Summer is almost here, and that means retailers are slashing laptop prices to clear out old stock. We’re tracking some of the best Memorial Day deals right now, with discounts on MacBooks, Chromebooks, and PCs from Lenovo, Asus, HP, and other top brands.
Also: Why the MacBook Neo is worth buying right now — especially for students
We only suggest devices we’ve personally tested or would genuinely purchase ourselves, focusing on meaningful price cuts. After assessing specs like processors, RAM, and storage, we weigh factors such as build quality, design, intended use, and overall value for the price. Here are the top deals we’ve spotted ahead of Memorial Day.
Also: I found the best early Memorial Day Apple deals: Save hundreds on iPad, Apple Watch, and more
The best early Memorial Day laptop deals 2026
- Current price: $1,149
- Original price: $1,299
The M5 MacBook Air builds on the previous model with more base memory, increased base storage (which is also faster), and improved battery life. The M5 Air only launched this spring, but we’re already seeing $150 off — making it an excellent deal on Apple’s newest thin-and-light laptop.
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- Current price: $1,549
- Original price: $1,699
Apple’s newest MacBook Pro powered by the M5 chip delivers longer battery life (up to 20 hours), more base memory, and even greater AI performance — all at a highly competitive price even outside of a sale. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display reaches up to 1600 nits peak brightness, and MacBooks still offer the best video call experience around thanks to their 12MP Center Stage cameras.
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- Current price: $489
- Original price: $799
Equipped with 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core 5 CPU, the Vivobook is a budget-friendly PC that’s genuinely thin and light (3.09 pounds) and features a great display.
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- Current price: $1,149
- Original price: $1,299
The 2025 16-inch Dell Plus packs some impressive specs: an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, 16GB of RAM, and a stunning 16-inch 2K touchscreen display. It’s a highly versatile all-rounder that’s just as comfortable in the office as it is running your favorite games.
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- Current price: $1,198
- Original price: $1,799
We’ve tested several of HP’s EliteBook 6 models and praised their strong performance for the price, particularly as work machines. This EliteBook 6, powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 220 processor, delivers fast, efficient performance for multitasking, handling large datasets, and staying productive on the go — with up to 14 hours of battery life on a single charge.
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- Current price: $2,999
- Original price: $3,499
The 13th-generation X1 Carbon comes with an Intel Core Ultra 7 255U processor, 16GB of RAM, and a full 2TB of storage, making it an outstanding work machine. It’s currently $500 off as Lenovo clears space for newer models, but it remains a highly competitive laptop in 2026.
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- Current price: $2,999
- Original price: $3,499
Need a gaming laptop that can handle AAA titles at maximum settings? Acer’s 16-inch Predator Helios is a powerhouse, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 (with 24GB of VRAM), and 32GB of memory.
It also boasts some of the most eye-catching lighting on any gaming PC, with signature gradient RGB strips along the front edge. In terms of connectivity, all the essential ports are covered, and the 240Hz OLED display lets you experience games exactly as they were designed to be played.
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More laptop deals
- HP 14-inch Chromebook: $199 (save $200): Need an affordable Chromebook? This 14-inch HP keeps things simple with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of local storage, delivering a snappy experience for browsing the web and staying on top of emails.
- IdeaPad Slim 3i: $349 (save $100): This 16-inch IdeaPad Slim is built for both students and professionals, with a modest hardware configuration to keep the price accessible. You get 8GB of RAM and a full-sized keyboard, perfect for getting work done in the browser.
- HP Pavilion 15.6-inch: $499 (save $650): Looking for a reliable everyday computer? HP’s Pavilion series offers solid machines for students, home use, or work. It comes with 16GB of RAM, a full-sized keyboard, and Wi-Fi 6 support.
Also: I found the best early Memorial Day phone deals: Save big on Samsung, Google, Apple and more
When is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25th, 2026 — the last Monday in May each year. This day also marks the unofficial start of summer.
How did we choose these Memorial Day deals?
ZDNET only covers deals that genuinely interest us — devices and products we want, need, or would recommend not just to our readers, but to friends and family. Our experts look for discounts of at least 20% off (or items that rarely go on sale), using trusted price-comparison tools and trackers to verify whether a deal is truly worth your time.
We also review customer feedback and draw on our own hands-on experience with new technology to understand what matters to real people who already own and use the products we recommend. Our goal is to provide the most accurate guidance and alert you to price drops so you can shop smarter.
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