Are you thinking about buying a new laptop? Are you asking yourself, “when is the best time to buy a laptop?”. If so, you’ll join the millions of people who invest in a new computer every year. Whether this is your first laptop or an upgrade from an outdated model, you’re doing careful research to make sure you get the best device.
You’re also hoping to stick to a certain budget. For that reason, you’re asking, “When is the best time to buy a laptop?”
With Black Friday and the holidays coming up, you might feel you need to act now to get the best deals. At the same time, you’re wondering if holding on for just a little longer could net you even bigger savings.
This guide will help you answer this question once and for all.
Black Friday and Holiday Deals
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Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the holidays are all right around the corner. As a result, you might think this is the best time to buy a laptop.
Black Friday deals are often some of the deepest discounts you’ll see. Laptop deals have been few and far between this year.
Plenty of laptop makers have been giving sneak previews of their Black Friday deals. For example, you can get a look at Lenovo prices right now.
Others have started offering pre-Black Friday discounts. Some laptop makers will offer deals well into the holiday season to entice buyers. You may even see some post-holiday deals as retailers try to clear out stock.
What does this mean? Black Friday is always a strong contender for the best laptop deals of the year. There are a few other points in the year you’ll want to consider for buying a laptop.
New Year, New Models
Many laptop makers introduce new models early in the new year. Some will introduce their 2021 line ups as early as January. New models often trickle in between February and April.
When a laptop maker introduces a new model, they’ll often slash prices on older models. That means you could score a great deal on a laptop if you wait until February or March.
There are two major considerations with buying at this time of year, though. First, some models will have limited stock and could sell out before they’re discounted. That may mean you’re stuck waiting until later in the year for more sales or paying full price on the latest model.
The other issue is that you won’t be getting a 2021 model. That means the laptop you’re buying is outdated before you even get it.
For most people, that’s not a big concern. There’s usually little difference between laptop models on a year-to-year basis. A 2020 model will work just as well as the 2021 model.
The discount may even let you buy a better model than you might otherwise. A top-tier 2020 laptop will likely outperform the 2021 base model.
Some manufacturers, like Apple, also tend not to discount their older models. You may find deals at a local retailer, but not if you plan to buy direct from Apple.
Back-to-School Season
What if you decide to skip this year’s holiday deals and can’t find a great deal when new models are released? The next time you’ll see laptop deals will be in late summer.
As students gear up to go back to school, many PC manufacturers discount their laptops. They may offer other deals as well.
You can usually find deals starting in August. Some manufacturers may extend their fall deals through September and October, leading up to Black Friday in November.
A word of caution is in order. Back-to-school deals may look good, but they’re often followed by deeper discounts for Black Friday.
The reasoning is simple. People need laptops when they go back to school, so they’re willing to pay a little bit more. Since they need the laptop, they can’t wait for a better deal to roll around.
By contrast, people who are shopping on Black Friday and Cyber Monday don’t need to buy a laptop. They can wait to find a better deal. If they’re buying the device as a present, they can also decide to buy something else instead.
Since laptop manufacturers are trying to entice a crowd that doesn’t have to buy on Black Friday, they often offer deeper discounts.
When Is the Best Time to Buy a Laptop?
As you can see, the best time to buy a laptop is usually in the fall. Deals will start rolling out in the late summer. Some manufacturers offering progressively better deals until the end of November.
So, if you’re thinking about buying a laptop in 2020, then this might be the very best time to get a deal. It’s very likely manufacturers have saved their best deals of the year for holiday shoppers.
Most manufacturers offer Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals as well. If you want to get an Apple computer, then Black Friday is usually your best bet for a deal. Apply rarely discounts their computers otherwise.
If you miss the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, then you may want to wait until after the holidays to look at getting a new laptop. Holiday deals are often less appealing than the price slashes that occur when new models roll out early in the year.
When Is the Worst Time to Buy a Laptop?
If fall is the best time to buy a laptop, then what’s the worst time to buy one? The spring and summer months are usually the worst time for deal-hunters looking for a new laptop.
Companies have already rolled out their new models and discounted the old models. With luck, they’ll have gotten rid of those older models. That means they’re concentrated on selling the new models at top dollar.
As a result, laptop deals are few and far between from about April until August. If you miss deals in the early part of the year, then you’ll want to wait until fall savings roll around again.
If you want to get the latest laptop, then you’ll likely want to wait for fall deals. That way, you can get the latest models at the best prices.
If you don’t mind getting an older model, then you can take advantage of deals earlier in the year. You’ll still find they’re few and far between in the spring and summer.
Where to Look for Laptop Deals
Now that you know when the best time to buy a laptop is, you’re probably wondering where you should look for deals.
The best place to buy a laptop is often direct from the manufacturer. They may offer better deals or deeper discounts, and they usually have more stock.
That means you usually have more selection, even when there are sales on. Manufacturers may also provide extended warranties or better care.
Of course, some retailers will offer deeper discounts on laptops. This is especially true if they’re trying to clear out old models. They often offer deep discounts on Black Friday as well, so you may find cheaper laptops or better bargains.
You may even find great deals online, although you might want to watch out for third-party marketplaces. Sellers on sites like Amazon may seem to have bargain deals, but they may not be legitimate sellers. They may also sell refurbished laptops.
A refurbished device may be a good deal, but you want to buy it from a reputable seller. Otherwise, you could end up with an outdated device that doesn’t work.
Always carefully compare the laptop you want with what’s being advertised. You may think you’ve found a great deal, but you’re actually getting a different laptop with much different specs.
Know What You Want
One of the fundamentals for how to buy a laptop is knowing what you want. Do some research and think carefully about components and features. You’ll want to think about:
- RAM
- Processors, including graphics cards and CPUs
- Screen size
- Storage capacity
- Type of storage
All of this can affect the performance of your machine. A more powerful CPU, for example, helps your machine run faster.
Once you’ve decided on your ideal laptop, look for models that meet your requirements. You can also consider models that don’t offer you everything you want but still come close.
After doing this, you can set alerts for deals on these particular models. You can also use your “ideal” laptop to compare laptops that are on sale. You may be surprised by how much choice you have when it comes to getting a great deal.
‘Tis the Season for Great Tech Deals
If you were wondering when is the best time to buy a laptop, you’ve got a good idea of when to buy and when to wait. If you’re in the market for a laptop right now, you might be in luck. Some of the best deals of the year are right around the corner.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are often a great time to grab deals on all the latest tech. Wondering what gadgets you should keep your eye on this year? Check out our recommendations for great tech gifts for everyone on your list this year.
