Black Friday is often seen as a consumer shopping event, but it is also a window for small and medium-sized businesses to refresh laptops. A Tom's Hardware guide notes that business refresh cycles have shortened to an average of four years in 2025, making upgrade timing more frequent. The same article warns that the cheapest models are rarely the best long-term value, citing Microsoft research in which 24% of IT decision-makers said low-cost hardware eventually raised expenses through breakdowns and inefficiencies.
Before buying, the article advises SMBs to weigh performance needs, battery life, security features, port selection, display quality, and wireless or cellular connectivity. It highlights Dell's Pro 3 and Pro 5 laptops as options that cover these bases: the Pro 3 for everyday workloads like email and office apps, and the Pro 5 for video editing, 3D design, or heavy multitasking. Both lines offer Intel Core Ultra and AMD Ryzen AI PRO processor options, while the Pro 5 adds expandable LPCAMM2 memory up to 64GB, OLED display choices, privacy panels, and battery life that can exceed 22 hours for mixed use.
Because this article draws on a single source, there are no differing viewpoints to reconcile. The practical takeaway is that SMBs should define their workload and mobility requirements before chasing Black Friday discounts, rather than letting price alone drive the decision.