Black Friday falls on Friday 27 November this year, and laptops are always among the most heavily discounted items. That’s good news if you’ve been putting off replacing an old machine. But we also see the other side: the “bargain” laptop that’s painfully slow out of the box, runs out of storage within months, or turns out to be old stock. So here are the checks we’d make before buying, from the people who end up fixing them.
1. Make sure it has an SSD, not a hard drive or eMMC
Storage type makes the biggest difference to how fast a laptop feels. Look for an SSD (sometimes listed as “NVMe” or “PCIe”). Avoid old-style hard drives (HDD), and be wary of cheap laptops with eMMC storage. That’s a slow, small chip that often can’t be upgraded, and Windows updates alone can fill it.
- 256GB SSD: fine for browsing, email and documents
- 512GB SSD or more: if you keep lots of photos or videos, or install small games
2. 8GB of memory is the minimum, 16GB is better
Memory (RAM) is what lets you keep several things open at once. 8GB is the minimum we’d recommend in 2026 for everyday use. If you multitask, edit photos, work from home or keep 30 browser tabs open, go for 16GB. Many thin laptops have memory soldered in, so you can’t add more later. Buy what you’ll need for the next five years.
3. Check it’s a current model, not old stock
Some of the biggest “discounts” are on older models retailers want to clear. They’re not always bad buys, but check the processor generation and release year, and make sure the laptop comes with Windows 11 (or is a current Mac or Chromebook with years of updates ahead). Steer clear of anything sold with Windows 10.
4. Don’t overlook the screen and the battery
- Screen: look for at least Full HD (1920×1080). Cheaper laptops still sell 1366×768 screens, which look fuzzy.
- Battery: take manufacturers’ battery-life claims with a pinch of salt. Independent reviews give a more realistic figure.
- Ports: check it has what you use, such as USB-A for older memory sticks and printers, and an HDMI port if you connect a TV or monitor.
5. Watch out for fake deals and copycat websites
Every Black Friday brings a wave of fake shops, too-good-to-be-true adverts on social media, and “your order is on hold” emails. Buy from retailers you know, type their web address yourself instead of clicking links in emails or ads, and be suspicious of brand-new websites with prices far below everyone else.
6. Pay in a way that protects you
Paying by credit card for purchases between £100 and £30,000 gives you extra protection under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act if something goes wrong. When you buy online from a UK retailer, you also normally have 14 days to change your mind and return it. Keep the box and receipt until you’re sure it’s right.
7. Plan how you’ll move everything across
The laptop is the easy part. The hard part is getting your photos, documents, emails, passwords and printer working on the new one and making sure nothing is left on the old machine before you sell it or pass it on. Plan this before the new laptop arrives, not on Christmas morning.
Is it worth repairing your old laptop instead?
Sometimes, yes. A slow laptop with an old hard drive can often be made to feel new with an SSD upgrade for a fraction of the price of a replacement, and a tired battery can usually be swapped. If you’re not sure, ask us before you buy. We’ll give you an honest answer, even if that answer is “don’t buy a new one yet”.
Bought one? We’ll set it up for you
Our new laptop setup service takes care of the boring bit: Windows updates, accounts and email, removing pre-installed junk, connecting your printer and Wi-Fi, and moving all your files and photos across from your old machine. We’ll securely wipe the old one too. Free local collection and delivery across Newton Aycliffe, Darlington, Durham, Shildon, Bishop Auckland, Crook and Yarm. December gets busy, so book early.
Not sure if a deal is actually good? Send us the link and we’ll tell you honestly what we think.