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Article updated on December 25, 2020 at 4:00 AM PST

Best laptops and desktops to give as holiday gifts for 2020

Make someone's work, school or gaming life a little brighter for 2021.

Our Experts

Written by 
Lori Grunin
Joshua Goldman
Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement
Lori Grunin Senior Editor / Advice
I've been reviewing hardware and software, devising testing methodology and handed out buying advice for what seems like forever; I'm currently absorbed by computers and gaming hardware, but previously spent many years concentrating on cameras. I've also volunteered with a cat rescue for over 15 years doing adoptions, designing marketing materials, managing volunteers and, of course, photographing cats.
Expertise Photography, PCs and laptops, gaming and gaming accessories
Joshua Goldman Managing Editor / Advice
Managing Editor Josh Goldman is a laptop expert and has been writing about and reviewing them since built-in Wi-Fi was an optional feature. He also covers almost anything connected to a PC, including keyboards, mice, USB-C docks and PC gaming accessories. In addition, he writes about cameras, including action cams and drones. And while he doesn't consider himself a gamer, he spends entirely too much time playing them.
Expertise Laptops, desktops and computer and PC gaming accessories including keyboards, mice and controllers, cameras, action cameras and drones Credentials
  • More than two decades experience writing about PCs and accessories, and 15 years writing about cameras of all kinds.
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Our Picks

$1,000 at Walmart
lenovo-duet-thumb-0033
A classy Chromebook for cheap
Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
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$615 at Amazon
08-macbook-air-2019
An inexpensive Apple
Apple MacBook Air
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$1,300 at Best Buy
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A big Apple for the work-or-learn-at-home set
Apple iMac
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With so many people working from home or remote learning, this is a good year to give the incredibly thoughtful gift of upgrading a loved one's slow or clunky old system. Our picks for the best laptops and desktops to buy for the holidays include brands like Apple, Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer and more.

Giving someone a computer gift can be challenging unless you know how they're most likely to use it. For example, a student who is using their device for word processing or streaming has way different needs and expectations than a PC gamer. Our recommendations take many different computer uses into account, and is designed to help make your decision easier.

Watch this: The best laptops you can get in 2020

We'll be back regularly with updated recommendations for this gift guide, so check back. If you can't wait, you can see all of CNET's laptop reviews and pick your own.

$1,050 at Walmart

A classy Chromebook for cheap

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook

This is a 10-inch tablet running Chrome OS that's bundled with a detachable keyboard and touchpad starting at less than $300. It's a little small, but that makes it a great gift option for young kids.

Editors' choice
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Great gaming under $1,000

Dell G5 15

Dell's G-series gaming laptops are cheaper than those from its Alienware division, but still capable of playing the latest AAA titles. There are three separate models that could make the perfect gift for the gamer in your life -- the G3, G5 and G7 -- available in 15- and 17-inch sizes. The midrange G5 15 hits the mark with an excellent price-to-performance ratio, build quality and design. The newest versions start at $910, including a special-edition model with AMD's impressive Ryzen 5 4600H processor.

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A bigger screen that won't break the bank

HP Envy 17

For someone on your shopping list who's feeling cramped working or schooling on a small laptop, the HP Envy 17 is a premium-feeling 17-inch laptop that's faster than a bargain model but not insanely expensive, either.

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A 13-inch convertible for the workhorse

HP Spectre x360 13 (late 2019)

HP's small two-in-one brings all the convenience of the convertible design without sacrificing usability. For your favorite workaholic, it has an instant mic mute button, which joins other privacy and security features like an IR camera, a fingerprint reader and a switch to disable its webcam. Plus, it's available with 4G LTE wireless to let them work anywhere.

Editors' choice
$615 at Amazon

An inexpensive Apple

Apple MacBook Air

This is our go-to recommendation for those in search of a MacOS laptop for everyday basic use. Apple dropped the entry price back down to $1,000, making its most affordable laptop a lot less painful on your wallet -- for Apple. But it remains one of the best laptops available for battery life, performance and design. Keep in mind that Apple just released versions of the Air which incorporate its own M1 processor rather than Intel chips. We found their performance pretty impressive, but there are still software issues, so tread carefully before buying.


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A MacBook Air for the Windows set

Lenovo Yoga C740

Regularly available for less than $750, this thin, three-pound convertible is a solid choice for a gift recipient who needs a laptop for office or a student who needs one for schoolwork. The all-metal chassis gives it a premium look and feel, and it has a comfortable keyboard and responsive, smooth precision touchpad. Plus, it has a long battery life to boot.

$1,300 at Best Buy

A big Apple for the work-or-learn-at-home set

Apple iMac

With an improved webcam over previous models, this veteran favorite desktop becomes better suited to our new remote realities of 2020. And you know there's probably at least one Mac-lover on your gift list who's in need of an upgrade.

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An all-in-one desktop that really does do it all

HP Envy 32 all-in-one

If you're searching for a great PC gift for someone who needs (or wants) a desktop capable of a little bit of everything, the Envy 32 sports a smart, compact design with all its space devoted to a big, bright 4K screen and delivers better-than-average power for photo or video editing, a speaker system decent enough for basic audio editing and entertainment.

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A small gaming desktop that doesn't lack for power

MSI MEG Trident X

One of my favorite desktops, the Trident X is fast, fits on an overcrowded desk and has pretty lights with fans that are seen but not heard. Even the base configuration has sufficient power to spiral downward in Flight Simulator at 1440p and play the much slower-moving Deliver Us the Moon in 4K HDR. It's not a cheap gift, but neither is it overly expensive for the power it offers; the Corsair One models that I love are even pricier, unless you opt for a lesser configuration. 

The Trident 3 is a similar design that comes in a budget-friendlier sub-$1,000 configuration that's more suited to 1080p gaming, but would still be a great option for a newbie.