Laptops can be a significant investment, but savvy shoppers know that timing is everything when it comes to snagging a great deal. Whether you're in the market for a sleek ultrabook or a powerful gaming laptop, 2025 offers several prime opportunities to buy at a discount, even on the latest models. With President's Day sales approaching, here’s a comprehensive guide to the best times to purchase 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 renowned for offering substantial discounts on laptops. These sales are not just about doorbusters; they coincide with the time when new laptop hardware typically launches, either at the start of the year or around October. This means that laptops from the previous generation, or those that become a generation old after CES (Consumer Electronics Show), are often deeply discounted. For instance, MacBooks have seen significant price drops shortly after new models are introduced.

Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy clear out older stock to make room for new arrivals, which can mean savings of 20-30% off the original price. Black Friday falls on November 28 in 2025, with deals starting as early as late October, following Amazon's October Prime Day event.

Amazon Prime Day

Amazon's Prime Day, typically held in mid-July, is another excellent time to find laptop deals. While the discounts might not be as aggressive as Black Friday, Prime Day is perfect for snagging budget-friendly options, especially Chromebooks. These already affordable devices often see even lower prices, making them an attractive choice for web-based tasks.

October Prime Day

Amazon's second Prime Day in October offers a similar shopping experience to its summer event, with discounts appearing before the holiday rush. While not as extensive as Black Friday for laptops, it's still a worthwhile event for those looking to buy in the fall.

Other Sales Events

Beyond the major sales, holidays like President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July often feature laptop deals at various retailers. Best Buy, for instance, has announced a big sale for the upcoming President's Day weekend.

If You Want the New Hotness

For those less concerned about price and more interested in cutting-edge technology, waiting for new hardware announcements from companies like Nvidia, Intel, or AMD is crucial. CES 2025 introduced a new generation of laptops focusing on AI assistants and Mini-LED displays, with a particular emphasis on next-generation graphics, such as Razer's RTX 5090 lineup.

New Hardware Can Lower Prices, Kind of

When new hardware is released, it often leads to price drops on last-generation models. The difference between generations is usually incremental, so purchasing a slightly older model can still provide excellent performance at a lower cost. This strategy is particularly effective for MacBooks, where new releases prompt sellers to offer deep discounts on older models.

Top Affordable Laptops to Choose From Right Now

If waiting for a sale or new model isn't an option, here are some budget-friendly laptops recommended in our buying guides:

Dell XPS 13

If you don't want to splurge on a MacBook, the Dell XPS 13 is a top alternative. $999.00 See it at Dell

ASUS TUF Dash 15

For a budget-friendly gaming laptop under $2,000, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is a great 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 one of the best laptops for everyday use. $1,665.00 See it at Amazon