I'm curious about the current prices for basic workstation computers intended primarily for MS Office and general office tasks. Last year, I was able to order three from my Dell Premier site for around $610 each, but now it seems like everything starts at $1000. Are others experiencing similar price increases, or have you found better deals?
5 Answers
We don't usually go for basic setups anymore since it's more cost-effective to invest in better specs. Our desktops are usually around $1000 each, and we primarily use high-performance laptops instead, like i7 models with ample memory. Desktops are reserved for specific cases like our front desk.
We've switched to buying refurbished laptops and desktops from places like eBay or Amazon. It's saved us thousands every month, and it’s been pretty reliable overall! Make sure to check those options if you’re looking to cut costs.
Prices can really vary by role. For us, basic configurations are usually around $1300 after adding docks. But we were thinking of using Minix mini PCs for simpler tasks; they’re compact and can still handle basic office apps well, plus they're cheaper!
Just purchased about 50 units from Dell last month. They were basic i5s with 16GB RAM and 256GB NVMe, coming in at just under $600 each. That’s solid value for money!
We’ve pretty much phased out desktops for most users. Now, about 95% of our team uses laptops with docking stations. It's more efficient and less cluttered, plus the docking setup is really easy to work with. I think that's the way to go!
Same here, except for production needs where desktops are still around. But overall, laptops work much better for us.

Absolutely agree! Laptops with docks are so much more flexible, especially when dealing with hybrid work schedules. Plus, they save a ton of space!