Best laptop sales in Australia: cheap laptops to buy in May 2021

If you’re looking for a cheap laptop or a deeply discounted premium machine, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve scoured the web for savings and rounded up all the genuine deals in one neat place.

You’ll find we’ve covered everything from budget browsing machines to high-performance powerhouses, so you’ll no doubt find something here to match your needs.

We’ve highlighted a selection of the latest deals that we’ve sniffed out, and if you scroll further down, we've rounded up some of our favourite laptops in a dedicated buying guide.

Best laptop deals this week

Laptops & ultrabooks

Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) | M1 / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD | AU$1,349 (RRP AU$1,499, save AU$150)

It’s not too often we see MacBooks discounted, particularly the latest models. But that’s exactly what’s available, and the MacBook Air (M1, 2020) just so happens to be our favourite laptop in Australia. Under the hood is Apple’s own M1 processor, which has greatly improved both performance and battery life for the laptop. Available from the Apple education store.

Apple MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) | M1 / 8GB RAM / 256GB SSD | AU$1,749 (RRP AU$1,899, save AU$150)

As with the MacBook Air above, the MacBook Pro (M1, 2020) has also had a major update to its internals. The M1 chip delivers exceptional battery life and excellent performance, which exceeds the Intel CPUs that previously ran Apple’s MacBooks. You can now save AU$150 on the machine when you buy from the Apple education store.

Dell XPS 13 | i5 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD | AU$1,501 (RRP AU$1,899, save AU$398)

The Dell XPS 13 is a beautiful piece of kit, and we’d go so far as to say it’s one of the best laptops you can buy. This 2020 model packs Intel’s 11th-gen i5 processor that delivers excellent performance. As for bezels, there’s hardly any to speak of, and despite its power and all-encompassing display, battery life is still great on this laptop. There’s now AU$398 to be saved on this machine, just use the code LOVEKEANU at checkout.

2-in-1s

HP Spectre x360 | i7 / 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD | AU$2,719 (RRP AU$3,399, save AU$680)

This is the 2020 update to HP’s flagship 2-in-1, and it’s more feature rich than ever. You’ll find Intel’s 11th-gen i7 CPU under the hood and 16GB of RAM to boost its performance. That’s packed into a rather slender chassis, and the design is undeniably beautiful. It’s still quite a dear laptop, but this sale knocks 20% off the RRP, saving you AU$680.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook | AU$395 (RRP AU$499, save AU$104)

We rate the cheap and cheerful Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook as one of the best student laptops you can buy in a 2-in-1 form factor. This pint-sized laptop is portable and lightweight, with a screen that measures just 10-inches and a keyboard that can be detached entirely. It’s equipped with 4GB of RAM and a 128GB SSD. Nab this Lenovo Chromebook for just AU$395 from Amazon.

Gaming laptops

Asus ROG Zephyrus S15 | i7 / 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD / RTX 2070 Super | AU$2,599 (RRP AU$3,299, save AU$700)

There’s a huge chunk of change to be saved on this gaming laptop when you buy from Scorptec. It’s equipped with a 10th-gen Intel i7 chip, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. An RTX 2070 Super takes care of the graphics, so you’ll be missing out on Nvidia’s brand-new RTX 3000-series. Still, there’s much to like with its blitzing 300Hz screen refresh rate and its attractive chassis.

[EBAY PLUS EXCLUSIVE]

MSI GF65 Thin | i5 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD / RTX 3060 | AU$1,699 (RRP AU$1,799, save AU$100)

Under the hood of this gaming laptop you’ll find an RTX 3060 Max-Q GPU, which comes from Nvidia’s brand-new (and hard to get) RTX 3000-series. It comes with ray-tracing support, often delivering frame rates up to twice that of a GTX 1650 Ti, which is what you’ll commonly find in laptops around this price point. You’ll need to be an eBay Plus member to be eligible for this deal, then enter the code PLUSDE1 to save AU$100 on the rig from Wireless 1’s eBay store.

HP Omen 15 | i7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD / RTX 2080 | AU$1,999 (RRP AU$3,799, save AU$1,800)

This HP Omen 15 is outfitted with a 9th-gen Core i7 processor, while an RTX 2080 handles the graphics. There’s also 16GB of RAM in its arsenal, plus a 512GB SSD. The laptop is encased inside a slick all-metal chassis with a decent 15-inch Full HD LED display. There’s AU$800 to be saved on this Omen when you buy from Microsoft.

  • Find great bargains and compare Australian prices on the latest tech at Getprice

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The best deals on our favourite laptops

Over the years we've reviewed plenty of laptops, and as a result, we've seen what to avoid and what to jump on when there's savings to be had. We'll keep track of the prices of some of the best we've seen so that you can snatch up a bargain when they do show up. Check out the prices below and see if anything has dropped enough to spark your interest.

