When is the best time to buy a MacBook? If you want a deal, the countdown is on.

Everyone knows that Apple products tend to cost a pretty penny, and MacBooks and iMacs are no exception.

Thanks to the global memory crisis , they got even more expensive in 2026, making deal-shopping essential.

If you'd rather avoid spending over $1,000 on entry-level specs , we have great news: You can save hundreds on an Apple laptop or computer multiple times a year .

While Black Friday is right around the corner and tends to offer some of the best discounts of the year, it's not the only time you can upgrade without hurting your bank account.

SEE ALSO: Your MacBook is filthy.

Here's how to clean it.

We track Apple deals year-round, so we know what tends to go on sale and when.

Plus, we know what MacBook deals are actually worth jumping on, and which "markdowns" are basically the regular price.

Read on for our guide to the top three times of year to find the best prices on a MacBook or iMac, based on our historical deals knowledge. (Shopping for a new Windows laptop ? We can tell you when to buy those , too.) Best time to buy a Mac: Black Friday and Prime Day seasons Months: Early to mid-June or July, October through November We know, shopping holidays are a great time to save money, groundbreaking.

However, we're not talking about Apple's annual Black Friday deal, which is the same every year: Buy a laptop or iMac, get a free gift card to use on a future purchase.

It's a little lackluster and not all that great for saving money upfront.

If you want real savings during shopping holidays, you'll want to look to retailers like Amazon and Best Buy during Black Friday and Prime Day seasons .

At first glance, that may seem like you have to keep your eye on the calendar for a few select days throughout the year, but these retailers have decided that time is meaningless when it comes to sales.

That means you'll start to see Black Friday savings as early as October, and Prime Day savings for a week or so in June or July. (Amazon shifted the official Prime Day dates in 2026 to June for the first time, but the shopping event typically falls in early to mid-July).