Laptops are a significant investment, but savvy timing can significantly reduce the cost. While new models constantly emerge, several periods throughout the year offer substantial savings, even on the latest technology in 2025. With President's Day sales approaching, let's explore the optimal times to purchase a laptop.
Best Times to Buy a Laptop in 2025:
Major Sales Events: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day Back-to-School SeasonNew Hardware Releases
Black Friday/Cyber Monday
Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy clear inventory to make room for newer products. While you might not get the absolute newest model, savings of 20-30% off the retail price are substantial. Combined with aggressive Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotions, you can find incredibly affordable laptops. We've witnessed Black Friday deals slashing prices on MacBook Airs just weeks after their release—a noteworthy discount considering Apple products rarely see price reductions, especially new releases.
Black Friday falls on November 28th, 2025, but deals typically begin in late October. Expect deals to emerge shortly after Amazon's October Prime Day event.
Amazon Prime Day
Prime Day is ideal for 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, mirroring last year's timing.
October Prime Day
Amazon's October Prime Day event offers similar discounts to the summer event, preceding the holiday season. Laptop deals are less abundant than during Black Friday, but it's still worth noting for budget-conscious fall shoppers.
Other Sales Events
Beyond Black Friday and Prime Day, retailers often discount electronics during holidays. President's Day sales are underway, with Best Buy already announcing significant deals. Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July also present opportunities for laptop deals.
Seeking the Latest Technology
If prioritizing the newest technology over price, await announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD regarding new laptop hardware. This year, new laptops were unveiled at CES 2025, emphasizing AI assistants and Mini-LED displays. We analyzed key gaming laptop trends from the event, with significant attention on next-generation graphics, notably Razer's RTX 5090 laptop lineup.
Ultrabook upgrades are frequent, although Intel's less powerful U-series processors release sporadically. Staying informed on tech news and rumors is crucial. Unexpected hardware releases occur, so diligent monitoring is necessary for securing the latest models.
New Hardware Impacts Pricing
New hardware releases immediately reduce 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 laptop, for instance, is minimal for everyday tasks. The speed increase in applications like Photoshop is negligible. Therefore, purchasing a last-generation laptop at a significant discount is a smart strategy, applicable to MacBooks as well. New MacBook releases often trigger deep discounts on older models in the used market. This approach offers significant savings.
Top Affordable Laptops Currently Available
For those not wanting to wait for sales or new releases, consider these budget-friendly options from our laptop buying guides:
### Dell XPS 13
A top MacBook alternative, especially if you prefer not to spend on Apple products.
$999.00 See it at Dell
### ASUS TUF Dash 15
An excellent budget gaming laptop under $2,000.
$1,149.99 See it at Amazon
### Microsoft Surface Pro 9
A top-tier detachable laptop. We recommend the model with Microsoft's ARM-based SQ 3 processor.
$1,399.99 See it at Best Buy
### Apple MacBook Air M2
One of the best laptops for everyday use. $1,665.00 See it at Amazon
