Best Laptops and Tablets to Give as Holiday Gifts for 2023 – CNET
Best Laptops and Tablets to Give as Holiday Gifts for 2023 - CNET
Giving a laptop or tablet as a gift can be tricky unless you know how the recipient will use it — everyone has different needs. Our recommendations for the best laptops and tablets to give as holiday gifts take many different laptop users and budgets into account.
The holidays are the best time of year to score a great deal on a new computer, too (something to keep in mind if you’re the gift giver and recipient. Most if not all of these laptops and tablets will be discounted through the holiday shopping season. The prices listed below are the best current prices we’ve found right now. But deals come and go, so we’ll continue to update this list with sale prices as we spot them. If you need more options than those listed below, check out our full best laptops of 2023 list, where you’ll also find links to our top picks across all categories of laptops.
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The newer M2 MacBook Air has advantages over its older M1 Air sibling: a larger display (13.6 inches versus the previous 13.3 inches), a faster M2 chip and an upgraded higher-res webcam. However, the entry-level M1 MacBook Air remains our top choice for gift-giving because its performance is good enough for everyday school and home office use, and it’s more affordable. It regularly gets discounted, too.
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Apple MacBook Air M1
- Big boost to battery life
- Performance in benchmark tests shows the M1 Air easily outperforming Intel versions
- Fanless design runs cool and quiet
- No external design or feature changes
- App compatibility is an issue for early adopters
- No mobile broadband options, 5G or otherwise
The newer M2 MacBook Air has advantages over its older M1 Air sibling: a larger display (13.6 inches versus the previous 13.3 inches), a faster M2 chip and an upgraded higher-res webcam. However, the entry-level M1 MacBook Air remains our top choice for gift-giving because its performance is good enough for everyday school and home office use, and it’s more affordable. It regularly gets discounted, too.
Apple MacBook Air M1
- Big boost to battery life
- Performance in benchmark tests shows the M1 Air easily outperforming Intel versions
- Fanless design runs cool and quiet
- No external design or feature changes
- App compatibility is an issue for early adopters
- No mobile broadband options, 5G or otherwise
The newer M2 MacBook Air has advantages over its older M1 Air sibling: a larger display (13.6 inches versus the previous 13.3 inches), a faster M2 chip and an upgraded higher-res webcam. However, the entry-level M1 MacBook Air remains our top choice for gift-giving because its performance is good enough for everyday school and home office use, and it’s more affordable. It regularly gets discounted, too.
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HP packed a lot of value into the Aero 13: Eye-pleasing magnesium-aluminum chassis, strong processing performance, long battery life, a bright, colorful display and a weight of around 2 pounds (0.91 kilograms). Amazingly, with all that it offers though, it has an affordable starting price.
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HP Pavilion Aero 13
HP packed a lot of value into the Aero 13: Eye-pleasing magnesium-aluminum chassis, strong processing performance, long battery life, a bright, colorful display and a weight of around 2 pounds (0.91 kilograms). Amazingly, with all that it offers though, it has an affordable starting price.
HP Pavilion Aero 13
HP packed a lot of value into the Aero 13: Eye-pleasing magnesium-aluminum chassis, strong processing performance, long battery life, a bright, colorful display and a weight of around 2 pounds (0.91 kilograms). Amazingly, with all that it offers though, it has an affordable starting price.
<div id="9653733c-a167-4be3-ad9b-6692eda9095e" section="cap" data-id="listicle-9653733c-a167-4be3-ad9b-6692eda9095e" data-cy="bestListProductListing" edition="us" description="
Dell’s G15 has been a favorite budget gaming laptop for the past few years, along with the HP Victus line. It was joined this year by a 16-inch version, the G16. We tested both and were impressed with what each offers.
If you’re looking for a gaming laptop bargain, the G15 is the way to go. But if you can afford to spend a couple hundred dollars more, the G16 is a better bet for longevity. Either way, you’ll get a good gaming laptop for the money, but we strongly recommend waiting for a sale.
Dell G15 and G16 Gaming Laptop review
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” overridecredit=”Dan Ackerman/CNET” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__9653733c-a167-4be3-ad9b-6692eda9095e” index=”3″ imagecredit=”Dan Ackerman/CNET” tagslugs=”acer,dell,hp,lenovo,apple” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” isbestlistredesign=”true” filtershortcodetypes=”” totalfilteritems=”0″ pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” tocheadlineitem=”[object Object]” buttoncolor=”” buttoncolorsection=”” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
Dell G15 Gaming Laptop
Dell’s G15 has been a favorite budget gaming laptop for the past few years, along with the HP Victus line. It was joined this year by a 16-inch version, the G16. We tested both and were impressed with what each offers.
If you’re looking for a gaming laptop bargain, the G15 is the way to go. But if you can afford to spend a couple hundred dollars more, the G16 is a better bet for longevity. Either way, you’ll get a good gaming laptop for the money, but we strongly recommend waiting for a sale.
Dell G15 Gaming Laptop
Dell’s G15 has been a favorite budget gaming laptop for the past few years, along with the HP Victus line. It was joined this year by a 16-inch version, the G16. We tested both and were impressed with what each offers.
If you’re looking for a gaming laptop bargain, the G15 is the way to go. But if you can afford to spend a couple hundred dollars more, the G16 is a better bet for longevity. Either way, you’ll get a good gaming laptop for the money, but we strongly recommend waiting for a sale.
