Looking for something specific during Australia's tax-time sales? We've put together some specialised category deals pages to help you shop quicker and smarter.
1. Best EOFY tech deals
2. Best EOFY smartphone sales
3. Best EOFY 4K TV discounts
4. Best Dell Australia EOFY deals
5. Lenovo EOFY sales
6. Amazon Mid-Year tech deals
7. eBay Plus Month tech deals
[UPDATE: With the end-of-financial-year sales now coming to a close, this deals round-up has gone into hiatus until June 2021. If you're looking for great laptop bargains, take a look at our dedicated laptop deals page.]
After months of lockdown, most of us have learnt to appreciate our laptops a lot more. And there’s no doubt they’ve seen plenty more use at home than ever before, perhaps making many of us realise it’s time for an upgrade.
If that’s the case, then there’s no better time to get yourself a new laptop or 2-in-1 device than during Australia’s annual end-of-financial-year sale. Whether you’re shopping for a premium machine or a cheaper model, we’re here to help you pocket plenty of savings.
With less than a week left to pick up a tax time deal, the Australian TechRadar team will be keeping an eye out for steep discounts on the best ultrabooks, gaming beasts and portable 2-in-1s across a range of budgets and configurations, so you can score a fantastic deal to suit your needs.
Retailers offering EOFY laptop deals
- Microsoft Australia: 20% off Surface Laptop 3, Surface Pro 7 & Surface Pro X
- HP Australia: get a bonus gift card valued up to AU$200
- Lenovo: up to 55% off selected devices
- Dell: up to 40% off selected models
Best EOFY 2020 laptop deals
Laptops & ultrabooks
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 | Ryzen 5 / 8GB / 512GB SSD | AU$839.20 (RRP AU$1,599; save AU$759.80)
AMD took the fight directly to Intel with its 4000 series CPUs, and now you can get its vastly improved performance in a discounted Dell. This Inspiron has a Ryzen 5 4000 processor for smooth and seamless multitasking. Dell’s official eBay store had already discounted the model by 34%, but you can knock it down even further by using the code PDTECH20 at checkout. That’ll save you a hefty 47% overall.View Deal
Dell XPS 13 (7390) | i5 / 8GB / 256GB SSD | AU$1,699 (RRP AU$1,999; save AU$300)
While many of the configurations from Dell’s premium XPS range will set you back a hefty sum, here’s your chance to score one for under the AU$2,000 mark. It’s last year’s version, but it’s still a stellar machine with a 10th-gen Core i5 chip and 256GB of solid-state storage. Work or play, this sleek machine will deliver. Now 15% directly from Dell.View Deal
Dell XPS 13 (9300) | i7 / 8GB / 512GB | AU$2,549 (RRP AU$2,999; save AU$450)
Last year’s Dell XPS 13 was always going to be a tough act to follow, but Dell pushed the envelope and delivered this stunning XPS 13 2020 update. There’s grunt under the hood, with a 10th-generation Core 17 and 8GB of system memory. This brand new machine had dropped to 20% off last week, and while it’s since bumped up slightly, you can still score 15% off when you buy directly from Dell.View Deal
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5 | Ryzen 7 / 16GB / 256GB SSD | AU$1,195.20 (RRP AU$1,399; save AU$279.80)
To get these heavy-hitting specs for a bargain price, head to Lenovo and select the 8GB model listed for AU$1,199. You’ll need to customise the laptop and select the upgrades for a Ryzen 7 processor and 16GB of memory, before proceeding to checkout and entering the code CUPOEOFY. This will bring the final price down to AU$1,195.20.View Deal
Dell XPS 15 (7590) | i7 / 16GB / 512GB SSD / GTX 1650 | AU$2,804 (RRP AU$3,299; save AU$495)
This laptop brings the power and design of the XPS to 15-inches of screen real estate. This iteration has a 9th-generation Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD. It also has an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU onboard for basic gaming, which you’ll have plenty of room to enjoy with barely-there bezels on a Full HD display. It was AU$660 off last week, but if you buy it now, there’s still AU$495 to be saved.View Deal
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (7th Gen) | i5 / 8GB / 512GB SSD | AU$2,436.75 (RRP AU$3,249; save AU$812.25)
This may be from Lenovo’s range of business-focused laptops, but that hasn’t stopped our colleagues over at Laptop Mag from recommending it as the best Lenovo laptop available today. It’s incredibly light, yet manages to be durable as well, and the 1080p display on this model means you’ll get nearly 10 hours of battery life. Available directly from Lenovo with just over AU$800 saved.View Deal
