Black Friday has always felt like the safe bet for a laptop purchase, the one weekend a year when waiting actually pays off. But with component costs climbing through 2026, it’s fair to wonder whether laptops will actually be cheaper on Black Friday this time around, or whether that assumption doesn’t hold up anymore.
- Laptops will likely still be discounted on Black Friday 2026, but from a higher starting price than in past years.
- Gaming laptops in particular are running noticeably more expensive year over year due to rising memory costs.
- Typical Black Friday discounts land around 20 percent off, which is a smaller real dollar drop when base prices are inflated.
- Refurbished and open-box laptops are worth comparing since they often beat retail Black Friday pricing anyway.
The Short Answer
Yes, laptops will generally be cheaper on Black Friday than they are at full retail price the rest of the year. That part hasn’t changed. What has changed is the baseline those discounts are being calculated from.
Because component prices, especially RAM and NAND storage, have gone up sharply in 2026, the “full price” a laptop is discounted from is higher than it would have been a year or two ago. A 20 percent discount off a higher number can still land you paying more than you would have for last year’s Black Friday deal.
Why This Black Friday Looks Different
Trends suggest gaming laptops are the clearest example of this shift. According to reporting from GamesRadar+, gaming laptops have been running roughly 38 percent more expensive compared to the same point last Black Friday, driven largely by the ongoing memory shortage.
That doesn’t mean deals won’t exist. It means the deals are happening on top of a market that’s already pricier than usual.
Heads Up: Don’t assume a “40% off” sticker automatically beats last year’s price. Check the actual dollar amount against what similar specs cost a year ago before assuming it’s a great deal.
What Kind of Discounts to Actually Expect
Historically, the typical Black Friday discount on laptops lands somewhere around 20 percent off list price, based on patterns retailers have followed in past years. Some standout doorbusters go deeper, but those are usually limited to a handful of specific models with capped stock.
- Everyday and budget laptops: modest discounts, often bundled with accessories rather than steep price cuts
- Mid-range laptops: the most competitive discount tier, where retailers fight hardest for market share
- Gaming laptops: bigger percentage-off numbers, but off a higher base price than previous years
- Last year’s models: often the best real value, since retailers want that inventory gone before new releases
Best Buy’s Black Friday 2026 event and similar sales from Lenovo tend to peak around the traditional late November weekend, with many deals starting to trickle in earlier in the month.
Refurbished Laptops: The Quiet Alternative
One thing that doesn’t get talked about enough is refurbished pricing. Refurbished laptop prices routinely beat even the best retail Black Friday deals, since they’re not tied to the same new-inventory cost pressures.
- Look for certified refurbished units from the manufacturer directly (Dell, HP, Lenovo all run their own outlet stores)
- Check the warranty length, a shorter warranty on a refurb is a real tradeoff worth weighing
- Compare the refurb price against the Black Friday new price for a similar spec laptop before deciding
In my experience shopping every Black Friday for the past several years, the best laptop deals rarely land exactly on the day itself. Retailers tend to spread “early Black Friday” pricing across most of November, and sometimes the early-month price ends up matching or beating the actual Friday price.
How to Actually Get a Good Deal This Year
- Track prices ahead of time using a price history tool so you know what “normal” looks like before the sale starts
- Set a target spec list (RAM, storage, screen size) before shopping so a flashy discount doesn’t distract from a weaker configuration
- Compare Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, and the manufacturer’s own site, since the same model can be discounted differently across retailers
- Don’t wait for Cyber Monday assuming it will automatically be cheaper. Some of the best pricing this year has shown up before Thanksgiving
For general shopping timing patterns, Consumer Reports publishes seasonal buying guides worth cross-checking against retailer-specific ads before committing to a purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will laptops be cheaper on Black Friday 2026 than earlier in the year?
Yes, generally. Black Friday still brings real discounts compared to full retail price, though the starting prices this year are higher than in past years due to rising memory component costs.
2. Are gaming laptops a good deal on Black Friday this year?
They can be, but trends suggest gaming laptop prices overall have climbed significantly year over year, so a discounted gaming laptop this Black Friday may still cost more than a similar model did last year.
3. Is it better to buy a refurbished laptop instead of waiting for Black Friday?
It’s worth comparing both. Refurbished units from reputable sellers often match or beat Black Friday new-laptop pricing, especially for buyers who don’t need the newest model.
4. When do the best laptop deals typically show up in November?
Deals often start appearing well before the actual Black Friday date, with some of the better pricing showing up in early to mid November rather than exactly on the day.
Disclaimer: Pricing information and discount trends referenced in this article reflect publicly reported data as of the article’s publish date and can change without notice. Always verify current pricing directly with the retailer before making a purchase.
