Best Time to Buy a Laptop

Laptop prices fluctuate throughout the year due to seasonal sales, inventory clearances, and market trends, with

Black Friday and Cyber Monday

often offering the deepest discounts, especially as prices may rise in 2026 due to component shortages.

Timing your purchase around major retail events can save you hundreds on models from Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple, and more. In early 2026, deals like the MacBook Air M4 at $799 (down from $999) highlight ongoing opportunities, but experts warn of impending increases from RAM shortages affecting brands like Dell and Lenovo as early as late 2025 into 2026.

Why Timing Matters for Laptop Purchases

Understanding sales cycles helps you avoid overpaying. Manufacturers clear old stock before new releases, leading to steep cuts. For instance, competition in 2025 drove prices to record lows during Black Friday, with premium gaming laptops and everyday models seeing 20-30% off.

In 2026, factors like

memory (RAM) shortages

are pushing costs up, with TrendForce analysts predicting tight supplies that could raise laptop prices by 15-20%. Lenovo has signaled prices won’t hold past January 2026, making now or major sales events critical. Businesses and individuals should assess needs: if your device is 4-5 years old, upgrade soon to lock in value.

Top Times of Year to Buy a Laptop

The calendar is packed with deal periods. Here’s a breakdown:

• Black Friday and Cyber Monday (Late November): Peak savings time. Black Friday week (around Nov 22-24, 2025) saw record lows, and 2026 expects similar with extended returns until mid-January at retailers like Best Buy—perfect to hedge against CES announcements. Expect 20-50% off gaming rigs and ultrabooks.
• Holiday Season (December): Post-Black Friday clearances extend deals on remaining stock. HP’s 24-hour flash sales and Dell’s events often drop prices further.
• Back-to-School (July-September): Students snag deals on Chromebooks and lightweight laptops. Acer Chromebook Plus 516 fell to $349 from $479 in early 2026 sales.
• President’s Day (February): Winter clearances on winter inventory, good for mid-range models.
• Prime Day and Competing Sales (July): Amazon leads, but Best Buy and Dell match with laptop bundles.
• End-of-Year Clearances (December-January): Prep for new models at CES; watch for 2026 CPU updates but buy current gen at lows.
• Flash Sales and Weekly Deals: Dell and HP run ongoing promotions; time for 24-hour drops on models like HP 15 at $549.99 (from $799.99).

Best Times to Buy Specific Laptop Types

Different categories peak at varied times:

Laptop Type	Best Buy Times	Example Deals (2026)
Gaming Laptops	Black Friday, CES post-announce (Jan)	New 2026 CPUs incoming, but buy 2025 models now before RAM hikes
Ultrabooks/MacBooks	Holidays, Prime Day	MacBook Air M4: $799 at Amazon
Chromebooks/Budget	Back-to-School, Flash Sales	Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go: $129.99 (from $299.99)
2-in-1/Convertibles	President’s Day, Year-End	Microsoft Surface Pro: $999.99 (from $1,349.99)
Business Laptops	End-of-Quarter (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec)	Dell 14 Plus: $799 (from $1,099)

Gaming laptop buyers should prioritize Black Friday 2025/2026 over waiting for CES, as RAM price surges make high-spec models costlier soon. For businesses, lock in now for better budgets amid 15-20% hikes.

Upcoming Events and Sales in 2026 to Watch

Mark your calendar:

• January: CES 2026 reveals new designs/CPUs, but pre-CES clearances offer last-gen deals with returns.
• February: President’s Day sales.
• March-June: Quarterly business deals from Dell/HP.
• July: Prime Day.
• August-September: Back-to-school peaks.
• November: Black Friday/Cyber Monday—best overall.

Retailers like Dell offer flash sales weekly; HP’s 24-hour events are goldmines for quick buys.

Tips for Scoring the Best Laptop Deals

• Compare Retailers: Use price trackers; Amazon, Best Buy, Dell direct compete fiercely.
• Check Refurbished/Open-Box: Certified refurbs from manufacturers save 20-40%.
• Bundle Deals: Laptops with accessories or extended warranties often discount more.
• Student/Military Discounts: Year-round 10-20% off at Apple, Dell.
• Avoid New Releases: Prices drop 4-6 months post-launch.
• Extended Returns: Best Buy’s policy lets you buy Black Friday gear and return post-CES.
• Sign Up for Alerts: Retailer newsletters flag flash sales.

Prioritize specs over brand: 16GB RAM minimum now, as costs rise.

Should You Buy Now or Wait in 2026?

With RAM shortages and brand warnings,

buy during Black Friday or current deals

rather than waiting—prices are at lows not seen before, but hikes loom. If your laptop is aging (4-5 years), upgrade; new 2026 hardware won’t offset rising costs immediately. For non-urgent needs, President’s Day or back-to-school work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the absolute best time to buy a laptop?

Black Friday/Cyber Monday offers the deepest discounts across all types.

Will laptop prices go up in 2026?

Yes, due to RAM shortages; Dell, Lenovo, HP plan 15-20% increases.

Is it better to buy before or after CES 2026?

Before for deals on current stock; use extended returns to test new announcements.

Where to find the best laptop deals in 2026?

Dell flash sales, HP weekly deals, Amazon/Best Buy for brands like MacBook, Surface.

How much can I save on a gaming laptop now?

Up to 30% during Black Friday week, before RAM-driven hikes.

Final Thoughts on Laptop Buying in 2026

Act on sales like Black Friday to beat rising costs. Assess needs, compare deals, and secure warranties for long-term value. With deals like Dell 15 at $299.99, savings are real now.