Lenovo ThinkPad P1 (2nd Gen) | i7 / 8GB / 256GB SSD | AU$2,696.85 (RRP AU$4,149; save AU$1,452.15)
This 15-inch workstation is now 35% off from Lenovo, and it’s packing power inside its slim form factor. That includes a 9th-generation Core i7 processor and Dolby Atmos speakers. You’ll also find Wi-Fi 6, so you can get faster downloads and optimal functionality in crowded networks. Available directly from Lenovo with a huge saving of AU$1,450 on the table.View Deal
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 (5593) | i7 / 16GB / 512GB SSD | AU$1,259 (RRP AU$2,099; save AU$840)
Dell has slashed the price of this high-spec machine, dropping the RRP by 40%. There’s a lot to like here too – inside you’ll find Intel’s latest 10th-gen i7 processor, teamed up with 16GB of system memory and 512GB of solid-state storage. Exactly the kind of specs that’ll make using this laptop a breeze. Grab it now while it’s discounted down to AU$1,259 directly from Dell.View Deal
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 | 20% off
Each configuration of the Surface Laptop 3 has been discounted by 20%, and it’s one to consider if you’re looking for a machine with all-day battery life. You’ll have your pick from a variety of eye-catching colours, and processors are available in i5 or i7, all Intel’s latest 10th-generation. Available directly from Microsoft.View Deal
Dell Vostro 15 3000 (3591) | i7 / 8GB / 512GB / MX230 | AU$1,279 (RRP AU$2,139; save AU$860)
This 15-inch laptop has been designed for work but there's a discrete graphics card that will help when it comes time to switch off. While the MX230 isn't a powerful GPU, it will run some basic gaming when you require a little distraction. And a 40% discount sees a cool AU$860 slashed off the RRP, and you can use the checkout code EOFY5 to score an additional 5% off. That brings the final price down to just AU$1,215.View Deal
Lenovo ThinkPad E15 | i5 / 8GB / 512GB SSD | AU$1,034.55 (RRP AU$2,299; save AU$1,264.45)
Lenovo's ThinkPad range is known in the world of business laptops for its security and stability, and this E15 is no exception. You can set yourself up with a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 15.6-inch display, 512GB SSD and fingerprint reader for better than half price from Lenovo's store.View Deal
Lenovo Chromebook S340 (14) | Celeron N4000 / 4GB / 64GB | AU$350 (RRP AU$549; save AU$199)
There aren't too many Chromebook models officially available in Australia, but if you're after a budget device for basic browsing and text input for documents (like doing homework), consider this offer. There's AU$199 off the 14-inch device if you pick it up from Amazon, or if you'd rather buy direct from the manufacturer, you'll save AU$110. Either way, it's a very affordable machine indeed. Just be sure to use the checkout code CLASSROOM6 if you buy directly from Lenovo.View Deal
2-in-1s
Further price drop: Dell XPS 13 2-in-1 (7390) | i7 / 16GB / 512GB SSD | AU$2,324 (RRP AU$3,099; save AU$775)
This is Dell’s premium XPS 13 machine in a versatile chassis. This particular configuration has Intel’s latest 10th-gen Core i7 chip inside, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It’s also got a lovely 13.4-inch Full HD touchscreen display. If you want top-of-the-line specs in a flexible laptop, this one is hard to beat. Best of all, it’s now 25% off from Dell’s online store.View Deal
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Yoga (4th Gen) | i5 / 8GB / 256GB SSD | AU$2,474.25 (RRP AU$3,299; save AU$824.75)
The X1 Yoga brings a sleek, convertible chassis to Lenovo’s business range of laptops, and it doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find a bright, vivid Full HD display with a battery life that’ll last you all day. This configuration houses a 10th-gen Core i5 chip, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. A built-in stylus slot and Dolby Atmos are the cherry on top of this very well-rounded package. Now 25% off from Lenovo.View Deal
Dell Inspiron 15 7000 2-in-1 (7591) | i5 / 8GB / 256GB SSD | AU$1,379 (RRP AU$2,299; save AU$920)
Whether you’re working from the home office or curled up on the couch, this versatile 2-in-1 will quite literally bend over backwards to fit your needs. This convertible laptop comes from Dell’s more affordable Inspiron range, yet it feels quite premium with an aluminium casing and fingerprint login. Running the show is a 10th-generation Core i5 processor, teamed with 8GB of memory and 256GB of solid-state storage. Now discounted by 40% directly from Dell with an Active Pen included.View Deal
Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1 | i7 / 16GB / 512GB SSD | AU$3,362 (RRP AU$7,132; save AU$3,770)
The Latitude line is Dell’s range of premium business laptops, and practically all of them come with a high price tag to match. However, this machine is steeply discounted by 52%, saving you a solid AU$3,770. This workhorse has a slightly older 8th-generation i7 processor, but it’s got 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD. It’s lightweight, flexible and has an all-round sleek design. Save yourself a packet when you pick it up from Dell.View Deal
Microsoft Surface Pro 7 | 20% off
The Surface Pro 7 is Microsoft’s most powerful Surface tablet to date, and each configuration is discounted by 20%. Configurations start with an Intel Core i3 and go up to an i7, with various blends of system memory and solid-state storage available. Go to Microsoft to pick yours up with a decent packet saved.View Deal
Lenovo Yoga C940 (14) | i7 / 8GB / 512GB SSD | AU$2,549.15 (RRP AU$2,999; save AU$449.85)
Our colleagues over at Laptop Mag called the C940 the best Yoga yet, and we’d have to agree. The pairing of fast performance with a premium 2-in-1 design is a winning combination in our books. This is a customisable machine, but the base model comes with a 10th-gen i7 CPU, 8GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD, but you can change the elements to suit your needs. While 15% off isn’t a huge discount, it’s a decent saving on this killer machine. Available from Lenovo.View Deal
Dell Latitude 5300 | i7 / 8GB / 256GB | AU$2,297.80 (RRP AU$4,867.80; save AU$2,570)
It might have an older 8th-gen Core i7 processor under the hood but don't underestimate this 13-inch Latitude 2-in-1. With ExpressCharge support that adds 80% juice in an hour and Wi-Fi constantly running in the background, it's designed for the busy professional constantly on the move. And, to make this even better, there's 52% off the device directly from Dell.View Deal
Lenovo IdeaPad C340 (14) with Active Pen 2 | i5 / 8GB / 512GB | AU$1,259.30 (RRP AU$1,799; save AU$539.70)
With a 10th-generation Core i5 CPU powering this 14-inch convertible, there's plenty of power for most tasks you can throw at it. And with 8GB of RAM, you'll also be able to multitask with ease. Better yet, you get a very decent chunk of storage and a 30% discount when buying this device – which ships with the Active Pen 2 stylus as well – direct from the manufacturer.
[Currently out of stock - we'll update this deal if more is made available]View Deal
Gaming
Lenovo Legion Y740 (17) | i9 / 32GB / 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD / RTX 2080 | AU$4,349.25 (RRP AU$5,799; save AU$1,449.75)
If you’re really looking to take things up a notch, the specs on this Legion Y740 are pretty darn breathtaking. Set yourself up with a 9th-gen Intel i9 processor, 32GB of system memory and very generous storage options. You’ll have a 17-inch IPS display with 300 nits of brightness and Nvidia G-Sync too. Now available from Lenovo with 25% shaved off the RRP, that’s a solid AU$1,449 discount not to be missed.View Deal
Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model | i7 / 16GB / 512GB SSD / RTX 2070 | AU$3,599 (RRP AU$4,599; save AU$1,000)
Our colleagues over at PC Gamer recommend this Razer Blade 15 as the best gaming laptop you can buy today, and you can now save a huge packet on this dream machine. It’s housing a 9th-gen Core i7 CPU, and an RTX 2070 GPU. Despite that, it’s also one of the longest-lasting premium gaming laptops we’ve got our hands on. Now steeply discounted, with AU$1,000 slashed from the RRP – this deal’s a steal.View Deal
Razer Blade Pro 17 | i7 / 16GB / 512GB SSD / RTX 2070 | AU$3,659 (RRP AU$4,799; save AU$1,140)
If you’re a gamer or a creative type craving a little more screen real estate than the Advanced Model above can afford, then the Razer Blade Pro 17 could tick all the right boxes. It’s got a 17-inch panel, and this rather souped-up configuration has a 9th-gen i7 chip and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070. It usually comes with a suitably hefty price tag, but it’s now available from Amazon with almost 25% slashed off the RRP.View Deal
Alienware Area-51m | i7 / 16GB / 1TB SSD / RTX 2070 | AU$4,249 (RRP AU$4,999; save AU$750)
Alienware is Dell's dedicated gaming brand, and it shows. The Area-51m is a complete beast of a laptop – in fact it's one of the best – and this model packs in a 9th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU, a beastly Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 GPU with 8GB GDDR6 memory, 16GB of RAM and an impressive 1TB worth of SSD. This configuration fell to AU$3,994 last week, and while it's since bumped up slightly, you can still get it for 15% off. If you're interested, you can double the RAM for AU$300, or go up to a model with 32GB RAM and an RTX 2080 GPU if you're not messing around.View Deal
