The 10 Best Stores to Shop for Back-to-School Laptops and Tablets in 2026

A new laptop or tablet is usually the biggest line item on any back-to-school shopping list. And unlike a pack of pens or a five-subject notebook, this is a purchase you want to get right: the right device, from the right store, at the right price.

The good news: August is one of the best months of the entire year to buy a laptop or tablet. Back-to-school season drives retailers to run some of their biggest tech promotions, and the overlap with end-of-summer inventory clearing means deals are genuinely plentiful right now.

Below are 10 of the best stores to shop for back-to-school laptops and tablets. And they’re all Rakuten partners, which means you can earn Cash Back on every single one.

1. Best Buy

If there’s one store built for back-to-school tech shopping, it’s Best Buy. The selection of laptops, Chromebooks, tablets, two-in-ones and accessories is massive, and the back-to-school promotions Best Buy runs in July and August are among the most competitive in the market. We’re talking real discounts on big-name brands such as Apple, Samsung, HP, Lenovo and Acer all under one roof (or one website).

What makes Best Buy especially useful is the ability to compare devices side by side. You can do it in-store if you want to put hands on a keyboard before buying or online with detailed spec comparisons. The trade-in program is also worth noting: If you have an older device to offload, Best Buy will apply the trade-in value toward the new purchase, lowering the out-of-pocket cost before Cash Back even enters the picture.

Best Buy is a featured partner on Rakuten’s computers and tablets page, and the combination of their back-to-school sale pricing and Rakuten Cash Back is hard to beat.

2. Apple

Apple’s back-to-school promotion is one of the most anticipated events of the shopping season, and for good reason. Apple typically runs a limited-time back-to-school offer for students, teachers and parents, which has historically included a free pair of AirPods or a gift card with the purchase of a qualifying Mac or iPad. If that deal is live when you’re reading this, it’s essentially free hardware on top of your new device. Hard to argue with that.

Even outside the promotion, Apple’s back-to-school offerings are compelling. The MacBook Air is a perennial favorite for students because it’s lightweight, has a long battery life and is capable enough for virtually any coursework. iPad models work beautifully as both a tablet and a light laptop replacement. And if you want to stretch the budget even further, Apple’s refurbished store offers certified preowned devices at a meaningful discount.

Shop Apple through Rakuten to earn Cash Back on qualifying purchases and stack it on top of whatever back-to-school deal Apple is running this season.

3. Dell and Dell Refurbished

Dell earns a double entry on this list, and for good reason. Dell runs dedicated back-to-school promotions on student-friendly lines such as the Inspiron (reliable, affordable and available in a range of specs) and the XPS series (for the student who needs serious performance and doesn’t mind showing off a little). Back-to-school deals from Dell often include percentage-off promotions on select configurations, so it’s worth checking what’s live before you buy.

Then there’s Dell Refurbished, which is Dell’s official certified preowned outlet. It’s genuinely excellent. These are factory-reconditioned Dell machines, tested and backed by a warranty, and sold directly by Dell at significantly lower prices than their new counterparts. If your budget is firm but you still want a quality machine, Dell Refurbished is one of the smartest places to look.

Both Dell and Dell Refurbished are separate Rakuten partner stores, which means you can earn Cash Back through either. It’s a nice bonus whichever route you take.

4. Lenovo

Lenovo is quietly one of the best laptop brands for students, and shopping directly through Lenovo gives you access to configurations and deals you won’t always find at third-party retailers. The IdeaPad lineup covers the budget-to-midrange territory beautifully, while the ThinkPad series is legendary for its durability. These are laptops built to be dropped in a backpack daily for four years and come out the other side still running strong.

Lenovo also runs back-to-school promotions that frequently include sitewide discounts, student pricing and bundle deals with accessories. If you’re open to a Chromebook, Lenovo makes some of the most popular ones in the education market. They’re sturdy, affordable and optimized for Google Classroom workflows.

Keep an eye on Lenovo’s back-to-school deals page and start every Lenovo shopping trip through Rakuten to stack Cash Back on top of whatever discount you find.

5. HP

HP covers the full student laptop spectrum, from the budget-friendly Chromebooks that are staples of K–12 education to the Pavilion series (solid midrange all-rounders) and the Spectre line (for the college student who wants something genuinely sleek). HP regularly runs back-to-school promotions with notable discounts on popular configurations, and the HP Student Store offers additional pricing for verified students.

One underrated HP move for families: the Instant Ink subscription program, which automatically sends you fresh ink cartridges when your printer is running low. It pairs well with any HP laptop purchase for students who will also need a home printer this school year.

6. Newegg

Newegg is a go-to store for shoppers who like to get into the specs. The selection of laptops and tablets is enormous, the pricing is highly competitive and the open-box deals section is a gold mine for shoppers who want near-new hardware at a meaningful discount. If you know exactly what processor, RAM configuration and display resolution you want, Newegg will have it (probably in three different configurations at three different price points).

Newegg also tends to run flash sales and combo deals that can be genuinely excellent during back-to-school season. It’s a better fit for a tech-comfortable shopper than a first-time buyer, but if you (or the student you’re shopping for) knows what they want, Newegg is absolutely worth checking before you buy anywhere else.

