The Best Time and Place to Buy a Chromebook

Chromebooks are great, affordable alternatives to personal-use laptops, and money expert Clark Howard is a huge fan. 

“Chromebooks initially were lame, but now they’re fantastic,” he says. “They’re simple, fast, and cheap — $199 buys you a very good Chromebook. They have decent battery life, you can get on the internet quickly, and they’re easy to travel with.” 

Even if you already have a computer you’re happy with, Clark recommends setting up a “Financial Chromebook” for effective budgeting and additional safety.

Like most electronics, Chromebooks are available at a range of prices. Knowing when and where to shop for the best deals could help you save big!

When and Where to Find the Best Chromebook Deals

Our team at ClarkDeals.com has posted over 100 deals on Chromebooks since 2016, and I recently looked back over each one to determine when and where we’ve seen the best prices. Here’s what I found: 

We’ve seen the most deals on Chromebooks during back-to-school season and the holidays. You’ll most likely find competitive prices at stores like Walmart, Best Buy and Amazon.

In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at when and where to find the best Chromebook deals, as well as more ways to save. 

When to Find the Best Deals on Chromebooks

Your timeline affects how to shop for any new computer. Most of the best deals of the year will be available during the back-to-school season in July and August as well as during Black Friday and the holidays throughout December. 

That said, we know that life happens and you can’t always wait for holidays to shop for new electronics. If you’re looking for an immediate replacement, a Chromebook is going to be a better deal than most personal computers any day of the week. 

If you do have time to wait for the best prices of the year, here are the months that we’ve posted the most deals on ClarkDeals.com:

The Best Months to Buy a Chromebook:

• November
• August
• December
• July

Like many electronics, Chromebooks are a popular purchase during Black Friday in November, which means you can usually find a good price. These holiday sales continue throughout December, so don’t worry if you miss that Black Friday doorbuster. 

You’ll also find Chromebook deals beginning around Prime Day in July earlier in the year. These deals pick up a little more in August during the back-to-school shopping season. 

You’ll see similar trends throughout the year with other laptop deals as well.

If you’ve found a Chromebook you like, see if you’re able to track its price history with a tool like Camelcamelcamel. For example, Amazon is currently offering an Acer 11” Chromebook for $204.99.

Based on the Chromebook’s price history, I’d be getting a great deal by making this purchase now. In fact, I’d be saving $88.33 compared to its price earlier in the year. 

Where to Find the Best Deals on Chromebooks

Whether you’re shopping during a peak holiday season or need to make a purchase quick, you’ll most likely see a range of prices varying from one retailer to the next. For this reason, it’s always important to price compare. 

At ClarkDeals.com, we’ve seen some of the best and most frequent markdowns on Chromebooks at stores like Walmart, Best Buy and Amazon. You may also be able to find a good price at Woot, Costco, Fry’s Electronics or eBay.

Here’s a breakdown of where we’ve found the best prices on Chromebooks at ClarkDeals.com: 

Where to Shop for A Chromebook: 

• Walmart
• Best Buy
• Amazon
• Woot
• Costco

Many of the deals we’ve posted have come from Walmart. There, you can find a great selection of Chromebooks with prices as low as $80. 

Best Buy also offers a great selection of new, used and refurbished Chromebooks. A lot of deals we’ve posted from Best Buy are a part of the retailer’s daily deal promotions, which means they’re only available for 24 hours (or until they’re sold out.)

If you’re shopping for a new Chromebook, you can’t forget to check Amazon. Prime Day in July kicks off the back-to-school season, which makes Amazon a great bet for finding laptop deals. 

No matter where you decide to make your final purchase, be sure to price compare. A simple search on Google Shopping could help you prevent buyer’s remorse when you see a better price at a different store!

Final Thoughts

If you’re thinking about purchasing a Chromebook, you’re already on track to save big compared to a traditional personal computer. 

For the best prices, look for deals around Black Friday in November that continue through the end of the year. You’ll also see an influx of deals during Prime Day and the back-to-school season in July and August.

As far as where to shop for a Chromebook, check the prices at popular stores including Walmart, Best Buy and Amazon. We’ve also seen some great deals come from Woot and Costco.

More Ways to Save: 

• Price compare! Use a tool like Google Shopping and search for the laptop you’re thinking about buying. Check the prices available at other stores just before you make your purchase to avoid missing out on a better deal. 
• Check for online deals, promo codes or rebates. If you’re shopping online, you may be able to lower the final price during checkout with a promo code. A quick Google search can help you save big right before your purchase! 
• Shop refurbished. Buying refurbished technology is a great way to save the most money. Just be sure to check the credibility of the seller and familiarize yourself with the return policy before purchasing it!

Do you already have a Chromebook? Let us know when and where you got it in the comments below!