Best PC deals
PCs aren’t the most exciting tech purchase but they can be one of the most useful day-to-day bits of tech in your home or office. Whether you want a full-on gaming rig, all-in-one or a traditional desktop PC tower read our guide to finding a great deal before splashing the cash.
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):
Amazonhas some of the biggest bargains but other retailers offer tempting deals too, includingCurrysandArgos.
If you find that you’re missing out onAmazon’s Lightning deals, which run for just a few hours and offer limited stock, we’d recommend signing up forAmazon’s 30-day free trialof Prime, which will get you access to deals 30 minutes before everyone else. Plus, you’ll get free next-day delivery with the Prime trial, as well as access to Prime Instant Video and more.Sign up for Prime here.
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 foriMac dealsandMac 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.
There are handy free tools out there that make shopping easier such as theHoney browser pluginwhich can do things like automatically try various vouchers for you. Also, make use of theCamelcamelcameltracker for products on Amazon and if you’re browsing on a site you’re not familiar with, useTrustpilotto check if they are dependable.
PC deals for students
Another great resource to help you snag deals isTech Advisor’s Student Beans page. TheTech and Mobile sectioncan help you save up to 25% from big brands such as Apple, Asus, HP, Lenovo, Logitech and many more. Seeall tech student deals here.
Author: Chris Martin, Reviews Editor, Tech Advisor
Chris got his break as a reporter at infamous site The Inquirer and has been at Tech Advisor for more than 12 years. With a BA degree in Music Technology, audio is his specialism, but over the years he has reviewed all kinds of gadgets, from smartwatches to mesh Wi-Fi to coffee machines.