7. Acer

If budget is the primary driver, Acer belongs near the top of your shortlist. Acer’s Aspire and Chromebook lines are consistently among the most affordable options on the market without compromising on the features that actually matter for students: enough RAM to run a browser with many tabs open, a keyboard you can type a paper on and battery life that lasts through a full school day.

Shopping directly through Acer gives you access to the full product lineup, back-to-school promotions and occasional bundle deals on accessories. Acer is also particularly strong in the Chromebook space, where several of its models have become classroom staples for K–12 students.

8. eBay

eBay is the wild card on this list, in the best possible way. The platform is one of the best places to find used and certified refurbished laptops and tablets at prices that make the new-device market look expensive. eBay’s Certified Refurbished program brings additional peace of mind with manufacturer-certified products, warranty coverage and return policies that make buying secondhand feel a lot safer.

If you need a fully functional machine for a student on a tight budget, eBay is worth a serious look. Search for certified refurbished models from major brands, filter by condition and you can often find hardware that’s two or three generations old at a fraction of the original retail price.

eBay is a Rakuten partner, which means you can earn Cash Back on eligible purchases. It’s a nice addition to an already discounted price.

9. Target

Target isn’t a tech specialist, but it earns its place on this list for a specific type of shopper: the one who wants to grab a Chromebook or iPad alongside their notebooks, backpack and dorm room essentials in a single trip. Target’s laptop and tablet selection is curated rather than exhaustive. You’ll find popular Chromebooks, iPads and a handful of Windows laptops from familiar brands, which actually makes the decision easier for parents who don’t want to navigate a wall of specs.

Target also runs back-to-school promotions that frequently include electronics, and the Target Circle loyalty program can layer additional savings on top. Pair that with Rakuten Cash Back, and Target becomes a legitimately smart stop for straightforward back-to-school tech needs.

10. Sony

Sony rounds out this list as the premium option for shoppers who want a laptop or tablet with a reputation for quality materials, display technology and design. Sony’s lineup in the computing space leans toward the higher end of the market; this isn’t the place to hunt for bargain-bin Chromebooks, but it’s the place to find a device that feels as good as it performs.

For a college student who’s going to be using their laptop as a daily companion for four-plus years and wants something that holds up in every sense, Sony’s engineering reputation is a genuine selling point. Shop Sony through Rakuten to earn Cash Back on qualifying purchases.

Earn Cash Back on Every Store on This List

Here’s what makes all of the above even better: Every store on this list is a Rakuten partner. That means when you shop at any of them through Rakuten, you’ll earn Cash Back on eligible laptop and tablet purchases automatically, with no rebate forms required.

The real power move is the stack:

• Start at Rakuten before heading to any store’s website. Activating your Cash Back first is the one step that can’t be skipped.
• Check for coupons and promo codes. Rakuten surfaces available deals for every partner store right on the store page. Stack a promo code on top of a back-to-school sale and then earn Cash Back on the discounted total.
• Install the Rakuten browser extension. It automatically pops up when you land on any partner store’s website and alerts you to available Cash Back and coupons, so you’ll never accidentally leave savings behind.
• Use the Rakuten app for on-the-go shopping and Cash Back activation when you’re in-store or browsing between tabs.

Rakuten has paid out over $4.6 billion to more than 17 million members. Your student’s new laptop should come with a little of that.

FAQs: Back-to-School Laptop Shopping with Rakuten

Can I earn Rakuten Cash Back at all 10 stores on this list?

Yes. Every store listed here is a Rakuten partner, which means you can earn Cash Back on eligible purchases when you shop through Rakuten. Just make sure to activate Cash Back before you check out.

Can I stack Rakuten Cash Back with a store’s back-to-school sale?

Absolutely. Rakuten Cash Back stacks with store sales and available promo codes, so you can layer multiple savings on the same purchase. The more you stack, the better the deal.

Is it safe to buy a refurbished laptop from Dell Refurbished or eBay?

Yes, with the right sourcing. Dell Refurbished sells factory-certified preowned Dell machines with a warranty. On eBay, look specifically for the Certified Refurbished category, which offers manufacturer-certified products with return policies and coverage. Both are legitimate options for budget-conscious shoppers.

When is the best time to buy a back-to-school laptop?

July and August are the sweet spots. Back-to-school promotions are in full swing, and retailers are highly motivated to move inventory. Shopping early also means better selection; the most popular configurations sell out before the school year starts.

Does the Rakuten browser extension work across all these stores?

Yes. Once installed, the browser extension automatically detects when you’re on a Rakuten partner store’s site and alerts you to available Cash Back and coupons. It works across all the stores on this list.

What if I can’t decide between stores?

Start with what matters most to you. Go to Best Buy for the widest selection and in-store experience, Apple if your student is already in the Apple ecosystem, and Dell or Lenovo for reliable student-focused hardware and good back-to-school deals. Shop at Newegg if you want to get into specs and find competitive pricing, and eBay or Dell Refurbished if budget is the priority. Target is your stop for ultimate convenience. You really can’t go wrong, especially when Cash Back is waiting at all of them.