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Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is over. It was a major sales event that offered deep discounts across a wide range of tech, from smartphones and charging accessories to laptops. When it comes to laptops, newer models tend to grab all the spotlight. However, some of the best-value laptops this year can be found in older models that hold up well years after their release.
Also: Amazon Spring Sale live blog 2026: Real-time updates on the best deals (while they last)
At ZDNET, I’ve tested countless laptops over the years, from cutting-edge models to more midrange devices. Many of the older computers have aged much better than you might expect. They still deliver solid performance and boast solid build quality — all at much lower prices than today’s newest releases. I’ve sorted through the current deals to highlight a handful of older laptops that are worth buying. I recommend these if you’re on a set budget.
Find more Spring Sale deals
The best older laptop deals during Amazon’s Spring Sale
- Current price: $707 (53% off)
- Original price: $1,512
It’s getting harder and harder to find M1 MacBook Pros these days, but they do still pop up during major sales events like the Amazon Spring Sale. I just so happened to find one of these MacBook Pros on sale for $707, a huge 53% price cut off its original price.
When Apple introduced the M1 chip, it was a major leap forward for the series, and it still holds up. The laptop remains fast and highly responsive for multitasking. 16GB of RAM is plenty for work, school, and other daily tasks. The chip is also energy efficient. It won’t be too demanding on its battery, allowing it to last an entire workday and then some.
Review: M1 MacBook Pro
Six other M1 MacBook Pro models are on sale, and this one is the cheapest out of all of them. If you want an extra bit of storage, the 1TB MacBook Pro is currently selling for $759. Act fast because there are only a few left.
- Current price: $1,431 (16% off)
- Original price: $1,700
The Galaxy Book6 series may be out, but I still highly recommend the Galaxy Book5 360, primarily because of its design. Currently, this is the only laptop from Samsung’s catalog that has a 2-in-1 form factor. You can push the OLED touchscreen all the way back to turn it into a tablet of sorts for certain types of creative work. You can purchase a Galaxy S Pen to help with drawing or writing.
Review: Galaxy Book5 360
Like the M1 MacBook Pro, multiple configurations of the Galaxy Book5 360 are on sale. The one I’m recommending is a 15.6-inch model powered by an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor. Other options include a 16-inch laptop with Intel Core Ultra 7 256B chipset retailing for $1,379.
- Current price: $824 (35% off)
- Original price: $1,270
Finally, I’m rounding out the list with the Dell 16 Plus. It is perfect for all-day productivity at the office. Under the hood, it operates on an Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor, 16GB of speedy LPDDR5X RAM, and a 1TB SSD, providing ample room for all your projects. The 16-inch 2.5K display offers ample space for juggling multiple pages and writing documents. Admittedly, it is not the flashiest laptop. It’s not quite as sleek as a MacBook, but it’s a dependable, no-nonsense laptop.
Review: Link to spotlight if we have one
If you want a better-performing laptop, there is another option with an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V processor, 32GB of RAM, and a 2TB SSD. However, it is not on sale. You will have to pay the full $1,333 price tag.
When is Amazon’s Spring Sale?
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale 2026 will run from March 25-31. Last year, the sale ran during the same dates. It’s a multi-day event where the platform rolls out deep discounts on laptops, phones, monitors, smartwatches, headphones, and more.