Tons of laptops will also be on sale come Prime Day (opens in new tab). And although last year we recommended that laptop shoppers skip the shopping holiday, this year we expect to see a multitude of strong laptop deals. Why the change of heart? Since the start of the year, we’ve been seeing better-than-average laptop deals. Not just on mainstream systems but also on gaming rigs, 2-in-1s and even on editors’-choice machines like Dell’s XPS line. Moreover, competing retailers have smartened up and many are riding Prime Day’s coattails with summer sales of their own. Combine that with ongoing back-to-school sales and you’ve got the perfect storm for laptop deals. But laptop shoppers should keep a few things in mind as we approach Prime Day, which is scheduled to begin Monday (July 16) at 3 p.m. ET. Prime Day laptop deals to expect If you’re looking sub-$200 notebooks — either as a secondary laptop for yourself or as a first laptop for a child — look for deals on Chromebooks and Celeron-based machines like the HP Stream (opens in new tab), which is currently selling for $199 ($20 off) If you have your mind set on a new XPS or a new ThinkPad, you’re better off shopping direct at Dell or Lenovo. Dell has already launched a Black Friday in July sale, which discounts its XPS, Alienware and G-series of laptops. Meanwhile, Lenovo is already discounting its ThinkPads, both high-end and entry-level systems. MORE: Best Dell and Alienware Laptops Mac fans should wait Whereas most Windows laptops are running Intel’s latest 8th-gen processor, every Mac in Apple’s lineup is using Intel’s older 7th-gen processor. Intel’s previous-gen CPU is still a capable processor, but new MacBooks are just around the corner, so regarding features and performance — you’re better off waiting. MORE: Top Mac Games Various models of the 10.5-inch iPad Pro have also received up to $100 off at Best Buy. Other retailers Apple fans should check include B&H Photo Video and Walmart. Back-to-school season ends in September However, if you’re not under any time constraint, keep in mind that the back-to-school season goes through early September. So if the system you want isn’t on sale, you could wait a few more weeks and still find solid laptop deals. Ultimately, no matter what laptop you’re looking to buy, make sure to compare prices against other retailers and know that other sales will follow after Prime Day. Credit: Laptop Mag
