Back-To-School Shopping Just Got Easier With These Desktop Deals (But Time Is Running Out)
When I was in school, if you needed to do your work at home, you did it on a desktop . That was back in prehistoric times, of course, but there are still good arguments for a dedicated PC tower or all-in-one as part of your student's edu-tech loadout. Desktop PCs typically pack more power and better components, along with more expandability. They can also double as dorm room entertainment centers. Prices are still low as we get closer and closer to September, so check these models out while you can. We also have a great selection of back-to-school laptop deals.
I'll be checking for new deals every day until classes are in session, and adding hot PCs as I find them.
HP OmniDesk Tower PC Deal
The traditional desktop tower may seem like a dying breed, but we're quite fond of HP's OmniDesk, which combines modern components with a charming retro woodgrain front panel to create a PC that fits in all kinds of situations. This is a capable all-rounder of a machine with enough CPU power to handle epic research sessions and 512GB of storage space for that one paper that just won't end. We had a preview of these models at CES, where we appreciated the subtle yet extensive front panel port placement, the small footprint, and the wide array of configurations, with plenty of space and easy access for upgrades. Snagging a 16% discount makes it even more appealing.
Acer Aspire Desktop PC Deal
For another budget desktop option, we're fond of Acer's Aspire line, which doesn't push the envelope in terms of power but instead carefully selects good-performing components that work well together for stable, reliable everyday performance. We have a full review of this model, albeit with a slightly different component loadout, and gave it an Editors' Choice award for its thoughtful design, including a front-facing USB-C port and card reader, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and dual HDMI outputs for multi-monitor setups. It's a great value at retail, so saving $50 makes it even more appealing.
Asus ROG G700 Desktop PC Deal
Buying a gaming desktop for a student might seem like a strange idea, but hear us out: the boosted CPU power and better RAM loadout make them great for multitasking and heavy data lifting, and a dedicated GPU can also be used for helpful on-device AI tools. Best Buy has a nice price cut on a solid midrange model from Asus, featuring a Blackwell-series RTX 5060 graphics card, which we gave an "Excellent" rating to in our review . A full terabyte PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD storage is plenty of room for schoolwork and a Steam library, and the case is spacious and attractive, with dual glass panels and effective cooling.
Geekom A6 Mini PC Deal
If space is at a premium in the dorm, a mini desktop might be the optimal solution. These potent PCs are smaller than your average textbook but pack plenty of juice, and we gave the Geekom A6 an Editors' Choice award as the best budget option in the space. A $100 back-to-school discount at Amazon makes it even more appealing. In our full review , we said that this Windows machine performed well in our benchmarking tests, grinding through everyday productivity work with ease, and its wide port selection made it easy to hook up external drives and other peripherals.
GMKTec M6 Ultra Mini Desktop Deal
For a mini PC that pushes the performance envelope and can even pull double duty as a gaming machine, the GMKTec M6 Ultra is a steal at this price. With a surprisingly potent Ryzen 7640Hs processor with integrated Radeon graphics, it runs at 4.3 GHz and, coupled with a generous 32GB of system memory, handles video encoding and other high-octane tasks with ease. It's got enough juice to run triple 4K displays through USB-C, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort, and the rest of the port selection is solid. Throw in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 connectivity, and you've got a pocket-sized PC that's perfect for just about anybody.
Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q Desktop Deal
For another tiny form factor machine that's got what it takes to keep an academic career afloat, Amazon has a tempting discount on the Lenovo ThinkCentre Neo 50q. We have a comprehensive review of this model (albeit one with a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor), where we were impressed by its security-focused loadout, quiet operation, and impressive power efficiency. Port selection is also robust for such a small package, with the ability to support two displays thanks to paired HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 outputs, along with a whopping eight USB ports for all your peripherals and external drives. This loadout ships with Windows 11 Pro installed as well.
Acer Aspire C24 All-In-One Desktop Deal
All-in-one desktop PCs are popular among students because they're easy to transport and require minimal cable management, with all the machine's components housed in the same enclosure as the monitor. For a budget-friendly Windows machine that checks all the boxes, we recommend the Acer Aspire C24. In our review , we appreciated its wide space-efficient base, good-quality peripherals, and competent performance. We also liked how quick and easy it was to set up, taking us just ten minutes from unboxing. While the FHD screen isn't the brightest on the market, it's more than enough for everyday work. It features a respectable number of ports as well, but only one USB-A on the bottom of the monitor; the rest are on the back. For $715, it's a steal.
HP OmniStudio X All-In-One Desktop Deal
HP also makes all-in-one desktops, and we were impressed enough by the OmniStudio X to give it an Editors' Choice award in our review . The version we evaluated was the larger 31-inch screen, but the more compact 27-inch one that Best Buy has on sale is probably better for dorm life. It still delivers reliable performance thanks to a very nice Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, and the height-adjustable stand helps it fit into a variety of desk situations. Port selection is also well-considered, with plenty of options for external storage and peripherals. This model is probably the closest Windows-based competition to Apple's iMac line, but at a much more budget-friendly price.
Dell Slim Desktop Deal
Dell also makes more traditional towers, and this mini desktop is priced to move with solid components and lots of versatility. Intel's Core i5-14500 processor is a prime choice for everyday education work, with great cooling and reliable performance across productivity and entertainment apps. Coupled with 16GB of RAM, it's solid for multitasking as well, and a full 1TB SSD is plenty of room for all their files. Customization and repair are a breeze with tool-less entry and a removable side panel. Ports and connectivity are solid, with support for up to four FHD monitors and eight total USB ports, with four on the front of the tower. It ships with a wired keyboard and mouse as well.
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