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Measles cases reach highest point since the disease was eliminated in U.S. in 2000
Measles cases in the United States are the highest they’ve been since the country eliminated the disease in 2000. The U.S. has reported 1,277 cases since the start of the year, according to NBC News’ tally of state health department data.
Earlier this year, the U.S. also recorded its first measles deaths in a decade: those of two children in Texas and an adult in New Mexico. All were unvaccinated.
For the past 25 years, measles has been considered eliminated in the U.S. because it has not continuously spread over a yearlong period.
There are still periodic outbreaks, however, including one that took off in in a Mennonite community in West Texas earlier this year. Vaccination rates in Gaines County, the center of the outbreak, are particularly low: As of the 2023-24 school year, 82% of kindergarteners in the county had received two doses of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine (MMR) vaccine, far below the 95% rate needed to curb spread.
Dr. David Sugerman, a senior scientist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said at a meeting of the CDC’s vaccine advisory committee in April that measles would have to keep spreading through January 20 of next year for the U.S. to lose its elimination status.
Most of the cases so far this year are linked to the Southwest outbreak — there have been more than 700 cases in Texas alone — though a number of smaller outbreaks, resulting from international travel, have been detected across the U.S.
The resurgence of measles can be attributed, in part, to declining vaccination rates both globally and nationally. During the 2023-24 school year, less than 93% of kindergartners in the U.S. received the recommended two doses of the MMR vaccine, down from 95% during the 2019-20 school year.
The West Texas outbreak parallels one in 2019 among Orthodox Jewish communities in New York with low vaccination rates. The U.S. recorded 1,274 cases that year. A vaccination campaign, which included a vaccine mandate in New York City and officials administering 60,000 doses in affected communities, helped contain the spread.
New York’s response was “an incredible feat and something we’re obviously trying to emulate,” Sugerman said. But he noted that the loss of Covid grant money has created “funding limitations” in Texas. The CDC slashed $11.4 billion in Covid funding last month, some of which helped state health departments respond to disease outbreaks. Each measles case may cost $30,000 to $50,000 to address, which “adds up quite quickly,” Sugerman said.
Many disease experts have also expressed concern that the federal messaging around vaccines could make the outbreak harder to contain. While Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has called for people to get the measles vaccine, he has also framed vaccination as a personal choice, emphasized unproven treatments such as steroids or antibiotics and falsely claimed that immunity from measles vaccines wanes quickly.
An HHS spokesperson said in a statement Wednesday that the agency “continues to support community efforts in dealing with the measles outbreaks. CDC continues to provide technical assistance, laboratory support, and vaccines as requested.”
The statement said that the CDC recommends MMR vaccines as the best way to protect against measles, but added, “the decision to vaccinate is a personal one.”
Dr. Ana Montanez, a pediatrician who treats patients in Lubbock and Gaines County, said at a press conference in April that misinformation was the “biggest nemesis” for health care providers. She was aware of some patients taking vitamin A instead of getting vaccinated, she said. Kennedy has played up the role of vitamin A in helping measles patients, though it’s unclear how beneficial it is. The CDC says vitamin A can be administered under the supervision of a health care provider, but it’s not a treatment for the disease.
“Countering the misinformation put out there about using vitamin A for treatment of measles has been a struggle, an upward struggle,” Montanez said.
By contrast, two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective against measles and offer lifelong protection. The virus is particularly dangerous for babies and young children, whose immune systems aren’t always developed enough to fight an infection. In Texas, officials recommended an early dose for babies ages 6 to 11 months. Unvaccinated children older than 12 months old should get one dose, according to the state, then a second dose 28 days later.
Measles often starts with a high fever, cough, runny nose and pink or watery eyes. From there, patients may develop white spots on the insides of the cheeks near the molars and a blotchy rash of flat, red spots. Severe cases can progress to pneumonia or swelling of the brain.
Roughly 1 to 3 out of every 1,000 children with measles die from respiratory and neurological complications, according to the CDC.
