But, of course, figuring out when is the best time to buy a laptop isn’t just about when you need it. When you buy a laptop, the chances are good that you want to get a good piece of hardware at a reasonable price.

In this case, finding a good laptop at a reasonable price is often the key to figuring out when is the best time to buy a laptop.

So when is the best time to buy a laptop?

Everybody loves a good deal! When it comes to buying a big-ticket item like personal electronics, finding a good deal is essential.

The key to figuring out when is the best time to buy a laptop has a lot to do when sales are likely to happen. Luckily, retailers in the United States typically follow a set schedule that helps shoppers hone in on the best deals regularly.

According to Consumer Reports, the best time to buy electronics is during the Back-to-School sale season. The Back-to-School shopping season typically runs from about mid-July through August.

However, if you miss the Back-to-School season, the next best season to buy is the holiday season. Big-ticket items like laptops are always favorite gifts. Retailers love to entice generous gift-givers with some hefty discounts.

Start checking around the beginning of November for pre-Black Friday computer deals. Many traditional and online retailers may hold pre-Black Friday deals in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving.

Of course, Black Friday is not the only sales day. You can also possibly find good prices on laptops throughout December and even into the beginning of the New Year as stores clear out unsold holiday inventory.

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is the premiere personal electronics show in North America. When companies have new personal electronics to show off, this is where they do it.

CES usually takes place in Las Vegas, sometime during the first two weeks January. In response, retailers will typically cut prices on current electronics inventory during the month to help make room for the shiny new devices announced at the show.

The month of June often sees some pretty good sales for Father’s Day and school graduations. Start checking around the end of May throughout June for deals on laptops and other personal electronics.

While these three significant sales seasons are the best times to look for deals on laptops, keep your eye out for other sales throughout the year. Many stores, both traditional and online, will hold sales throughout the year for non-major holidays. While these sales may not be tech-focused, you may still find a deal lurking here and there.

Outside of retailers, be sure to check computer manufacturer’s websites to buy direct during sales seasons. Also, computer manufacturers may take advantage of less popular shopping seasons like President’s Day or Memorial Day to put their laptops on special.

If you are a student (or buying a laptop for a student) in K-12, college, or trade school, you may qualify for a student discount through the computer manufacturer. You can check the manufacturer website or contact your school for more information.

Likewise, if you are employed and have benefits through work, check with your human resources contact to see if you get any computer discounts. Some employee benefit programs offer discounts for various computer manufacturers for laptops, desktops, and other computer equipment.

Even if you missed the latest sale season, a good deal on a great laptop might be closer than you think. If you are at a store, check their clearance section. They may have some good laptops at reduced prices.

Check stores to see if they have any open-box laptops available. Open-box laptops may be former floor models or customer returns. Retailers typically inspect open-box laptops to ensure that they are still in working condition.

Before purchasing an open-box laptop, check for the return policy. Some retailers may sell open-box items “as is” with a no-return policy.

Another way to potentially save big money on a laptop when you have missed the best sales is to buy a refurbished laptop.

Refurbished laptops are laptops that were previously used have since been restored. Some refurbished laptops may look and work like new. However, others may have some superficial cosmetic issues or slightly diminished battery life.

The refurbishment process typically inspects various component and verifies the laptop works, though this may vary from company to company.

If you choose to buy a refurbished laptop, Laptop Magazine suggests that you find one that has a one-year warranty. This can help protect you just in case you end up with a problem laptop.