Should I wait for Black Friday to buy a laptop

Verdict: Wait, if you can. A laptop is one of the categories that often does drop in November.

Should you wait for Black Friday to buy a laptop? In general, yes. Holiday sales and student promotions overlap, so November is a common low point. Dates change each year, so check the retailer.

Why wait?

Laptops get frequent price moves. Last year's models are often cleared as new ones arrive, and many stores bundle extras. A one-model-year-old laptop can be a strong pick if it has enough memory and storage for your work.

What should you check first?

Use the price-history check: the last 30 days, the last 90 days and last year's event. Set a target price now. The step-by-step method is in how to check price history before you buy. Then compare the exact model number, the memory, the storage and the return window.

The exception

Buy now if the laptop is failing, if you need it for work or school this week, or if the current price is already as low as last year's event. A laptop you cannot use costs more than a small sale gap.

For the bigger picture on what is worth buying at this time, read what is real and what is hype on Black Friday.

A quick checklist before you buy

Write down the memory, storage and screen size you need. Find two or three models that fit and note the model numbers. Check each one in the price history, then set a target for each. If a deal appears on a model you did not list, treat it as a new decision and check its specs. Also read the return window, since a laptop is easier to judge after a week of use than in a store.