The 6 Best Places to Buy a Laptop

If your current laptop wheezes every time you open more than three browser tabs, it’s probably trying to tell you something: “Retire me, please.” The good news is that there have never been more places to buy a laptop. The bad news? There have never been more places to buy a laptop.

From mega online marketplaces to warehouse clubs and specialist tech stores, each retailer has its own strengths in price, selection, return policies, and perks. Knowing where to buy can be just as important as knowing what to buy. In this guide, we’ll walk through the six best places to buy a laptop, how each one shines, and when you should choose one over the others.

What Makes a Store One of the “Best Places to Buy a Laptop”?

Before we crown any champions, let’s agree on what “best” actually means. The top laptop retailers tend to tick these boxes:

• Wide selection: From budget Chromebooks to gaming beasts and creator machines.
• Transparent pricing and deals: Frequent promotions, clear discounts, and honest specs.
• Solid return and exchange policies: So you’re not stuck with a bad fit.
• Warranty and support options: Extended coverage, easy repair or replacement, and responsive customer service.
• Trust and reputation: Consistently good reviews, word-of-mouth, or industry recognition.

With that in mind, here are the six best places to buy your next laptop and how to pick the right one for your budget and needs.

1. Amazon – The King of Selection and Speed

When people think “buy laptop online,” Amazon is usually the first name that pops up. Its laptop category includes everything from entry-level student models to high-end gaming rigs and creator-focused machines, with constantly updated “Best Sellers” lists that reflect what real customers are buying right now.

Why Amazon is a great place to buy a laptop

• Huge selection: Almost every mainstream laptop brand shows up here, often with multiple configurations, refurbished options, and bundles.
• Fast shipping: Prime members can often get next-day or two-day delivery, which is ideal if your current laptop just died before a deadline.
• Easy comparison: Filter by price, RAM, storage, screen size, and more, then sort by reviews or ratings.
• Lenient returns: While Amazon doesn’t do price matching, its return policy for electronics is relatively generous, and many laptops are eligible for free returns.

When Amazon isn’t ideal

Amazon can sometimes feel like the wild west. Third-party sellers may list laptops with confusing titles or older processors, and you can’t physically touch the device before you buy. It’s best to double-check seller ratings and stick with “Ships from and sold by Amazon.com” or well-known brands whenever possible.

Best for: Shoppers who want maximum choice, fast delivery, and strong buyer protection when buying a laptop online.

2. Best Buy – The All-Rounder with Price Match Power

Best Buy is one of the most popular places to buy a laptop in the United States, both online and in-store. Their laptop section covers budget systems under $500 all the way up to premium ultrabooks and gaming rigs, and they also provide buying guides to help you match a laptop to your needs.

Why Best Buy stands out

• Price Match Guarantee: Best Buy will often match qualifying prices from major competitors like Amazon, Costco, Walmart, and more, both online and in-store, which helps you get a great deal without endlessly hopping between tabs.
• Try before you buy: Many stores have display units you can type on, pick up, and judge for yourselfespecially useful if you care about keyboard feel and screen quality.
• Geek Squad support: You can add protection plans, set up help, or repair services for peace of mind.
• Frequent sales and bundles: Especially around Black Friday, back-to-school season, and major holidays.

Where Best Buy fits in your strategy

Because of its price matching and frequent promos, Best Buy is often a top pick if you want in-person support but still care about getting one of the best laptop deals out there.

Best for: Shoppers who want a balance of good prices, hands-on testing, and convenient support options.

3. Walmart – Budget-Friendly and Everyday Convenience

Walmart has become a surprisingly strong player in laptop sales, with a large selection of Windows laptops, Chromebooks, and basic machines, as well as occasional premium devices at aggressive prices. Its online laptop section features thousands of models, plus frequent rollbacks and seasonal discounts.

Why Walmart deserves a spot on this list

• Great for budget laptops: If you’re looking for a simple work, school, or streaming machine, Walmart often has some of the lowest prices around on mainstream brands like HP, Acer, and Lenovo.
• Local pickup: Many laptops can be shipped to your local store or picked up the same day.
• Easy returns in person: You can bring a laptop back to most Walmart stores, which is a huge convenience if something doesn’t feel right.
• Early access deals: During big sales events, Walmart often rolls out early Black Friday promotions with noteworthy laptop discounts.

Things to watch out for

Like Amazon, Walmart sells both directly and via third-party Marketplace sellers. That means models, specs, and quality can vary. Always read the fine print and check who the seller is. Also, Walmart’s price match is more limited than Best Buy’s; it usually only matches prices within its own platform.

Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who want low prices, local pickup, and straightforward returns.

4. Costco – Fantastic Returns and Member Perks

If you’re a Costco member (or have a friend who is), buying a laptop there can be a quietly brilliant move. While the selection isn’t as huge as Amazon or Best Buy, Costco focuses on value-packed configurations and backs them with some of the friendliest return policies in retail.

Why laptop shoppers love Costco

• Generous return policy: Costco is known for easy returns and excellent customer service; laptops typically have a longer return window than many competitors, and members report very smooth experiences bringing devices back when something isn’t right.
• Value bundles: Many Costco laptops include extra RAM or storage, extended warranty coverage, or additional software at competitive prices.
• Price adjustment window: Costco doesn’t price match competitors, but it does offer a window where you can request an adjustment if the price drops after you buyuseful around sale seasons.
• Member-only pricing: Sometimes, the laptop you want is significantly cheaper here than at other retailers when you factor in the perks.

Who Costco is best for

If you want a safe, low-stress purchase with strong backup when things go wrong, Costco is hard to beatespecially if you don’t need every possible configuration under the sun.

Best for: Members who want excellent return policies, curated value configurations, and minimal hassle.

5. Micro Center – A Paradise for PC Enthusiasts

Micro Center doesn’t have locations everywhere, but if you live near one, it might be the best place to buy a laptop in person. The retailer is consistently rated one of the top tech stores in the U.S., earning PCMag’s “Top Overall Tech Retailer” and “Top Brick-and-Mortar Tech Retailer” thanks to its combination of selection, price, and knowledgeable staff.

Why Micro Center is worth a trip

• Staff who actually know tech: Unlike some big box stores, Micro Center’s associates tend to be genuine tech enthusiasts who can walk you through laptops, specs, and trade-offs.
• Great selection of mid-range and high-end laptops: You’ll find gaming machines, creator laptops, and business systems, plus open-box and clearance finds.
• Competitive pricing and price matching: Micro Center often runs its own deep discounts and has a price match policy that includes major online retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy for many items.
• In-person support: Need help with setup or troubleshooting? Having a local tech store can be invaluable.

Limitations of Micro Center

The main downside is geography: if you don’t live near a Micro Center, you can’t fully enjoy the in-store experience. There is online shopping, but the company really shines when you can walk in, talk to someone, and leave with a tuned, tested machine.

Best for: Enthusiasts, gamers, and power users who want expert advice and hands-on time with multiple laptops.

6. Direct from the Manufacturer – Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo & More

Another excellent place to buy a laptop is straight from the manufacturer’s online store, such as Apple, Dell, HP, or Lenovo. In fact, many shoppers on laptop forums and Reddit mention that they split their purchases between big retailers and direct stores depending on deals and configuration options.

Why buying direct makes sense

• Custom configurations: Want 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, but can’t find it on Amazon or Best Buy? Manufacturer sites often let you build-to-order.
• Student and business discounts: Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others frequently offer education or business pricing, which can shave a nice percentage off the sticker price.
• Official support and warranty upgrades: You can easily add extended coverage, accidental damage protection, or premium support during checkout.
• Occasional exclusives: New models or specific colorways sometimes show up on manufacturer sites first.

What to keep in mind

Manufacturers tend to be less aggressive on price matching than big retailers; many don’t match competitors at all, or they do so only in limited ways. But they control the full experience, from sale to support, which can make warranty and repair claims smoother.

Best for: Buyers who want specific configurations, student discounts, or a clean, official support path for their new laptop.

How to Choose the Right Place for You

So which of these six laptop retailers should you pick? Use these quick rules of thumb:

• Shopping primarily on price? Start with Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, then compare any Costco or Micro Center deals if you have access to them.
• Need to touch and test the laptop? Visit Best Buy, Micro Center, Walmart, or Costco to get hands-on before you commit.
• Want the safest return experience? Costco and major retailers with strong return policies (like Amazon and Best Buy) offer more peace of mind than no-name sellers.
• Need a very specific configuration? Check the manufacturer sites firstApple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others excel here.
• Buying for a student or a business? Look at direct-from-manufacturer discounts and back-to-school promos from Amazon, Best Buy, and Microsoft partners.

Real-World Laptop Buying Experiences & Tips (Extra Insights)

Beyond policies and price tags, real-world experience can make or break your laptop purchase. Here are some practical lessons drawn from shoppers, tech reviewers, and common pitfalls people run into when choosing where to buy.

