Black Friday deals are already live, so why not consider a new laptop? Here's what I'd buy as an expert

Processor: Intel Celeron
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB

This version of the Lenovo Chromebook Slim 3 offers an impressive amount of power for the price. It includes a very basic Intel Celeron processor and only 128GB of storage, but you do get 8GB of RAM to boost performance, boot times and load times. Battery life is solid at up to 10 hours on a single charge, which is more than enough to last a full working day. At under £200, it's a bargain for school or college, or just as a home laptop that you use for light use and everyday tasks.

Processor: MediaTek Kompanio 520
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB

If you like a proper laptop setup, but would also appreciate the flexibility of a tablet, this Asus Chromebook gives you the best of both at a reasonable price. It's a very basic machine with only 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but that's fine for light use, schoolwork and everyday tasks, thanks to the simplistic and efficient ChromeOS. You also get the added versatility to flip the 14-inch display around to tablet mode at any time to make web browsing or watching videos even more comfortable. There's an impressive 14 hours of battery life, too.

Processor: AMD Ryzen 5
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

If I were shopping for a cheaper Windows 11 laptop in the Argos Black Friday sale, I'd go for this Acer Aspire Go. It's a decently sized 15.6-inch model with a respectable Ryzen 5 chipset, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. These are really great specs for everyday use - and should last you a few good years, too. It's not a super high-end machine, but it's much better than the cheaper options at the retailer today.

Processor: Intel Core i3
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 512GB

If you want a good value Windows laptop, then this configuration of the Asus Vivobook Go is a solid buy. It features an entry-level Intel i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and a large 512GB SSD to ensure good performance for general use and a surprisingly large amount of speedy storage for the price. It's a top buy right now if you're on a budget and need a basic laptop for everyday use, admin tasks and light work.

Processor: Snapdragon X Plus
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 256GB

Microsoft knocked it out of the park with its latest range of Surface Laptops – and now you can pick one up for a fantastic low price at Currys, following this £400 saving when you use the code 'Copilot100' at checkout. It's a powerful mid-range version of the device, too, with the super-efficient Snapdragon X Plus processor and 16GB of RAM ensuring speedy performance and amazing battery life of up to 23 hours. Storage is a bit pathetic at 256GB, but that's enough for essential files and applications, especially if you rely on a lot of web services such as Google Docs.

Processor: Snapdragon X
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB

We haven't reviewed this iteration specifically, but we've always found the Lenovo IdeaPad 5 to be a solid and sturdy laptop for the money. It's not a high-end model, but this listing is for a surprisingly premium configuration, complete with a Snapdragon X chipset, heaps of storage, and a lavish OLED display. Because this is a Snapdragon model, though, you'll want to make sure all your favourite apps are fully supported before you jump onboard.

Processor: Apple M2
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 256GB

This is an older MacBook Air (it's two generations older, in fact), but it's still a decent buy. The M2 chipset in this machine will still hold up great for the basics, and should last a few good years down the line, too. The downside with this particular model is its slightly dated design, with thicker display bezels versus the later iterations. Argos is currently listing this one as a 2024 MacBook, but note this is in fact a 2022 model with an upgraded 16GB of RAM.

Processor: Apple M4
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 256GB

Speaking of newer models, the specialist retailer Laptops Direct currently has the exceptional MacBook Air M4 on sale with a deal that matches the previous record-low. I was personally hoping for a deeper price cut but this is still easily one of the best laptop deals on the market right now. We rate the latest MacBook Air as the best laptop for most people right now thanks to its compelling mix of a high-end design, heaps of performance, and value. Today's deal further adds to the value!

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Processor: Apple M4
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

Here's another superb MacBook Pro deal from Laptops Direct on the slightly older M4 Pro 14-inch model. This one has just been superseded by a new M5 variant, but it's still a wildly powerful machine that will last many good years down the line. With £80, today's deal brings this machine back down to its lowest price yet. It is a price that we've seen before on occasion, however.

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Graphics card: GeForce RTX 3050
RAM: 16GB
SSD: 512GB

Strictly on a budget? Very's current clearance deal on this MSI gaming laptop is a record-low. Yes, it's a little older now, but this entry-level machine is still worth checking out at £599 if you're happy with the basics. With an RTX 3050 and Core i5 chipset, you should be able to play a fair amount of games smoothly at 1080p. For demanding titles, however, I would recommend trying to spend a little more.

Graphics card: GeForce RTX 4050
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB

Another really good budget option - you're getting a decent Ryzen 7 chipset with this discounted Asus Nitro at Currys. That should pair up nicely with the RTX 4050 graphics card for decent performance at 1080p resolution if you're willing to tweak a few settings here or there. Overall, a solid pick that I could see as doubling-up as a good cheap laptop for work or university.

Graphics card: GeForce RTX 5060
RAM: 16GB
SSD: 512GB

If you've got a little bit of cash to spend, you could consider picking up something a little more up-to-date (and powerful), like this MSI Cyborg 15 at Laptops Direct. Not only do you get the excellent RTX 5060 under the hood here, but you're also getting one of the latest Intel Core 7 chipsets. While this machine still only features a 1080p display, you should get plenty of performance here.

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Graphics card: RTX 5060
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB

A 10% discount makes this Medion gaming laptop more affordable in today's Argos Black Friday sale. It doesn't come cheap, of course, but you get a powerful RTX 5060 graphics card here, which is more than enough to play all the latest games smoothly at 1080p resolution. You can consider this one an investment if you just want a quick laptop that will last a few years without having to fiddle with the settings.