silver
$1,099Save $200
On Sale
Buy Now
B&H Photo
Midnight
$1,099Save $200
Best Price Ever
Buy Now
Amazon
Midnight
$1,099Save $200
Best Price Ever
Buy Now
Amazon
Sky Blue
$1,099Save $200
On Sale
Buy Now
B&H Photo
Starlight
$1,099Save $200
Best Price Ever
Buy Now
BestBuy
Midnight
$1,149Save $150
On Sale
Buy Now
Asus Zenbook S 14 - 2026

14 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 386H | Intel Graphics

Zenbook S 14
Asus Zenbook S 14 - 2026

14 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 386H | Intel Graphics

BestBuy
Scandinavian White
$1,899
BestBuy
Scandinavian White
$1,899
Buy Now
Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 Aura Edition - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 386H | RTX 5060

8.2
Yoga Pro 9i 16 Aura Edition
Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 Aura Edition - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 386H | RTX 5060

Lenovo
On Sale
$2,599Save $850

Pros

  • Very premium, well-rounded laptop with strong CPU and GPU performance in a portable 16-inch machine.
  • Excellent, very bright 16-inch tandem OLED display with sharp 3200 x 2000 resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, and near-perfect color coverage.
  • Outstanding keyboard with great travel, satisfying click, premium feel, and centered layout now that the numpad is gone.
  • Haptic trackpad is a welcome upgrade and supports pen input.
  • Excellent speakers, easily as good as the MacBook Pro 16’s.
  • 2 upgradeable SSD slots.

Cons

  • Very expensive, especially compared with last year’s model.
  • CPU is completely outclassed by Apple’s M5 Pro and Max chips in this class.
  • GPU is only midrange for the price and is not fed full wattage.
  • Display is extremely reflective, even more so than the glossy MacBook Pro display.
Lenovo
$2,599Save $850
On Sale
Buy Now
Apple MacBook Pro 16 - M5 - 2026

16.2 Inches | 2 TB | 48 GB | M5 Max 18-Core | M5 Max 40-Core GPU

MacBook Pro 16
Apple MacBook Pro 16 - M5 - 2026

16.2 Inches | 2 TB | 48 GB | M5 Max 18-Core | M5 Max 40-Core GPU

Micro Center
Silver
Best Price Ever
$4,299Save $700
Amazon
Space Black
$4,499
BestBuy
$4,999
B&H Photo
$4,999

Pros

  • Exceptional CPU performance, with the new M5 Pro and Max chips outperforming most Intel and AMD options in similarly portable laptops.
  • Excellent for video editing, programming, audio work, and other CPU-heavy professional tasks.
  • Very low fan noise in professional workloads compared with gaming laptops.
  • Can be configured with large unified memory pools, which is useful for larger local AI models.
  • Battery life is great.

Cons

  • CPU uplift over the previous M4 generation is not massive.
  • Notch can block Menu Bar items.
Micro Center
Silver
$4,299Save $700
Best Price Ever
Buy Now
Amazon
Space Black
$4,499
Buy Now
BestBuy
$4,999
Buy Now
B&H Photo
$4,999
Buy Now
Asus Zenbook Duo 14 - 2025

14 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 285H

Zenbook Duo 14
Asus Zenbook Duo 14 - 2025

14 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 285H

Walmart
On Sale
$1,919Save $180
Amazon
$2,399
BestBuy
$2,399

Pros

  • Two high resolution 14-inch screens, great for multitasking
  • Solid battery life
  • Keyboard and laptop all fit together conveniently, rare for this form factor
  • Performs well

Cons

  • Form factor isn't for everyone
  • Keyboard is low travel due to its design
  • A bit on the pricier end
Walmart
$1,919Save $180
On Sale
Buy Now
Amazon
$2,399
Buy Now
BestBuy
$2,399
Buy Now
Gigabyte Aero X16 - 2025

16 Inches | 1 TB | 16 GB | Ryzen AI 7 350 | RTX 5060

Aero X16
Gigabyte Aero X16 - 2025

16 Inches | 1 TB | 16 GB | Ryzen AI 7 350 | RTX 5060

Walmart
Space Gray
On Sale
$1,279Save $470
B&H Photo
$1,749

Pros

  • Exceptional value for money
  • Strong battery life for a laptop with a dedicated GPU
  • Matt screen makes it excellent for using in bright environments
  • Trackpad is great
  • Plenty of performance for most users
  • Its quite light for a laptop like this
  • Upgradeable memory
  • Very little fan noise and remains cool to the touch

Cons

  • Display's colors aren't entirely accurate
  • Port placement is right down the front. Left handers will struggle with this
  • Other laptops this size are more powerful
  • Speakers lack volume
  • Keyboard feels mushy
Walmart
Space Gray
$1,279Save $470
On Sale
Buy Now
B&H Photo
$1,749
Buy Now
Lenovo Legion 5i 15 - Gen 10 - 2025

