In the third quarter of 2021 alone, global computer shipments reached 84.1 million units. That’s but a 1% increase from shipments made during the same quarter of last year.
One reason behind that nominal growth is the continued shortages of computer chips. Unfortunately, experts forecast those issues to persist until the first half of 2022.
So, if you need to buy a new laptop yourself, it’s best to make that purchase soon. Otherwise, the stocks may run out if you wait too long to buy what you need.
Besides, many awesome laptop deals can help you snag an excellent device for much less. We’ve rounded up the top ways to find and secure these offers, so be sure to read on.
1. Browse Laptop Manufacturer Websites
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) is the price manufacturers recommend to retailers. However, since it’s only a suggestion, retailers can raise the sticker price for profit. That goes for almost any product, including electronics such as laptops.
For that reason, it’s best to start your search for a new laptop through manufacturers’ sites. That way, you can get an idea of their price range, as official websites list MSRPs. You can then use that information as a guide when comparing the best deals on laptops.
What’s more, most computer manufacturers run weekly, monthly, and seasonal deals online. For example, if you check out www.Lenovo.com, www.HP.com, or www.Dell.com, you’ll see ongoing deals on dozens of laptop models. The same goes for the official websites of Samsung, Asus, and Acer.
2. Subscribe to Manufacturer Newsletters
Manufacturers like Dell and Lenovo offer special deals to their newsletter subscribers. For instance, new Dell subscribers get a 10% discount coupon on select electronics. Lenovo’s offer, on the other hand, is $100 off.
In addition, joining newsletters gives you early access to future deals and promotions. Besides, it won’t cost you anything to sign up, and it’ll only take a few minutes to fill out the registration form. Once you’re all set, you can expect to receive your discount coupon in your mailbox.
3. Search for Retailer Offers
There are times wherein Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers offer deals better than the OEMs. However, many of these are exclusive to their account holders. So, if you haven’t yet, it’s a good idea to create an account with online electronics retailers, too.
Once you have an account, be sure to compare the prices on the online OEM store and those on retailer sites. That way, you can determine which ones offer the best bang for your buck.
4. Check if You’re Eligible for Special Discounts
Many laptop makers give special discounts to specific buyers like students and teachers. These include Apple, Lenovo, and Samsung, to name a few.
Apple also offers a 10% discount to military personnel and veterans. Even their immediate family members are eligible for the program.
Lenovo has a similar program, although the military discount only amounts to 7%. However, it also offers a 5% discount for healthcare workers and even adults 50 years or older.
Samsung’s offers are among the best laptop deals out there, though, as it gives up to 30% of combined discounts. What’s more, those apply to students, teachers, parents, military, and first responders.
5. Take Advantage of Buy-Back or Trade-In Programs
In 2019, US households owned an average of seven connected devices with screens. These include televisions, desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets, and gaming consoles.
If you have one or more of those gadgets but rarely use them, why not trade them in instead? Many companies, such as Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo, have buy-back or trade-in programs. They offer these deals as part of their corporate responsibility.
After all, computers are chief contributors to the growing problem of electronic waste. This 2021 alone, experts estimate humans to generate 57.4 million tons of e-waste.
With buy-back or trade-in programs, devices undergo proper collection, reuse, or recycling. That then helps keep electronics out of landfills.
So, consider doing your part by letting go of your old or unused devices. Besides, if your item meets the qualifications, you can convert it into cash, gift card, or voucher. You can then use that to fund part of the cost of your new laptop purchase.
6. Consider Clearance Deals
Clearance sales allow manufacturers and retailers to get rid of excess inventory. In addition, it lets them free up space in store shelves in preparation for new or more in-demand items.
In the computer industry, clearance deals are often for older generation models. In most cases, though, the discounted products are only about a generation older. Still, that’s enough to make merchants slash half or even more off their prices.
So, if you’re okay with a slightly older model that you can upgrade, anyway, be sure to check out clearance deals.
7. Start Looking for Potential Buys Weeks Before Black Friday
Black Friday, the Friday right after Thanksgiving Day, is one of the best times to snag product deals. However, Black Friday 2021 spending only reached $8.9 billion, a $100 million drop from the year before.
One reason is that many brands and retailers started offering deals as early as October. As such, consumers took advantage of those discounts to secure the items they wanted to buy.
For that reason, it pays to start shopping way earlier than Black Friday. Doing so can help you find deals on laptops that are just as great as those offered during Black Friday. Plus, it gives you more time to research and compare models, helping ensure you get the best one for your needs.
8. Make Your Purchase On Black Friday
Black Friday used to be the day merchants kicked off the holiday shopping season. While many laptops now go on sale before this day, it remains one of the best times to find the steepest discounts.
So, if you don’t get to buy a new laptop by October or early November, you’re likely to find one you’d like by Black Friday.
9. Don’t Forget Cyber Monday
Cyber Monday is the Monday following Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday. It’s a whole-day shopping event occurring exclusively online. It’s now bigger than Black Friday, with shoppers spending $10.8 billion last Cyber Monday 2021.
So, in case you still don’t get a new laptop the next Black Friday, do your shopping the Monday after. You’re sure to find some of the best money-saving computer deals on that day.
10. Close a Deal on Super Saturday
Super Saturday is the last Saturday right before Christmas Day. While not as big as Black Friday or Cyber Monday, many great laptop deals still abound on this day. That’s because Super Saturday caters to last-minute buyers on their final shopping stretch.
11. Look for a Price-Protected Laptop
Some laptops come with price protection programs, also known as price guarantees. This policy gives shoppers rebates if the price of an item they bought drops days or weeks after. The merchant would then refund the customer the difference in the price.
For example, let’s say you purchase a price-protected laptop for $1,500. Then, a few weeks after, you saw the same merchant offering the exact model for only $1,000. So long as the item is still under protection, the seller should refund you the $500 price difference.
Lenovo is one such company offering price guarantees on their products’ base prices. As of now, the program applies to purchases made from October 17 to December 17, 2021.
Dell is another example, as it also offers a 30-day price protection guarantee. That 30 days begin from the invoice date.
12. Use Stackable Discounts
Stackable discounts allow you to take advantage of multiple deals and promotions. For example, they let you combine an existing discount with manual codes. Some computer brands and retailers even mix in free shipping on top of those discounts.
13. Sign Up With Loyalty Programs
Loyalty programs often reward existing customers with points from previous purchases. Members can then redeem those points as discounts for future purchases.
Let’s use Lenovo’s MyLenovo Rewards program as an example. With this, members earn points for qualified items they buy from Lenovo’s online store. They can then use their points to reduce the total cost of their future purchases.
Dell, HP, and Samsung are other laptop brands that offer similar rewards programs. In any case, be sure to join them so that you can save even more money the next time you buy their products.
Start Searching for the Best Laptop Deals Today
There you have it, your ultimate guide on how to find the best laptop deals. Now that you know, it’s time to start your search to get your hands on a brand-new laptop for less.
Just keep in mind that huge discounts are available most of the year. However, it’s during Black Friday and Cyber Monday that you’re likely to save the most.
Are you looking for even more money-saving hacks, be it for tech, games, or health? Feel free to browse our most recent news and blog posts then!
