July 25, 2023

A laptop is an investment in your productivity, workflow, and digital life. But if you’re looking to upgrade your existing device, when should you take the plunge? When it comes to buying a laptop, timing your purchase is key to making the most of your investment.

What’s the best time to buy my next laptop?

The best time of year to buy a laptop usually falls during spring and winter, but great deals can potentially pop up year-round. Here are the most common times for major sales.

• Holiday weekends. Common holidays that are known for sales discounts include the post-Thanksgiving Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, and the Fourth of July.
• Early spring. February to May is when most holiday weekends take place, and they are also the most common times for new hardware to be released.
• New device releases. When new hardware is introduced, it may not be discounted immediately. However, if you’re looking to save, you may be able to get a good deal on previous-generation models.
• Back-to-school season. When school starts between August and November, retailers will offer discounts and incentives to students of all ages on the essential hardware that they need.

Microsoft typically releases new models during the back-to-school season in the latter half of the year. Even if you’re not a student, waiting until the newest models are released during this period means that you’ll get the latest and greatest when it comes to laptop features and performance.

Why Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times to buy a laptop

The days that follow Thanksgiving in the United States have become a bona-fide sales holiday. While major retailers offer deals around the year, usually coinciding with major holidays such as Independence Day and Memorial Day, Black Friday (and the ensuing Cyber Monday after the weekend) is unique in that it has become a shopping holiday in its own right. During this time, major retailers will offer some of their highest discounts to entice consumers. The biggest and most attention-grabbing deals will include electronics, computers, and technology products.

Take advantage of these Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to save big on a Surface device. You may find that you’ll save hundreds of dollars. Whether you shop online or wait in line at a brick-and-mortar retailer, be sure to set alerts for deals on the exact items that you’re looking for. Use tools such as Price Comparison in Microsoft Edge to compare deals on the same item across retailers.

Due to the popularity of these deals, finding the exact item in stock can be challenging. The hottest consumer products often sell out fast. Cyber Monday is oriented towards deals from online retailers, embracing the convenience of online shopping. However, this is still no guarantee that the laptop of your dreams will be in stock. It can pay (literally) to do your research and find out when and where is the best time to buy!

Perks of buying a Surface through the Microsoft Store

With their sleek designs, powerful Intel® processors, and vivid touchscreen displays, Surface laptops and 2-in-1 devices are ideal for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a reliable and powerful device for work or play.

And it makes sense to buy from the source! When you purchase a Surface directly from the Microsoft Store, you get free shipping, free returns with no questions asked for 60 days, and flexible payment options. Plus, if Surface devices go on sale within 60 days, you’ll get a refund for the difference (some exclusions may apply). This offer applies year-round—not just during busy shopping seasons—so you can rest assured that a great deal is right around the corner.

Our top Surface device picks

If you're ready to purchase a Surface device, here are four of our newest picks.

Surface Laptop 5

The Surface Laptop 5 is built for multitasking. With a speedy Intel® Core™ processor, an incredibly long-lasting battery¹, and touchscreen, available up to 15”, this device has the power to support your work, or play, anywhere you take it. Show off your style while you’re at it; choose from a variety of sleek, modern colors.

Surface Pro 9

Surface Pro 9 is a great choice for anyone who needs the power of a laptop and the flexibility of a 2-in-1. With a detachable keyboard, touchscreen display, and up to 15.5 hours battery life with average use¹, this device is perfect for on-the-go productivity.

Surface Laptop Go 3

Talk about versatile, the stylish Surface Laptop Go 3 is ready for anything. At just under 2.5 lbs., and with up to 15 hours of battery life on a single¹, super-fast charge, this laptop is ready anytime, anywhere, you are. Plus, an Intel® Core™ i5 processor, up to 16GB of RAM and 256GB of storage², makes each experience, from work to gaming, is fast and smooth.

Surface Pro 7+

A classic design, Surface Pro 7+ represents everything a 2-in-1 device is meant to be. Bundled with the Surface Pro Type Cover, you’ll enjoy the best features and assets of a premium laptop, powerful touchscreen, or portable digital canvas. Front- and rear-facing cameras add to the possibilities and help you achieve peak performance just about anytime, anywhere.

Surface Laptop Studio 2

The Surface Laptop Studio 2 catches the eye in all kinds of ways. On-screen graphics are smooth and crisp, thanks to an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050 and 4060. You’re able to design, engineer, or render your own creations with ease thanks to the NVIDIA® RTX™ 2000 Ada Generation Laptop GPU³. Plus, with embedded AI, everything from the all-new Studio Camera to Microsoft 365 apps are truly next-generation.

Surface Studio 2+

Surface Studio 2+, introduced in 2018, is the most powerful all-in-one Surface yet. It’s perfect for creatives and professionals who need stellar graphics. Its 28-inch PixelSense™ display, 11th Gen Intel® Core™ H35 processor, and NVIDIA® GeForce graphics, make this device ideal for video editing, graphic design, and other resource-intensive tasks.

Surface Go 3

Truly a device for anyone, the Surface Go 3 is the most portable Surface PC. It’s a stellar 2-in-1 value that excels at not-taking, sketching, and touchscreen interactivity. So, whether it’s gaming, schoolwork, staying busy during a long car ride, this lightweight, Windows 11-equipped device gets the job done.

While you can wait for Black Friday or the next holiday weekend to arrive, you don’t necessarily have to wait to build your ideal Surface device. You can shop at the Microsoft Store and enjoy free shipping and returns any time. Ready to find your next device? Microsoft makes it easy to compare devices and choose the one that's right for you.