Laptops are a significant investment, but smart timing can significantly reduce the cost. While new models constantly emerge, several periods offer substantially better deals, even on the latest technology in 2025. With President's Day sales approaching, let's explore the optimal times to buy.

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 laptop-buying times. New laptop hardware typically launches early in the year or around October, depending on the manufacturer. This means previous-generation models, often becoming obsolete after CES (Consumer Electronics Show), receive deep discounts. We've seen this with MacBooks, for example, following new model releases.

Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy aggressively clear inventory to make room for newer products. While you might miss the absolute newest features, savings of 20-30% off are substantial.

Combined with aggressive Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, you can find exceptional laptop deals. We've seen Black Friday deals significantly reduce MacBook Air prices shortly after release—a product line not usually known for discounts.

Black Friday falls on November 28th, 2025, but deals often begin in late October. Expect deals to appear shortly after Amazon's October Prime Day event.

Amazon Prime Day

Amazon's Prime Day offers deals, though not always the best laptop deals. While not always featuring top-of-the-line models, you can find solid, affordable laptops if you're not overly demanding.

Prime Day is particularly good for Chromebooks. Already budget-friendly, Amazon further discounts them. The hardware is less critical with Chromebooks, as most functionality relies 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, offering similar discounts ahead of the holiday season. Laptop deals are less abundant than during Black Friday, but it's a worthwhile consideration for fall purchases.

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 promotions. Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July also present opportunities.

For the Latest Models

If prioritizing the newest technology over price, wait for new hardware announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD. This year, new laptops were unveiled at CES 2025, emphasizing AI assistants and mini-LED displays. Razer's RTX 5090 laptops garnered significant attention.

For current deals and ongoing updates, explore our best gaming laptop deals page.

Ultrabook upgrades are frequent, though Intel's U-series processors release less predictably. Staying informed about tech news and rumors is crucial. New hardware often appears unexpectedly.

New Hardware Impacts Pricing

New hardware releases immediately reduce prices of previous-generation models. While purchasing a slightly older laptop might seem less appealing, generational improvements are often incremental.

The difference between a 13th-gen and 14th-gen Intel laptop, for instance, is minimal for everyday tasks. The performance boost is rarely noticeable in applications like Photoshop.

Combining new hardware releases with deals on last-generation models is an excellent strategy. New MacBook releases, for example, create significant discounts on previous models in the used market.

Top Affordable Laptops

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: An excellent 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)