1. Don’t Chase the Lowest Price Blindly

It’s tempting to click on the absolute cheapest listing you see, especially on huge marketplaces. But the lowest price can sometimes mean:

• A laptop with an older-generation CPU that looks new at first glance but is actually years behind.
• A unit sold by a third-party seller with weak support and unclear warranty coverage.
• Missing features compared to seemingly “identical” models at larger retailers.

A smarter strategy is to use Amazon or Walmart to discover what configuration you want, then cross-check that exact model number at Best Buy, Costco, or the manufacturer’s site. You might find that a slightly higher price comes with better support, easier returns, or a cleaner buying experience.

2. Test Typing, Trackpad, and Screen in Person if You Can

Tech reviewers and laptop experts often stress one thing: performance matters, but comfort and usability matter more over time. A blazing-fast CPU won’t help if you hate the keyboard or the screen strains your eyes.

That’s why a “hybrid” approach works well. You can research the best laptop models online using sites like TechRadar, PCWorld, or Wirecutter, then head to Best Buy or Micro Center to see how they feel in person. Once you’ve confirmed you like the hardware, you can either buy on the spot (especially if there’s a good sale) or go home and look for the best online price.

3. Pay Attention to Return Windows and Restocking Fees

Many of the best places to buy a laptop have generous returns, but the rules vary. Some manufacturers only offer 14-day windows, while warehouse clubs and big-box retailers may give you 30 days or more. In a few cases, there might be restocking fees on opened laptops.

Before you hit “Checkout,” quickly scan the return policy. Ask yourself:

• How long do I have to try this laptop and decide if it’s right?
• Will I pay a fee if I return it after opening?
• Is it easier to return in person, or will I have to ship it back?

If you’re buying a laptop as a gift or upgrading for the first time in years, a retailer like Costco, Amazon, or Best Buy with user-friendly returns may be worth a slightly higher price tag.

4. Consider Extended Warranties Selectively, Not Automatically

At checkout, nearly every retailer will offer some form of extended protection plan. They’re not always necessary, but they’re not always a waste either. Think about:

• Your risk level: If you travel constantly or are hard on your gear, accidental damage protection from a manufacturer or retailer might save you money long-term.
• Credit card perks: Some credit cards already extend manufacturer warranties automatically, meaning you could skip the add-on plan.
• Repair access: If you live near a Micro Center or a major Best Buy store, local repair options may make their protection plans more convenient.

Extended warranties can make more sense on pricey work or creator laptops than on bare-bones budget models you expect to replace sooner anyway.

5. Watch for Seasonal Laptop Deals

Laptop prices aren’t static. They tend to dip around a few key times of year:

• Back-to-school season: Great for student-focused laptops and mid-range systems.
• Black Friday and Cyber Monday: Deep discounts at Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and direct manufacturer stores.
• New CPU or model launches: When a brand introduces a new line, last year’s models often drop in price.

If you can afford to wait a few weeks, tracking deals across multiple retailers and taking advantage of price match policies can lead to hundreds of dollars in savings.

6. Ask for HelpOnline and Offline

Finally, don’t underestimate the value of expert and community input. Subreddits like r/Laptop and r/SuggestALaptop are full of people asking where to buy and which stores treated them well. Combine those stories with professional reviews from outlets like PCWorld, TechRadar, and Wirecutter, and you’ll quickly spot patterns: which retailers honor warranties, ship on time, and handle issues fairly.

The bottom line? Choosing the right place to buy your laptop is part research, part timing, and part personal comfort. Once you understand each retailer’s strengthsAmazon’s selection, Best Buy’s price matches, Walmart’s budget deals, Costco’s returns, Micro Center’s expertise, and manufacturers’ custom buildsyou can confidently click “Buy” without second-guessing yourself.

Conclusion

Laptops are one of the most important tech purchases you’ll make, and the store you choose can influence everything from the final price to how stressful (or painless) the whole experience feels. The six best places to buy a laptopAmazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, Micro Center, and direct from manufacturerseach shine in different ways. Match your priorities (price, support, configuration, or convenience) to the right retailer, and you’ll be far more likely to end up with a device you love, at a price that feels like a win.

sapo: Wondering where to buy a laptop without getting burned by bad specs, tricky return policies, or confusing deals? This in-depth guide breaks down the six best places to buy a laptopAmazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Costco, Micro Center, and manufacturer stores like Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. Learn how each retailer handles pricing, returns, and support, plus get real-world tips and examples so you can confidently pick the right store, score a great deal, and walk away with a laptop you’ll actually enjoy using every day.