TL;DR: The best time to buy a laptop is Cyber Week, from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday (November 26–30, 2026). Adobe Analytics found US online discounts on computers peaked at 23.4% off in the 2025 holiday season and electronics at 30.9%. The next-best windows are back-to-school season (July–September), Amazon’s summer Prime Day, and the weeks after new models launch, when older models get cleared out. Avoid paying full price in the weeks just before a major sale.
Last updated: October 29, 2026. Discount data from Adobe Analytics; sale dates from retailer calendars.
Update (October 29, 2026): Adobe’s 2026 holiday forecast (published September 28, 2026) expects US online discounts on computers to peak at about 23% off listed price this season, with the deepest computer and electronics deals landing on Cyber Monday, November 30. It forecasts smaller discounts earlier: up to 14% in early November and up to 21% just before Thanksgiving.
Laptop prices move with the retail calendar and product cycles. This guide uses published US discount data and the standard sale calendar to show when you’re most likely to pay less. We don’t track individual laptop prices ourselves, so treat the patterns below as averages, not guarantees.
When is the best time to buy a laptop?
Late November, during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Adobe’s 2025 holiday season report found discounts on computers “peaked at 23.4% off listed price (vs. 22.8% in 2024),” and electronics at 30.9%. Adobe’s data covers “over 1 trillion visits to U.S. retail sites.”
Cyber Monday was the single biggest online shopping day, with $14.25 billion spent, according to Adobe’s Cyber Monday recap.
In 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, so Black Friday is November 27 and Cyber Monday is November 30.
Month-by-month: when do laptops go on sale?
The calendar has four strong windows and a few weak ones.
| Month | What happens | Deal strength |
|---|---|---|
| January | New laptops announced at CES; post-holiday clearance | Medium |
| February–April | Presidents’ Day sales (US); spring refreshes | Low–Medium |
| May–June | Memorial Day sales (US); some new chips launch | Medium |
| July | Amazon Prime Day and rival summer sales | High |
| August–September | Back-to-school deals and student offers | High |
| October | Early holiday deals; some fall model launches | Medium |
| November | Black Friday and Cyber Monday | Highest |
| December | Lingering deals in the first week, then holiday markups | Medium |
Adobe says deals “linger” after Cyber Week: in the first week of December 2025, computer discounts were still forecast to peak at 20% off.
Is Black Friday really the cheapest time to buy a laptop?
On average, yes, but not for every model. Adobe’s numbers are category averages of peak discounts. Retailers often discount older or entry-level models the most. Premium models, including new MacBooks, usually see smaller cuts.
Tips for Black Friday:
- Use a price-history tool such as camelcamelcamel (Amazon) or Keepa to check whether a “deal” is actually lower than usual.
- Compare specs, not just prices. Doorbuster laptops sometimes have less RAM or slower storage than the regular model with the same name.
- Check the return window. Many US retailers extend holiday returns into January.
When is the best time to buy a MacBook?
Back-to-school season and major sales events, or just after a new model launches. Apple runs an annual back-to-school promotion for students and teachers and sells at education pricing year-round through its education store. Big retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy regularly discount MacBooks below Apple’s price, especially during Prime Day and Black Friday.
When Apple releases a new model, the previous generation often drops in price at third-party retailers and appears in Apple’s Certified Refurbished store with a full one-year warranty.
Apple just refreshed the MacBook Pro in late October 2026, so see our guides to the M6 MacBook Pro and the new OLED MacBook Pro before you buy an older model.
Should you wait for new laptop models?
Wait only if a launch is weeks away and you need the new feature. Laptop makers typically show new models at CES in January and refresh lines through spring and fall. A new launch has two benefits: you get the newer chip, or the older model gets cheaper.
If your current laptop works, waiting for Cyber Week is usually the best money-saving move. If it’s broken, buy now and use a price-protection or return policy in case the price drops.
Before you buy, decide how much memory you need. Our guide on whether 16GB of RAM is enough in 2026 can save you from overpaying, or from buying too little.
What’s the best time to buy a laptop in the UK?
Black Friday week is also the biggest sales period in the UK, followed by Boxing Day and January sales. Amazon Prime Day runs in the UK too. UK prices include 20% VAT, so compare like for like. Students can use education discounts from Apple and many PC makers.
How can you save money on a laptop any time of year?
Buy refurbished, use education pricing, or pick last year’s model.
| Method | Typical benefit | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer refurbished | Lower price, warranty included | Limited stock and configurations |
| Education pricing | Student/teacher discounts | Eligibility checks |
| Last year’s model | Clearance pricing after new launches | Older chip, shorter software support |
| Open-box | Discount on returned items | Check condition and warranty |
| Price matching | Some retailers match rivals | Strict rules on what qualifies |
Check your battery health before you sell or trade in an old laptop. Our guide to checking laptop battery health on Windows 11 shows how.
FAQ
What month are laptops cheapest?
November. Adobe Analytics found US online discounts on computers peaked at 23.4% off listed price during the 2025 holiday season, centered on Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
When is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after US Thanksgiving (November 26). Cyber Monday is November 30, 2026.
Is it better to buy a laptop on Black Friday or Cyber Monday?
Both offer similar laptop discounts. Cyber Monday was the biggest online spending day in 2025, while Black Friday often has more in-store doorbusters. Compare prices on both days.
Are back-to-school laptop deals good?
Yes. Back-to-school season from July to September is one of the best times to buy, especially for students who also qualify for education pricing.
Should I buy a laptop now or wait?
If you can wait until late November, you’ll likely pay less. If you need a laptop now, buy and keep the receipt in case the retailer offers price adjustments.
Is it worth buying a refurbished laptop?
Often, yes. Manufacturer-refurbished laptops typically come with a warranty and cost less than new. Check the warranty length and return policy.
Sources checked October 29, 2026: Adobe Analytics 2025 holiday season and Cyber Monday reports; Adobe 2026 holiday forecast (September 28, 2026).