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Who Are The Victims In The Central Texas Floods?
Eight-year-old girls at sleep-away camp, some for the first time. Out-of-town families spanning generations, crammed into recreational vehicles to relax by a river in Texas Hill Country. Local residents, traveling to or from work, or simply sleeping at home.
In the predawn inkiness of Independence Day, the rains came, and the waters rose. And rose. And rose. By Wednesday morning, at least 119 people had died from the Guadalupe River pouring over its banks. Many perished in the dark, in raging floodwaters, as they were swept out of cars, cabins, houses and trailers. The disaster ranks as one of the deadliest for children in the United States in recent decades.
Among the dead: at least two dozen girls and staff members at a storied Christian summer camp, a 23-year-old police officer and his parents camping in their R.V., a 62-year-old woman driving to her job at Walmart.
And there will be more. As of Wednesday morning, more than 161 people were missing from one county alone — Kerr — northwest of San Antonio, according to Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas.
Stories are emerging about some of the victims, as identified by The New York Times through interviews with families, school officials, church leaders and official statements.
The Times will continue to update this page with glimpses into the lives of the victims of the Texas floods.
Campers and Vacationers
People have long come to Texas Hill Country to boat and fly fish in tranquil waters teeming with largemouth bass and catfish, and hike rugged terrain with views of limestone canyons that are surrounded by wildflowers and cypress and pecan trees. Visitors browse antique shops and wineries, or check out a century-old rodeo, and look for gray foxes, armadillos and white-tailed deer. This bucolic region is also known as Flash Flood Alley.
Jeff Wilson, 55
He was a beloved high school teacher who would often bolt out of his classroom on Friday afternoons so he and his wife could take Shiloh, their son, to rodeo competitions.
Blair Harber, 13,
and Brooke Harber, 11Blair and Brooke were middle schoolers at St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas. They were kind, had a strong Christian faith and were energetic, the school said. Blair played volleyball, basketball and lacrosse, and was a cheerleader. Blair played soccer, basketball, volleyball and lacrosse. The sisters were active in the speech and drama program. Blair was excited to audition for the lead role in the eighth-grade play. Brooke had a gift for improv and making people laugh. They were found holdings hands, their aunt, Jennifer Harber said.
Katheryn Eads, 52
“She was an incredible wife, daughter, mother, grandmother and person who spent her life helping kids,” Victoria Eads, her daughter, wrote in an email. Her mother helped children in the foster care system when she worked in early education as a psychologist. She also helped young people during her time as a college professor, her daughter wrote.
Bobby Martin, 46,
and Amanda Martin, 44via The Kerrville Daily Times
Bailey Martin, 23
via Odessa Police Department
Mr. Martin, the son of Bobby and Amanda Martin and an officer with the Odessa Police Department, was camping with his parents when the floods hit.
Reece Zunker, 36,
and Paula Joe Zunker, 35via The Kerrville Daily Times
Mr. Zunker was the boys’ soccer coach at Tivy High School in Kerrville; Ms. Zunker had recently stepped back from teaching English in the same district. The soccer team at the school credited Mr. Zunker as someone who “rebuilt the soccer program and left a legacy.”
Jake Moeller, 38,
and Megan Moeller , 33
Mollie Schaffer, 76
Joyce Catherine Badon, 21
via Mackenzie Cahill-Hodulik
Ms. Badon, who was from Beaumont, was staying with Reese Manchaca and other friends at a house in Hunt.
Reese Manchaca, 21
via Mackenzie Cahill-Hodulik
Ms. Manchaca was a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Tanya Ramsey, 46
Ms. Ramsey, who was from Lewisville, northwest of Dallas, was camping in her R.V.
Cindy Rushing, 53,
and James Rushing, 64via The Kerrville Daily Times
The Rushings, who were from Sulphur Springs in East Texas, were camping in their R.V.
