I’ve been reviewing gaming laptops for more than seven years, and these are the only ones I’d actually buy this Black Friday

Black Friday is the best of times; it is the worst of times. Specifically for finding a gaming laptop, that is – Charles Dickens certainly didn’t foresee how hard it can be to find a good gaming machine amid the Black Friday deals. Luckily, you’ve got a different writer to guide you through these Hard Times: me.

I’ve reviewed dozens of laptops over the years, from super-cheap Chromebooks to powerhouse workstation systems that cost thousands, and this Black Friday, I’m whittling down the enormous list of Black Friday gaming laptop deals into something a little more palatable.

I’m talking about deals like the Asus TUF Gaming A16, reduced to $699.99 (was $1,099.99) at Best Buy, or, if you’re in the UK, the Lenovo LOQ 15, down to £879 (was £1,199) at Currys. These are the sorts of Black Friday deals I have Great Expectations for. Okay, I promise I’ll stop with the Dickens references now – let’s get to the deals!

Today’s best gaming laptop deals in the US

Today’s best gaming laptop deals in the UK

You’ll no doubt have noticed that I’ve included a couple of handheld gaming PCs in this list. Yes, I know they’re not technically gaming laptops, but they warrant inclusion here: the handheld PC revolution is upon us, and we should welcome it, as it provides a neat, more accessible avenue into the wonderful world of PC gaming.

To that end, I’ve highlighted the single best deal for each region: folks in the US should pick up the MSI Claw for $441.15 (was $749) at Amazon, while the best option for shoppers in the UK is the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, down to £399 (was £499) at Amazon.

Whatever you choose, and whether you’re diving into PC gaming for the first time or upgrading from a tired old system, know that you can buy with confidence – TechRadar has your back this Black Friday.

What, were you expecting another Dickens novel down here? Go buy a great gaming laptop and come play Warframe with me instead. Go on, scram.