When is the Best Time to Buy a Laptop?💻

When to Buy a Laptop: The Ultimate Timing Guide for Maximum Savings

Discover the perfect calendar sweet spots to save up to 40% on your next laptop purchase, backed by real price data and industry insider knowledge

Buying a laptop is a significant investment, and timing your purchase right can save you hundreds of dollars. I've analyzed thousands of laptop deals across major brands to bring you this data-driven guide on exactly when to pull the trigger on your next device. With the global laptop market valued at approximately $109.9 billion in 2024 and projected to grow at 5.3% annually, understanding the market's rhythm is more valuable than ever.

The Laptop Pricing Calendar: When Prices Hit Rock Bottom 📅

My research reveals three distinct "sweet spots" throughout the year when laptop prices consistently reach their lowest points:

1. January (Post-Holiday Clearance): After the holiday rush, retailers clear inventory with discounts averaging 14-17% off MSRP.
2. August (Back-to-School Season): Education-focused promotions bring savings of 7-22% off, with some student-specific deals offering even deeper discounts.
3. Late November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday): The undisputed champion of laptop deals, with discounts reaching 20-36% off MSRP across virtually all brands and models.

Conversely, September and October typically show the highest laptop prices of the year. This timing aligns perfectly with new model releases from major manufacturers like Apple, HP, and Lenovo – creating a "perfect storm" of premium pricing.

Let's dive deeper into the month-by-month breakdown:

Month	Average Discount	Sale Frequency	What's Happening	Best For
January	16-17%	Medium	Post-holiday clearance, New Year sales	Previous-gen models
February	9-14%	Low	Presidents' Day sales	Budget models
March	8-12%	Low	Spring clearance, End of Q1	Business laptops
April	14-17%	Medium	Tax season, Graduation sales	Mid-range models
May	13-21%	Medium	Memorial Day, End of school year	Gaming laptops
June	12-17%	Medium	Graduation gift sales	Premium ultrabooks
July	14-17%	High	Amazon Prime Day, Mid-year clearance	Mainstream laptops
August	8-17%	High	Back-to-school season	Student laptops
September	8-12%	Medium	Back-to-school continuation	Avoid if possible
October	8-12%	Medium	Pre-holiday sales	Avoid if possible
November	21-32%	High	Black Friday, Cyber Monday	All laptop types
December	19-26%	Medium	Holiday sales, End-of-year clearance	Gift laptops

The Big Three Sale Events 🔥

While there are deals throughout the year, three major sales events consistently deliver the deepest discounts on laptops:

1. Black Friday & Cyber Monday (Late November)

• Typical Discount Range: 20-36% off MSRP
• Why It's Great: The highest concentration of laptop deals all year with virtually every retailer participating
• Best For: High-end gaming laptops, premium ultrabooks, and Apple MacBooks
• Insider Tip: Many retailers now extend Black Friday pricing for the entire week, with some deals starting earlier in November

2. Back-to-School Season (Late July to Early September)

• Typical Discount: $100-$200 off (roughly 7-22% off MSRP)
• Why It's Great: Education-focused promotions often include valuable bundles with accessories, software, or extended warranties
• Best For: Student laptops, mainstream productivity machines, and budget gaming models
• Insider Tip: Look for student-specific deals that may require .edu email verification for maximum savings

3. Amazon Prime Day (Mid-July)

• Typical Discount: 14-17% off MSRP
• Why It's Great: Major retailers now compete with Amazon's event, creating a mid-year mini Black Friday effect
• Best For: Budget and mid-range Windows laptops, previous generation models
• Insider Tip: Check competing retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and direct manufacturer sites who often match or beat Amazon's prices

Brand-Specific Release Cycles & Deal Patterns

Each major laptop manufacturer follows distinct release cycles that directly impact pricing. Understanding these patterns gives you a competitive edge in timing your purchase:

Apple

• Market Share: 15.9% globally
• Release Pattern: New MacBooks typically arrive in March, September, or October
• Last Major Release: January 17, 2023
• Next Expected Release: March 2024
• Best Time to Buy: Two scenarios:
  • Right after new model announcements (for previous gen models)
  • Black Friday/Cyber Monday (for current models)
• Typical Discount: 9-13% (Apple rarely offers deep discounts directly, but authorized retailers may go up to 17% off during major sales)

Lenovo

• Market Share: 24.8% (Q3 2023)
• Release Pattern: Major refreshes in Q1, Q2, and September/October
• Last Major Release: October 2023
• Next Expected Release: April 2024
• Best Time to Buy: March (Lenovo Annual Sale) and November (Black Friday)
• Typical Discount: Lenovo offers some of the most aggressive discounts, ranging from 22-30% in March to 31%+ during Black Friday

HP

• Market Share: 21.4% globally
• Release Pattern: Annual refreshes in September/October
• Last Major Release: September 2023
• Next Expected Release: September 2024
• Best Time to Buy: Black Friday and immediate post-holiday clearance
• Typical Discount: 14-17% average discount throughout the year, with peaks of 22-35% during Black Friday

