I’ve found three laptop deals for creatives and professionals that are way too good for this early in the year — huge savings on portable powerhouses from MSI, HP, and Acer (but they won’t stay this price for long)

Huge deals on HP, MSI and Acer creative laptops
(Image credit: Future)

If you’re looking for a new workstation laptop for professional and creative purposes, but don't want to break the bank this early into the new year, I've found three portable powerhouses that will match your needs perfectly.

The first of these is the MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio, which with its smaller screen size is most portable of the group. At 3.75 pounds and under an inch thick, it’s a machine you’ll actually carry every day. Inside, you’re getting Intel’s Core Ultra 7-155H paired with an RTX 4050 Laptop GPU (6GB), which is a great combo for creators.

The 14-inch 16:10 FHD+ panel runs at 165Hz and covers 100% sRGB, so it’s more about accurate color and clean workspace than chasing ultra-high resolution. Normally priced at $1,799.99, it’s currently available at Newegg for $1,049.99, which works out to a whopping 42% saving.

MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio
Save 42%
MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio: was $1,799.99 now $1,049.99 at Newegg

The MSI Stealth 14 AI Studio blends portability and power for creators on the go. Its Intel Core Ultra 7-155H and RTX 4050 Laptop GPU handle editing, effects, and moderate CAD work with ease. The 14″ 16:10 165Hz sRGB display is accurate for color tasks, and at around a 42% discount, it’s excellent value.

Next up is the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, and this is where things get into more “mobile workstation” territory. The 16-inch 2560 x 1600 240Hz display gives you more room for timelines, tool palettes, and CAD layouts, and the Core Ultra 7 255HX is built for heavier sustained loads.

The RTX 5070 Laptop GPU will give you a noticeable step up in hardware-accelerated rendering, AI tools, and complex scene work.

This model typically sells for $1,849.99, but Newegg currently has it discounted to $1,399.99, a solid 24% saving.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16
Save 24%
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16: was $1,849.99 now $1,399.99 at Newegg

The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 brings more serious sustained performance with its Intel Core Ultra 7-255HX and RTX 5070 Laptop GPU, making it better suited for heavy video editing, rendering, and complex CAD work. Its 16″ 2560 x 1600 240Hz panel gives extra workspace.

Finally, there's the HP Omen Max 16. This is the most serious creator setup here, and the one that will put the biggest dent in your bank balance, although it's the very definition of that old phrase "buy once, cry once".

For the money you get a Core Ultra 9-275HX, 32GB of DDR5, an RTX 5080 with 16GB of VRAM, and a 2TB SSD. That setup will let you throw almost anything at it without much concern.

The 16-inch OLED 2560 x 1600 240Hz panel, rated at 500 nits, is also a real bonus for contrast-heavy grading and detailed design work.

This system would normally set you back $3,159.99, but it’s currently listed at Best Buy for $2,699.99, a welcome 15% saving.

HP  Omen Max 16
HP Omen Max 16: was $3,159.99 now $2,699.99 at Best Buy

The HP Omen Max 16 is a true mobile powerhouse, pairing an Intel Core Ultra 9-275HX with an RTX 5080 16GB GPU, 32GB RAM, and a 2TB SSD for demanding video, 3D, and CAD workloads. Its 16″ OLED 240Hz panel offers excellent contrast and detail, and the current price cut makes a high-end creator rig more attainable.

Wayne Williams
Editor

Wayne Williams is a freelancer writing news for TechRadar Pro. He has been writing about computers, technology, and the web for 30 years. In that time he wrote for most of the UK’s PC magazines, and launched, edited and published a number of them too.

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