When is the best time to buy a laptop?
Quick Answer
The best times to buy a laptop are typically during late July through September for back-to-school sales, and from late November through early December for Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, as these periods offer significant discounts often ranging from $100 to $500 off popular models like the Dell XPS 15 or MacBook Air. Additionally, consider purchasing immediately after new models are announced in spring or fall, as last-generation devices often see price reductions.
Understanding Laptop Buying Cycles
Laptop prices are heavily influenced by predictable retail cycles and manufacturer release schedules, meaning you can often save hundreds of dollars by timing your purchase strategically. The market experiences two major discount windows annually: the back-to-school season, which spans from late July to early September, and the holiday shopping period, specifically Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November. During these times, retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and Walmart aggressively compete, offering 10% to 30% off a wide range of laptops, from entry-level Chromebooks priced at $200 to high-end gaming rigs like the Alienware m18 often discounted by $300 or more.
Beyond general sales, new product announcements from major manufacturers like Apple, Dell, HP, and Microsoft also trigger price drops on older models. Apple, for instance, frequently updates its MacBook Pro and MacBook Air lines in October or November, or sometimes in the spring around March or April. When a new MacBook Air with an M3 chip is announced, the M2 chip models often see immediate price reductions of $100 to $200 at authorized resellers. Similarly, Intel and AMD typically release new generations of processors (e.g., Intel Core Ultra, AMD Ryzen 8000 series) in the spring or fall, prompting discounts on laptops featuring the previous generation chips like Intel Core i7 13th Gen or Ryzen 7 7000 series.
Understanding these cycles means you avoid buying a laptop at its peak price point, usually right after a new model launch or outside of major sales events. For instance, purchasing a laptop in mid-October before Black Friday sales begin, or in June before back-to-school promotions, often means paying full retail price. By aligning your purchase with these known windows, you leverage market dynamics to your financial advantage, ensuring you get the best possible value for your investment in a new device.
How to Time Your Laptop Purchase Specifically
To specifically time your laptop purchase for maximum savings, first, identify your ideal laptop specifications, such as a 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, several months before you need the device. Then, begin monitoring prices for specific models you are interested in, like a Dell XPS 13 or an HP Spectre x360, starting in early July for back-to-school deals, or in late October for Black Friday. You can use browser extensions like Honey or price tracking websites like CamelCamelCamel for Amazon products, or set up price alerts directly on retailer sites like Best Buy or Newegg.
Second, prioritize the back-to-school sales window from late July through early September. Many retailers launch their deepest discounts during late August, coinciding with college student orientations. Look for specific bundles that might include Microsoft 365 subscriptions or accessories like a wireless mouse at a reduced price. These deals can often save you between $150 and $400 on mid-range to high-end laptops. For example, a Lenovo Yoga 7i might drop from $999 to $799 during this period.
Finally, if you miss the back-to-school sales, mark your calendar for the Black Friday and Cyber Monday period, which officially begins the Friday after Thanksgiving, typically the fourth Friday in November, and extends through the following Cyber Monday. This is often the single best time for overall electronics discounts, with some premium laptops like the MacBook Pro 14-inch seeing discounts of $200 to $300, sometimes even $500 on specific configurations from authorized resellers. Be prepared to act quickly, as the best deals often sell out within hours on these days. Check retailer flyers and online deal sites like Slickdeals or TechBargains starting the week before Thanksgiving for early access to advertised doorbuster deals.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
One frequent error is purchasing a laptop immediately after a new generation of processors or models has been announced but before the previous generation sees significant price drops. For example, if Apple announces a new MacBook Pro in October, buying the previous model in early October might mean you miss out on a $200 discount that appears in late November for Black Friday sales. Many people do this out of immediate need or excitement, but waiting an additional four to six weeks can lead to substantial savings.
Another common mistake is focusing solely on the lowest price without considering the actual specifications required for your usage. A $400 laptop might seem like a great deal, but if it only has 4GB of RAM and a 128GB eMMC storage, it will quickly become slow and frustrating for tasks beyond basic web browsing, leading to buyer's remorse within months. Always ensure the laptop meets your minimum requirements, such as 8GB to 16GB of RAM for everyday use and at least a 256GB NVMe SSD for fast performance, even if it means spending an extra $100 to $200.