Dell XPS 13 2020

(Image credit: Future)

Our favourite overall laptop: Dell XPS 13 (2020)

Dell's latest Ultrabook is simply the best laptop in the world

CPU: 10th generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – 4K (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

Gorgeous design
Excellent battery life
Lackluster audio
Expensive

Saying that we’re very happy with Dell’s XPS 13 is a huge understatement. At first glance, its slim profile and small frame don’t give away the powerful performance and gorgeous 13-inch display inside. Typically, you’d have to weigh up portability and performance, but the XPS 13 has managed to strike a fine balance between the two. Sporting Intel’s latest 10th-generation chips, much-improved battery life and barely-there bezels, the starting price of the newest iteration of the XPS 13 is a tempting proposition. We’re so chuffed with it that it’s still our favourite Ultrabook, and has taken the top spot as the best laptop overall.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 (2020)

(Image credit: Future)

Our favourite gaming laptop: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED

The original designer's laptop gets an OLED upgrade

CPU: Intel Core i7 9750H | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 (8GB GDDR6; MaxQ) | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, 4K (3,840 x 2,160), 60HZ, AMOLED, Gloss | Storage: 512GB SSD

4K HDR OLED screen
RTX GPU and 9th-gen CPU
Sleek with better thermal management
Reasonably priced
Max 60HZ refresh rate
Unfortunate webcam placement

It’s true, the Aero 15 range from Gigabyte is aimed at creatives. However, it’s also an attractive option for gamers – with powerful internals, a brilliant display and a sleek chassis – so we think it’s one of the best-value gaming machines Australians can get their hands on. The 2019 model boasts a 15-inch 4K HDR screen, which is ideal whether you’re looking to buy for high-resolution on-the-go gaming or its intended creative use. Under the hood it’s also got the option of the latest Nvidia RTX series GPUs and 9th-gen Intel Core CPUs.

Read the full review: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED

(Image credit: Future)

Our favourite 2-in-1: Lenovo Yoga C930

A 2-in-1 laptop experience with little to no compromise

CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i7-8550U | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 16GB | Screen: 13.9” UHD (3,840 x 2,160) IPS Glossy Multi-touch with Dolby Vision | Storage: 1 TB PCIe SSD | Connectivity: 802.11 AC (2 x 2) + Bluetooth 4.1 | Camera: 720p HD Camera

Strong build quality
Robust feature set
Excellent battery life
Weak graphics performance

This premium portable 2-in-1 has a lot to love: a strong build, excellent battery life and a robust feature set. It has a 360° hinge, so can easily be converted from a conventional clamshell to a handheld tablet. There’s also the addition of Dolby Atmos speakers, cleverly built into the rotating hinge, so you’ll have superb sound whichever way you use it. The screen too is vibrant, though the graphics performance could leave some wanting. Still, with an 8th-generation chip, it’s a solid all-rounder for the 2-in-1 crowd.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga C930

Acer Aspire 3

(Image credit: Acer)

Our favourite student laptop: Acer Aspire 3 15-inch

A Chromebook for schoolwork, and then some

CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i3-10110U | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080; non-touch) | Storage: 128GB

Great value
Lightweight
Limited to Chrome OS

If you’re looking for a student laptop, chances are you’re shopping on a budget. If that’s the case, our go-to bang-for-buck pick is the Acer Aspire 3 15-inch laptop. It’s a Chromebook, which means it runs on Google’s Chrome OS and is ideal for those with a reliable internet connection who want a laptop to browse the web and complete coursework online. The battery life isn’t the best, but if you don’t mind keeping your charging cable with you during the day, it certainly offers excellent value for money.

MacBook Pro 16-inch

(Image credit: Future)

Our favourite Apple laptop: Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

The best MacBook Pro ever

CPU: 9th-generation Intel Core i7 – i9 | Graphics: AMD Radeon Pro 5300M – Radeon Pro 5500M | RAM: 16GB – 64GB | Screen: 16-inch Retina display with True Tone | Storage: 512GB – 8TB SSD

Stunning 16-inch screen
New and improved keyboard
Expensive
Limited to four Thunderbolt 3 ports

If you’re firmly placed in the Apple ecosystem, or you’re a Windows user thinking about converting, then we think the 2019 version of the MacBook Pro is the best Mac you can buy. It has a generous 16-inch display, and while that may spell a bulky laptop for other brands on the market, Apple remains true to form with this svelte machine. It’s got the latest and greatest components under the hood, rounded out with high-quality speakers and a much better keyboard than older models.

Read the full review: Apple MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)

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If you're after some more further info on the best laptops, check out some of our other dedicated articles:

Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop. 



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