If you’re in the market for a new laptop or tablet, timing your purchase can help you secure the best deal. Throughout the year, retailers offer significant discounts during certain seasons, holidays, and events. Here’s a guide to the best times of the year to buy laptops and tablets to help you save on tech purchases.
1. Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November)
The holiday shopping season is one of the best times to buy laptops and tablets, with Black Friday and Cyber Monday offering some of the year’s steepest discounts.
What to Expect:
- Significant Discounts: Expect discounts of 20-50% off on popular brands like Apple, Dell, and Microsoft, with big-box retailers and online platforms competing for sales.
- Doorbuster Deals: Many stores offer limited-time “doorbuster” deals on entry-level and high-end models, which may sell out quickly.
- Online Shopping Options: Cyber Monday often features exclusive online-only deals, so it’s worth checking both Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales for the best prices.
If you can wait until late November, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are ideal times to buy laptops and tablets, especially for top brands and new releases.
2. Back-to-School Season (July-August)
For students, educators, and parents, back-to-school season is a great time to buy tech, as retailers offer sales aimed at those preparing for the school year.
What to Expect:
- Student Discounts: Many brands, including Apple and Microsoft, provide student discounts on laptops and tablets during this time, often combined with free or discounted accessories.
- Bundled Offers: Look for bundles that include tech accessories like headphones, cases, and software subscriptions at reduced prices.
- Affordable Mid-Range Options: Entry-level and mid-range laptops and tablets are especially popular during this period, making it a good time to find deals on models suitable for work or school.
For students or anyone in need of a new laptop, back-to-school season is a reliable time to find discounts and valuable bundles.
3. Amazon Prime Day (Mid-July)
Amazon Prime Day, usually held in mid-July, has become a major sales event, offering substantial discounts on a variety of electronics, including laptops and tablets.
What to Expect:
- Exclusive Prime Deals: Amazon Prime members get access to exclusive discounts on laptops, tablets, and accessories from brands like Lenovo, HP, and Samsung.
- Flash Sales: Watch for limited-time deals and flash sales, which can offer particularly low prices on high-demand items.
- Discounted Amazon Devices: If you’re looking for an Amazon tablet, like the Fire HD, Prime Day is one of the best times to get a significant discount.
Amazon Prime Day offers excellent deals, particularly for Amazon-exclusive models and other major brands, making it a top choice for summer tech shopping.
4. New Year’s and Post-Holiday Sales (Late December – January)
After the holiday rush, many retailers offer end-of-year and New Year’s sales to clear out inventory, which can include excellent discounts on tech products.
What to Expect:
- Clearance Prices on Older Models: You may find last year’s models at clearance prices, especially as stores make room for new releases.
- End-of-Year Discounts: Look for special New Year’s promotions, often ranging from 15-40% off laptops and tablets.
- Online and In-Store Discounts: Both online and brick-and-mortar stores offer post-holiday sales, so you’ll have multiple ways to shop and compare deals.
If you don’t need the latest release, this is a great time to get a discount on slightly older but still high-quality models.
5. Spring Sales and Tax Refund Season (April – May)
With tax refunds in hand, many people look to make big purchases in spring, leading retailers to run sales and promotions during this period.
What to Expect:
- Tax Refund Deals: Retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon often run “Tax Refund” sales, making it easier to stretch your refund.
- New Model Discounts: By spring, newer models may be discounted as retailers prepare for back-to-school and summer product launches.
- Special Promotions: Look for financing options or installment plans if you’re interested in more flexibility on larger purchases.
Spring sales may not offer as deep discounts as Black Friday, but they’re a good time to find solid deals on new models and high-end tablets.
6. Labor Day Weekend (Early September)
Labor Day is known for its sales, especially for large items and electronics. It’s another chance to find laptops and tablets discounted before back-to-school and holiday shopping ramps up.
What to Expect:
- Labor Day Discounts on Laptops and Tablets: Expect deals on a wide range of models, including both budget and high-end options.
- Early Release Discounts: Some brands offer discounts on new models released in August or early September to boost early sales.
- In-Store and Online Sales: Many stores extend Labor Day sales through the weekend, so you can shop both online and in-store for deals.
Labor Day weekend is an excellent time to snag a new device if you missed the back-to-school deals and want a quality option before holiday sales.
7. Early Summer Sales (June)
Some stores offer “early summer” sales, aiming to move inventory before back-to-school and holiday shopping starts. These are typically found at electronics stores and major online retailers.
What to Expect:
- Discounts on Mid-Range Models: You can find lower prices on mid-range and previous-generation laptops and tablets.
- Clearance Prices on Accessories: Some early summer sales also include discounts on accessories, like chargers, cases, and keyboards, which can help complete your setup at a lower cost.
- Short-Term Sales Events: Look for one-day or weekend sales, often advertised by big-box retailers like Best Buy and Target.
Early summer is ideal if you want to buy a laptop or tablet for personal use and don’t want to wait until the fall.
8. Special Manufacturer Sales Events
Many tech brands have specific sales events on their websites where they offer exclusive deals on their products. These events are often time-limited and may coincide with major holidays or new model releases.
What to Expect:
- Apple’s Education Pricing: Apple typically offers education pricing during back-to-school season but also has limited-time deals throughout the year.
- Dell’s Semi-Annual Sale: Dell offers sales twice a year, with discounts on laptops, desktops, and accessories, sometimes with bundled offers on warranties.
- HP’s Memorial Day and Veterans Day Sales: HP runs Memorial Day and Veterans Day sales that feature significant discounts on laptops, desktops, and tablets.
Manufacturer-specific events are great if you have a brand preference and want the best deal directly from the source.
9. Major Shopping Holidays (President’s Day, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day)
President’s Day (February), Memorial Day (May), and Veterans Day (November) are smaller shopping holidays, but many retailers use these dates to offer discounts on electronics, including laptops and tablets.
What to Expect:
- Moderate Discounts: While not as steep as Black Friday, discounts during these holidays can range from 10-25%.
- Mid-Tier Models: You’ll likely find deals on mid-tier laptops and tablets, which are good for general use, students, and work-from-home needs.
- Bundled Deals and Financing: Retailers sometimes offer financing or “buy now, pay later” options, making it easier to budget for a new purchase.
These holidays offer smaller discounts but are still worth considering if you’re looking for a decent deal without waiting for the major sales events.
Knowing the best times of year to buy laptops and tablets can help you save money and find quality devices that meet your needs. Whether it’s the major sales around Black Friday, back-to-school season, or manufacturer-specific events, timing your purchase can help you get the best deal. Consider your needs, budget, and timing to decide when to make your move, and take advantage of holiday sales, tax refund season, and special discounts to make a savvy investment in your tech.
