Why the $300 Laptop Sale on Black Friday Probably Aren’t Worth It

Posted on November 24, 2025 by resourcefulman

Black Friday sales officially kick off on Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1. Before they end, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.

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Sale season is here, and if you’ve been to Amazon, Best Buy, or any other site selling computers this week, you’ve likely noticed dozens of deals on laptops for under $500 or even $300. They’re tempting for impulse buys, and frankly, I’ve recommended them in the past. But honestly, if you have a phone or tablet, or even if you only plan to use them for internet browsing, there are probably better options. A good computer can be had for cheap, but when it comes to the suspiciously cheap laptops you’re seeing this week, here’s why that $300 deal probably isn’t worth it.

These PCs are outdated technology.

Over time, even the simplest programs become increasingly resource-intensive. This is a problem for inexpensive laptops, as by the time you get to them, they typically already use fairly outdated technology.

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Scroll through Best Buy’s official list of budget laptops , and you’ll find many machines powered by Intel Celeron chips, low-power processors discontinued in 2023. Most also use the N4500, which was released in 2021. That’s not that long ago in human terms, but time flies in the world of computers. As Microsoft continues to push AI features even into the basic version of Windows , this chip will struggle to keep up, and the more bloated your computer is, the more lag you’ll experience when performing even simple tasks like opening files. In other words, your new purchase could become electronic waste soon after you get it.

The situation is exacerbated by the fact that the Celeron is generally designed for low-power corporate terminals rather than for mass use. So, in addition to being old, if you want to achieve any kind of multitasking, you’ll be up against an uphill battle.

But the chip isn’t even the biggest issue. The real problem here is RAM. This is short-term cache space your computer can use to perform real-time tasks, and if you’re a Chrome user, you’ve probably noticed that it’s become quite a RAM hog lately. This has been a common complaint for decades , with the browser regularly eating up over 1GB even under light tasks . That’s not so bad if you have the minimum 8-16GB that most computers come with these days, but these cheap Black Friday deals almost all come in at 4GB. That doesn’t give you much headroom. Another hit to multitasking, but even if you’re only using the browser, don’t expect to have too many tabs open at once.

You can use a lighter browser , enable memory limits , or use tricks like pausing or preloading tabs , but no matter what you do, most developers no longer create their apps, even web browsers, for devices with a 4GB limit. This is a problem, as using browser apps is a great way to offload a slow computer, allowing it to offload most of its computing resources to the cloud. Limited memory limits the lifespan of your new device, not to mention limiting the number of open tabs or additional programs.

Then there are convenience issues, such as resolution and battery life. These won’t impact performance, but they’ll likely be lower than you’d expect. Most monitors and TVs these days typically have a resolution of 1920 x 1080, the minimum level considered “Full HD.” But laptops like this one from HP and this one from Lenovo have about half that resolution, so the image will be noticeably less crisp. Battery life, meanwhile, is typically quoted at around 10 to 12 hours, and while that’s not bad, it’s also about half what you’d get from a MacBook, Microsoft Surface Laptop, or even a more powerful regular laptop. Windows is a heavy operating system, and running it at low specs on a machine designed to be thin and light will consume a lot of power.

Are any of these problems a death sentence? Not necessarily. If you realize one of these computers might be a bit slow and won’t last long, it might serve you well in a pinch. But you’ll still likely have to replace it sooner rather than later, which could be more expensive in the long run, while the benefits will be worse than if you simply bought a more modern computer now.

I understand that not everyone can afford a good laptop these days. But even if you need to save money, these laptops have enough drawbacks that they’re far from the best option, even at a low price.

Chromebooks are the new low-cost laptops.

Part of what makes these inexpensive laptops viable is that they rely heavily on the internet for performance. If you have enough RAM to run a browser, an inexpensive laptop can use the cloud for tasks like watching videos, preparing spreadsheets, and, increasingly, gaming . But if you plan to use your laptop solely as a portal to the internet, it might be better to forego demanding Windows and opt for something lighter. Enter the Chromebook.

Introduced in 2011, Chromebooks run ChromeOS, a fork of the much lighter Linux operating system. This means your laptop will run faster even with less powerful hardware. While ChromeOS may have some compatibility issues with more demanding Windows programs, it offers compatibility with Android apps and is great for web browsing and simple tasks like word processing or spreadsheet creation.

Thanks to these advantages, Chromebooks have recently begun to displace more traditional budget laptops, which likely partly explains why these sub-$300 Windows devices use such outdated technology. Chromebooks are used in schools, and thanks to Google’s support, they can guarantee a certain level of quality at a low price.

This is partly thanks to the Chromebook Plus certification program , which launched in 2023 and has quickly become quite popular. These Chromebooks are a bit fancier, but still affordable compared to Windows machines, and must offer at least a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 processor or AMD Ryzen 3 5000 series chip, 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, a 1080p webcam, and a 1080p screen. This configuration is a significant improvement over the non-Chromebook offerings listed above, and while there are still some new Chromebooks that aren’t Chromebook Plus certified, they’re becoming fewer and fewer . And even a non-Plus Chromebook is likely still a better deal than a similarly priced Windows laptop, as they’ll be able to handle their weaker specs more easily thanks to ChromeOS.

