Best Laptop Deals in 2025: When to Buy

Laptops can be a significant investment, but savvy shoppers can mitigate the cost by timing their purchases to coincide with peak discount periods. Even if you're eyeing the latest models in 2025, there are strategic times throughout the year when you can snag a great deal. With President's Day sales approaching, let's explore the optimal times to buy a new laptop.

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 prime times to purchase a laptop. These sales events offer more than just doorbuster deals; they coincide with the timing of new laptop hardware releases, typically at the start of the year or around October. This means that slightly older models, which might be just one generation behind, see significant discounts. Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy aim to clear out inventory to make way for new products, allowing you to save 20-30% off the original price. Even new releases, like MacBooks, can see price cuts shortly after launch during these sales.

Black Friday in 2025 falls on November 28, but the deals season typically begins in late October, right after Amazon's October Prime Day event.

Amazon Prime Day

Amazon's Prime Day is another key event for laptop deals. While the discounts might not be as aggressive as Black Friday, Prime Day still offers solid savings, especially on Chromebooks. These budget-friendly laptops become even more affordable, and since most of your work will be done through a web browser, the hardware specifics are less critical.

Prime Day 2025 is expected to occur in mid-July, similar to previous years.

October Prime Day

Amazon's October Prime Day, though not as robust in laptop deals as Black Friday, still presents opportunities for fall purchases. It's worth keeping an eye on if you're looking for a laptop deal before the holiday season.

Other Sales Events

Beyond the well-known 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 frequently announce sales around these times, making them excellent opportunities to find deals.

If You Want the New Hotness

If your priority is to own the latest and greatest laptop, keep an eye on announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD. New laptop hardware was showcased at CES 2025, focusing on AI assistants and Mini-LED displays. For gaming enthusiasts, next-generation graphics like Razer's RTX 5090 laptops were highlighted. Staying updated with tech news and rumors can help you snag the newest models as soon as they're available.

New Hardware Can Lower Prices, Kind of

Waiting for new hardware releases has another advantage: it lowers the prices of last-generation models. The differences between generations, like Intel's 13th and 14th-gen processors, are often incremental and may not significantly impact everyday tasks. Snagging a last-gen laptop at a discount can be a smart move, especially when new models hit the market and drive down prices of older ones. This strategy also applies to MacBooks, where you can find great deals on used marketplaces as owners upgrade to the latest models.

Top Affordable Laptops to Choose From Right Now

If you can't wait for upcoming sales or new releases, consider these top budget-friendly laptops from 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 gamers on a budget looking for a laptop under $2,000, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is a great pick. $1,149.99 - See it at Amazon

Microsoft Surface Pro 9

One of the best detachable laptops, the Surface Pro 9 with Microsoft’s ARM-based SQ 3 processor is highly recommended. $1,399.99 - See it at Best Buy

Apple MacBook Air M2

The MacBook Air M2 (2022) is one of the best laptops for everyday use. $1,665.00 - See it at Amazon