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The Dell XPS, our pick for the best desktop, is on sale today

By Michael Bizzaco Published August 22, 2024

Dell XPS Desktop 8960 with the side panel removed. — Jacob Roach / Digital Trends / Digital Trends

We here at Digital Trends take our computers very seriously. So when we say something like “a highly flexible desktop that can accommodate almost any budget and purpose,” you can bet we’re talking about one of the best desktop computers we’ve ever used. The model we’re alluding to is the Dell XPS Desktop 8960, which just so happens to be our favorite desktop PC for 2024! It’s also on sale through the manufacturer for $1,200.

Why you should buy the Dell XPS Desktop

Whether you’re looking for a reliable at-home setup for drafting a novel, editing photos, browsing the web, or engaging in some demanding MMORPG gameplay, the XPS Desktop has got you covered. Do keep in mind that the version we highlighted in our best-of roundup (Intel Core i7-13700K, NVIDIA RTX 4080, 32GB of RAM, 1TB of storage) is not the same configuration that you’ll get as part of this particular Dell deal. The deal version includes an Intel Core i7-14700, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage.

When the XPS Desktop is operating on all thrusters, you’re going to want make sure the tower stays nice and cool. Fortunately, Dell was way ahead of us on that note, as the XPS Desktop chassis was tailor-made to encourage air flow and quieter-running components. There’s also no shortage of inputs and outputs on this machine, including popular connections like USB-C, USB-A, Gigabit Ethernet, an SD card slot, and a six-connector stack of assignable audio ports.

If you decide that you’d like to upgrade your system at some point, the XPS Desktop even includes extra slots for PCIe, DIMM, SSD, and HDD additions. It’s hard to say how long this Dell markdown is going to stick around for, so now is always the best time to save!

Own the Dell XPS Desktop for $1,200, and be sure to have a look at some of other great desktop computer deals we found this week! We also have a big list of laptop deals for you to look through if you’re in need of something portable. And if you’d rather combine laptop and tablet tech, we also have a solid list of 2-in-1 deals to peruse!

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Michael Bizzaco

AV Contributor

Michael Bizzaco has been selling, installing, and talking about TVs, soundbars, streaming devices, and all things smart home…

Computing

Save space with this 27-inch Dell all-in-one PC — on sale at $300 off

The Dell Inspiron 27 All-in-One desktop computer.

If you've got limited space for a computer on your desk but you want a screen that's bigger than a laptop's, the Dell Inspiron 27 All-in-One could be the solution that you're looking for -- especially now that it's on sale from Dell with a $300 discount. From its original price of $1,300, you'll only have to pay $1,000 for this all-in-one PC, but since we're not sure how much time is remaining before this offer expires, we highly recommend completing your purchase as soon as possible so that you'll be able to pocket the savings.

Why you should buy the Dell Inspiron 27 All-in-One PC
We've got a comprehensive guide on how to build a PC from scratch, but if you'd rather buy a pre-built desktop computer, check out the Dell Inspiron 27 All-in-One. The best part about this machine is that it combines the CPU and monitor in one package, with a 27-inch touchscreen that offers Full HD resolution. This makes the all-in-one computer perfect for areas with limited spaces such as a home office or a dorm room, and it even ships with the Dell Pro Wireless Keyboard and Mouse combo, so the only wire that you'll have to deal with is its power cable.

Computing

The Dell Inspiron 15 laptop is even more affordable now — down to $250

A man bounces a ball on his head on the display of a Dell Inspiron 15 laptop.

If you're on the hunt for a budget-friendly laptop, you should check out the discounts from Dell's laptop deals. You're going to want to consider getting the Dell Inspiron 15, which is on sale with a $130 discount that makes it even more affordable at just $250 from its original price of $380. You'll need to be quick though, as stocks may run out sooner than you expect. Proceed with your purchase of the laptop if you don't want to miss out on this special price.

Why you should buy the Dell Inspiron 15 laptop
For its price, you can't expect the Dell Inspiron 15 to challenge the performance of the best laptops. It won't let you down when it comes to regular tasks such as browsing the internet, typing documents, and watching streaming shows though. It's equipped with the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor and AMD Radeon 610M Graphics, plus 8GB of RAM that's perfect for casual users, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. These specifications are more than enough if you're not planning to edit videos and play PC games on high settings.

Computing

Dell slashed the price of the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop with RTX 4080 by $420

The Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop with Baldur's Gate 3 on the screen.

You should be on the lookout for gaming laptop deals if you're thinking about making an upgrade -- these devices are pretty expensive, so any discount will help cushion the blow on your wallet. Here's an offer from Dell to consider: a $420 discount for the powerful Alienware m18 R2 with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card, which reduces its price to $2,380 from $2,800. You can either pocket the savings or use them to buy more video games and accessories, but you need to act fast because there's a chance that the gaming laptop's price will be back to normal as soon as tomorrow.

Why you should buy the Alienware m18 R2 gaming laptop
The Alienware m18 R2 makes a run at the best gaming laptops with top-of-the-line specifications and a striking design. In addition to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card, which our gaming laptop buying guide says is among the top-tier GPUs, the machine is equipped with the 14th-generation Intel Core i9 processor and 32GB of RAM that's the sweet spot for high-end gamers, according to our guide on how much RAM do you need. You'll be able to play the best PC games at their most demanding settings on the Alienware m18 R2, and you'll even be prepared for the upcoming PC games of the next few years.