Julia Anderson Burgess, 39,
and John L. Burgess IV, 39The Burgesses were camping with their young sons, while their daughter was at a nearby camp. Mr. Burgess was a financial adviser, Ms. Burgess an elementary school teacher. In a statement, the Liberty ISD Education Foundation, where Ms. Burgess had worked since 2019, saluted “her bubbly personality, radiant smile and deep love for her students.” Their daughter is safe.
Local Residents
Some who died were retired and had lived in these parts for years. Others were newcomers, just starting jobs and putting down roots. They were going about their routines on the Fourth of July.
Tanya Burwick, 62
Ms. Burwick was driving to her job at a Walmart in San Angelo when her vehicle was caught in rising floodwaters, according to her son, Zac Burwick. She lived in Blackwell, about 48 miles north of San Angelo. “She had a heart of gold,” Mr. Burwick said. “She never knew a stranger and loved everybody that was around her.”
Julian Ryan, 27
Mr. Ryan had been a stay-at-home father until he started a job recently as a dishwasher in a local restaurant to bolster the family’s income. But even when money was tight, he would go out of his way to help others, said Christinia Wilson, his fiancée. “If he saw someone with a sign on the road, asking for money, he would always stop and give something, no matter how little we had,” Ms. Wilson said. “He’d always say, ‘If you bring positivity into the world, you’ll get it back.’” He died trying to save his family from the flood, his family said.
Preston Prince, 22
Kaitlyn Swallow, 22
Sherry Richardson, 64
Ms. Richardson moved to a small cabin along the Little Creek river in Liberty Hill three years ago, right behind a care center for people with disabilities where she worked. She is survived by two daughters and five grandchildren. She loved to crochet, and her daughter, Deliah Greenslet, said that items Ms. Richardson made for her family — baby blankets, hats, tapestries — are some of the only items she has left to remember her mother by.
Clayton Meadows, 29
Braxton Jarmon, 15
Sally Sample Graves, 91
Ms. Graves lived in Ingram, in Kerr County, according to an obituary notice. She and her late husband had two children, 10 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Betty West, 84
Ms. West had worked for decades as an electronics inspector at Texas Instruments. The night before she died, Ms. West’s daughters said, family members had driven her to the family’s cemetery plot to show her some new lighting on one grave. She approved, telling them she would like lights on her own grave when her time came. She also wanted “Bridge Over Troubled Water” played at her funeral.
Lee Brizendine, 85
Mr. Brizendine was a Navy veteran who for many years worked as a nurse at Austin State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital, before retiring. When he wasn’t working, several of his friends said, he liked to go country-western dancing. He also loved tinkering with clocks and could repair anything from vintage grandfather clocks to newer wristwatches, his friends said.
William Venus, 57
Mr. Venus, who served in the Army for 33 years, delivered medication to hospitals and nursing homes. His son William Venus Jr. live-streamed the search for him on Facebook, drawing residents to help. Searchers found his body on Monday, the son said.
Holly Frizzell, 72
Ms. Frizzell, who lived in the Casa Bonita subdivision in Hunt, once owned a clothing boutique in Abilene. After her late husband was diagnosed with dementia, she helped others who were dealing with that and supported the Alzheimer’s Association of Abilene, according to an obituary notice.
Alissa Martin, 54
“She was my whole world,” Jermaine “J.J.” Jarmon, Ms. Martin’s longtime partner, said. “She took care of everything I had, and was proud to help anyone she could.”
Malaya Hammond, 17
Clay Parisher, 20mos
Summer Camp Kids
Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp near Hunt, Texas, which has been run by the Eastland family since the 1930s, is revered by parents and alumni that includes three generations of descendants of Lyndon Johnson. The former first lady, Laura Bush, once worked as a counselor. About 750 girls were attending Camp Mystic this week.
Several girls who died or are now missing were in the low-lying cabins on the “flats,” where younger campers stay, less than 500 feet from the river. Most of the dead who have been identified, so far, were 8 or 9 years old, and were sleeping in the same cabin, nicknamed Bubble Inn.
