You’ll find more laptop recommendations in our Best Laptops and Best Cheap Laptops guides.
MacBook Air (Early 2020) for $869 ($130 off)
Specs: Intel Core i3 CPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
This is the previous model Air, released in the spring of 2020, meaning it uses an Intel processor instead of Apple silicon. It’s an excellent machine, but if you have the extra money, we recommend the new Air with the M1 chip as it’s more powerful, has longer battery life, and is silent. You’ll also get longer support from Apple going forward.
MacBook Pro 16-Inch for $2,199 ($200 off)
Specs: Intel Core i7 CPU, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
This deal is for Apple’s 16-inch MacBook Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends), which packs a good bit of power in a thin and sleek machine. The two main downsides are price and battery life.
Surface Pro 7
Photograph: MicrosoftSurface Pro 7 With Type Cover for $800 ($350 off)
Specs: Intel Core i5 CPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD
The Surface Pro 7 is one of our favorite laptop-tablet hybrids (8/10, WIRED Recommends). There are cheaper Surfaces, but this is a good price on the best hybrid model. It comes with a keyboard and sleeve. Be sure to grab the pen if you want to use tablet mode for notes or drawing.
Surface Laptop Go for $800 ($100 off)
Specs: Intel Core i5 CPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
The new Surface Laptop Go is a great little machine. The screen isn’t the best, but if you can live with it, it’s one of the most portable, dare I say fun, laptops I’ve tried this year.
Lenovo Yoga C740 for $630 ($170 off)
Specs: Intel Core i5 CPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD
The Lenovo Yoga C740 does a good job of straddling the line between work machine and home machine, making it ideal for these times. The 2-in-1 design allows for laptop use during the day, entertainment center in the evening.
Lenovo Thinkpad X13 for $626 ($512 off)
Lenovo Store (Enter THINKCMSALE at Checkout)
Specs: AMD Ryzen 5 CPU, 8 GB RAM, 128 GB SSD
This X13 features AMD Ryzen chips. The base model uses a Ryzen 3, but the deal we have in mind is the Ryzen 5. Click the “customize” button to add the Ryzen 5 and upgrade the screen to the HD (1080p) IPS display. That brings the total to $725. Still a good deal on a much nicer machine. For an extra $150 you can double the RAM to 16 gigabytes, which is well worth it since the X13’s RAM is soldered on, and not user-upgradable.