Dell G3 15 (3590) | i7 / 8GB / 512GB SSD | GTX 1660 Ti | AU$1,784 (RRP AU$2,099; save AU$315)
For gamers on a budget, or those just getting started in the world of PC gaming, here’s a strong contender. The 15-inch Dell G3 has solid performance given the price – you have a 9th-gen Core i7 processor and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti that will manage light gaming just fine. Plenty of storage for your budding gaming library, and the Full HD screen should go easy on the battery life too. Discount directly from Dell’s online store.View Deal
Dell G5 15 (5500) | i7 / 16GB / 512GB SSD / GTX 1660 Ti | AU$2,209 (RRP AU$2,599; save AU$390)
If the above G3 gaming laptop isn't quite going to cut it, this more recently released G5 has a 10th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU at its helm, as well as 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD to back it up. Available directly from Dell with AU$390 saved.View Deal
Lenovo Legion Y540 (15) | i7 / 16GB / 1TB HDD / GTX 1660 Ti | AU$1,949.25 (RRP AU$2,599; save AU$649.75)
If RGB keys are too flashy for your tastes, then consider this Legion Y540. Inside is a 9th-gen Intel Core i7 chip, matched with 16GB RAM and a 1TB HDD. An Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti handles the graphics, while Dolby Atmos sound will pull you further in when you’ve got your headphones on. The Legion Y540 has a white backlit keyboard, and a full numerical keypad. Head directly to Lenovo to get your hands on it.View Deal
Lenovo Legion Y740 (15) | i7 / 16GB / 256GB + 1TB / GTX 1660 Ti | AU$2,474.25 (RRP AU$3,299; save AU$824.75)
With the Legion Y740 gaming laptop from Lenovo, you're getting a whole lot of power packed into a sleek and portable machine with all the flash and trim you could desire to boost your gaming experience. RGB keys, a 15.6-inch display with 144Hz refresh rate, a 9th-gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD, as well as a dedicated Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti should serve you well.
[Currently out of stock - we'll update this deal if more is made available]View Deal
How to find the best laptop deal during EOFY
When it comes to end-of-financial-year sales, there will be a plethora of discounted laptops on offer. It’s not a purchase you make every day, so it’s understandable if you don’t yet know the difference between your CPUs and GPUs, and all the jargon in between.
Whether it’s technical specifications, brand or type of device you’re unsure of, we’re here to help you make the right choice for your needs.
There’s sure to be a number of eye-catching discounts when it comes to tax-time bargain hunting, but the best advice we can give you is that if a laptop deal seems too good to be true, chances are it’s an older machine. While you’ll save a packet up front, an older model may not have enough power in its internals to keep running in the years to come, so you’ll likely have to upgrade sooner than you would’ve liked.
To help you avoid this, we’ve put together a short guide below so you can make an informed decision and get yourself the best laptop deal this June.
Features to look for
1. Brand name
So, what exactly should you keep an eye out for when buying a laptop? The best place to start is with the brand name. Considering you’ll be making a worthwhile investment, you’ll want to opt for a brand name you trust, such as Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Microsoft, Acer or Asus. Proceed with caution when it comes to brand names you are unfamiliar with even if they come cheap – the initial saving may not prove to be worth it in the long run.
2. Portability
Once you’ve decided on the brand, the next thing to consider is the size of the machine. Most laptops come in either 13-, 14-, 15- or 17-inch sizes. The smaller sizes will certainly be more portable and, oftentimes, they’re more affordable as well (though this isn’t always the case – we’re looking at you, XPS 13).
The larger laptops, on the other hand, will offer more screen real estate, and more space inside the chassis to house powerful components, including a bigger battery. To determine the laptop’s display size, you’ll want to take a look at the tech specs. It’s not uncommon to see the screen size in the name of a product, take for instance, the HP Envy 13t which, as the name suggests, has a 13-inch monitor.
