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The best early Memorial Day laptop deals: Save on Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and more
Summer is just around the corner, and that means discounts on laptops to make room for new inventory. We've got eyes on some of the best Memorial Day deals, with sales on MacBooks, Chromebooks, and PCs from Lenovo, Asus, HP, and more.
Also: The case for buying a MacBook Neo right now - especially for students
We only recommend devices we've gone hands-on with or would actually buy ourselves, with a focus on significant price discounts. After evaluating hardware such as processors, RAM, and storage, we consider durability, form factor, intended use case, and, of course, value relative to price. Here are the top sales we've found ahead of Memorial Day sales.
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 improves on its predecessor with more base memory, more base storage (that's faster) and better battery life. The M5 Air just came out this spring, but we're already seeing $150 off, making a fantastic buy on the latest and greatest in Apple's thin and light laptop lineup.
- Current price: $1,549
- Original price: $1,699
Apple's latest MacBook Pro with the M5 chip offers better battery life (up to 20 hours), more base memory and even more AI power under the hood, for a very competitive price even when not on sale. The 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display goes all the way up to 1600 nits peak brightness, and MacBook still have the best videocall experience out there with their 12MP Center Stage webcams.
- Current price: $489
- Original price: $799
Armed with 8GB of RAM and an Intel Core 5 CPU, the Vivobook is an affordable PC that's actually thin and light (3.09 pounds) and packing a nice display.
- Current price: $1,149
- Original price: $1,299
The 16-inch Dell Plus from 2025 features some impressive hardware: an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, 16GB of RAM and a gorgeous, 16-inch 2K touchscreen display, making for a highly competent jack-of-all-trades laptop that is just at home in the office as it is running some of your favorite games.
- Current price: $1,198
- Original price: $1,799
We went hands-on with several of HP's EliteBook 6 models, and called out their solid performance relative to price, especially as work devices. This EliteBook 6 with an AMD Ryzen 5 220 processor brings fast, efficient horsepower to multitasking, working with large datasets, and staying mobile, with up to 14 hours of battery on one charge.
- Current price: $2,999
- Original price: $3,499
The 13th-generation X1 Carbon features an Intel Core Ultra 7 255U processor, 16GB of RAM, and a full 2TB of storage, making it a fantastic work machine. It's currently $500 off the regular price as Lenovo makes room for newer models, but still absolutely a competitive machine in 2026.
- Current price: $2,999
- Original price: $3,499
Looking for a gaming laptop that can run triple A titles on max graphics? Acer's 16-inch Predator Helios is a beast with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 (with 24GB of Vram) and 32GB of memory.
It's also got some of the sweetest lighting on any gaming PC, with the signature gradient RGBs along the front edge of the device. In terms of ports, you've got all your bases covered, and the 240Hz OLED display lets you play your games the way they were meant to be played.
More laptop deals
- HP 14-inch Chromebook: $199 (save $200): Looking for an affordable Chromebook? This 14-inch HP keeps the hardware light with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of local storage for a snappy device for surfing the web and catching up on emails.
- IdeaPad Slim 3i: $349 (save $100): This 16-inch IdeaPad Slim is designed with both students and professionals in mind, but features a modest hardware loadout to keep things affordable. You've got 8GB of RAM and a full-sized keyboard here for working out of the browser.
- HP Pavilion 15.6-inch: $499 (save $650): Looking for a solid computer for everyday use? HP's Pavilion series offers solid devices for students, home use, or work. You've got 16GB of RAM and a full-sized keyboard and support for Wi-Fi 6.
Also: I found the best early Memorial Day phones deals: Save big on Samsung, Google, Apple and more
FAQs
When is Memorial Day?
Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25th, 2026 -- the last Monday in May annual. This day also marks the unofficial first day of summer.
How did we chose these Memorial Day deals?
ZDNET only writes about deals that capture our own interest -- devices and products we want, need, or would recommend not only to our readers, but to friends and family. Our experts look for deals at least 20% off (or hardly ever on sale), using established price-comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually worth your time.
We also examine customer reviews and rely on our own hands-on experience with new tech to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the products we're recommending. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice and to make you aware of price drops so you can shop smarter.
Facts Only
ZDNET's recommendations are based on testing, research, and comparison shopping, using data from vendors, retailers, and independent reviews.
The editorial team does not receive compensation for reviews, though affiliate commissions may be earned from purchases via their links.
Memorial Day 2026 is on May 25th, marking the unofficial start of summer.
Early Memorial Day laptop deals include discounts on MacBooks, Chromebooks, and PCs from Lenovo, Asus, HP, and others.
