Skip to Content

Back to school season is the best time to buy a laptop

More
Text SizeAAA

Filed under: Technology, School

Knowing when to buy a new computer is a lot like knowing when to hit or when to stand in Blackjack; buy today and you risk a newer or cheaper system coming out next week, but pass on a truly good deal and you'll still be wasting money.

Without a little help you may find yourself constantly waiting for the next big thing, while you try and make do with technology as old as the Golden Girls. Now, thanks to Dealnews.com, most of the guesswork has been taken out of when to buy a new computer.

Dealnews, one of the web's best deal-hunting websites, tracked the price of an average -- but capable -- midsize laptop for the last 10 months and found out that the next two months, otherwise known as Back to School Season, is one of the best times to buy a new computer; even beating out Black Friday! Check out the chart after the jump.





historical prices for laptop dealnews.com
Yes, you can regularly find computers below the $500 mark; in fact CircuitCity.com has had several deals in the last two weeks for laptops starting at $299, although these use older technology. The way I look at it, even though a laptop depreciates, it's still an investment, and if you buy from the bottom of the barrel you'll just end up shopping again that much sooner. That's why Dealnews tracked a Core 2 Duo laptop with at least 2 GB of ram and a 15.4" screen; a computer with these specs will keep you in business for a while.

So what's the right price to pay? According to the experts at Dealnews, "although it's possible to find deals close to the $500 mark, deals at or below $500 are so far extremely rare, so snatch one up the minute you see one." That's advice you can take to the bank.

Check back soon for a look at the best deals on back to school netbooks.
Subscribe to Walletpop
Vote Now For the Readers' Choice Best in Food Awards
Nominations have been received and vetted for the best-of-breed in gourmet grocers, online gourmet ...
Zingerman's Bakehouse: Artisan Bread and Pastry from Ann Arbor
Zingerman's Bakehouse of Ann Arbor, Michigan, is nominated for a Luxist Award in the best bread ...

Jason Cochran
Jason Cochran Filed under: Bargains, Extracurriculars, Transportation, Travel, Celebs & Money

On board the new Oasis of the Seas: Is it worth the money?

So here I am, writing this from off the coast of Florida as part of the first two-day preview cruise of the magnificent Oasis of the Seas. Royal Caribbean has launched the largest cruise ship in the ...
Geoff Williams
Geoff Williams Filed under: Credit cards

Citigroup holds its customers hostage

Across the nation, Citibank credit card holders are receiving what pretty much amounts to a ransom note: We're going to raise your rates, says the letter, in so many words, but if you spend more ...
Bonnie McCarthy
Bonnie McCarthy Filed under: Budgets, Kids and Money, Saving Money, Technology

Family budgets: Make movie night safe again with family-friendly review sites

Around my house, we don't make the decision to pile into the car and head over to our local Cineplex as easily as we once did. It costs a lot of money these days to see talking animals, wild things ...
Madhusmita Bora
Madhusmita Bora Filed under: Transportation

Shop the friendly skies? The airlines are hoping you'll buy while in the sky

Along with sandwiches and soda, you may one day be able to buy tickets to Lion King and Animal Kingdom while cruising 35,000 feet above ground. A New York Times story reported that the airline ...

Headlines from WalletPop Partners