How laptop and smart home prices behave
Laptops already have a discount wave at back-to-school, so Black Friday is a second window rather than the only one. On eBay the move that matters is usually a specific configuration being repriced, whether that is new-in-box, open-box or refurbished.
Smart speakers, plugs, cameras and displays are among the items sellers discount most readily. The catch is that these discounts are often short, so a price you miss by a day or two is easy to miss entirely.
What to start tracking now
Processor, memory, storage and condition are all part of a laptop listing, so a different configuration is a different listing with a different price.
- The exact laptop configuration you want, not just the model name.
- Last year’s model. A prior-generation laptop that still does everything you need is often where the value is.
- Smart home devices you would buy more than one of, such as plugs, bulbs and cameras. A small drop multiplies.
New, refurbished or used
For laptops, condition and warranty matter more than in most categories. A listing that says refurbished can mean anything from manufacturer-certified to seller-tested, so read what the listing actually says, check what is included (charger, original box) and look at the return window. For used laptops, ask about battery health before you buy.
For smart home devices, check that the model works with your setup, whether that is Alexa, Google Home or Apple Home, before you count on a price.
Setting your target price
Because laptop specs vary so much, do not compare a listing against the price of a different configuration. Track the exact listing, note the lowest price it has reached, and set your target just under it.
Smart home items move often, so a modest target you would be happy to pay is usually enough. You are likely to see it hit.
Your Black Friday timeline
Now to Nov 13
Add the exact laptop configurations and smart home items you would buy and let their history build.
Nov 14 to 25
Watch for early repricing. Decide whether a prior-generation model would do the job for less.
Thu, Nov 26 (Thanksgiving)
Expect some movement on smart home items in particular. Alerts reach you by email whenever a listing crosses your target.
Fri, Nov 27 (Black Friday)
On an alert, confirm the configuration, condition and return window before buying.
Mon, Nov 30 (Cyber Monday)
Keep tracking anything that has not hit your target. Sellers with stock left often adjust again.