Dell

• Market Share: 12.8% globally
• Release Pattern: Bi-annual refreshes in April and September
• Last Major Release: September 2023
• Next Expected Release: April 2024
• Best Time to Buy: March (end of fiscal year discounts) and Black Friday/Cyber Monday
• Typical Discount: 14-24% during March sales, 22-32% during Black Friday

ASUS

• Market Share: Among top 3 notebook vendors globally

• Release Pattern: Major launches in January, April, and September

• Last Major Release: December 14, 2023

• Next Expected Release: January 2025

• Best Time to Buy: Black Friday and January clearance events

• Typical Discount: 14-17% during regular sales, up to 24% during Black Friday

The Waiting Game: Is It Worth It?

One of the biggest questions I hear is: "Should I buy now or wait for a better deal?" Let's look at what the data says about potential savings:

If You Buy During	vs. Buying at Peak Season	Potential Savings	Worth the Wait?
Black Friday (November)	vs. September/October	18-22% ($200-$500)	Absolutely worth it for most purchases
Back-to-School (August)	vs. September/October	4-12% ($50-$300)	Worth it for student/mainstream laptops
January Clearance	vs. September/October	8-17% ($100-$400)	Good for previous generation models
Amazon Prime Day (July)	vs. Regular Pricing	15-18% ($150-$350)	Good for mainstream laptops

Real-World Example: The MacBook Air Price Journey

Let's look at a real example: The MacBook Air (M2, 2022) had an MSRP of $999 at launch but reached a historical low of $645.54 during Black Friday 2023. That's a 32.3% discount – substantial for an Apple product! If you purchased in October before Black Friday at near full price, you potentially missed saving over $350.

The same pattern appears across brands. The Dell XPS 15 (2023) showed a 17.5% discount during June 2023 promotions compared to its regular pricing, saving buyers approximately $100.

Special Considerations for Different Laptop Types

Your ideal buying window may vary depending on the type of laptop you're seeking:

Gaming Laptops

• Best Time: Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day
• Why: Gaming laptops see the deepest discounts during these events, with savings up to 26-36% on even high-end models
• Consider: Look for bundled games and accessories that add extra value

Business Laptops

• Best Time: End of quarter sales (March, June, September, December)
• Why: Business-focused manufacturers often have quarterly sales targets to meet
• Consider: Corporate discount programs might beat even sale prices

Budget Laptops (<$600)

• Best Time: Back-to-School and Black Friday
• Why: Retailers highlight entry-level models during these high-volume selling periods
• Consider: These models see consistent but modest discounts (8-16%) year-round

Premium Ultrabooks

• Best Time: Immediately after new model announcements and Black Friday
• Why: Previous generation models see price drops when new versions launch
• Consider: Previous generation flagships often offer better value than current mid-range models

The Strategic Approach to Laptop Buying

Based on all this data, here's my strategic approach to timing your laptop purchase:

1. If you need it now: Look for models that have been on the market 6-9 months, as they'll have already seen some price drops
2. If you can wait 1-3 months: Identify the next major sales event and hold off
3. If you can wait 3-6 months: Target Black Friday/Cyber Monday for maximum savings
4. If it's September/October: Unless you absolutely need it immediately, wait a month for Black Friday deals

Exceptions to the Rules

While the data shows clear patterns, there are exceptions:

• Limited Edition Models: Special edition or limited-run laptops rarely see significant discounts
• Brand-New Flagship Releases: The newest technology commands premium pricing and may not see deep discounts for 3-6 months
• Supply Chain Disruptions: Component shortages can actually drive prices up during traditionally discount-heavy periods

Bottom Line: Best Times to Buy a Laptop in 2024

Based on the comprehensive data analysis, here are my top recommendations for 2024:

1. Best Overall Time: Black Friday/Cyber Monday (Late November) - With discounts reaching 20-36% across virtually all brands and models, this remains the undisputed champion for laptop deals.

2. Best Alternative Time: Back-to-School Season (Late July-Early September) - While discounts aren't as deep as Black Friday, the 8-17% savings combined with educational bundles make this a solid buying window.

3. Best Time for Previous Generation Models: January Clearance - Retailers offering 14-17% discounts to clear inventory after the holiday rush.

4. Best Time for Apple Products: Immediately after new product announcements (expected March 2024) for previous generation models, or during Black Friday for modest discounts on current models.

5. Worst Time to Buy: September-October - With new model releases and retailers preparing for holiday season, prices typically peak during these months.

Remember that your individual circumstances matter. While the data clearly shows optimal buying windows, the value of having the right tool for your needs sometimes outweighs waiting for the perfect deal. That said, if your current laptop is still functioning and you can afford to be strategic, aligning your purchase with these key calendar periods can save you hundreds of dollars.

What's your laptop buying strategy? Are you waiting for a specific sales event, or do you need to make a purchase soon? The good news is that armed with this data, you can make a more informed decision no matter when you decide to buy.