Back-to-School Tech Gets More Expensive This Year. Here’s How To Get Deals Anyway
That’s hard to believe back to school season he is upon us.
Children will be back in the classroom in many parts of the US in a few short weeks, some before August 3. School lists are now available, so you can start shopping. Besides books and papers, parents learn that many lessons and projects are expected to be completed using technology, such as laptops and tablets. Some schools, like my son’s elementary school, provide similar equipment Chromebooks. But many students in school and college are expected to have a separate device at home, putting parents in the market for laptops or tablets.
But today’s educational technology is not cheap. The evolution of AI led to a lack of memory chip. Those chips are essential for many devices, including phones, game consoles, computers again tablets. And that lack means you can expect high prices. One workaround would be refurbished or second-hand models.
In April 2026, CNET found that nearly half (48%) of American adults have considered materials used during the past year. Several factors influenced their decision, including cost savings (31%) and more expensive new models (25%).
However, fixed technology is not exempt from such price increases. So what should you do if you have to buy a laptop or tablet for school but don’t want to break the bank? I will explain.
How does the lack of RAM affect the fixed technology?
Older devices outpace the cost of a new chip, making them a more affordable option. But the shortage of RAM increases the demand and prices of refurbished products.
Apple is the latest tech company to raise prices on its new and refurbished products. Its Refurbished Certified Store saw a 6% to 15% price increase in June. Updated 14 inch MacBook Pro M5 with 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage costs $1,699, but it was discounted to $1,439 on June 14 after checking out the Internet Document Recovery Machine. It now costs $1,999, but the discount brings it down to $1,699.
Other companies, including Samsung and Microsoft, have also been affected by the chip shortage. Microsoft will raise its prices Xbox Series X/S on August 1, and its renewal More laptop models it will cost more. The chip shortage is not expected to end until 2028, so many companies may continue to raise prices on new and refurbished devices.
Refurbished back-to-school tech may cost less than new devices, but there are a few shopping tips to keep in mind if you need to buy a laptop or tablet soon.
Apple recently increased prices on new and updated technology by up to 15% on some devices.
Compare policies and prices from authorized dealers
You can find great deals when you buy used technology online, including rebates and accessories. Buying and selling on social media platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp can offer great deals, including accessories or better prices than supermarkets. However, you will not have a warranty, return policy or professional testing of the device. That could mean you’re stuck with a technology you’re not satisfied with.
Certified used stores, like Back Market, have limited-time warranties, money-back guarantees and testing so you can feel free to buy a used device online. Compare prices, warranties and policies and specifications from all major retailers, such as The Revamped Amazon Store and Best Buy Outlet, for the best deal. And tech brands have repair shops, too, like Apple’s Certified Refurbished, Dell Refurbished and HP Refurbished Certified. You may even get some limited back-to-school savings on used technology, but it’s worth making sure you have the right protection in case you’re unhappy or the device isn’t what you expected when it arrives.
Once you’ve settled on a device you’re comfortable with, pay with a credit card that has purchase protection in case the device is stolen, damaged or lost within a certain period of time (usually three to six months). Keep all your receipts and tracking information, and make sure the device is in the expected condition when you receive it.
Trade in your old device to save
Major retailers have trade-in programs that can lower the cost of a new device. Apple’s Trade-In program gives you an Apple gift card based on the value of your old device. You can use it on a new or refurbished Apple product or device. Again Amazon trading system it similarly allows you to trade in your old device for an Amazon gift card that can be used to purchase refurbished technology from Amazon.
Another way to save money on refurbished tech during the back-to-school season is to sell your old device at a buy-and-sell site — like Swappa, ItsWorthMore or ecoATM — and trade it in for cash to put more toward the refurbished device you’re considering. You may get more or less depending on your device’s age and condition. New models in good to very good condition are often sold at a premium. It’s worth comparing offers across sites to get the most bang for your buck, which could mean paying less for your new device.
Don’t count out the new laptop and tablet models just yet
Buying refurbished technology may seem like an easy way to cut costs on a laptop or tablet for the upcoming school year, but back-to-school deals and student discounts can sometimes reduce the price of a new device to the cost of a refurbished one.
As updated technology beckons, be aware of software upgrades, device battery life and the overall condition of the device. Some devices, such as Intel MacBooks, are no longer eligible for software upgrades, which is bad if you plan to use them for a while. If so, a new device might be the best option.
