Computers can be a big investment, but timing your purchase well can help you save significantly. If you’re not in a rush, waiting for specific sales seasons can be a smart strategy to catch the best deals on laptops and desktops.
Whether you’re a business owner looking to buy computers in bulk, part of a procurement team tasked with maximizing value on a tight budget, or a gamer eager to upgrade to the latest high-performance model, waiting for big sales can save you a ton of money.
So, what’s the best time of year to buy a computer? Although new models are released frequently, certain periods are known for lower prices and exclusive deals.
Popular times include Black Friday, Back-to-School sales, Christmas promotions, Cyber Monday discounts, and other seasonal sales.
These events often offer substantial savings, especially for those looking to upgrade or purchase new computers for work, gaming, or school.
Having worked as the go-to tech expert at my company, I’ve done extensive research on computer deals and trends. In the following sections, I’ll guide you through the best times to buy a laptop or desktop and the key factors to consider before making your decision.
Here is our guide on when is the best time to buy a computer.
Amazon Prime Day:
Amazon Prime Day is one of the best opportunities to score a new machine at a lower price, whether it’s a recent release or an older model marked down significantly.
Wondering what deals to expect on Amazon Prime Day? You’ll often find discounts on computers for every need—whether you’re a business professional looking for a powerful workstation, a gamer seeking high-performance specs, a college student needing a reliable yet affordable laptop for coursework, or a remote worker who values a lightweight model for productivity on the go.
The only catch? The exact dates for Prime Day aren’t always predictable.
This year, it fell on July 11th and 12th, and generally, Amazon hosts it in early July. To make the most of these limited-time deals, keep an eye on Amazon’s announcements, which typically come out about two weeks ahead of Prime Day.
For buyers interested in Chromebooks or budget-friendly notebooks, Prime Day is especially useful. These laptops, often already affordable, see even steeper discounts on Prime Day, making it a great time to buy if your primary needs are web browsing or basic tasks.
One word of caution: not every “deal” on Prime Day is as good as it appears. Make sure to verify the regular price of a laptop to ensure you’re getting an actual discount. Checking prices at other stores before buying can also help you avoid overspending on what looks like a flash sale.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday:
Is it better to buy a computer during Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Big sales on electronics happen around Thanksgiving in the US, especially on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Stores advertise these sales a lot, so expect big crowds.
Here’s one tip on how to avoid the crowd: identify a few models of PCs you desire in advance so that you can check pricing and buy them easily during a sale without worrying about their shortage.
During these times, most companies have discounts on technology-related gadgets such as computers. Particularly, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are full of many laptop brands with huge price cuts.
Black Friday usually has better deals for bigger items like computers and televisions, whereas Cyber Monday is best suited for smaller things such as clothes and accessories. The Black Friday deals only last a short time but the Cyber Monday sales can last for more than a week.
Even though there are sales at other times of the year, like back-to-school sales and holiday sales, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are usually the best for getting big discounts and promotions.
On top of that, it’s possible to find good offers on computers during end-of-year clearance sales. Many shops give large discounts at the end of the year so as to create space for new models set to be launched next year.
Christmas and New Year sales:
If you missed out on getting a good deal on a laptop during Cyber Monday, don’t worry. Around Christmas and right after it, you might still find some good deals.
You might not save as much money as you would on Cyber Monday, but some stores have sales specifically for computers like desktops and laptops during this time.
Even though PCs might not be the typical gift for Christmas, some stores still try to keep customers happy during their busiest time of the year. So, it’s likely that you’ll see prices drop, and you can get a laptop at a good price.
This also includes New Year’s Day, so there’s more time to find a good deal. In December, you should also look online for discounts on laptops. There are websites that compare prices for different laptop models.
That being said, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as end-of-year clearance sales, are the best times to buy a cheap laptop.
These days, they are known for their big discounts and sales on many things, including computers. And the whole holiday season, from late November to December, is a good time to look for deals.
According to LaptopMag, new laptops come out almost three times a year: during the back-to-school season (June–August), the holiday season (September -December), and spring (February–April).
But the best deals usually happen in the summer or winter. If your laptop isn’t on its last legs, it might be worth waiting for a better deal.
Back-to-School season:
Lots of students ask, “Can I get a discount on a laptop as a student?” The answer is yes! The ultimate time to really grab a bargain is during back-to-school sales that usually take place in July and August.
From the start of July until the end of August, you can always anticipate back-to-school sales. This is when desktops and laptops are mostly sold at low prices.
Online stores such as Amazon and Best Buy, as well as brands like HP, Dell, Acer, Apple, Sony, and Microsoft, often offer additional discounts specifically for students.
Even if new models have just been released during back-to-school sales, good deals are still available for college students.
For instance, even if you are not a student anymore, you can still come across several awesome computers offered online in July and August. Amazon is one of the most common options used for back-to-school shopping, offering many computers at great prices.
It is also worth noting that Amazon’s big Prime Day sale happens right in the middle of back-to-school season, around mid-July. This is one of the few times when shoppers can find many really good laptop deals on Amazon, apart from Black Friday.
If you are a student, here are the best laptops and Chromebooks for students.
Is January the best time to buy a laptop?
If you are wondering, when’s the best time to buy a computer after the holiday season? January is usually a month for discounts on computers, even gaming ones.
Stores lower prices to sell off leftover holiday stock. Just be careful about what you’re buying and make sure to shop at trusted stores or websites. You don’t want to end up buying an old laptop by mistake.
Here are a few reasons why January is a good time to buy:
- Some laptop brands release new models in January, which means you might find older versions at discounted prices.
- You can get a good-quality laptop for less money during this time.
- Many stores have sales after the holidays to attract more shoppers, so you might find good deals on computers, including gaming ones.
If you can wait and keep an eye out for deals in January, you could end up getting a great laptop at a lower price.
New model releases:
Imagine purchasing a brand-new laptop for a very high amount of money only to find it has become worth hundreds of dollars less in a few weeks. This is undoubtedly annoying, but it’s due to the companies frequently releasing more and more new products.
For instance, if you are into Apple products and wish to buy a MacBook, new ones are typically introduced during an occasion held in September. However, if you would like a Microsoft Surface Pro, it is most likely better to wait until their biggest event in October.
If you don’t know when your favorite electronics brand releases new products, then it’s good to find out before investing in a laptop. Discounts often start appearing about a month or a few weeks before these events.
Another chance for bargains is the CES (Consumer Electronics Show), which happens every January. A lot of new computers are unveiled there so you may get deals on the previous year’s models.
These machines will not be the most recent but if you are not looking for the latest flagship model, you can save some money.
You could buy a used laptop Instead:
When retailers start offering discounts, you can often find some appealing deals on laptops and desktops. However, it’s wise to verify the terms and actual savings before jumping in—sometimes waiting a bit can reveal even better offers.
If a particular deal doesn’t meet your expectations or budget, consider buying a certified refurbished laptop. Refurbished computers can be excellent for everyday use, offering quality at a lower price point.
Remember, patience and timing can help you score the best deals and avoid disappointment.