Best Black Friday gaming laptop deals you can get right now
Now is the time to pick up a new gaming laptop
Editor's note: As Black Friday starts to wind down, we are shifting gears and covering all the best Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals. Bookmark this page as we hit all the latest and greatest savings.
Black Friday is like Christmas come early for PC gamers... minus the creepy, bearded intruder who likes to sneak down folks' chimneys in the dead of night. The sales event of the year lets gamers pick up massive discounts on some of the best gaming laptops currently available today.
Whether you want to pick your virtual hobby back up again after a few years away or have been pulling off headshots in CS: GO right from the very start, you'll find a laptop with the specs you need to play the best PC games.
If gaming isn't quite your bag and you're just looking for a portable machine that can handle your daily computing tasks, let us point you in the direction of the best Black Friday laptop deals that cover more business-focused devices. The fact you've clicked on this round-up suggests you very much are into your PC games though, so let's get right to some of the best Black Friday gaming laptop deals you can currently buy.
Black Friday gaming laptop deals — latest models
Quick links
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (RTX 4060): was $1,599 now $1,199 @ Best Buy
- Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (RTX 4060): was $1,579 now $1,049 @ Best Buy
- ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (Radeon RX 7600S): was $1,099 now $749 @ Best Buy
- Acer Nitro 17 (RTX 4050): was $1,199 now $969 @ Amazon
- MSI Pulse 15 (RTX 4070): was $1,899 now $1,599 @ Newegg
- Alienware x16 R1 (RTX 4080): was $3,249 now $2,614 @ Amazon
- Alienware x14 R2 (RTX 4060): was $1,999 now $1,499 @ Dell
- Alienware m16 (RTX 4060): was $1,699 now $1,249 @ Dell
- Alienware m18 (RTX 4060): was $1,899 now $1,599 @ Dell
- Dell XPS 15 (RTX 4050): was $1,999 now $1,549 @ Dell
- Dell XPS 17 (RTX 4060): was $2,399 now $1,799 @ Dell
Top picks
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (RTX 4060): was $1,599 now $1,199 @ Best Buy
We absolutely adored this lap-friendly monster of a machine in our Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review. Of course that model packed in a RTX 4090 GPU, whereas this deal comes with a far less powerful RTX 4060. That's still a respectable laptop GPU, though, and when you combine that with a 14-inch (2560 x 1440) display that can hit 500 nits brightness and boasts a 165Hz refresh rate, there's a lot to like about this gaming laptop. It also packs in an AMD Ryzen 9 7000 Series GPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. Check out our full Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 review.
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 (RTX 4060): was $1,579 now $1,049 @ Best Buy
Another RTX 40-series GPU with an admirable specs sheet. The whopping $530 discount is obviously the headline news here, but under the hood, there's a lot of good stuff going on with the Helios' innards. This 16-inch laptop boasts a 16:10 (2560 x 1600) IPS panel that supports refresh rates up to 165Hz. Its 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700HX and RTX 4060 CPU/GPU combo is very much up to the task of handling modern PC games at respectable frame rates, and this portable PC is further bolstered with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.
ASUS TUF Gaming A16 (Radeon RX 7600S): was $1,099 now $749 @ Best Buy
This Asus laptop is a solid first gaming laptop for newcomers to PC gaming. It's not the most powerful model on this list but comes with an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, Radeon RX 7600S V8G GPU, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. It's also got a 16-inch display with a 165Hz refresh rate. Don't expect to play the latest games at high settings, but it's a smart pick for more moderate gaming needs.
Acer Nitro 17 (RTX 4050): was $1,199 now $969 @ Amazon
If you prefer a large and in-charge laptop, this 17-inch RTX 4050-powered laptop looks enticing. Rocking a 1080p/165Hz IPS display, older games should run buttery smooth on this mid-range portable PC. Throw in a respectable AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS Octa-Core CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB of SSD storage, you won't find many better-equipped gaming laptops going for under $1,000.
MSI Pulse 15 (RTX 4070): was $1,899 now $1,599 @ Newegg
Right now, the MSI Pulse 15 has fallen to its lowest ever price — sporting an impressive spec sheet with a 15.6-inch QHD display with 165Hz refresh rate, Intel Core i9-13900H CPU, RTX 4070 GPU, 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD.
Alienware x16 R1 (RTX 4080): was $3,249 now $2,614 @ Amazon
A powerful portable PC that squeezes in some impressive components that should easily handle many modern games at this laptop's native 2560 x 1600 resolution at speedy frame rates. You probably won't come close to hitting that remarkable 240Hz refresh rate in titles, yet with a 13th Gen Core i9-13900HK processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU and 32GB of RAM, this baby should monster all but the very most demanding games at 1080p.
Alienware x14 R2 (RTX 4060): was $1,999 now $1,499 @ Dell
The Alienware x14 R2 might have a thin and light design but it packs some serious power under its attractive hood. This includes a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. This is a serious machine for serious gamers.
Alienware m16 (RTX 4060): was $1,699 now $1,249 @ Dell
The Alienware m16 is an all-around great gaming laptop for those who want excellent performance in a relatively affordable machine. This configuration packs a 16-inch QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) 165Hz 3ms display, a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage.
Alienware m18 (RTX 4060): was $1,899 now $1,599 @ Dell
The gargantuan Alienware m18 gaming laptop is serious business. This monster packs an Intel Core i7-13700HX CPU, an Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. On top of that, it also has a gorgeous 16-inch 2.5K (2,560 x 1,600) display with a 240Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time. Check out our full Alienware m18 review.
