When should you buy a laptop for school? Actually, buying a laptop for school at the right time can affect both your budget and grades. You need to time your purchase correctly with so many models, brands, and seasonal sales.
Generally, the best time to buy a laptop for school is in the summer months, between June and August. You can find a good deal on student laptops during back-to-school sales and seasonal discounts. There are substantial discounts on electronics during major shopping events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
As we go through this guide, we’ll examine factors such as the academic calendar, discounts, and the evolution of technology when buying a best laptop for school.
Please read on!
When Should You Buy A Laptop For School?
Below, you’ll find a detailed guide on when to buy a laptop, what to look for, and how to save.
Back-To-School Season (Late July To Early September)
Back-to-school season is one of the most popular times to buy a laptop, especially for students. Retailers know many parents and students need laptops, so they offer attractive discounts.
Expect promotions, bundles, and special student deals. This is when you can find laptops at great prices, often with bonuses like free accessories or software.
What You’ll Find:
- Discounts on laptops, often 10-20% off.
- Deals with slightly older models that are still highly capable of schoolwork.
Black Friday And Cyber Monday (Late November)
Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) and Cyber Monday (the following Monday) are two of the biggest shopping days of the year.
This is when you’ll find the steepest discounts on laptops. Save big on gaming laptops and laptops with premium features during these sales.
What You’ll Find:
- Deep discounts, up to 30% or more, on mid-range and high-end laptops.
- Deals on top brands like Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo.
- Lots of online deals for easy shopping, especially on Cyber Monday.
Holiday Sales (December)
After Black Friday and Cyber Monday, holiday sales continue through December. Retailers clear out inventory to make room for new products, and this can lead to great discounts.
Even though these sales aren’t as massive as Black Friday, you can still find solid deals, significantly closer to Christmas and New Year.
What You’ll Find:
- Discounts on laptops, especially older or clearance models.
- Deals from local stores, online retailers, and major tech companies.
- Great options for last-minute shoppers, with shipping discounts and faster delivery.
Amazon Prime Day (Mid-July)
Amazon’s Prime Day usually occurs in mid-July. While it’s not as big as Black Friday, it’s still an excellent time to snag discounts. You can find deals on a variety of laptops on Amazon, including budget models, Chromebooks, and smaller brands.
What You’ll Find:
- Deals on budget laptops, Chromebooks, and mid-range models.
- Discounts on accessories like laptop bags, mice, and keyboards.
- Lightning deals that offer up to 50% off select laptops, though these often sell out quickly.
New Model Releases (January And October)
When laptop manufacturers release new models, older versions often get discounted to make room for the latest tech. You can benefit from these “transition periods” when new models are announced but before they hit stores.
What You’ll Find:
- Discounts on last year’s models that are still excellent for school use.
- Good deals if you’re looking for a laptop that doesn’t need the latest specs but offers excellent value.
When It Happens:
- January: After the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), new models are often introduced, and last year’s models are discounted.
- October: Many brands like Apple, Dell, and Microsoft announce new products, and older models become cheaper.
Other Sales Events
There are other occasional sales for laptop deals, such as Presidents’ Day (in February) and Labor Day (in September). These sales tend to be less predictable but still offer solid discounts.
What You’ll Find:
- Discounted models from various brands.
- Clearance sales, particularly at big-box stores like Best Buy and Walmart.
- Deals on accessories, warranty extensions, and software bundles.
Sum Up
Buying a laptop for school is best when prices are low, and sales are plentiful. Holiday sales, Amazon Prime Day, and new model releases are all critical times to keep an eye out for during the back-to-school season (late July to early September), Black Friday and Cyber Monday (late November), and holiday sales in December.
So, when you plan and shop during these periods, you can get a high-quality laptop at an affordable price.