These days, Black Friday deals on gaming laptops start to pop up way before the big shopping weekend even arrives. With so many options out there, you might be wondering how to find the very best prices on the perfect laptop for gaming. The fact is that not all Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales are truly good deals — you need to know where to look.

Here's how to figure out which computer is the best fit for your needs and budget, and how to find it. We even consider refurbished laptop deals that you can shop not just on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but all throughout the rest of the year, too!

When do Black Friday 2023 laptop deals start?

Black Friday 2023 is set for November 24 — the day after Thanksgiving — but you can anticipate sales on laptops starting well before then. According to research reported by NBC News, major retailers typically launch sales weeks or months earlier. Many of these sales are online, however, and the in-store discounts pop up closer to Black Friday itself.

The lesson here is that you can land a solid deal without fighting the Black Friday chaos, simply by shopping online ahead of time. You could check your preferred retailers’ online stores for discounts on new products — but don’t forget to check the refurbished market for even deeper discounts on like-new laptops as well.

Is Black Friday a good time to buy a gaming laptop?

The week of Black Friday and Cyber Monday is undoubtedly a popular time to scout deals on gaming laptops and other electronics. However, the advertising hype can often overshadow the true value of the deal. While big-box stores heavily promote brand-new products, they might not always offer the lowest possible prices. Market research suggests that the same and better discounts often come before Black Friday.

That’s why, if you really want a gaming laptop, there’s no reason to wait until Black Friday arrives. You can check for online discounts right now, and you’re likely to find the very best prices by looking at refurbished laptops, which are restored and certified to work like new. When looking for gaming laptops around Black Friday, savvy shoppers often find that refurbished models from trusted sellers perform just as well as new machines. Plus, refurbished laptops offer superior savings over new devices.

Where will the best Black Friday gaming laptop deals be?

It can be daunting to sift through the multitude of Black Friday sales. Knowing where to start looking can make your job a lot easier. Here is a roundup of the best places to mark on your holiday shopping map:

• Major online retailers: Websites like Amazon, Best Buy, and Newegg often lead the charge to Black Friday with early deals on electronics, including gaming laptops. Due to their large inventories and competitive pricing, they frequently roll out significant discounts to entice eager shoppers.

• Official brand websites: Although most shopping happens through retailers, you shouldn’t overlook manufacturers’ online stores. Gaming laptop makers like HP, Asus, and Lenovo may have exclusive deals or bundle offers on new products that aren’t available elsewhere.

• Refurbished laptop sellers: If you like the idea of a pre-owned computer for an unbeatable price, look no further than a trusted refurbished seller like Back Market. We offer top-tier gaming laptops that undergo rigorous testing and certification to make sure they work like new.

• Local brick-and-mortar stores: Online shopping reigns supreme for finding deals. But you should never dismiss your local retail stores. Brick-and-mortar stores might wait until Black Friday itself to start their sales, but they offer the advantage of leaving the store with your new laptop in hand.

Remember, while hunting for the best deal can be exhilarating, you should make sure to buy only from reputable sources. Take precautions like reading reviews, verifying warranties, and prioritizing quality when shopping for gaming laptops.

What should I look for in a Black Friday gaming laptop deal?

The flashy Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales can make it seem like you’re getting a better deal on a laptop than you really are. To avoid any buyer’s remorse, make sure that the gaming laptop has all the features you want and the specifications to deliver on performance for your favorite games. In particular, consider features like:

• Processor: For gaming performance, the laptop should house a recent-gen processor that can handle high-speed multitasking. Examples are Intel’s Core i7 or i9, or AMD’s Ryzen 7 to 9.

• Graphics Card: A high-quality graphics processing unit (GPU) is important for most PC games. Laptops equipped with a dedicated GPU like NVIDIA’s RTX series or AMD’s Radeon series will ensure smooth gameplay and high-res visuals.

• RAM: A laptop’s random access memory (RAM) capacity is important for running all types of applications, and games in particular. A minimum of 16GB RAM is recommended for smooth gameplay and multitasking.

• Storage: For saving lots of data and still running at top speeds, you will need to have plenty of storage on your laptop. Look for models with a solid state drive (SSD) of 512GB or more.

• Display: A refresh rate of 120Hz or more and a resolution of Full HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) or better will be sufficient for most laptop gaming.

Another tip is to carefully check the warranty and return or exchange policy before you pull the trigger on a gaming laptop purchase. Checking warranty and return policies is especially important if you’re buying used. At Back Market, all our laptops come with one-year warranties and 30-day returns, so you can be sure you’re getting the best value for your money.

What’s the best gaming laptop to buy on a budget?

Gaming laptops can be expensive, but there are some good budget-friendly options if you know what to look for. If you buy refurbished, you can even get some of the higher-end features that would otherwise cost top dollar. Here are a few of the best gaming laptops with a low price tag:

• Acer gaming laptops: The Acer Nitro 5 in particular is a great budget gaming laptop, especially for beginners.

• Lenovo gaming laptops: Lenovo makes a range of laptops from basic to high-end. Gamers can find the sweet spot of performance and price in the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro when buying refurbished.

• Asus gaming laptops: Made with superior components but carrying a budget-friendly price tag, the Asus Rog Zephyrus is a great choice for the average gamer.

• HP gaming laptops: Some of the most budget-friendly laptops come from HP. Many gamers can find the performance and reliability they’re looking for in the HP OMEN series.

• MSI gaming laptops: The MSI GS66 Stealth delivers long battery life and strong performance, all for a lower price tag than many other top-tier gaming laptops on the market.

• Dell Alienware laptops: Alienware is popular with gamers who want powerful performance. These computers are not cheap, but you can get high-end features on a budget by buying a refurbished Alienware laptop.

This is a good starting list of gaming laptops on a budget, but level up your game with our best gaming laptops of 2024.

Gaming laptops from all of these manufacturers are available for ultra-low prices as refurbished models from Back Market. At Back Market, we only work with trusted sellers who are experts at repairing and testing computers to make sure every device is 100% functional. Not only that, but you can shop our deals on refurbished gaming laptops year round, so there’s no pressure to buy on Black Friday — our sales last all year long.