Is Amazon Prime Day good for laptops?

Yes — Windows laptops typically see 15–20% off during Prime Day (July). Not as deep as Black Friday, but the best mid-year opportunity.

When is the best time to buy a MacBook?

Black Friday is the one reliable sale window. Apple rarely discounts outside of that. The exception: refurbished MacBooks on Apple's site are 15% off year-round.

Should I buy a laptop when a new model launches?

No — wait for the first price drop on the outgoing model, which usually happens within 2–4 weeks of the new release. The previous generation gets heavily discounted to clear inventory.

How much can I save by timing my laptop purchase?

On Windows laptops, 15–35% off at Black Friday is common. On a $999 laptop, that's $150–$350 in savings. MacBook discounts are smaller but still meaningful.

Best Time to Buy a Laptop in 2026

The best time to buy a laptop in 2026 is Black Friday or back-to-school season — when prices drop 15–35% on Windows laptops and MacBooks.

Are you about to pay full price for a laptop? The same model that costs $999 in August might be $699 by November — or $1,099 if a new model just launched the week before you searched. Laptops are one of the most price-volatile product categories on Amazon, and timing your purchase correctly matters more here than almost anywhere else.

The Short Answer

Back-to-school season (July–August) and Black Friday (November) are the two best times to buy a laptop in 2026. For premium laptops like MacBooks, Black Friday is often the only time you'll see meaningful discounts — typically $150–$200 off.

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Laptop in 2026?

January – February — Post-Holiday Clearance

Retailers discount remaining holiday inventory. Good time to find deals on previous-generation models. CES announcements signal what's coming — if a new model was announced, the outgoing one will drop.

March – May — New Release Season

Apple, Dell, Lenovo, and others launch new models. Avoid buying the outgoing generation at full price — wait for the price cut. Also avoid the new model for the first month.

July – August — Back-to-School

The second-best laptop sale season. Windows laptops see 15–20% off. Best Buy, Amazon, and Costco run aggressive promotions. Apple occasionally offers gift cards with Mac purchases.

September – October — Back-to-School Tail

Deals start thinning. If you missed back-to-school, hold out for November.

November — Black Friday / Cyber Monday

The best time to buy a laptop. Windows laptops hit their annual lows (sometimes 25–35% off). MacBooks rarely drop more than $150–200, but that's still meaningful. Gaming laptops frequently hit their best prices.

December — Holiday Shopping

Decent deals continue through mid-December. After December 15, expect prices to normalize as retailers know urgency is high.

MacBook vs. Windows vs. Gaming: Which to Buy When

MacBooks: Black Friday is essentially the only time they go on sale at retail. Expect $150–$200 off. Refurbished models from Apple's site offer 15% off year-round.
Chromebooks: Buy during back-to-school. Competition is fierce and prices can drop 30–40% — the best discount-to-price ratio in the laptop category.
Gaming Laptops: Black Friday and Cyber Monday are your best bets. RTX 4060/4070 laptops consistently hit their steepest discounts in November.
Business Laptops (ThinkPad, Latitude): Less seasonal. Lenovo and Dell run direct-sale promotions throughout the year — subscribe to their email lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Amazon Prime Day good for laptops?: Yes — Windows laptops typically see 15–20% off during Prime Day (July). Not as deep as Black Friday, but the best mid-year opportunity.
When is the best time to buy a MacBook?: Black Friday is the one reliable sale window. Apple rarely discounts outside of that. The exception: refurbished MacBooks on Apple's site are 15% off year-round.
Should I buy a laptop when a new model launches?: No — wait for the first price drop on the outgoing model, which usually happens within 2–4 weeks of the new release. The previous generation gets heavily discounted to clear inventory.
How much can I save by timing my laptop purchase?: On Windows laptops, 15–35% off at Black Friday is common. On a $999 laptop, that's $150–$350 in savings. MacBook discounts are smaller but still meaningful.

Track Live Laptop Prices

TimeYourBuy analyzes price history and calculates a buy signal for each laptop below. Green means the price is near its historical low. Red means wait. Check before you buy.

Price Buying Guides