You’ll also want to consider the weight of the device as well – if you need to carry it around for work a lot, then a compact notebook or 2-in-1 weighing about 1.5kg or less is ideal.
3. Technical specifications
Now let’s get down to the nitty gritty – tech specs. There are four main components you’ll want to consider in this space: processor, system memory, storage and, depending on your needs, graphics.
First up, the processor, also referred to as the CPU. The processor is essentially the brains of a machine, and there are two major players in this race: Intel and AMD. The most common CPU you’ll come across in laptops is Intel, and its families of chips are available in Core i3, i5, i7 or i9.
While Intel’s Core i9 is the latest and most powerful processor available, the average user isn’t likely to need that kind of grunt unless it’s for heavy-duty tasks such as gaming and video editing.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the Core i3 chips are built for basic tasks such as web browsing and word processing, and are ideal for someone who doesn’t require much power from their laptop.
For most people, the Core i5 or Core i7 series will fit just right. However, that’s not all you’ll need to consider – each Intel chip comes in a generation, and the most current is the 10th iteration. Even the 10th-gen i5 CPUs are decently powerful processors that you can confidently buy, though 9th- and 8th- gen CPUs are still available from retailers, so consider your needs before investing in a slightly older processor.
There are very few AMD Ryzen CPUs in laptops at the moment, though the recently launched 4000 series processors look set to compete with Intel.
The next thing to consider is system memory, also known as RAM. This is the component of your laptop that’s designed to hold your data while it’s in use, and 8GB of RAM is fairly standard across consumer laptops.
System memory is important in terms of multitasking, so those in need of a machine for gaming, video editing or design programs, may want to consider a laptop with 16GB of RAM.
In terms of storage, it’ll come in the form of either a solid-state drive (SSD) or a hard disk drive (HDD). SSDs are what you’ll now commonly find in laptops, and we’d recommend you stick with them. They offer very reliable and long-lasting performance, and you’ll find that apps and programs will load much quicker.
Finally, to the graphics, otherwise known as the GPU. If you’re a casual gamer, laptops with integrated graphics should be fine – and this is what you’ll find in most laptops. That means the GPU is built into the CPU, offering basic performance.
If you’re deep into gaming, then you’ll need a discrete GPU that sits separate from the CPU. That will almost always come in the form of Nvidia, or if you’ve opted for an AMD processor, it’ll be Radeon. However, it’s worth noting that prices can soar quickly when it comes to powerful GPUs.
4. Display
Most mid-range laptops will offer a Full HD (1920 x 1080) display as standard, but there will be more budget options with 1366 x 768 resolution, which is fine for smaller screens.
In fact, a lower resolution is often great for a laptop with lower specs as there are fewer pixels for the processor and graphics card to shift, therefore optimising performance.
A higher resolution screen will get you a crisper image, but it’ll be a drain on your battery life and come at a cost. So while a 4K screen may look and sound like a great idea, it’ll take a serious toll on your machine’s core components. OLED panels are beginning to appear in laptops, though they come at a significantly higher price point, and there can be burn-in issues over time.
In the end, though, it’s sometimes worth sacrificing a bit of image quality for a smoother frame rate and longer battery life.
Deals predictions for EOFY 2020
While we can’t know for certain exactly what EOFY discounts we’ll see come tax-time, we can take our best educated guess by looking back to last year’s deals.
Last June, we saw an incredible discount on a high-spec Alienware m17 gaming laptop, with a 30% discount. Gigabyte also slashed the price on selected gaming beasts, so this time around, we’ve got our fingers crossed that a similar deal will be up for grabs, especially since discounted gaming laptops have been few and far between in recent months.
There’s a very good chance that the XPS 13 will be available with a small packet saved, as last year, Dell offered its 2019 model with a 20% price cut in various configurations. This premium range of laptops are rarely discounted by more than 15% throughout the year, so if you want a best-in-class machine, this is one to look out for.
Plenty of 2-in-1s should also see a price cut, with a particular standout from last year being a steeply discounted Lenovo Yoga 730. This June, we’ll be keeping an eye out for a bargain price on one of Lenovo’s convertible machines.
It’s highly likely Microsoft will also offer up a saving on its latest range, with the Surface Pro 7, Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Go being likely contenders for a 15% saving or more.