Desktop Computers for Schools – Buying Guide
After iPads, Chromebooks and laptops, computers for schools – including desktop computers and all-in-one (AIO) PCs are among the most common ICT purchases. We don’t recommend refurbished hardware, but we offer education pricing, leasing and bulk quotes from leading manufacturers.
- Admin Office: A desktop with a monitor or an AIO with height adjustment is often the best setup. We recommend a 24″ screen for the reception and senior management teams.
- PPA Room: A dedicated desktop computer is more suitable for hot desking than a laptop.
- ICT Suite: Small form factor (SFF) desktops with a 21″ screen or preferably larger are ideal for a computer suite. Lessons start quickly, rather than having to set up 30 laptops, particularly in a primary school.
- Teacher’s Desktop: A dedicated Windows PC is preferable to a laptop for interactive whiteboards. Switch it on, and everything works with no cables or adapters to connect.
If you share how many workstations you need and where they’ll be used, we’ll recommend suitable options and send a free education quote. Complete the form below or call us for a quick chat.
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Which Desktop Computers Are the Best?
There is a wide range of choices, from popular desktop brands like HP, Dell, and Lenovo to smaller companies like Acer and ASUS. Generally, we recommend the HP Pro Series, Dell OptiPlex, and Inspiron models, as significant discounts are available.
Additionally, all-in-one computers are an excellent solution for those seeking a compact and aesthetically pleasing setup.
Specification to look for
CPU
An Intel Core i5 is the recommended CPU for classroom computers, and you should look for a Generation 12 or later. All computers above Gen 8 can run Windows 11, and schools need to account for this when considering purchasing computer hardware that seems “too good to be true” at very low prices.
A Core i3 will also be fine, although it’s worth spending a bit more for future-proofing your IT procurement and purchasing strategy. The AMD Ryzen series is also a suitable alternative to Intel.
Memory, hard drive and other components
Typical minimum specifications include a 256GB solid-state drive (SSD) and 8GB of RAM. Unless you plan to use video editing or Photoshop, the onboard video will be sufficient in everyday classroom use, as will the onboard Ethernet connection.
Microsoft licencing
Schools don’t usually need to worry about whether the computer comes with Windows Home or Professional licences, as they will be rebuilt by your ICT support company with a Windows Education licence. Schools must be enrolled in the Microsoft OVS solution to take advantage of the educational pricing.
Officially note that Windows 10 support and security fixes ended on October 14, 2025, making it vital to plan your upgrade path before then.
For schools facing budget and expenditure dilemmas in 2026, they can consider upgrading to a version of Windows 10 with continued support. They can use this on their existing hardware, and Microsoft will continue to support and provide updates until early 2027.
This is not widely published, but it is a viable interim option that can help prolong the upgrade to Windows 11. Upgrading to a compliant version of Windows 10 will most likely require a rebuild or a “network refresh,” and it is not possible to update via Windows Update.
Please get in touch for more details.
Desktop or All-in-One Computers for the Classroom?
Years ago, Classroom365 used to recommend a desktop and monitor combination as both were cheaper than an all-in-one desktop. It also meant repairs were more straightforward and quicker with less downtime. All-in-ones were also generally not great going back 5+ years. Now, the prices are much better, with warranties often lasting 3 years, and height-adjustable stands are often included.
The following all-in-one desktops have height-adjustable stands:
- Dell Pro 24 (24″ all-in-one computer)
- HP EliteOne 800 (24″ all-in-one computer)
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a (27″ all-in-one computer)
For staff, a height-adjustable monitor is recommended, for health and safety reasons. It makes no sense to have a stylish all-in-one on a stack of books to achieve the correct height!
Affordable Computers for Classrooms
The price for desktop computers varies between online retailers and companies like ours, so it’s always worth shopping around. We offer schools 30-day payment terms and leasing terms ranging from 3 to 5 years, should this be the preferred procurement route.
A good computer for a teacher with suitable classroom specifications would typically cost between £300 and £400. If the budget allows for a 16GB configuration for the senior management team, this would usually cost around £50 extra.
Prices for new all-in-ones start at around £500, but with height-adjustable stands and 27 screens, you are looking at a price closer to £1,000.
Of course, numerous bulk purchasing deals are available, and discounts are offered based on the number of computers required.
For advice and a free, no-obligation price from a single desktop computer to a bulk purchasing enquiry, please get in touch.
Mark Friend, BSc (Hons), is a Company Director at Classroom365 and has worked in technology for nearly 30 years. His IT career started with Rothschild Bank in Sydney, Australia, before working as a Global VPN Project Manager for the British Council. Mark has 20 years of experience in the UK education sector, helping schools integrate the latest tech into their curriculum and ICT vision.