Does your laptop sound like a jet plane taking off whenever you open multiple programs? Can your tower no longer keep up with today’s top games? Are there dead pixels in your monitor that your eyes can no longer ignore? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then it’s time for an upgrade. But we’re here to tell you that every upgrade doesn’t require a massive downgrade to your bank account balance. There are deals to be had out there on top-rated brands and gear, and we’re here to help you find the ones that work best for your budget.

Dell and its gaming brand Alienware have been featured in our most recent “Best Tech Brands” lists, which means they’ve also been rated highly in our reviews. With over four decades of experience under our collective belts, our experts have tested a wide range of tech products, so you can trust that your shopping experience is in good hands. Plus, you can always find price cuts on laptops, desktops, and monitors sitewide. But let’s check out these of-the-moment, on-sale offerings from Dell and Alienware.

This Dell XPS 13  laptop makes a great platform for students and creators who need a machine that’s both powerful and portable. This line is comparable to the MacBook Air in terms of lightness and its all-metal chassis, though it runs on the Windows OS. The Intel Ultra 7 Series 2 processor is powerful, capable of some serious multitasking when paired with 32GB of RAM, and the slim profile makes it easy to slip into your laptop bag. Our expert, Eric Grevstad, reviewed the XPS 13 9350 and gave it a “Good” rating for its impressive battery life and compact design. Some of the drawbacks include a shortage of Thunderbolt 4 ports and a headphone jack, but these won’t be deal breakers for all. Students and professionals in need of a portable workstation should give this one a second look, especially while there’s a $300 price drop.

“Cutting edge” doesn’t even cover the 2025 Alienware Area-51 laptop, which includes improved thermal design from existing models, purported to move 37% more air through the chassis while also being 15% quieter, and is the first Alienware laptop to sport PCIe Gen 5 solid-state drives. Our expert, Matthew Buzzi, took a Sneak Peek during CES 2025 and was excited to get to work on a deep dive review later this year. This configuration also features the new RTX 5080 GPU and a whopping 64GB of RAM, so there’s a lot of power and speed to go around, whether you’re streaming gameplay from a recent release like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 or watching a movie on the vibrant 18-inch QHD+ display. $500 is a lot to save when you’re investing in a machine that will serve your gaming and editing needs for years to come, and with this purchase, you’re securing a premium gaming experience that can’t be beat.

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The New Dell Tower Plus is a refresh of the Dell XPS 8960 line, offering the same sleek tower with updated internals that deliver 26% more performance (according to the brand). It’s geared towards productivity with a powerful Intel Ultra 7 processor and the Windows 11 Home OS. This all-arounder can manage video and photo editing in addition to light gaming thanks to the RTX 3050 graphics card and ample RAM. This tower is highly customizable, so adding more RAM or changing out the graphics card down the line is no issue. A multitude of ports are easily accessible on the front of this tower, enabling you to connect your 3mm headphones, USB devices, and even an SD card without fumbling behind your desk. Save $400 on this configuration now; consider it an investment in your future productivity.

The Aurora ACT1250 is the revamped version of the Aurora R16 tower and includes the Intel Ultra series of processors,  an option for the RTX 4090 graphics card, plus the new RTX 50 series graphics. In his review of a similar build, our expert, Charles Jefferies, praised the quieter performance of the Aurora R16 when compared to previous Aurora iterations and the performance for the price. The changes aren’t just aesthetic: They allow for greater airflow and better performance. This gaming desktop will set you up for success, whether you’re a casual player or an eSports champ in the making, and it even includes a mouse and keyboard. With these powerful components at hand, you can work and play in equal measure, plus you can save $150 right now, which is a significant savings that can be put towards a decent gaming monitor.

An all-in-one computer is a fantastic option for those with limited desk space because it combines all the components from a potentially clunky desktop tower into a single 1080p, touch-screen monitor. The NVIDIA GeForce MX570A graphics card is better suited for graphic design and similar tasks rather than gaming, so this desktop is a better fit for creatives and those with productivity in mind. Your purchase also includes a wireless mouse and keyboard, making this an all-in-one purchase, discounted by a solid $250,  that will see you up and running as soon as you unbox your new desktop.

About Joe Osborne

Deputy Managing Editor, Hardware

After starting my career at PCMag as an intern more than a decade ago, I’m back as one of its editors, focused on managing laptops, desktops, and components coverage. With 15 years of experience, I have been on staff and published in technology review publications, including PCMag (of course!), Laptop Magazine, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and IGN. Along the way, I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops and helped develop testing protocols. I have expertise in testing all forms of laptops and desktops using the latest tools. I’m also well-versed in video game hardware and software coverage.

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About Jade Chung-Lee

Merchandising Associate

When she isn’t perusing online stores for deals, Jade enjoys playing video games (mostly JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board game components neatly into containers, and building Gundam models. Her love of electronics has persisted through her youth and has resulted in a collection of gaming peripherals including keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and art work. Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, and two chinchillas—as well as a host of houseplants.

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