Since they’re usually expensive at full price, PCs often have some of the biggest discounts around. And with a constant churn of new components you can always find massive savings by opting for hardware that’s a year or two old – but often still plenty powerful.
As a rule of thumb, if you see the right product within your budget then make sure you don’t miss out as prices can change quickly or stock run out, but we’ll explain what to look for and where to go.
Where to find PC deals
Where you want to go depends a lot on what you’re looking for. If you want to buy a pre-built computer or just some simple accessories, then some of the standard electronics retailers are the best bet:
And in the UK:
If you’re looking to pick up components though, you’d be better off looking at the following (some of which sell pre-built PCs too, for what it’s worth):
We’ve gathered up the best PC deals that are available right now. If you’re looking for Apple desktops then we have specific guides on our sister site Macworld for iMac deals and Mac mini deals.
What to look for in a PC deal
More than with most things, it’s worth making sure you know how much a given component or PC setup is worth – retailers love to advertise reductions that aren’t quite as good as they appear, by quoting the initial RRP rather than a product’s most recent price. Plan what components you want – and how much they cost normally – and you can make sure you don’t get fooled by dodgy “discounts”.
The biggest discounts are on pre-built desktops and all-in-one computers (think iMacs, where the computer and the screen are built into the same unit). If you’re happy to build your own, or upgrade your existing setup, keep an eye on component sites though.
If you see what you think it a good price, don’t just hit the buy button straight away. Check other retailers to see if they have an even cheaper price, a limited discount code or something like a free gift that might sway you.
PC deals for students
Another great resource to help you snag deals is Tech Advisor’s Student Beans page. The Tech and Mobile section can help you save up to 25% from big brands such as Apple, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Logitech and many more. See all tech student deals here.
Tech Advisor’s Reviews Editor, Chris has been reviewing all kinds of tech for over 10 years and specialises in audio. He also covers a range of topics including home entertainment, phones, laptops, tablets and more.
