The Best Time to Buy a Laptop for a Good Price in 2025

Laptops are a significant investment, but savvy timing can significantly reduce the cost. While new models constantly emerge, several periods annually offer more affordable options, even for 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 Season New Hardware Launches

Black Friday / Cyber Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime times for laptop deals. New laptop hardware typically launches early in the year or around October, depending on the manufacturer. This means slightly older models (a generation behind post-CES releases) receive substantial discounts. This trend is evident with MacBooks, for example, following new model releases.

Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy aggressively clear inventory to make room for new stock. While you might miss the absolute newest features, savings of 20-30% off the original price are substantial. Combined with Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotions, significant cost reductions are possible. Deep discounts have even been observed on MacBook Airs shortly after their release – a rarity for Apple products.

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

Amazon Prime Day

Similar to Black Friday, Amazon hosts its own major sales event. While Prime Day laptop deals aren't always spectacular, worthwhile options exist. Expect more budget-friendly models rather than high-end devices.

Prime Day is particularly advantageous for Chromebooks. Already affordable, Prime Day discounts make them even more attractive. The hardware limitations are less of a concern with Chromebooks, as most functionality relies on web browsers.

Prime Day 2025 is anticipated around mid-July, similar to previous years.

October Prime Day

Amazon's October Prime Day event mirrors the summer sale, offering similar discounts before the holiday season. While laptop deals are less abundant than on Black Friday, it's a worthwhile consideration for fall purchases.

Other Sales Events

Beyond Black Friday and Prime Day, retailers often discount electronics for holidays like President's Day (with Best Buy already announcing significant sales), Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July.

Seeking the Latest Technology

For those prioritizing the newest features over price, aligning purchases with Nvidia, Intel, or AMD's new hardware announcements is key. In 2025, a new generation of laptops was unveiled alongside CES, emphasizing AI assistants and Mini-LED displays. Razer's RTX 5090 laptops exemplify this trend.

Ultrabook upgrades are frequent, although Intel's U-series processors release less predictably. Staying informed about tech news and rumors is crucial for securing the latest models.

New Hardware Impacts Pricing

New hardware releases immediately lower prices on previous-generation models. While purchasing a slightly older laptop might seem less appealing, the generational improvements are often incremental. The performance difference between a 13th-gen and 14th-gen Intel processor, for instance, is minimal for everyday tasks.

Combining awareness of new hardware releases with deals on last-generation models is an effective strategy. New MacBook releases, for example, create opportunities to find discounted previous-generation models on the used market.

Currently Affordable Laptops

For those unwilling to wait for sales or new releases, consider these budget-friendly options:

Dell XPS 13: A strong MacBook alternative.

ASUS TUF Dash 15: A budget-friendly gaming laptop (under $2,000).

Microsoft Surface Pro 9: A top-tier detachable laptop (consider the SQ 3 processor).

Apple MacBook Air M2 (2022): Excellent for everyday use.