<div id="0f31736a-195e-4df9-b3d6-af11e8fa5e10" section="cap" data-id="listicle-0f31736a-195e-4df9-b3d6-af11e8fa5e10" data-techprodid="9e14acee-8d75-479a-8763-c463041743e5" data-cy="bestListProductListing" edition="us" description="
Despite not being the latest and greatest iPad, the ninth-gen entry-level iPad is still our pick for gifting, and not just because it’s the least expensive. It improved a lot over its predecessor, doubling the base storage to 64GB, adding a faster A13 chip and better cameras (most importantly, a wider-angle higher-res front-facing Center Stage camera that tracks your face via digital pan and zoom). It still uses the first-gen Apple Pencil, which is fine for the money, and it’s still compatible with a range of keyboard cases.
” imagegroup=”{"alt":"iPad Mini and 9th Gen iPad","caption":"
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” overridecredit=”Scott Stein/CNET” linktext=”Read our Apple iPad 2021 review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/apple-ipad-9th-gen-review-the-safest-ipad-bet-makes-more-sense-than-ever/” techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"e7a47882-c918-433e-a47b-f99b3443d661","slug":"apple-ipad-2021","name":"Apple iPad (2021)","productType":"SERIES","updateType":"EZMONEY","mod":1695844705657,"displayDate":"Wed Sep 27 2023 12:58:25 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)"}” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__0f31736a-195e-4df9-b3d6-af11e8fa5e10″ index=”4″ imagecredit=”Scott Stein/CNET” tagslugs=”acer,dell,hp,lenovo,apple” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” isbestlistredesign=”true” filtershortcodetypes=”” totalfilteritems=”0″ pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” tocheadlineitem=”[object Object]” buttoncolor=”” buttoncolorsection=”” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
Apple iPad (10.2-inch, 9th Gen)
Despite not being the latest and greatest iPad, the ninth-gen entry-level iPad is still our pick for gifting, and not just because it’s the least expensive. It improved a lot over its predecessor, doubling the base storage to 64GB, adding a faster A13 chip and better cameras (most importantly, a wider-angle higher-res front-facing Center Stage camera that tracks your face via digital pan and zoom). It still uses the first-gen Apple Pencil, which is fine for the money, and it’s still compatible with a range of keyboard cases.
Apple iPad (10.2-inch, 9th Gen)
Despite not being the latest and greatest iPad, the ninth-gen entry-level iPad is still our pick for gifting, and not just because it’s the least expensive. It improved a lot over its predecessor, doubling the base storage to 64GB, adding a faster A13 chip and better cameras (most importantly, a wider-angle higher-res front-facing Center Stage camera that tracks your face via digital pan and zoom). It still uses the first-gen Apple Pencil, which is fine for the money, and it’s still compatible with a range of keyboard cases.
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The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is an awesome little 11-inch ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. Its small size and performance aren’t ideal for full-time use. But the Chromebook Duet 3 is a good pick if you’re looking for an affordable ultraportable device to get some work done on the go, sketch or jot down notes in class or do simple stuff like email, web browsing, mobile or cloud gaming, reading and streaming video.
” imagegroup=”{"alt":"Lenovo Duet with a colorful splash image onscreen","caption":"
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” overridecredit=”Dan Ackerman/CNET” linktext=”Read our Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 review” linkurl=”https://www.cnet.com/tech/computing/lenovo-duet-3-review-more-than-i-expected-from-a-budget-laptop/” techobjectinfo=”{"uuid":"1e35c1f9-3eaa-4ff6-82f1-7e565e417c09","slug":"lenovo-ideapad-duet-3-chromebook-11-0-2000×1200-touch-2-in-1-tablet-snapdragon-7cg2-4g-ram-128g-emmc-with-keyboard-misty","name":""Lenovo – IdeaPad Duet 3 Chromebook – 11.0"" (2000×1200) Touch 2-in-1 Tablet – Snapdragon 7cG2 – 4G RAM – 128G eMMC – with Keyboard – Misty Blue"","productType":"PRODUCT","updateType":"EZMONEY","mod":1695759905026,"displayDate":"Tue Sep 26 2023 13:25:05 GMT-0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)"}” usepricing=”true” data-key=”cnetlisticle__ae646bcf-16c7-4b9e-8e66-d6cd435fb883″ index=”5″ imagecredit=”Dan Ackerman/CNET” tagslugs=”acer,dell,hp,lenovo,apple” contenttype=”Best List – Precap” isbestlistredesign=”true” filtershortcodetypes=”” totalfilteritems=”0″ pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” tocheadlineitem=”[object Object]” buttoncolor=”” buttoncolorsection=”” class=”c-bestListProductListing”>
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is an awesome little 11-inch ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. Its small size and performance aren’t ideal for full-time use. But the Chromebook Duet 3 is a good pick if you’re looking for an affordable ultraportable device to get some work done on the go, sketch or jot down notes in class or do simple stuff like email, web browsing, mobile or cloud gaming, reading and streaming video.
Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is an awesome little 11-inch ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. Its small size and performance aren’t ideal for full-time use. But the Chromebook Duet 3 is a good pick if you’re looking for an affordable ultraportable device to get some work done on the go, sketch or jot down notes in class or do simple stuff like email, web browsing, mobile or cloud gaming, reading and streaming video.
