Is Online or In-Store the Best Place to make these purchases and save money?

In anticipation of college in a few weeks I need to start shopping for supplies. I’m obsessed with getting a good deal no matter what so as I make a few more pricier purchases I was wondering is online on in-store typically a better place to make these purchases? Also what stores typically are good for these items? I try to buy quality and I am not totally picky about brands or designs as long as it is functional.

Backpack–looking to spend good money on a four year laptop
Laptop and tablet accessories?
Sneakers?
Towels?
Sheets and other bedding?
Underwear?

I know school supplies are cheaper in store at least.

Thanks!

Daughter got a great student discount on a laptop at Best Buy in the store last week. They have a list of models that are discounted if you prove you are enrolled in a college. Daughter was able to do it with her college email address and the saleswoman walked her through the process. We wouldn’t have learned about it if she had ordered online.

For some bedding she did well in the sale section of Pottery Barn Teen online, but I had noticed a lot of dorm supply stuff on sale at Walmart, Target, and Bed Bath and Beyond lately.

Thank you so much, and does anybody have good tips on where to buy a sturdy backpack!

LL Bean is a great place to look for a good backpack. Also if it doesn’t hold up you can get a replacement.

As for clothing, if you know exactly what you want, online is usually a good bet in terms of price, especially Zappos for shoes (usually 5-10% cheaper than most stores and free shipping). If you aren’t picky about brand, Walmart and your local surplus or discount store will probably have good underwear, since it is sort of a consumable piece of clothing anyway, but if you spend a little more on towels and sheets they will most likely last all four years. Bed Bath and Beyond/linens and things/Home Goods are good mid-price places for these items.
Totally support the LL Bean suggestion for backpacks. If you can make it up to the store in Maine there is sometimes more selection, but they have free shipping through their online store. They offer free no questions asked replacement and you can get stuff monogrammed with your name or initials. It is a little expensive, but LL Bean also makes awesome bedding.
Keep asking about those student discounts. They can be amazing.

Okay thanks you both, would you recommend an LL Bean backpack over something like North Face which seems surprisingly expensive? There’s a huge LL Bean store around me so I will check them out!

Hmmm… I’m just make a different thread for the laptop to see other input/and make it easier to find.