Maximize your laptop budget by buying smart! Laptops are a significant investment, but strategic timing can significantly reduce the cost. While new models constantly emerge, several periods throughout the year offer substantially better deals, even on the latest technology in 2025. With President's Day sales approaching, let's examine the optimal times to purchase a laptop.
Best Times to Buy a Laptop in 2025:
Major Sales Events: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day Back-to-School Season: Typically August/September New Hardware Releases: Often January (CES) and October
Black Friday/Cyber Monday:
These sales are prime laptop-buying opportunities. New laptop hardware launches either early in the year or around October, leading to deep discounts on previous-generation models. Retailers aggressively clear inventory to make room for newer products. Savings of 20-30% off MSRP are common. While not the newest models, these substantial savings often outweigh the minor generational improvements. Black Friday deals often extend beyond the initial doorbusters.
Black Friday falls on November 28th, 2025, but expect deals to start appearing in late October. Anticipate deals shortly after Amazon's October Prime Day event.
Amazon Prime Day:
While not always offering exceptional laptop deals, Prime Day still presents opportunities. You might not find top-of-the-line models at rock-bottom prices, but solid, affordable options are usually available.
Prime Day is particularly advantageous for Chromebooks. Already budget-friendly, Prime Day discounts make them even more attractive. The hardware limitations are less consequential with Chromebooks, as most functions rely on web browsers.
Expect Prime Day 2025 around mid-July, similar to previous years.
October Prime Day:
Amazon's secondary Prime Day in October mirrors the summer event, offering similar discounts before the holiday shopping season. Laptop deals are less abundant than Black Friday, but it remains a viable option for budget-conscious fall shoppers.
Other Sales Events:
Beyond Black Friday and Prime Day, holidays like President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July often feature tech discounts.
For the Latest and Greatest:
If prioritizing the newest technology over price, align your purchase with Nvidia, Intel, or AMD's new laptop hardware announcements. CES 2025 showcased a new generation of laptops emphasizing AI assistants and Mini-LED displays.
Keep an eye on tech news for announcements of new hardware. Ultrabook upgrades from Intel's U-series processors tend to be less predictable.
New Hardware Impacts Pricing:
New hardware releases immediately lower prices on previous-generation models. While purchasing a slightly older model might seem less appealing, the generational improvements are often incremental. The performance difference between, for example, 13th and 14th-gen Intel processors is minimal for everyday tasks.
Capitalize on this by waiting for new releases and then securing deals on last-generation laptops. This strategy is effective for MacBooks as well.
Top Affordable Laptops Currently Available:
If immediate purchase is preferred over waiting for sales or new releases, consider these budget-friendly options:
Dell XPS 13: A top MacBook alternative.
ASUS TUF Dash 15: A great budget gaming laptop.
Microsoft Surface Pro 9: An excellent detachable laptop (SQ 3 processor recommended).
Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022): Ideal for everyday use.