Many buyers also neglect to check the return policy or warranty details before making a purchase, especially during high-pressure sales events. Some retailers have stricter return windows (e.g., 14 days instead of 30 days) or restocking fees for opened electronics. Always verify the store's return policy and the manufacturer's warranty coverage, which typically ranges from one to three years, to avoid complications if the laptop has issues or doesn't meet expectations after purchase.
A fourth mistake is not comparing prices across multiple retailers for the exact same model. Retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, Walmart, Target, and the manufacturer's direct website (e.g., Dell.com, HP.com) often have different sales at different times. Relying on just one store's pricing can mean missing a better deal elsewhere. Always spend 10-15 minutes checking 3-5 different major retailers online before finalizing your purchase.
Expert Tips for Best Results
One expert tip is to consider purchasing a refurbished laptop directly from the manufacturer, such as the Apple Certified Refurbished Store or Dell Outlet, which often offer significant discounts of 15% to 25% off the original retail price. These devices typically undergo rigorous testing, come with a full warranty, and are often indistinguishable from new, providing excellent value for models like a 14-inch MacBook Pro or a Latitude business laptop that might otherwise be out of budget.
Another insider strategy is to leverage student discounts if you are eligible, as these can be stacked on top of existing sales during specific periods. Many manufacturers and retailers, including Apple, Microsoft, and Dell, offer 5% to 10% off for students year-round, which can be combined with back-to-school promotions in August or even Black Friday deals. Always check if you can verify your student status through services like UNiDAYS or directly with the retailer.
Pay close attention to older generation models when new processors are announced. For example, when Intel releases its 14th Gen Core processors, laptops equipped with 13th Gen chips often receive substantial price cuts, sometimes up to $300-$500, making them an excellent value buy. While not the absolute latest, a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 7 7000 series CPU still offers exceptional performance for most users for several years.
Finally, if you need a laptop for a specific professional use case like video editing or CAD, consider business-oriented models from brands like Lenovo (ThinkPads) or HP (EliteBooks) during their specific business sales events, which often occur quarterly. These machines are built for durability and often have better port selections or upgradeability than consumer models, and their discounts can be substantial during these less publicized sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Prime Day laptop deals better than Black Friday?
Prime Day, typically held in July, offers competitive deals on specific laptop models, particularly Chromebooks and mid-range Windows laptops from brands like Acer and HP, often with discounts of $50 to $200. However, Black Friday and Cyber Monday in late November generally feature broader and deeper discounts, including more premium models like MacBook Pros, Dell XPS, and gaming laptops, with savings often reaching $300 to $500 or more.
When do Apple MacBooks typically go on sale?
Apple MacBooks rarely see direct discounts from Apple itself, but authorized resellers like Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H Photo often offer sales during back-to-school season (August), Black Friday/Cyber Monday (late November), and occasionally around new product launches (March/April or October/November) when older models are cleared out. Discounts usually range from $100 to $300 off models like the MacBook Air M2 or MacBook Pro 14-inch.
Is it worth buying a laptop during Presidents' Day or Memorial Day sales?
Presidents' Day (February) and Memorial Day (May) sales can offer moderate discounts, typically 5% to 15% off or $50 to $150 in savings, on a limited selection of laptops. While you might find a decent deal on an entry-level or mid-range model, these sales are generally not as strong or comprehensive as the back-to-school or Black Friday periods for laptops, which offer significantly deeper price cuts on a wider range of devices.
How long should I wait after a new laptop model is announced for price drops on the old model?
After a new laptop model is announced, you should generally wait between 4 to 8 weeks for the previous generation to see its most significant price drops. For example, if a new Dell XPS 15 is announced in September, expect to see the best deals on the older model starting in late October through Black Friday in November, with discounts potentially reaching $300 to $500, as retailers clear inventory.
What specifications should I prioritize when looking for a discounted laptop?
When looking for a discounted laptop, prioritize a minimum of 8GB of RAM, with 16GB being ideal for most users, and at least a 256GB NVMe Solid State Drive (SSD) for fast performance and storage, with 512GB being preferable. For the processor, an Intel Core i5 (12th Gen or newer) or an AMD Ryzen 5 (6000 series or newer) will provide excellent performance for everyday tasks and light creative work, ensuring longevity for your purchase.