Laptops are a significant investment, but you can significantly reduce the cost by buying at the optimal time. While new models constantly emerge, several periods throughout the year offer substantial savings, even on the latest and greatest technology in 2025. With President's Day sales approaching, let's explore the best times to purchase a laptop.
Major Sales Events: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day Back-to-School Season New Hardware Releases
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime times for laptop deals, but the savings extend beyond the doorbusters. New laptop hardware typically launches early in the year or around October, depending on the manufacturer. This means laptops from the previous generation (or those becoming obsolete after CES) receive deep discounts. This trend holds true even for MacBooks, which recently saw new model releases.
Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy clear inventory to make room for newer products. While you might not get the very latest model, savings of 20-30% off the retail price are substantial. Combined with aggressive Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, you can find incredibly affordable laptops. Significant discounts on MacBook Airs have been observed shortly after their release—a rarity for Apple products.
Black Friday falls on November 28th, 2025, but deals often begin in late October. Expect deals to emerge shortly after Amazon's October Prime Day event.
Similar to Black Friday, Amazon hosts its own major sales event. While Prime Day laptop deals aren't always exceptional, they do exist. If you're not overly demanding, you can find decent laptops at affordable prices, though top-of-the-line models are less likely.
Prime Day is an excellent time to purchase Chromebooks. Already budget-friendly, Amazon offers even deeper discounts. The advantage is less concern over hardware specifications, as Chromebook functionality primarily relies on web browsers.
Prime Day 2025 is expected around mid-July, similar to previous years.
Amazon also introduced a second Prime Day event in October. Similar to the summer event, this October sale offers comparable discounts ahead of the holiday season. While laptop deals are fewer compared to Black Friday, it's worth considering for budget-conscious fall shoppers.
Beyond Black Friday and Prime Day, retailers frequently discount electronics during holidays. President's Day sales are currently underway, with Best Buy already announcing significant promotions. Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July also present opportunities for laptop deals.
If maximizing savings isn't the priority, but rather owning the newest technology, wait for announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD regarding new laptop hardware. This year, a new generation of laptops was unveiled at CES 2025, featuring AI assistants and Mini-LED displays. Razer's new RTX 5090 laptops were a highlight.
For current deals or to periodically check for updates, explore our best gaming laptop deals page.
Ultrabooks receive continuous upgrades, though Intel's less powerful U-series processors release sporadically. Staying informed about tech news and rumors is crucial. New hardware often appears unexpectedly, so close monitoring is essential for securing the latest models.
New hardware releases also reduce the price of previous-generation models. While purchasing a year-old laptop might seem less appealing, generational improvements are often incremental.
The performance difference between a 13th-gen and 14th-gen Intel laptop is minimal for everyday tasks. The speed increase in applications like Photoshop is negligible.
Combining awareness of new hardware releases with deals on last-generation models is a smart buying strategy, applicable to MacBooks as well. New MacBook releases trigger significant discounts on previous models in the used market. This approach provides a cost-effective way to acquire a high-quality laptop.
If you're not waiting for sales or new releases, consider these budget-friendly options from our laptop buying guides:
A top MacBook alternative if you're not looking to spend on Apple. $999.00 See it at Dell
A great budget gaming laptop under $2,000. $1,149.99 See it at Amazon
One of the best detachable laptops, particularly the model with Microsoft's SQ 3 processor. $1,399.99 See it at Best Buy
Excellent for everyday use. $1,665.00 See it at Amazon