Best Laptop Deals in 2025: When to Buy

Laptops can be a significant investment, but savvy shoppers know that timing is everything when it comes to snagging the best deals. Even if you're eyeing the latest models in 2025, there are specific times throughout the year when you can purchase laptops at more affordable prices. With President's Day sales approaching, let's explore the optimal times to buy a new laptop each 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 prime times for laptop purchases, extending beyond just the flashiest deals. New laptop models typically launch at the beginning of the year or around October, depending on the manufacturer. This timing means that last-generation laptops, or those that become outdated after CES (Consumer Electronics Show), see significant discounts. For instance, MacBooks often receive substantial price cuts shortly after new models are announced.

Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy aim to clear out older stock to make way for new arrivals, which can lead to savings of 20-30% off the original price. These sales events, coupled with enticing Black Friday and Cyber Monday promotions, allow you to purchase a high-quality laptop at a reduced cost. Notably, even new MacBook Air models have been discounted just weeks after their release during these sales.

Black Friday will be on November 28 in 2025, with deals starting to appear as early as late October, following Amazon's October Prime Day event.

Amazon Prime Day

Amazon's Prime Day is another key event, although laptop deals during this period might not be as groundbreaking as those during Black Friday. However, it remains a fantastic opportunity to purchase affordable laptops, especially Chromebooks, which are already budget-friendly and see even deeper price cuts on Prime Day. Since Chromebooks primarily operate through web browsers, you don't need to worry as much about hardware specifications.

We anticipate that Prime Day 2025 will occur around mid-July, similar to previous years.

October Prime Day

Amazon's second Prime Day event in October offers another chance to grab laptop deals, though they are fewer compared to Black Friday. This sale is ideal if you're looking to purchase a laptop at a lower price in the fall season.

Other Sales Events

Apart from the well-known Black Friday and Prime Day, other holidays like President's Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and the Fourth of July also feature notable laptop discounts. Retailers like Best Buy often announce significant sales around these holidays.

If You Want the New Hotness

For those who prioritize the latest and greatest technology over deals, keeping an eye on announcements from Nvidia, Intel, or AMD is crucial. At CES 2025, new laptop generations were showcased, focusing on AI assistants and Mini-LED displays. We've highlighted the major trends in gaming laptops from the event, with particular attention to next-generation graphics, such as Razer's new RTX 5090 lineup.

For those interested in browsing deals year-round, we continuously update our list of the best gaming laptop deals.

Ultrabooks and other high-end models often receive updates at unpredictable times, particularly with Intel's U-series processors. Staying informed through tech news and rumors can help you catch the latest releases as they happen.

New Hardware Can Lower Prices, Kind of

Waiting for new hardware releases can also benefit you by lowering the prices of last-generation models. While it might feel like a compromise to buy a slightly older model, the performance differences between generations are often minimal. For example, the difference between 13th-gen and 14th-gen Intel laptops is negligible for everyday tasks.

Purchasing a last-gen laptop at a discounted price is a smart strategy, especially for MacBooks. When a new MacBook model is released, the market is flooded with discounted older models as owners upgrade.

Top Affordable Laptops to Choose From Right Now

If you can't wait for upcoming sales or new releases, here are some 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 a gaming laptop under $2,000, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 is a great budget option. $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 ideal for everyday use. $1,665.00 See it at Amazon