Laptops are a significant investment, but you can soften the blow by buying at the right time. While new models constantly emerge, several periods offer substantially lower prices, even for the latest technology in 2025. With President's Day sales approaching, let's explore the best times to purchase a laptop each year.
Best Times to Buy a Laptop in 2025:
Major Sales Events: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day Back-to-School Season: August-September New Hardware Releases: Typically January (CES) and October
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime laptop-buying times. New laptop hardware often launches early in the year or around October, leading to deep discounts on previous-generation models—those becoming obsolete after CES (Consumer Electronics Show). This is especially true for MacBooks, which often see price drops following new model releases. Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy clear inventory to make room for newer stock. While you might miss the absolute newest features, savings of 20-30% are substantial. Combined with aggressive Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals, you can snag an incredibly affordable laptop. Black Friday falls on November 28th, 2025, but deals usually start in late October, potentially following Amazon's October Prime Day event.
Amazon Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day offers deals, though laptop discounts aren't always spectacular. You can find decent laptops at affordable prices, but top-of-the-line models are less common. However, Prime Day is excellent for Chromebooks, which are already budget-friendly and receive further price reductions. The simplicity of Chrome OS means hardware specifications are less crucial. Prime Day 2025 is expected around mid-July, similar to previous years.
October Prime Day
Amazon's October Prime Day event mirrors the summer sale, with similar discounts ahead of the holiday season. While laptop deals are fewer than during Black Friday, it's a worthwhile consideration for fall purchases.
Other Sales Events
Beyond Black Friday and Prime Day, retailers frequently discount electronics during holidays like President's Day (already featuring sales at Best Buy), Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July.
For the Latest and Greatest
If maximizing performance is your priority, wait for new hardware announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD. New laptop generations are usually unveiled at CES (January) and often include AI enhancements and improved display technologies. For example, Razer's RTX 5090 laptops were showcased at a recent event.
Ultrabook upgrades, particularly Intel's U-series processors, are less predictable, requiring close attention to tech news and rumors. New hardware releases often directly impact prices of previous generations.
New Hardware's Price Impact
New hardware launches immediately lower prices on previous-generation models. While purchasing a slightly older laptop might seem less appealing, generational improvements are often incremental. The performance difference between a 13th-gen and 14th-gen Intel processor, for example, is rarely noticeable in everyday tasks.
Monitoring new hardware releases and then finding deals on last-generation models is a savvy approach. New MacBook releases, for instance, create a surge of used, discounted older models on the market.
Top Affordable Laptops Currently Available
If you're not waiting for sales or new releases, consider these budget-friendly options:
Dell XPS 13: A top MacBook alternative. $999.00 (See it at Dell)
ASUS TUF Dash 15: A great budget gaming laptop (under $2,000). $1,149.99 (See it at Amazon)
Microsoft Surface Pro 9: A top detachable laptop. $1,399.99 (See it at Best Buy)
Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022): Excellent for everyday use. $1,665.00 (See it at Amazon)