Laptops are undeniably pricey, but you can ease the financial burden by snagging the best laptop or gaming laptop at strategic times. Even with new models hitting the market constantly, there are key periods each year when purchasing a laptop becomes significantly more budget-friendly, even if you're eyeing the latest models in 2025. With President's Day sales on the horizon, let's explore the optimal times to buy a new laptop throughout the year.
For the Best Time to Buy a Laptop in 2025, Keep in Mind:
- Big Sales Events: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day
- Back to School Timing
- New Hardware Releases
Black Friday / Cyber Monday
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime times to buy a laptop, extending beyond just the doorbuster deals. New laptop hardware typically launches at the beginning of the year or around October, depending on the manufacturer. This timing means that laptops from the previous generation or those that became outdated after CES (the Consumer Electronics Show) are heavily discounted. For instance, we've seen significant price drops on MacBooks following new model announcements.
Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy aim to clear their inventory to make room for new stock, which can lead to substantial savings, often 20-30% off the original price. Coupled with the attention-grabbing Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, you can find an affordable laptop. Remarkably, I've seen discounts on a MacBook Air just weeks after its release, despite Apple's laptops typically being the last to see price cuts, especially when new.
Black Friday in 2025 falls on November 28, with deals likely starting in late October, right after Amazon's October Prime Day event.
Amazon Prime Day
Amazon's Prime Day offers another opportunity for deals, though laptop discounts might not be as stellar as during Black Friday. However, if you're flexible with your choice, you can snag a good laptop at a reasonable price. Prime Day is particularly advantageous for picking up one of the best Chromebooks, which are already budget-friendly and see further price reductions during the event. Since most activities on a Chromebook involve a web browser, the specifics of the hardware matter less.
Prime Day 2025 is expected around mid-July, similar to last year.
October Prime Day
Amazon's second Prime Day event in October offers discounts similar to the summer version, though laptop deals are fewer compared to Black Friday. Still, it's a valuable opportunity if you need an affordable laptop in the fall.
Other Sales Events
Beyond the well-known Black Friday and Prime Day, retailers often offer discounts on tech during holidays. President's Day, coming up this weekend, features significant sales at stores like Best Buy. Other notable times include Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July, all of which are excellent for laptop deals.
If You Want the New Hotness
If your goal is to own 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 unveiled, emphasizing AI assistants and Mini-LED displays. Gaming laptop trends highlighted next-generation graphics, with Razer's RTX 5090 laptops being a highlight.
Intel's announcement of the 13th Gen Raptor Lake Mobile Processors at CES 2023 exemplifies how new releases can impact the market. For those interested in ultrabooks, Intel's less-powerful U-series processors can launch unpredictably, making it beneficial to stay updated with tech news and rumors.
New Hardware Can Lower Prices, Kind of
Waiting for new hardware releases can also lead to price drops on last-generation models. While spending a thousand dollars on a year-old laptop might seem daunting, laptop generations evolve incrementally. The difference between, say, a 13th-gen and 14th-gen Intel laptop is minimal and often unnoticeable in everyday tasks.
This strategy is particularly effective for buying the best MacBooks. When a new MacBook is released, the used marketplace floods with discounted year-old models as owners upgrade. This savvy approach can help you find a great deal on a laptop at any time of the year.
Top Affordable Laptops to Choose From Right Now
If you can't wait for sales or new releases, here are some top budget laptops from our buying guides:
Dell XPS 13
If you don't want to splurge on a MacBook, the Dell XPS 13 is an excellent alternative. $999.00 See it at Dell
Asus TUF Dash 15
For a gaming laptop under $2,000, the Asus TUF Dash 15 is a solid budget choice. $1,149.99 See it at Amazon
Microsoft Surface Pro 9
One of the best detachable laptops, we recommend the model with Microsoft’s ARM-based SQ 3 processor. $1,399.99 See it at Best Buy
Apple MacBook Air M2
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is ideal for everyday use. $1,665.00 See it at Amazon