Dell XPS 15 (RTX 4050): was $1,999 now $1,549 @ Dell
We named the Dell XPS 15 one of the best laptops you can buy. It's svelte and powerful enough for day-to-day work, with thin bezels that help the display shine. It's also packed to the gills with raw horsepower. The config on sale features a 15.6-inch 1920 x 1200 LCD, Intel Core i7-13700H CPU, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD, and a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. Check out our full Dell XPS 15 OLED review.
Dell XPS 17 (RTX 4060): was $2,399 now $1,799 @ Dell
The Dell XPS 17 is the largest XPS laptop available. This model features a 17-inch (1,920 x 1,200) non-touch display, a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700H CPU, an RTX 4060 GPU, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. This beast is perfect for work and gaming.
Black Friday gaming laptop deals — older models
Quick links
- Asus ROG Flow X13 2-in-1: was $1,599 now $831 @ Best Buy
- Acer Predator Helios 300: was $1,499 now $1,000 @ Best Buy
- Lenovo LOQ 15: was $1,069 now $849 @ Walmart
- MSI GE Series Raider 17: was $1,599 now $999 @Walmart
- MSI Stealth 15M: was $1,399 now $1,108 @ Amazon
- Razer Blade 15: was $2,999 now $1,799 @ Amazon
- Razer Blade 14: was $3,499 now $1,799 @ Amazon
Top picks
Asus ROG Flow X13 2-in-1: was $1,599 now $831 @ Best Buy
This gaming laptop comes loaded with high-end specs. You get a speedy AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS CPU, 16GB of RAM, a massive 1TB SSD and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti — all for $831. Plus, it's pretty portable. The ROG Flow X13 has a 13.4-inch screen and weighs a little less than 2.9 pounds, but you still get about 6 to 7 hours of battery life when you're not gaming. And don't forget — this touchscreen machine folds into a tablet for real versatility. Check out our Asus ROG Flow X13 2-in-1 review.
Acer Predator Helios 300: was $1,499 now $1,000 @ Best Buy
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a good mid-range gaming laptop at a steep discount. This model comes with a bevy of high-quality components, including an Nvidia GeForce 3060 GPU, an Intel Core i7 12700H CPU, 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD. The device is currently available at a $500 discount thanks to Best Buy's massive clearance sale on gaming laptops. Check out our Acer Predator Helios 300 review.
Lenovo LOQ 15: was $1,069 now $849 @ Walmart
A decent deal that may not boast the most cutting edge graphics tech, but the RTX 3050 still has enough grunt to handle most modern games around a solid 30 fps, if not a good deal higher at this laptop's native 1080p resolution. The 165Hz screen means response times are extremely speedy, while 16GB of DDR5 RAM and an 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H processor round off this mid-range gaming laptop nicely.
MSI GE Series Raider 17: was $1,599 now $999 @Walmart
A $600 saving off a respectable mid-range laptop from a trusted manufacturer isn't to be sniffed at. This 17.3-inch Raider features a 1080p/144Hz IPS panel, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, 12th Gen Intel Core i7 12700H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of NVMe SSD storage.
MSI Stealth 15M: was $1,399 now $1,108 @ Amazon
The MSI Stealth 15M laptop offers some pretty decent specs for the money. It features an 11th Gen Intel Core-i7 CPU, an RTX 3060 GPU, 16GB memory and a 512GB SSD. What's more, its 15.6" 1080p screen runs at 144Hz for smooth gameplay. We did see this model drop to $999 last Black Friday, so it could be worth waiting for an even steeper discount in the weeks ahead.
Razer Blade 15: was $2,999 now $1,799 @ Amazon
The 2022 model Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop is now on sale. This configuration packs an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU, 12th Gen Intel 14-Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. Plus, its 15.6-inch QHD display boasts a 240Hz refresh rate for smooth gameplay and Windows 11 comes pre-installed. This is a powerful gaming laptop for newcomers and experienced gamers alike. Check out our Razer Blade 15 review.
Razer Blade 14: was $3,499 now $1,799 @ Amazon
This is a beast of a gaming laptop with a discount of almost $1,700. The Razer Blade 14 packs a gorgeous 14-inch QHD display up top with 165Hz refresh rate, AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, RTX 3080 Ti GPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a spacious 1TB PCIe SSD. All of this is packed into a seriously premium aluminum chassis. Check out our Razer Blade 14 (2021) review.
Is Black Friday a good time to get a gaming laptop?
Gaming laptops tend to be expensive. Even budget devices typically cost close to $1,000 at minimum. Because of that, Black Friday is an excellent time to shop for a new gaming machine. In most cases, you can save several hundred dollars. In other instances, you can save well over $1,000.
What to look for in a gaming laptop
Aside from a good price, there are several things you'll want in a gaming laptop.
The first is a relatively modern CPU and GPU. We (generally) wouldn't recommend a machine with anything older than a 12th Gen Intel Core processor or an RTX 30-series graphics card. RAM-wise, 16GB is typically the minimum you want for a gaming rig. For storage, 512GB is the lowest we'd recommend, especially given how huge game file sizes are nowadays.
Display size is up to personal preference, though most gamers tend to favor 15-inch displays. 4K resolution is great and all, but with laptop screens, you generally don't need more than a 2.5K display. In some cases, 1080p will do the trick. In terms of performance, a 120Hz refresh rate and a 3ms response time are good minimums to go with.
Battery isn't something you should worry about since it's best to keep gaming laptops plugged in. Why? Because you'll see a severe drop in performance (frames per second) when playing unplugged. You also don't need to worry about webcam quality since you'll primarily use a gaming laptop for, well, gaming.
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Rory is an Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.
- Tony PolancoComputing Writer