Laptops can be a significant investment, but savvy timing can help you snag the best deals, even on the latest models in 2025. With major sales events like President's Day on the horizon, it's crucial to understand the best times to buy a new laptop throughout the year.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime times for snagging a laptop at a great price. New laptop models typically launch early in the year or around October, depending on the manufacturer. This means that slightly older models, particularly those updated after CES, see significant discounts. Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are eager to clear out older stock to make room for new arrivals. Even premium laptops like MacBooks, which rarely see discounts when new, can be found at reduced prices during these sales.
Black Friday in 2025 falls on November 28, but expect deals to start rolling out as early as late October, right after Amazon's October Prime Day event.
Amazon's Prime Day, typically held in mid-July, isn't usually the best for top-tier laptops, but it's excellent for affordable options like Chromebooks. These budget-friendly devices see even deeper discounts during Prime Day, making it an ideal time to buy if you're not looking for cutting-edge specs.
Amazon's second Prime Day event in October offers similar discounts to the summer sale, though laptop deals are less abundant compared to Black Friday. It's still a good opportunity for fall purchases.
Beyond Black Friday and Prime Day, other holidays like President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July often feature laptop discounts. Retailers like Best Buy capitalize on these occasions to offer significant tech deals.
If your priority is the latest technology, keep an eye on announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD. CES 2025 showcased new laptops with AI assistants and Mini-LED displays, and the focus was on next-generation graphics, such as Razer's RTX 5090 laptops.
For those interested in ultrabooks, Intel's U-series processors can launch unexpectedly, so staying updated on tech news and rumors is beneficial.
Waiting for new hardware releases can also benefit you by lowering the prices of last-generation models. The difference between generations like Intel's 13th and 14th-gen chips is minimal, especially for everyday tasks. Snagging a deal on a slightly older model after a new release can be a smart move, particularly for MacBooks, as older models often flood the used market at discounted rates.
If you're looking to buy a laptop without waiting for a sale or new model release, consider these budget-friendly options from our laptop buying guides:
If you don't want to splurge on a MacBook, the Dell XPS 13 is a top alternative.
$999.00 See it at Dell
For a gaming laptop under $2,000, the Asus TUF Dash 15 is a great budget choice.
$1,149.99 See it at Amazon
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
The Apple MacBook Air (2022) is one of the best laptops for everyday use.
$1,665.00 See it at Amazon