Lifehacker’s sister site PCMag has a whole list of tested Chromebooks in various price ranges, but if I had to choose a specific one, I’d go with the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 , which is $300 on Black Friday, meets all the minimum Chromebook Plus prices, and has a large 15.6-inch touchscreen. Or, if that’s too big for you, you can pay $355 for the Acer Chromebook Plus 514 .

Tablets are becoming more and more like laptops.

Tablets are becoming more and more like computers these days, so you might already have a good, inexpensive laptop replacement or be able to buy one for cheap. This is especially true if you’re an Apple fan.

This is because Apple recently released iPadOS 26, and while it’s not a full-fledged MacBook replacement , it’s incredibly close. New to this update is the ability to run multiple windowed apps simultaneously, complete with a menu bar in a user interface very similar to that of Apple’s full-fledged desktop computers. It even features a traffic light in the upper-left corner of windows, allowing you to minimize or maximize them.

You’re still missing out on a few nice touches, such as compatibility with the full suite of MacBook apps, as well as Terminal and support for some external displays. But if, for example, you plan to primarily work online on a Chromebook or a cheaper Windows laptop, this might be an attractive and familiar solution. Furthermore, Apple processors, even in basic iPads, are much more powerful than Celeron processors.

You can currently buy the 11-inch iPad A16 for $279 on Black Friday, though the official Magic Keyboard Folio will set you back an additional $199 . This makes it one of the cheapest options in this article, but the iPad works with any Bluetooth keyboard, so you might want to consider a cheaper third-party option. Here’s one for $24 , though I haven’t personally tested it.

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It’s also worth noting that iPadOS 26 is compatible not only with the iPad A16, but also with iPad Pro, iPad Air, and iPad mini from several generations ago, so you may already have a device that works with it. Before buying a new, cheaper, and likely less powerful laptop, try using the iPad as a tablet and see if that’s enough. If you’re giving a gift, the Magic Keyboard for an iPad that a relative or friend already owns will likely be more welcome than a typical cheap Windows laptop.

Meanwhile, most Android tablets aren’t as capable in this regard, but they may still suit you, especially if you plan to use the tablet as a Chromebook. In this case, you’ll likely rely on split-screen mode , which allows you to display two apps side by side, though the specifics may vary depending on your device. Using a tablet as an inexpensive laptop is likely a better choice for iPad users, but again, it’s worth experimenting with what you already have before buying a laptop, which will likely be slow and awkward.

Just use your phone.

And finally, the elephant in the room: why are you buying a weak, cheap laptop when you probably already have a phone in your pocket that’s ten times more powerful?

You probably want a larger screen or a laptop-like interface, but I have good news for you. There are ways to use your phone for these purposes without overpaying for a new, inferior device.

The most obvious of these is Samsung DeX , a desktop-like interface built into most Galaxy phones. Simply connect your Galaxy to an external monitor (either via a cable or wirelessly via Miracast) and launch DeX either from the Settings app or from the Quick Settings panel by swiping down.

After that, you’ll see an interface similar to Windows, ChromeOS, or macOS, and you’ll be able to open apps in multiple windows, resize them freely, and move them around. This is very similar to what’s available in iPadOS 26, and since your Galaxy likely has a modern flagship processor and definitely at least 8GB of RAM, it will perform faster than that cheap laptop.

You can also connect wireless or USB-C accessories, such as keyboards and mice, and if you need more than one wired connection, hubs and docks are suitable. This makes it easier to use keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl/Cmd + Enter , which let you quickly return to the home screen if you get lost. However, you don’t need an external keyboard or mouse to use DeX—your phone can also act as a keyboard and trackpad.

This versatility means you might already have a “budget laptop” that’s far more powerful than any cheap one. Compatibility extends back to the S8 , so it’s worth checking your drawers if you’ve ever been a Samsung buyer.

However, if you’re not a Samsung user, you still have a few options. Now that the iPhone supports USB-C, most smartphones support connecting an external monitor, both for mirroring and a wired connection. This may not be as convenient as in iPadOS 26 or DeX, but if you just need to open a browser to access Google Workspace, it’s perfectly adequate. Here are a few ways to connect your iPhone to a monitor or TV , as well as for non-Samsung Android devices .

How long do Black Friday deals actually last?

Black Friday sales officially begin on Friday, November 28, 2025, and will run throughout Cyber Week—the five-day period from Thanksgiving to Cyber Monday, December 1, 2025. However, the dates of Black Friday and Cyber Monday have been shifted as retailers compete for shoppers. You can take advantage of the same Black Friday deals early in the season , and we expect the sale to end by December 3, 2025.

Does Apple have Black Friday?

Yes, Apple is participating in Black Friday deals, but you might want to compare their sales to those of other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart . Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but the best Black Friday Apple deal right now is the MacBook M4 at an all-time low .

Which stores have the biggest discounts on Black Friday?

With both large retailers and small businesses competing for Black Friday shoppers, you can expect sales at virtually every store until Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” discounts depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to be offered by large retailers that can afford lower prices, such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our blog .

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