When is the best time to buy a new MacBook?

When's the best time to buy a MacBook®? Is it Black Friday? Cyber Monday? After Apple releases a new product? These computers are big investments, so it pays to know the answer. We'll walk you through what you should consider to find the best deal for what you need.

At Asurion, we take care of you—and your favorite tech, whether you want to recover data or free up space. Here's our guide for when to buy a MacBook Pro® or MacBook Air®.

Back-to-school season

If you're in the market for a MacBook, back-to-school season is a great time to look for discounts from stores like Walmart®, Best Buy®, and Amazon™.

Also, check out the Apple® online education store, which offers year-round deals for college students (and their parents), college faculty and staff, and homeschool teachers of all grade levels.

For back-to-school season, Apple even offers promotions like gift cards of up to $150 when you buy a MacBook, making July through September one of the best times to buy an Apple laptop.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Whether you've just put the Thanksgiving turkey in the oven or your leftovers are almost gone, Black Friday is a great time to buy a MacBook. Which is why these laptops are typically among the top electronics sold during the holiday shopping weekend.

Nowadays, Black Friday lasts from the day after Thanksgiving through the following week and includes the online sales of Cyber Monday, so be on the lookout for discounts on MacBooks.

Looking for Black Friday shopping tips? Here are a few that can help:

Track sales on websites

Stores like Amazon, Target®, and B&H® will often advertise Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales ahead of time, so check their websites or sign up for their newsletters in early November. Other sites like wired.com and consumerreports.org track Cyber Week sales and also offer timely tech shopping tips.

Do your research

To get the most out of Black Friday and Cyber Week, check out which MacBook model you're interested in ahead of time. Decide which features you can and can't live without and if an older model, which typically costs less, will work for you. Also note the regular price of the MacBook you want so you'll recognize a great deal when you see one.

Other holiday sales

Still wondering, “should I buy a MacBook now?” You may want to wait for holiday sales. There are great deals before, during, and after Christmas. You'll also find discounts on Memorial Day, Labor Day, and President's Day, when stores are looking to boost their sales.

New MacBook releases

When Apple introduces the latest MacBook Air or Pro, typically every 18–24 months, older models will often drop in price. When Apple released the M2 MacBook Air in 2022, for instance, the cost for an M1 MacBook Air, which came out in 2020, fell in some cases by $300 to $500.

So, if Apple hasn't announced a new model—this usually happens at their annual worldwide developers conference in June—we recommend waiting.

How long does a MacBook manufacturer's warranty last?

All MacBooks come with one year of hardware repair coverage and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support through its limited manufacturer's warranty. 

If you'd like protection for your MacBook for longer and you'd like access to expert support when you need it most, consider Asurion Tech Care. This one simple plan covers thousands of eligible devices in your home—from computers and TVs to smart thermostats and locks—plus provides 24/7 live support from trusted experts for your tech questions. To learn more about laptop protection plans, visit asurion.com/techcare.