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TL;DR: Looking for back-to-school discounts to upgrade your desktop, laptop, tablet, stylus, or charger? We found 10 of the steepest back-to-school price drops (with prices from $36!).
Whether you’re about to start your first semester of undergrad or enter a graduate program, you need strong and reliable tools to tackle those assignments and projects. That might mean it’s time for a desktop, laptop, or tablet upgrade. Don’t want to go off budget while still getting what you need? Shop 10 of StackSocial’s best price drops on gadgets as part of their huge back-to-school savings event. If anything catches your eye, be sure to grab it before the sale ends on August 13 at 11:59pm Pacific. No coupon is needed to take advantage of any of these prices.
Lenovo ThinkCentre M92P PC Desktop Computer With Keyboard and Mouse
Features:
- 24-inch monitor screen
- Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM
- 2TB hard drive
- Windows 10 Professional operating system
- Ports: DVD drive, USB 2.0 and 3.0, VGA, and HDMI
- Renewed device: like-new condition with little to no signs of previous use
- Comes with a brand new Periphio keyboard and mouse
Get the Lenovo ThinkCentre PC for $615.97 (reg. $854.96). Looking for a different setup? Check out this comparable Lenovo PC on Amazon.
Mobile Pixels DUEX Plus: Portable Dual-Screen Laptop Monitor
Features:
- 13.3-inch screen with 1080p HD resolution
- Full 270º flexible viewing angle
- Sliding protective cover doubles as a stand
- Compatible with laptops, Nintendo Switch, and Samsung DeX
Get the Mobile Pixels DUEX Plus: Portable Dual-Screen Laptop Monitor for $249.97 (reg. $339). Otherwise, check out a few other options. We recently discussed the best laptop computers for computer science students.
Digi Pen for iPad & Tablets
Features:
- 1.2mm fine tip for precision
- Tilt function creates lines of different thicknesses and depths
- Palm rejection technology allows you to rest your hand on the screen without interference
- Up to 20 hours of use on a single charge
Get the Digi Pen for iPad and Tablets for $35.97 (reg. $99.95). Of course, you can also spring for a premium brand. We also found a discounted Apple Pencil on Amazon.
Apple MacBook Air 13.3″ (2015) i5, 256GB – Silver (Refurbished)
Features:
- 13.3-inch screen
- Intel Core i5 processor and 4GB of RAM
- 256GB of storage space
- Up to 12 hours of battery life
- Grade B refurbished device: some cosmetic imperfections on its exterior
- Includes a plastic black case
Get this Apple MacBook Air 13.3-inch for $299.97 (reg. $1,109). That’s an exceptional price for this kind of laptop. As long as you don’t mind the 2015 model, it’s an inexpensive way to order a MacBook.
Apple Mac mini (2018) Core i7, 128GB SSD – Space Gray
Features:
- Intel Core i7 processor and 32GB of RAM
- 128GB of storage space
- Ports: Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1, HDMI, ethernet, and 3.5mm audio
- macOS operating system
Get the Apple Mac mini (2018) Core i7 in Space Gray for only $685.99 (reg. $1,099). We like this small desktop computer for its portability and super-lightweight design. If you want a computer for grad school, this one gives you everything you’ll need for regular classwork. You may want to upgrade to a MacBook if you plan to use it for games, video editing, or other heavier tasks.
Apple MacBook Pro 13.3″ Core i5, 128GB – Space Gray (Refurbished)
Features:
- 13.3-inch Retina display
- Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM
- 128GB of storage space
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Grade B refurbished device: some light scuffs or scratches on its exterior
Get the Apple MacBook Pro 13.3-inch in Space Gray for just $469.99 (reg. $1,399). This is our second mention of a refurbished Apple laptop. Check the specs, and you’ll understand the difference in price. We like this for the Retina display and under-$500 price.
3-in-1 USB-C Charging Cable For Apple Watch, iPhone & AirPods
Features:
- Charge your iPhone, Airpods, and Apple Watch at the same time
- 1.2-meter length
- Made from durable, high-quality materials
Get the 3-in-1 USB-C Charging Cable for only $16.97 (reg. $34.99). We look all over for student discounts, and sometimes you stumble onto something eye-catching. This off-brand charger works with popular Apple devices, and it costs less than $20.
HP ProDesk 600 G1 SFF 480GB – Black (Refurbished)
Features:
- Intel i7 processor and 16GB of RAM
- 480GB hard drive
- Windows 10 Professional operating system
- Includes wired mouse and keyboard
- Grade A refurbished device: near-mint condition
Get the HP ProDesk 600 G1 SFF for $209.99 (reg. $289.99). Not looking for an Apple product? This HP desktop is another worthwhile consideration when shopping for grad school computers. We like the inclusion of the accessories, but we wish it came with a monitor.
Apple iPad mini 2 (2013) 7.9″ 16GB – Silver (Refurbished: Wi-Fi Only)
Features:
- 7.9-inch Retina display
- 16GB of storage space
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Grade A refurbished device: near-mint condition
Get the refurbished Apple iPad mini 2 for only $87.99 (reg. $139.99). When we found this eReader on sale for under $90, we had to double check it was an actual Apple device. The low price point comes from its refurbished status, which isn’t a deal breaker when it gets you one of the most popular tablets in the world for less than the price of a credit hour.
Acer V246HL 24″ LCD Monitor (Refurbished)
Features:
- 24-inch screen with anti-glare coating
- 1920×1080 resolution
- Adjust the tilt from -5º to 25º
- Ports: VGA, DVI, DisplayPort
Get the Acer V246HL LCD monitor for $129.99 (reg. $163.99). If you already found the best desktop for grad school, you may want to consider this monitor. It isn’t anything fancy, but the price point makes it an attractive choice (especially when you want multiple displays).
Note that these prices were verified when we posted this article, but they are subject to change.
