Computer Lab on a Budget: Seat-Count Cost Plan for Coaching Centres and Cyber Cafés
Quick answer: For a 30-seat lab, the cheapest current option is the Acer Veriton desktop set with AMD Ryzen 3 Pro at ₹12,099 per seat, about ₹3.63 lakh for 30 seats. The Acer Veriton all-in-one with an Intel i3-8th gen and a 22 inch screen comes to about ₹5.88 lakh for 30. Add UPS, networking, furniture and software licences on top of those figures.
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Most coaching centres and cyber cafés plan their lab from the machine price backwards. A better way is to start from the number of seats, add the costs that come with them, and then compare options at that total. A ₹12,000 computer looks cheap until you need 30 of them, a UPS for each block, and a switch to connect them all.
This plan works through a 30-seat lab, a common size for a coaching batch or a busy internet café.
Start with the seat count, not the machine
Write down three numbers before you look at any listing: how many seats you need, how many hours a day they run, and what software they will use. A typing or exam-practice lab can run on modest hardware. A lab that runs design software or several browser-based tools at once needs more RAM and a faster processor.
For a 30-seat setup, multiply the per-seat price by 30, then add the extras. That gives you a realistic budget rather than a headline price.
Three setups and what they cost
These are current prices from newjaisa.com. Machine totals cover the computer only. Check what each listing includes, such as monitor, keyboard and mouse.
- Acer Veriton desktop set, AMD Ryzen 3 Pro, Windows 11 Pro: ₹12,099 per seat, ₹3,62,970 for 30 seats (computers only), 329 units in stock
- Acer Veriton all-in-one, Intel i3-8th gen, 19 inch, Windows 11 Pro: ₹16,499 per seat, ₹4,94,970 for 30 seats (computers only), 85 units in stock
- Acer Veriton all-in-one, Intel i3-8th gen, 22 inch, Windows 11 Pro: ₹19,599 per seat, ₹5,87,970 for 30 seats (computers only), 118 units in stock
The desktop set is the lowest-cost route if you already have spare monitors or are happy to buy them separately. The all-in-one costs more but takes less desk space and fewer cables, which helps in a small room.
The costs people forget
Networking: a managed switch and the cabling to each seat. For 30 machines, budget for a switch with enough ports plus spare capacity.
Furniture: desks and chairs usually cost as much as the machines in a small lab, and they matter for comfort over long sessions.
Software: check whether your course or café software needs a licence per machine.
Peripherals: keyboards, mice and headsets if you don't already have them.
Power backup and stability
Power cuts are the most common reason a lab loses a session. A UPS on each block of machines, or a larger unit for the whole room, keeps files safe and stops machines from restarting mid-task. Size the UPS to the total load, not to a single PC, and check the runtime you need for a short outage.
Buy or rent a lab?
If the lab will run for three or more years, buying usually works out cheaper per seat than renting hardware. If your batch sizes change every season, renting or leasing can keep your cash free. Both options can be worth a look, so get the monthly and total figures side by side before you decide.
Final thoughts
A 30-seat lab can be equipped for under ₹6 lakh on machines alone, depending on the setup you choose. The bigger risk is underestimating networking, power and furniture, so add them to the plan from day one.
If you tell us your seat count and the software you run, we can suggest a configuration from current stock and give you a costed list.
FAQ
1. How much does a 30-seat computer lab cost with refurbished PCs?
Using current prices, the Acer Veriton desktop set comes to about ₹3.63 lakh for 30 seats. The all-in-one option at 22 inches comes to about ₹5.88 lakh. Networking, power backup and furniture come on top.
2. Is a second-hand computer good enough for a coaching centre?
For typing, office software, online tests and most coaching-centre use, yes. Choose a machine with a current Windows version, an SSD if you can, and enough RAM for your software.
3. Should a cyber café buy desktops or all-in-ones?
Desktops are cheaper per seat and easier to upgrade. All-in-ones save space and are simpler to set up. If the room is small, the all-in-one may be worth the extra cost.
4. Do I need a UPS for each computer in a lab?
Not always. A UPS sized to a block of machines, or to the whole room, is usually enough. Size it to the total load and the runtime you need.