15.1 Inches | 512 GB | 16 GB | Core Ultra 7 255HX | RTX 5060

Legion 5i 15
Lenovo Legion 5i 15 - Gen 10 - 2025

15.1 Inches | 512 GB | 16 GB | Core Ultra 7 255HX | RTX 5060

Lenovo
Best Price Ever
$1,499Save $874

Pros

  • Very comfortable keyboard
  • Excellent OLED display
  • Compact and portable
  • Well built
  • Fast current gen CPU
  • Powerful GPU (full wattage)
  • Pricing is very competitive

Cons

  • Ports are far forward and may get in your way
  • Speakers aren't great
  • No Windows Hello facial recognition or fingerprint reader
  • No Advanced Optimus
Lenovo
$1,499Save $874
Best Price Ever
Buy Now
Asus ROG Strix G16 - 2025

16 Inches | 2 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 275HX | RTX 5070 Ti

ROG Strix G16
Asus ROG Strix G16 - 2025

16 Inches | 2 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 275HX | RTX 5070 Ti

Micro Center
On Sale
$2,399Save $800

Pros

  • AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D processor is fantastic
  • Excellent GPU performance due to high wattage
  • While gaming doesn't get overly warm or hot
  • Upgradeable memory

Cons

  • Thick laptop
  • Slippery palm rest material
  • Expensive when not on sale
  • Blows warm air on the back left and right of the laptop
Micro Center
$2,399Save $800
On Sale
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MSI Raider 16 Max HX - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | RTX 5070 Ti

Raider 16 Max HX
MSI Raider 16 Max HX - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 290HX Plus | RTX 5070 Ti

Micro Center
Best Price Ever
$2,299Save $700

Pros

  • 2560x1600 240 hz OLED screen is great for content creation, has a fast response time for gaming, and HDR support.
  • Easy to upgrade as both SO-DIMM RAM & both SSD slots can be accessed with just two screws.
  • Fast SD Express card reader.
  • Has its ports spread out across all three sides of the laptop.
  • Full powered RTX 50 series GPUs.
  • Per Key RGB keyboard.
  • Windows Hello IR Camera support.
  • Very competitively priced in the US for the specs and performance.

Cons

  • Has vents on the sides of the laptop and out the back; it may exhaust hot air on users' mouse hand.
  • Keyboard layout is very nonstandard; numpad is squished.
  • No DisplayPort or USB-C video out directly to the dGPU.
  • No Advanced Optimus (only has a traditional MUX switch that requires a reboot to switch between the iGPU & dGPU).
  • A bit more plastic than expected for the chassis.
  • Exclusively available at Micro Center in the US; users must purchase or pick up the laptop in store.
Micro Center
$2,299Save $700
Best Price Ever
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Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 - 2025

16 Inches | 2 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 275HX | RTX 5080

ROG Strix Scar 16
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 - 2025

16 Inches | 2 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 9 275HX | RTX 5080

Amazon
$3,299
Out of stock
BestBuy
$3,299

Pros

  • High end components
  • Feels very cool to the touch while gaming
  • Exhausts hot air out the back
  • Comfortable keyboard
  • Great Mini-LED display
  • Ports in good locations away from your mouse
  • Easy to upgrade as back can be taken off without tools

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Like all thick laptops, you may feel it biting into your wrist a little
Amazon
$3,299
Buy Now
Out of stock
BestBuy
$3,299
Out of Stock
HP HyperX OMEN 16 - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 7 356H | RTX 5070 (8GB)

HyperX OMEN 16
HP HyperX OMEN 16 - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 32 GB | Core Ultra 7 356H | RTX 5070 (8GB)

HP
Shadow Black
On Sale
$2,449Save $450

Pros

  • The Intel Panther Lake H model supports Windows Hello Facial Recognition
  • Solid value when the RTX 5070 12 GB model is on sale.
  • The SSD, Wi-Fi card, and both SO-DIMM slots of RAM are upgradable.
  • Modern Intel Panther Lake H CPU.
  • 2560 x 1600 165 hz OLED screen

Cons

  • The AMD HX model does not have Windows Hello Facial Recognition or a fingerprint sensor.
  • No Thunderbolt or USB4 ports.
HP
Shadow Black
$2,449Save $450
On Sale
Buy Now
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 - Intel (Panther Lake) - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 16 GB | Core Ultra 9 386H | RTX 5070 Ti

ROG Zephyrus G16
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 - Intel (Panther Lake) - 2026

16 Inches | 1 TB | 16 GB | Core Ultra 9 386H | RTX 5070 Ti

BestBuy
Eclipse Grey
$3,399

Pros

  • Strong battery life for a gaming laptop
  • Doesn't feel warm while gaming
  • Very portable for a 16-inch gaming laptop
  • One of the few thin gaming laptops that can come with high end RTX graphics

Cons

  • Extremely expensive
  • Usually only feeds around 120-140 watts to its GPU, less than the 160 watts advertised
  • No haptic trackpad, which feels like a miss at this price
BestBuy
Eclipse Grey
$3,399
Buy Now