Laptops are a significant investment, but you can minimize the cost by buying at the optimal 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 throughout the year.
Best Times to Buy a Laptop in 2025:
Major Sales Events: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day Back-to-School Season New Hardware Releases
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime shopping times, but the savings extend beyond the initial doorbuster deals. 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 post-CES) receive deep discounts. We've seen this consistently with MacBooks, for instance, following new model releases.
Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy clear inventory to make room for newer products. While you might miss the very latest features, savings of 20-30% off the original price are substantial.
Combined with aggressive Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, you can find incredibly affordable laptops. We've witnessed Black Friday deals significantly reducing MacBook Air prices just weeks after launch – a testament to the potential savings, especially considering Apple products rarely see discounts.
Black Friday falls on November 28th, 2025, but deals often start in late October. Expect sales to begin shortly after Amazon's October Prime Day event.
Amazon Prime Day
Similar to Black Friday, Amazon hosts its own major sales event. While Prime Day laptop deals may not always be spectacular, they exist. If you're not overly demanding, you can find decent laptops at reasonable prices, though top-of-the-line models are less likely.
However, Prime Day is ideal for finding great Chromebook deals. Already budget-friendly, Chromebooks receive even deeper discounts. The advantage is less concern about hardware specifics, as most Chromebook functions rely on web browsers.
We anticipate Prime Day 2025 around mid-July, similar to previous years.
October Prime Day
Amazon's October Prime Day event mirrors the summer sale, with many similar discounts preceding the holiday season. Laptop deals will be less prevalent than during Black Friday, but it's worth considering for budget-conscious fall shoppers.
Other Sales Events
Beyond Black Friday and Prime Day, retailers often discount electronics for holidays. President's Day sales are already underway at Best Buy, and Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July also offer opportunities.
For the Latest Technology
If prioritizing the newest technology over price, wait for announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD regarding new laptop hardware. This year, a new generation of laptops launched alongside CES 2025, featuring AI assistants and Mini-LED displays. We analyzed key gaming laptop trends from the event, with significant attention on next-generation graphics, particularly Razer's RTX 5090 laptops.
For current deals or regular updates, explore our best gaming laptop deals page.
Ultrabooks receive regular upgrades, although Intel's less powerful U-series processors release sporadically. Stay informed about tech news and rumors, as new hardware often appears unexpectedly. To acquire the latest technology immediately, continuous monitoring is necessary.
New Hardware Impacts Pricing
New hardware releases immediately lower prices on previous-generation models. While spending on a year-old laptop might seem less appealing, generational improvements are incremental.
The performance difference between a 13th-gen and 14th-gen Intel laptop is negligible for everyday tasks. The upgrade won't dramatically improve Photoshop speed, for example.
Acquiring a last-generation laptop at a significant discount after a new release is a smart strategy, applicable to MacBooks as well. New MacBook releases flood the used market with discounted previous models. This approach is highly effective for budget-conscious buyers.
Top Affordable Laptops:
If you're not waiting for sales or new releases, consider these budget-friendly options from our laptop buying guides:
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. We recommend the SQ 3 processor model. $1,399.99 (See it at Best Buy)
Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022): Excellent for everyday use. $1,665.00 (See it at Amazon)
