Key takeaways
- Pro: Memorial Day discounts sharpen the value of already-affordable laptops.
- Pro: Lightweight, portable designs ideal for students and commuters.
- Pro: Features like backlit keyboards, fingerprint readers, and Wi-Fi 6 appear even on budget models.
- Pro: Microsoft 365 and Office bundles add everyday value.
- Con: Entry models with 4GB of RAM struggle with any multitasking.
- Con: None are suited to gaming or demanding creative work.
What's inside
Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer and, conveniently, one of the year’s better opportunities to grab an affordable laptop at a discount. Retailers use the long weekend to clear inventory ahead of the back-to-school rush, which means everyday laptops that are already sensibly priced often dip into bargain territory. The trick is knowing which sale machines actually deliver and which are simply cheap.
We looked at the kind of laptops that typically anchor Memorial Day sales, mostly budget-friendly HP and Dell models with a couple of value alternatives, to help you shop smart. Here is our breakdown of what these machines offer.
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Watch: Memorial Day Sale Laptop: Review & Buyer’s Guide — Video Review
Design & Build
This group is defined by lightweight, portable, no-frills designs. The HP 15.6-inch FHD laptop weighs just over three and a half pounds and includes a handy 5-in-1 hub, while the Dell 15.6-inch models keep things clean with anti-glare IPS panels. Budget entries like the NIMO 15.6-inch and jumper 15.6-inch prioritize features such as backlit keyboards, fingerprint readers, and expandable storage over premium materials. The HP Stream 14-inch rounds out the field as an ultra-compact, cloud-focused option.
Performance
Performance tracks price closely here. The NIMO 15.6-inch with a Ryzen 5 and 16GB of RAM and the HP models with modern Intel processors and 8 to 16GB of RAM handle browsing, streaming, office work, and Microsoft 365 comfortably. The Dell Core 3 and Core i5 configurations are solid everyday performers with fast SSDs and Wi-Fi 6. The HP Stream with a Celeron and 4GB of RAM, along with the most basic jumper trim, are strictly for light, single-task use.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: Memorial Day discounts sharpen the value of already-affordable laptops.
- Pro: Lightweight, portable designs ideal for students and commuters.
- Pro: Features like backlit keyboards, fingerprint readers, and Wi-Fi 6 appear even on budget models.
- Pro: Microsoft 365 and Office bundles add everyday value.
- Con: Entry models with 4GB of RAM struggle with any multitasking.
- Con: None are suited to gaming or demanding creative work.
Alternatives to Consider
If your budget allows a small stretch, a laptop with a Ryzen 5 or Core i5 and 16GB of RAM, like the NIMO model here, will feel noticeably faster and stay useful longer. Buyers who mainly live in a browser should consider a Chromebook for its speed and battery life at low cost. And anyone needing even light gaming should look toward an entry laptop with dedicated graphics rather than these integrated-GPU machines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Memorial Day laptop deals worth waiting for?
Yes, if you need a budget everyday laptop. Discounts are solid, though enthusiasts chasing premium or gaming machines may find better savings on Black Friday.
How much RAM is enough for a budget laptop?
Target 8GB minimum for comfortable everyday use, and prefer 16GB if you multitask. Treat 4GB models as basic single-task devices.
Is a fingerprint reader useful on a cheap laptop?
It is a genuine convenience, speeding up secure sign-in. Finding one on a budget model is a nice bonus rather than a necessity.
Can these laptops handle video calls and streaming?
The 8GB and 16GB models handle video calls, streaming, and office work well. The 4GB Stream is better suited to one task at a time.
Verdict
The best Memorial Day value in this group is the NIMO 15.6-inch with a Ryzen 5 and 16GB of RAM, which offers real multitasking headroom at a sale price. The HP 15.6-inch FHD with its bundled hub is a strong portable pick, while the ultra-cheap HP Stream makes sense only as a light, cloud-first secondary machine.
