A 2015 study found that 73% of American adults own a computer. Even though making a laptop purchase seems so commonplace, it’s important to know the best time to buy a laptop. Otherwise, you risk paying a premium for a lackluster device.
In this article, we discuss when to buy a laptop as well as when not to. Continue reading if you want to buy a new laptop that is affordable and fits your needs.
When to Buy a Laptop
The best time to buy a laptop is when demand is highest. During peak demand, tech companies compete for customers by offering the best deals. To get the best deal on your laptop purchase, you need to take advantage of these opportunities.
By understanding when these periods of demand occur, you can start doing your research early. Take the time to look for deals and what you want out of a laptop to ensure you get the best deal possible.
Black Friday
Black Friday is one of the most popular days in terms of technology sales. Consumers are searching for the best deals on televisions, cell phones, gaming consoles, and laptops.
Black Friday deals are also highly advertised, so you often know which deals are going to be offered in advance and can plan accordingly. Some Black Friday deals start as early as the Monday before, which gives you plenty of time to find what you want.
Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday is often viewed the same as Black Friday, but it’s important to remember that deals don’t come to an abrupt halt after Black Friday. Cyber Monday is another great chance for buying a laptop online.
There are even deals stretching over the weekend between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. So even if your work schedule or family holidays prevent you from participating in these specific days, you can find good deals on the Saturday and Sunday between.
Back-to-School
As students start to get into the back-to-school mindset, they realize they need to upgrade their technology for the year ahead. As families rush to make these purchases, tech companies know they need to be ready with competitive deals.
This makes July to August high on our list of the best time to buy a laptop. However, even non-students can enjoy the opportunity of buying a laptop at a great price.
Prime Day
Amazon is always a frontrunner when it comes to seasonal sales, especially as it applies to laptop computers. Since they’re such a tough competitor, their annual Prime Day sale is arguably the best time to buy a laptop online.
Amazon announces the Prime Day event date a few weeks in advance, but it typically takes place in July. Since other companies try to compete with Amazon, you can find similar events on other sites at this time as well.
New Laptop Releases
If you didn’t get the laptop you wanted for the winter holidays, you can still score your laptop purchase deal. Many laptop manufacturers release new models at the beginning of the year such as early January.
The announcement of the new models results in great deals on previous models. It’s important to note that this isn’t the time to buy the latest laptop model if you don’t want to pay a premium price. The best laptop purchase will be on an older model.
When NOT to Buy a Laptop
Part of knowing when to buy a laptop is knowing when not to buy a laptop. If the best time to buy a laptop is when demand is at its highest, the worst time is when demand is at its lowest.
Early Summer
As the winter weather subsides and the season changes to Summer in May and early June, laptop sales are down. Many people tend to spend more of their time outdoors, traveling, and enjoying the weather instead of locked inside.
This means they’re spending less time with their electronics. You’re likely to find that buying a laptop at a decent price is more challenging than you expected during the summer for this reason.
After School Starts
Once school starts, those back-to-school sales start disappearing. Sales tend to stay low from September through November until holiday shopping starts up. Avoid purchasing a laptop during this time of the year if possible.
How to Extend Your Laptops Lifespan
If you’re in need of a new laptop but find yourself at a less-than-ideal time to buy a laptop, you can try to extend its lifespan. Taking a few simple steps can prevent you from having to pay for a new laptop at a premium.
We’ll discuss what you can do to help with some of the most common laptop problems, but consider taking your computer in for a service if it’s experiencing other issues.
Keep in mind that if the price to repair a laptop is a significant portion of the cost of a new laptop, the repair often isn’t worth it. You should then find out what other options are available to you in order to buy you more time between sales.
Battery Draining Too Fast
Battery life is an important laptop specification, so when your laptop battery is no longer holding a charge it’s frustrating. The first thing you can do to extend the lifespan of your computer is to find out what is draining the battery.
Use your Task Manager or Activity Manager to close any unnecessary background programs that may be draining your battery. You can also reduce screen brightness, turn on Battery Saver/Low Power mode, and/or turn off Bluetooth and WiFi when not in use.
Computer Running Slowly
A slow computer can leave you wondering about the best time to buy a new laptop. If you find yourself in the off-season for deals, start with some basic diagnostics and repairs to hold you over for a few months.
The first step is to restart your computer. Leaving it on for too long can affect how your computer operates. You should also make sure your fans are clean of any debris and that any unused files are deleted.
Laptop Overheating
A laptop can start overheating as a result of blocked vents and clogged fans. It can also be an issue with outdated internal hardware. Whatever the cause, it means your computer’s components are working too hard.
Start by turning the laptop off, unplugging it, and removing the battery to allow it to cool. Use compressed air to clean vents and improve airflow. You can also invest in a cooling mat for electronics, which helps with overheating.
When using your laptop, be sure to keep it on flat, solid surfaces. Soft surfaces can block your air vents. Good airflow helps keep your laptop cool and working as it should until you can buy a new laptop.
What to Consider When Buying a Laptop on Sale
Whether you have a list of your most important laptop specification or just have a price in mind, be sure you take some time to consider what you want before buying a laptop. If you don’t, you could spend more money than necessary or end up with a bad fit.
Price Match
Even if you find a deal that satisfies your budget, you should always shop around to see if you can find something better. Many tech companies price match deals in order to keep customers, so it’s almost always worth asking.
Even if you can’t get a price match, you at least have the option to purchase from another company at a lower price. However, be sure to compare any extras included such as software, accessories, or discounts on other products.
New vs. Refurbished
If you’re on a tight budget, consider whether you need a brand new computer or if a refurbished model will do. In many cases, refurbished models are better than new models because they’ve been thoroughly checked and repaired by professionals.
There’s less risk of opening the box and having issues right away. A certified refurbished laptop is likely to last longer than buying a used one from a private seller. With a private seller, you can’t be sure of the laptop’s current condition.
Personal Preference
When it comes to any laptop specification, you shouldn’t settle just because a laptop’s on sale. Wanting a good deal is tempting, but it can leave you with a computer that doesn’t fit your needs or doesn’t perform as it should.
Before buying a laptop, consider what you want from the laptop purchase. Making a list is sometimes helpful so you can make sure a certain laptop ticks all of the boxes. If you want the new Intel Evo platform (click here), make sure to add it to your list.
Note the Best Time to Buy a Laptop
You can mark your calendar now that you know the best time to buy a laptop, as well as the worst time. A laptop purchase is a big investment, so take the time to think about what you want and need before making the final decision.
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