The best time of year to buy a laptop
There are several times throughout the year that give you the best chance of finding a great deal. If you are looking to buy a new laptop, here are some general timeframes to keep in mind that could save you hundreds of dollars.
Summer
You can find good deals on laptops in July and August thanks to Amazon Prime Day and back-to-school sales.
Amazon Prime Day is a two-day event and the dates vary, but are typically in July. You'll want to sign up for Amazon Prime before then. Laptop shoppers can find discounts and promotions exclusively to Prime members, plus Amaon typically releases new products or exclusive deals during the event.
If you want to take advantage of back-to-school sales, it's a good idea to start monitoring laptop prices and deals in early July, as some retailers may offer early-bird promotions to attract shoppers. You may also find some retail stores will extend their sales into October.
More: Is Amazon Prime worth the cost?
September to November
The entire fall season is packed with deals, especially during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, which fall on the Friday and Monday following Thanksgiving.
Holiday season
Another good time to find some of the biggest savings on new laptops is during the holidays, around Christmas and the New Year. Many people are buying electronics as presents for friends and family, and retailers offer bigger discounts in response.
That said, just because it's the holiday season, it doesn't mean you're getting the best price. Read the fine print and check the laptop's original price before shopping.
New model releases
If you're looking for the latest and greatest laptop there is, you'll find many companies introduce new models during major electronics trade shows like CES (Consumer Electronics Show). CES takes place in January each year.
During this time, you may find some great discounts on the previous year's model. And while they may no longer be the latest product, the potential savings on a model that only a week earlier was being sold as the flagship device are certainly worth it.
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Read MoreAm I getting the best laptop deal?
To know if you're getting the best deal on a new laptop, it comes down to doing some homework. Here are a few ways to help you do the most research so you can make an informed decision.
Use a price-tracking tool
Some helpful sites track prices for a given product over time. This lets you see whether the sale price is actually the lowest it's ever been at that particular store. Some popular price tracking tools include ShopSavvy, Honey and CamelCamelCamel.
Deal aggregator sites are similar. These are dedicated news sources that also track laptop price drops and bring attention to the best deals on the market.
Check out user reviews
Reviews left by previous customers are a key factor when it comes to making a purchasing decision. Of course, the internet is full of fake reviews, so be sure to check out reviews from a few different sites.
How do I save money on my next laptop?
First, sign up for a cash-back or rewards sites like Rakuten or Swagbucks. Whenther you purchase a new laptop or groceries, you'll be sure to save money. For instance, at the time of writing, Rakuten is offering 10% cash back at Lenovo and 2% at Dell.
Second, consider buying your new laptop with a cash-back credit card. For example, if your card pays you 2% cash back and you spend $500 on a new laptop, you will earn $10 after your purchase goes through. It may be a small saving, but every little bit helps. Note that the cash back on a credit card is often paid out annually, so the savings won't necessarily be felt immediately.
Another way to save money on a laptop is to install a free browser extension that can automatically look for and apply coupon codes to your order when you check out.
More: 3 ways to save money when shopping online
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