Sarah Marsh, 8
via The Kerrville Daily Times
Janie Hunt, 9
via The Kerrville Daily Times
For Janie, of Dallas, going to Camp Mystic was a family tradition. This summer was her first time going. A great-granddaughter of the oil baron William Herbert Hunt, Janie was the eldest of three children.
Rebecca Lawrence, 8,
and Hanna Lawrence, 8Hanna and Rebecca, twins from Dallas, were also among the girls at Camp Mystic, according to their grandfather, Dave Lawrence, a former publisher of The Miami Herald. “It has been an unimaginable time for all of us,” Mr. Lawrence said. The two girls, he added, gave “all in our family so much joy. They and that joy can never be forgotten.”
Eloise Peck, 8
Eloise had just finished second grade at Bradfield Elementary School in Dallas. Known as Lulu, she adored animals, especially her Boston terrier, Oliver. Before heading to camp, Eloise had started a dog-walking service, pledging a quarter of her earnings to Blueberry Hill Farm and Rescue in Arkansas, which is run by family friends. “Her profound love and compassion for animals shone brightly, reflecting the purity and kindness of her heart,” the rescue said on its website.
Lila Bonner, 9
via The Kerrville Daily Times
Wynne Naylor , 8
via The Kerrville Daily Times
Hadley Hanna, 8
via The Kerrville Daily Times
Mary Stevens, 8
Mary Kathryn Jacobe, 8
Called Mary Kate by her family, she was from Houston. The family said in a statement she was “tiny, but mighty, full of love and joy with a smile that melted your heart.”
Mary Grace Baker
via The Kerrville Daily Times
Greta Toranzo, 10
Greta, a student at Sinclair Elementary School in Houston, was attending Camp Mystic in Hunt for a third year. “She was overjoyed to be reunited with her camp friends for weeks of fun, laughter, sports and sisterhood,” her parents, Ellen and Jorge Toranzo, said in a statement.
Linnie McCown, 8
Linnie was a student at Casis Elementary School in Austin, and the community is tying green bows on the trees and signposts in her memory and for all those lost in the flood. She was a happy girl, a sister to two brothers and someone who loved to giggle, a neighbor said. In a statement, her family described Linnie as “a shining light who filled our lives with indescribable joy.”
Camp Counselors and Directors
People working for Camp Mystic also died, including teenage counselors and the longtime director. The same is true of another nearby camp, Heart O’ the Hills.
Chloe Childress, 19
Ms. Childress, a recent graduate of the Kinkaid School in Houston, had been working as a counselor at Camp Mystic since June. “She was wise beyond her years, with a steady compassion that settled a room,” wrote Jonathan Eades, head of the Kinkaid School.
Dick Eastland, 70
via The Kerrville Daily Times
Mr. Eastland had run Camp Mystic for decades, along with his wife, Tweety. He was reportedly swept away while trying to rescue children from rising floodwaters. “If he wasn’t going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way, saving the girls that he so loved and cared for,” Mr. Eastland’s grandson George wrote on Instagram.
Jane Ragsdale, 68
Ms. Ragsdale was a camper and later a counselor at Heart O’ the Hills summer camp in Hunt before becoming the camp director in 1988, and was also a co-owner. “She embodied the spirit of Heart O’ the Hills and was exactly the type of strong, joyful woman that the camp aimed to develop with the girls entrusted to us each summer,” the camp said in a statement.
Other Out-of-Towners
Some people who were not from the region were staying with friends and relatives, or were passing through for reasons that have not yet been confirmed.
Beth Bryan, 61,
and Hutch Bryan, 62
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Love Island’s Cierra Ortega apologises for derogatory social media post
Love Island USA’s Cierra Ortega has apologised for old social media posts including a derogatory term for Asian people, following her sudden removal from the hit TV show.
In a video message, the 25-year-old content creator from Los Angeles said the post in question that led to her departure was made in 2024 and that a follower messaged her to explain that it was a slur.
“In that moment, I was embarrassed,” she said, adding that she “immediately deleted the post”.
