If you're searching for a new laptop that won't break the bank, we've got you covered with our top picks of what's on offer this month. Whether you're after a high-performance machine, a versatile laptop/tablet hybrid, or just want a second device for the home, we're here to make your buying decision that little bit easier. Every week we trawl through the vast list of retailers to bring you the best deals going on right now.
When making your buying decision, it's always a great idea to list which features are the most important to you when buying a new laptop, and which you're not too fussed about. Do you want top-of-the-range specs for speedy performance or do you just want something portable to use on your travels? There are plenty of devices to cater for pretty much any taste – just try to steer clear of certain pitfalls. What might seem like a bargain on paper for a particular device, might not actually be more expensive compared to a similarly specced machine.
Just like spending money on anything from your weekly shop to birthday presents, it's in your best interests to shop around first. If you need help with a buying decision, make sure to check out our list of the best laptops of 2016 and buying guide for more tips.
Looking for something running Chrome OS? Check out our rundown of the best Chromebook deals this month.
Best August 2016 laptop deals
1. HP 15-af165sa
Sale price: £300
You may have seen this advertised on TV recently, as PC World are currently in full back-to-school mode, with some really cheap laptops on sale. The HP 15 is a great choice for kids, with a 1TB hard drive for plenty of music and video storage, and a decent seven-hour battery life too.
Buy the HP15-af165sa now from PC World
2. Lenovo Ideapad 500
Sale price: £550
For a laptop with these specifications, this is fantastic value. For £550, you get a sixth- generation i5 processor clocked at 2.3GHz, with a speedy 12GB of RAM and a Full HD display. Sure, it’s not quite as cheap as some of the other devices on this list, but what you’re getting here is a well-specced machine that should last you a fair while.
Buy the Lenovo Ideapad 500 now from John Lewis
3. Asus X540LA-XX234T
Sale price: £350
This 15.6in notebook features a 2.2GHz fifth-generation i5 processor, with 4GB of RAM and 1TB of hard drive storage. What you’re getting here is a sleek and lightweight device that doesn’t break the bank. Sure, the display isn’t Full HD, but that’s really not something to be barked at.
4. Dell XPS 13
Sale price: £800
The Dell XPS 13 is still one of the best general-purpose laptops you can buy right now. Sure, it’s a little pricey, but you get a gorgeous 3,200 x 1,800, 13.3in InfinityEdge screen and trust us, once you use this, all other displays are quite inferior. It’s also backed up with the latest Intel Skylake processor, 8GB of RAM and 128GB of SSD storage.
5. Dell Inspiron 15 3000 series
Sale price: £200
Another great Dell product, even if it’s on the cheaper end of the spectrum. For just £299, you get a 2GHz i3 processor with 6GB of RAM and a huge 1TB hard drive. Sure, its display isn’t quite as lovely as the Dell XPS 13, but at just a fraction of the price, you really can’t do wrong here.
Buy the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 now from Dell
6. Asus Zenbook UX305CA
Sale price: £535
We loved the UX305CA when we reviewed it earlier in the year, and now it’s marginally cheaper than when we first got our hands on it, it’s definitely a steal. The Zenbook comes highly recommended from us, with its high-resolution screen and excellent build quality. Check out our full Asus Zenbook UX305CA review for more details.
7. HP Pavilion x2
Sale price: £190
If you’re after a laptop/tablet hybrid device that doesn’t break the bank, the HP Pavilion x2 is now at its lowest ever price. For less than £200, you get a 1.44GHz processor, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of flash storage. Obviously, it's not the fastest device around, but at this price, it should serve as a great secondary device for when you’re out and about. Read our full HP Pavilion x2 review to find out more details.
Still haven't found what you're looking for? Check out our guide to the best laptops of 2016 for an in-depth look at all of the best laptops you can buy this year.