Consumer Reports’ Price Tracker Helps You Shop Smarter

Laptop Prices Likely to Rise

Should you spring for a new laptop now or wait for Labor Day and Black Friday sales? The market analysts we spoke with think this summer is the time to strike.

“If you could buy it now, it would probably be a little bit better,” says Ishan Dutt, research director at the market research firm Canalys, now part of Omdia. “Retail inventories are relatively healthy, and the pricing has not yet been affected by tariffs.”

Jean Philippe Bouchard, research vice president for consumer devices at IDC, another market research firm, agrees with that sentiment. “The longer we wait, the more the price will go up,” he says.

China accounts for nearly 80 percent of U.S. laptop imports, according to the Consumer Technology Association. And while certain tech items are temporarily exempted from new tariffs, shoppers could face price hikes of up to 34 percent if that changes, the organization says.

Earlier this year, major brands like Lenovo and HP ramped up deliveries to the U.S. in anticipation of higher tariffs. Once that inventory is gone, prices on restocked models are likely to rise.

HP has since revealed that it will roll out “targeted pricing actions” on certain products in response to tariff-related cost pressures. Other brands, including Acer and Asus, have made similar statements.

If you’re looking for a real bargain, consider purchasing an older model. The M1 MacBook Air from 2020 is a touch slower than the M4 MacBook Air released earlier this year, but it’s still a great laptop, and it’s available brand-new at Walmart for $599. You might also opt for a refurbished laptop sold directly by Apple, Samsung, and others. These products undergo certified inspection programs and often come with new one-year warranties, offering peace of mind at a low price.

Here are three more low-cost options, approved by our testers.