Ortega, who is of Mexican and Puerto Rican heritage, said she and her loved ones have been harassed online over the posts, including by people calling immigration authorities on members of her family and issuing death threats.
“What’s been extremely, extremely difficult is the way people are approaching my family and my loved ones,” she said. “They have had ICE [US Immigration and Customs Enforcement] called on them. My family doesn’t feel safe in their own home. I’m receiving death threats.
“There’s no need to fight hate with hate. I don’t think that that’s justice.”
Ortega said she was in agreement with the network’s decision to remove her from the show and said she understands why viewers were upset.
But she took issue with social media posts claiming that she did not delete the derogatory post or doubled down on using it.
“I was apologetic and I educated, not only myself on the true meaning and history of the word, but also anyone around me.
“I think the backlash has obviously been very hard to deal with.”
Ortega’s departure from the show, a spinoff of the popular UK reality series, follows that of fellow islander Yulissa Escobar, who left after videos of her using a racial slur on a podcast in 2021 re-emerged.
Ms Escobar later apologised, saying on Instagram she used the offensive term “ignorantly, not fully understanding the weight, history, or pain behind it”.
She followed up her apology with a second post, saying she had received death threats and that she “came back to a warzone” after leaving the villa.
This season of Love Island USA has been wildly popular and Peacock, NBC’s streaming app that airs the show, said the series was ranking as the most streamed reality series.
But its skyrocketing success has led to contestants being relentlessly cyberbullied on social media, so much so that the show aired a statement during a recent episode with a plea for viewers to halt the harassment.
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Best Prime Day laptop deals 2025: Live updates on MacBook, Windows, and more discounts
We’re coming to the end of the second day of Amazon Prime Day, which runs through Friday, July 11 — making it a four-day sales event for the first time ever. On the second day of the sale, we’re seeing some noteworthy deals on laptops, including aggressive price cuts on the latest MacBooks, Chromebooks, and Windows PCs from Lenovo, Dell, HP, and more.
Get daily deals straight to your inbox during Prime Day when you sign up for ZDNET Recommends, your one-stop newsletter for the sale.
Also: The best Prime Day deals we’ve found
We’ve gone hands-on with dozens of the best laptops of this year, and only highlight sales on laptops we’ve tested and can personally vouch for. That means significant discounts, solid value relative to price, good portability, and respectable performance. Read on to explore some of the best laptop deals Amazon (and competing retailers) have to offer. As the event continues, we will be continuously updating this page with the best deals, flash sales, and online discounts we can find live.
Best Prime Day laptop deals
- Current price: $1,049
- Original price: $1,199
The 2025 MacBook Air M4 refines the user experience of the thin and lightweight laptop that pioneered the trend. It now supports two external monitors with the lid open, has more starting memory for cheaper, and does video conferencing better than almost anything else. With all the updates coming to MacOS 26 (Liquid Glass interface, the Phone app on MacBook, and a totally revamped Spotlight feature), the MacBook Air M4 is THE productivity laptop for modern professionals.
- Current price: $48
- Original price: $60
This nifty laptop accessory makes it easy to work standing up or sitting down, and can also be used with a tablet. Our editor has replaced her standing desk with this accessory, and it’s on sale for under $50 now.
- Current price: $650
- Original price: $700
The Acer Aspire 14 AI is similar to the Acer Aspire 15, but offers “a few steps up” in terms of hardware and features, according to our laptop reviewer. It’s a great value, especially if you’re looking for a computer designed for AI workflows. Our expert said it was “one of the better bang-for-your-buck options available right now.”
- Apple iPad 11th Gen: $279 (save $70): This isn’t a laptop, but the base model iPad can be a functional and portable laptop alternative, and it’s on sale for its best price yet.
- Logitech MX Master 3S: $95 (save $25): This popular ergonomic wireless mouse is sleek and silent, and is on sale now. It’s a great pairing to any new laptop.