The M5 MacBook Air is priced at $1,149, down from $1,299, featuring improved base memory, storage, and battery life.
The MacBook Pro with M5 chip is priced at $1,549, down from $1,699, offering up to 20 hours of battery life and a 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display.
The Asus Vivobook is priced at $489, down from $799, with 8GB RAM and an Intel Core 5 CPU.
The Dell XPS 16 (2025) is priced at $1,149, down from $1,299, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and a 16-inch 2K touchscreen.
The HP EliteBook 6 is priced at $1,198, down from $1,799, with an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and up to 14 hours of battery life.
The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon is priced at $2,999, down from $3,499, featuring an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor and 2TB storage.
The Acer Predator Helios is priced at $2,999, down from $3,499, with an Intel Core Ultra 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU.
Additional deals include the HP Chromebook at $199, Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i at $349, and HP Pavilion at $499.
ZDNET selects deals with at least 20% discounts or those rarely on sale, using price-comparison tools and customer reviews.
Executive Summary
ZDNET's "ZDNET Recommends" program provides product recommendations based on extensive testing, research, and comparison shopping, incorporating data from vendors, retailers, and independent reviews. The editorial team emphasizes independence, with no compensation from advertisers influencing their reviews, though affiliate commissions may be earned from purchases made through their links. The article highlights early Memorial Day laptop deals, featuring discounts on devices from Apple, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and Acer, among others. Each recommended product is evaluated for hardware specifications, durability, form factor, and value relative to price. The deals include significant discounts on high-end models like the MacBook Air with M5 chip, MacBook Pro, Dell XPS 16, and Acer Predator Helios, as well as budget-friendly options like the HP Chromebook and Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i. ZDNET's selection process prioritizes products with at least 20% discounts or those rarely on sale, ensuring readers get meaningful savings. The article also clarifies that Memorial Day 2026 falls on May 25th and serves as the unofficial start of summer.
The recommendations are framed as unbiased, with a focus on hands-on experience and customer feedback to guide purchasing decisions. The article acknowledges potential errors and provides a mechanism for readers to report inaccuracies, reinforcing its commitment to accuracy and transparency. The deals span a range of use cases, from gaming and professional work to everyday computing, catering to diverse consumer needs. The inclusion of both premium and budget options reflects an effort to address different financial constraints while maintaining a focus on quality and performance.
Full Take
The article presents itself as a consumer guide, leveraging ZDNET's editorial independence and rigorous testing to build trust. The strongest version of this narrative is that it provides unbiased, well-researched recommendations to help readers make informed purchasing decisions. The emphasis on hands-on testing, customer reviews, and price comparisons aligns with the goal of delivering accurate and valuable advice. However, the presence of affiliate links introduces a potential conflict of interest, even if the editorial team claims no direct influence from advertisers. This duality—where independence is asserted but financial incentives exist—could be seen as a form of "ARC-0024 Ambiguity," where the line between objective advice and commercial interest is blurred.
The root cause of this narrative is the broader paradigm of tech journalism as a service to consumers, where trust is built through transparency and expertise. Yet, the reliance on affiliate revenue raises questions about the sustainability of truly independent journalism. The article assumes that readers prioritize value and performance, but it does not address the environmental or ethical implications of frequent tech upgrades, such as e-waste or labor conditions in manufacturing. The focus on discounts and new models may inadvertently encourage overconsumption, benefiting retailers and manufacturers more than consumers in the long run.
For human agency, the article empowers readers with information to make smarter purchases, but it also risks reinforcing a consumerist mindset where ownership of the latest tech is framed as a necessity. The second-order consequences include potential buyer's remorse if products do not meet expectations or if better deals emerge shortly after purchase. To foster deeper inquiry, readers might ask: How does the emphasis on discounts align with long-term value? What are the environmental costs of these purchasing decisions? Would the recommendations change if affiliate revenue were not a factor?
Counterstrike scan: If this were part of a coordinated influence campaign, the playbook would involve framing ZDNET as a neutral authority while subtly steering readers toward affiliate-linked products. The actual content does not fully match this pattern, as the recommendations appear genuinely based on testing and research. However, the presence of affiliate links warrants scrutiny, as they could incentivize the promotion of certain products over others. The article's transparency about affiliate revenue mitigates this concern but does not eliminate it entirely.
Patterns detected: ARC-0024 Ambiguity
Sentinel — Human
The text exhibits high structural coherence and repetitive pattern usage, characteristic of machine optimization, though the specific data points appear grounded in real-world commercial context.