Laptops can be a significant investment, but you can save money by choosing the right time to buy. With new models constantly hitting the market, there are specific periods throughout the year when you can find the best deals on laptops, even on the latest models in 2025. As President's Day sales approach, let's explore the optimal times to purchase a new laptop.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday Deals
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime times for snagging a laptop at a reduced price. These sales aren't just about doorbuster deals; they coincide with the time when new laptop hardware typically launches—either at the start of the year or around October. This timing means that slightly older models, especially those that became outdated after CES (the Consumer Electronics Show), are heavily discounted. For instance, even MacBooks, which rarely see discounts when new, can be found at lower prices shortly after their release during these sales events.
Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy use these sales to clear out inventory to make room for newer products. While you might not get the newest model, saving 20-30% off the sticker price can make a big difference. Black Friday falls on November 28 in 2025, with deals starting to appear shortly after Amazon's October Prime Day event.
Amazon Prime Day
Amazon's Prime Day is another excellent opportunity to find laptop deals. While the discounts might not be as deep as those during Black Friday, Prime Day offers solid savings, especially on Chromebooks. These affordable laptops are perfect for everyday tasks and become even more budget-friendly during Prime Day. Prime Day 2025 is expected in mid-July, similar to last year's timing.
Amazon's October Prime Day event is another chance to score deals, though it typically features fewer laptop discounts compared to Black Friday. It's still a worthwhile event to consider if you're looking to buy a laptop in the fall.
Beyond the well-known Black Friday and Prime Day sales, other holidays like President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July also offer great opportunities for laptop deals. Retailers often provide significant discounts on tech during these times.
If your priority is getting the latest and greatest laptop, keep an eye on announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD for new hardware. At CES 2025, a new generation of laptops was revealed, focusing on AI assistants and Mini-LED displays. For gamers, next-generation graphics like Razer's RTX 5090 laptops are particularly noteworthy. For those interested in ultrabooks, Intel's U-series processors can launch unpredictably, so staying updated with tech news is crucial.
Intel Announces 13th Gen Raptor Lake Mobile Processors at CES 2023
For ongoing deals, we continuously track the best gaming laptop deals throughout the year.
Waiting for new hardware releases can also lead to price drops on last-generation models. While it might feel odd to buy a slightly older laptop, the performance difference between generations is often minimal. For example, a laptop with a 13th-gen Intel processor will still perform well even after the 14th-gen comes out. This strategy is particularly effective for buying discounted MacBooks when new models are released.
If waiting for a sale isn't your preference, here are some budget-friendly laptops from our buying guides:
Dell XPS 13
If you're looking for a MacBook alternative without breaking the bank, the Dell XPS 13 is an excellent choice.
$999.00 See it at Dell
ASUS TUF Dash 15
A great option for gamers on a budget, this laptop offers solid performance under $2,000.
$1,149.99 See it at Amazon
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
One of the best detachable laptops, particularly the model with Microsoft’s ARM-based SQ 3 processor.
$1,399.99 See it at Best Buy
Apple MacBook Air M2
Ideal for everyday use, the 2022 MacBook Air offers great performance and portability.
$1,665.00 See it at Amazon