- Apple MacBook Air M3: $1,819 (save $225): After the M4’s release, prices are dropping on the 2023 M3 MacBook Pro, and we couldn’t be happier. The 18GB version is a competitive machine that’s ready to support the new macOS 26 coming to all Mac devices this fall.
- Samsung Galaxy Book4 Pro (15-inch): $600 (save $300): Samsung’s Book4 Pro has a gorgeous touchscreen display, top-tier hardware, and a massive trackpad for a distinctly comfortable user experience. When I went hands-on with it, I praised its smart integrations.
- Acer Swift Go 14: $799 (save $208): Acer’s Swift Go 14 brings a budget-friendly package to respectable hardware: Intel Core Ultra 7, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. This makes it a solid backup laptop for business travel, but I’d also highly recommend it to students.
- LG Gram Pro 2-in-1 (16-inch): $1,696 (save $403): We’re big fans of LG’s Gram Pro line of laptops for their record-breaking lightweight form factors. Right now, this 16-inch convertible laptop/tablet hybrid with 16GB of RAM is seeing a notable price drop; a very competitive price for anyone looking for a thin and light laptop.
- Acer Aspire Go 15: $250 (save $50): A laptop I would recommend for study purposes is the Acer Aspire Go. This model comes with a 15.6-inch FHD display, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD storage — plenty for basic educational tasks.
- ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025): $1,275 (save $225): If you’re on the hunt for a gaming laptop, there’s a fair discount available on a 16-inch laptop with Nvidia GeForce RTX Graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage.
- ASUS TUF Gaming A14: $900 (save $300): Another gaming laptop deal we like the look of is for an ASUS TUF model, set with a 14-inch display, NVIDIA GeForce RTX Graphics, and 16GB of RAM.
- Logitech ERGO Wireless Keyboard: $119 (save $31): Type more naturally with a curved, split keyframe and reduce muscle strain on your wrists and forearms thanks to the sloping keyboard design.
- Anker Prime TB5 Docking Station: $340 (save $60): Transfer massive files quickly-move a 150GB file in just 25 seconds with the Thunderbolt 5 port.
Best Prime Day MacBook deals
- Current price: $850
- Original price: $1,000
The MacBook Air M4 is our favorite laptop for work, thanks to its ultra-portability and suite of productivity features. “The MacBook Air M4 is a modest upgrade from its predecessor but pushes the line forward overall. In fact, with burgeoning Apple Intelligence features, the same camera technology as the MacBook Pro M4, upgraded hardware, and a lower starting price, the MacBook Air seems like the most logical choice for a new Apple laptop in 2025,” our laptop reviewer writes.
- Apple MacBook Air M4 (15-inch): $1,049 (save $150): The 15-inch MacBook Air M4 is one of the friendliest, all-around performing laptops we’ve tested all year. Even better is the fact that Apple is offering competitive pricing, even on its newest laptops.
- Apple MacBook Pro M3 (18GB): $1,819 (save $225): Apple’s M3 MacBook Pro from 2023 is seeing some steep discounts now that the M4 has been released. The 18GB version is a competitive machine that’s ready to support the new macOS 26 coming to all Mac devices this fall.
- Apple MacBook Pro (M4 Pro): $2,249 (save $250): Apple’s aggressive discounts continue, with the newest MacBook Pro in 2025 $250 off. The Space Black configuration with 24GB of unified memory features a 20-Core GPU and 16-Core neural engine, ready to tackle demanding tasks such as 4K video editing, animation, and yes, even gaming.
- Apple 2024 MacBook Pro: $3,596 (save $406): Powered by an M4 Max processor, this model is pricey, but it comes with power that will last you for years to come, as well as 1TB of storage, 48GB of RAM, and a 16.2-inch display.
- Apple MacBook Air, 13.3-inch: $599 (save $50): If you want an affordable MacBook, consider this M1-powered model with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
- Apple MacBook Air 13-inch: $699 (save $100 at Best Buy): Another model we like at Best Buy is a 13.3-inch MacBook Air with an M2 chip, 16GB of RAM, and 256GB SSD storage.
