In the market for a new computer? Been waiting a while to upgrade your laptop? Well, now is the perfect time to invest.
Best places to shop for laptops in Boxing Day sales:
Best computer deals
Which retailers had sales last year and what were the savings?
Out of the retailers who stock laptop computers, here are some that had a great Boxing Day deal:
- Harvery Norman
- JB Hi-Fi
- Dick Smith
- Microsoft - Content
- The Good Guys
- Appliances Online
- Lenovo
- Grays Online
- oo.com.au
- Catch of the Day
Savings varied greatly between different retailers. Retailers like Catch of the Day already have heavily discounted prices on laptops and desktop computers, so customers typically saved between $20-$100. On the other hand, stores like Dick Smith, whose prices sit much closer to the recommended retail price, offered significant savings. In fact, Dick Smith had a range of laptops on sale for under $500.
Here are a few of the discounts and sales from previous years.
- Dick Smith: Computers under $500 sale – Toshiba Satellite 15.6" Notebook for $349.
- Microsoft store: Up to $110 off Surface Pro 3 devices.
- Lenovo: Up to $1200 off ThinkPad tablets, laptops, ThinkCentre desktops, ThinkStation workstations and ThinkServer services.
- Harvey Norman: Up to 50% off – Apple MacBook Pro 13" 2.5GHz i5 for $1188, was $1349.
Which laptops and computers will be be on sale?
This year, we've also seen hybrid laptop-tablet devices become more and more popular. This suggests that we can expect to see some really competitive bundle deals.
In an effort to compete with devices like the Surface, which comes with the detachable keyboard, there is a strong likelihood that devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab and the Apple iPad will throw in accessories at a lowered price.
Which retailers should you shop at and which retailers have the best guarantees?
There are many factors at play when deciding where to shop. To help decide, we've outlined which retailers offer free shipping and returns. We've also outlined the guarantees and return policies for major retailers.
Free shipping.
- oo.com.au: Only on selected small items. Larger items have a calculated shipping cost depending on where you live.
- Catch of the Day: Free shipping when you register with Club Catch.
- Appliances Online: Free shipping to selected metropolitan areas.
- Lenovo: Shipping is free of charge in Australia.
- Microsoft - Content: Free shipping throughout December 2015.
Accepts returns.
- Microsoft - Content: All products must be returned with reasonable care having been taken. All boxed software and video games must be returned with their seal intact. Proof of purchase is required.
- Lenovo: Return your product as you received it, in its original packaging, within 14 days of delivery.
- oo.com.au: If you purchase virtually anything from oo.com.au, you can return it for your money back. Returns must be initiated within 30 days, and the product must be unused and in original condition.
- Appliances Online: You can arrange for your appliance to be exchanged for a similar product within 14 days of delivery, or return it for a credit towards your next appliance purchase.
- JB Hi-Fi: Returns are accepted if the product is unused with original packaging and returned within 30 days. NB: According to this article on Choice, JB Hi-Fi staff members sometimes refuse to issue returns. If you're having trouble getting a return approved, you can refer to this JB Hi-Fi returns policy brochure. Page 3 unequivocally states 'change of mind' returns are accepted.
No returns
- Catch of the Day: Only accepts returns if product is faulty.
- Grays Online: Only accepts returns on items purchased at buy-it-now prices.
- Harvey Norman: Only accepts returns if product is faulty.
- Dick Smith: Only accepts returns if product is faulty.
- The Good Guys: Only accepts returns if product is faulty.
Guarantees and Warranties
Under Australian consumer law, you are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and for compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.
If you receive a product and it's damaged or faulty, you are entitled to a full refund or exchange. If you have trouble obtaining a refund for a faulty product, refer to the guidelines from the ACCC.
Why buy a laptop online? Is it worth buying a laptop in the Boxing Day sales?
You're rarely going to find cheaper prices on computers than during the Boxing Day sales, so now is definitely the time to buy and you probably should buy it online. Purchasing a laptop online is beneficial for many reasons, and not just for avoiding the queues and the nightmare carpark.
Generally, online stores are stocked through a large central warehouse. Bricks and mortar stores only have a small stock room plus what's on the floor. This means that if you choose to shop online, it's far less likely that the item you want will sell out. On sale days, especially Boxing Day, many products sell out in stores after only a few hours.
Shopping online allows you to very easily compare products too. You can open windows for the Microsoft Store, JB Hi-Fi and Lenovo all at once and directly compare prices and specifications. This is a lot harder to do if you're going to physical stores, and it's much more time-consuming.
One reason you should consider shopping in store is if you need very specific consumer advice from a product expert. For example, if there is a question you have that only Apple staff will be able to answer, then perhaps it's best for you to visit the physical store.
When will we find out what discounts are available?
We will keep this page updated with discounts as they are released. Scroll down to see the current list of available deals.
Deals you can take advantage of now
*figure is based on median Australian salary of $57,400 from ABS data and information from the Australian Retailers Association.