- Apple Magic Keyboard: $119 (save $10): This keyboard comes with a numeric keypad and can wirelessly connect to your Mac, iPad, or iPhone via Bluetooth.
- Apple Mac Mini M4 256GB: $500 (save $100): Though not a laptop, our expert recommends the M4 Mac Mini to both creatives and business professionals. It’s $100 off thanks to an extra on-page coupon.
Best Prime Day Windows laptop deals
- Current price: $1,696
- Original price: $2,099
If you’re over carrying around a bulky, heavy laptop to and from the office, we got you. LG’s Gram Pro lineup features some of the lightest, thinnest laptops on the market. We reviewed LG’s 16-inch 2-in-1 Gram Pro last year, and praised it for its fast and responsive performance, brilliant OLED display, and surprisingly good battery.
- Current price: $800
- Original price: $1,000
Acer’s Swift Go 14 was among the first round of laptops to come loaded with Intel’s Meteor Lake AI processors last year, and it does so for an attractive price point. The Intel Core Ultra 7 or 9 processor offers snappy performance and fantastic battery life, letting it hang with other machines like the Asus Zenbook A14, and the Lenovo ThinkPad E14, which are significantly more expensive.
- Current price: $600
- Original price: $899
The 15-inch Galaxy Book4 Pro rounds out Samsung’s lineup of thin and light laptops with brilliant displays and premium physical forms. We got great performance out of this laptop during our testing, with the Snapdragon X Plus processor and 16GB of RAM delivering responsive performance in a variety of tasks from productivity to content creation.
- Microsoft Surface Pro (13-inch): $870 (save $330): The 13-inch Surface Pro with the Snapdragon X Plus processor is a supremely portable, high-performing tablet/laptop hybrid with a brilliant OLED display.
- HP OmniBook 5 (16-inch): $679 (save $110): HP’s lightweight and battery-efficient OmniBooks are well-rounded and reliable devices, and this version with a Ryzen AI 7 350 processor is no exception, especially at this discount.
- HP 14 Laptop (14-inch): $178 (save $50): This laptop’s thin and light design makes it ultra-portable, and its sizable and nearly bezel-less screen makes it perfect for entertainment.
- MSI 15.6-inch gaming laptop: $719 (save $280): You can take advantage of a $280 discount on a decent mid-range gaming laptop with an i5 processor and 16GB of RAM.
- Acer Nitro V gaming laptop: $650 (save $150): The Nitro V doesn’t have the highest specs on the market, but as ZDNET’s Charlie Osborne found, it’s great for gaming and use as a lab. During Amazon’s event, you can save $150 off the typical RRP.
- Dell’s Inspiron 5440: $579 (save $170): The Inspiron lineup consists of reliable, jack-of-all-trades laptops, and this 14-inch with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor is no exception. Right now it’s 23% off for the 16GB version.
- Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro: $1,650 (save $350): This laptop comes built in with Windows 11 Pro and has all the best Galaxy AI features.
- ASUS Vivobook Go: $220 (save $110): An affordable laptop we’ve found is a great fit for students. The ASUS Vivobook Go has a 15.6-inch display and runs on Windows 11 Home.
- HP 14-inch student laptop: $275 (save $225): Another laptop suitable for students and containing good specifications for the price — including Copilot AI and 16GB of RAM — is this laptop. It’s in lavender, though, and so might not suit everyone color-wise.
Best Prime Day Chromebook deals
If you’re looking for a Chromebook with a 2-in-1 form factor, this one from HP comes with all the feature perks of a Chromebook Plus in a convertible. It’s armed with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of local storage, too, so performance will feel snappy and responsive in the lightweight operating system.
- Asus Chromebook CM14: $163 (save $116): It doesn’t get more affordable than Asus’ 14-inch CM14 Chromebook. It comes with 64GB of local storage and 4GB of RAM to handle daily tasks like checking email and browsing the web.
- Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Chromebook: $149 (save $100): While also on sale at Amazon, the best price is found at Best Buy. This mid-sized Chromebook features a 15-inch display, a full-sized keyboard, and Intel Celeron N4500 to power multitasking for work, school, or everyday use.
- Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go: $240 (save $60): Looking for a Chromebook suitable for work or study? Opt for the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go, currently available on a limited-time deal, so don’t wait if you want to buy one.
- Asus Chromebook Flip CX1: $290 (save $80): This laptop has a 360-degree flippable touchscreen display that can be configured into four different work modes.
- Asus Chromebook CR11: $250 (save $50): This rugged laptop has US military-grade durability with rubber edges, as well as a spill-resistant keyboard.
More laptop deals from Best Buy, Walmart, and other retailers
- Asus Zenbook S 15: $534 (save $265): Asus’ Zenbook S 15 was one of the first Copilot+ PCs to come out last year, and it’s drastically marked down at Walmart right now for just $534. It’s got a vivid 120Hz OLED display, Intel Core Ultra 7 chip and 16GB of RAM, making it a solid all-around laptop with a lightweight form.
- Lenovo Duet 2-in-1 Chromebook (11-inch): $269 (save $130): If you’re looking for a device that can act as either a tablet or small, portable laptop, Lenovo’s Duet is a very affordable option with 4GB of RAM and an included keyboard, stylus, and durable carrying case. Think a much more affordable Microsoft Surface Pro.
- Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1: $629 (save $220): This 2-in-1 model gives you the functionality of a traditional laptop and the versatility of a tablet in the same device.
- Asus Vivobook 14: $250 (save $200): Enjoy vivid visuals in detailed 1920 x 1080 resolution (16:9) with brilliant colors and a smooth 60Hz refresh rate.
- Dell Inspiron 14: $349 (save $201): This laptop has 512GB of storage, an Intel Core i5 Processor, a long-lasting battery life, and a 14-inch display.
- Cherry Xtry MX 3.1 Gaming Keyboard: $90 (save $30): Our expert says this mechanical keyboard is just as good for work as it is for gaming – and it’s 25% off.
- ProtoArc XKM01 CaseUp Keyboard: $50 (save $50): Expert Kyle Kucharski says this portable workstation keeps him productive on the go, and it’s half off now.
- LG gram 17: $850 (save $650 plus free smart monitor at LG): The LG gram 17 is built with a 13th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD. And right now when you buy at LG, you can get a free 27-inch smart monitor when you bundle with your laptop purchase.
- Acer Aspire Vero 14: $450 (save $250 at Acer): A great entry-grade laptop for students and casual home use with an Intel Core i5-1335U CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD storage drive, and 12.5-hour battery life.
- Acer Swift 14: $900 (save $500 at Acer): A mid-range laptop for office work, college classes, and home use with a 14-inch display, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and 13th generation Intel Core i7 CPU.
- Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 AMD: $680 (save $250 at Lenovo): An entry-grade 2-in-1 laptop that’s built with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
- Dell 14 Plus: $680 (save $420 at Dell): A budget-friendly laptop for students and home use with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and 14-inch 2.5K display.
- HP Pavilion Laptop 16: $500 (save $700 at HP): A mid-range laptop for office work, students, and home use with a 13th gen Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
When is Amazon Prime Day 2025?
This year, Prime Day starts on Tuesday, July 8, and goes through Friday, July 11.
Are laptops really cheaper on Prime Day?
Manufacturers know consumers are on the lookout for deals during Prime Day, so yes, quite a few of the laptop sales have significantly steeper discounts than during regular sales throughout the year.
How did we choose these Prime Day deals?
Our team of reviewers at ZDNET only write about deals we personally can vouch for and would personally recommend. We scour the deals for sale prices that are at least 20% off, or are hardly ever on sale, using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine how frequently it drops.
We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.
What are the best Prime Day deals so far?
ZDNET’s experts are searching through Prime Day sales to find the best discounts by category. These are the best deals so far:
You can also find the best deals from other retailers competing with Prime Day sales:
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