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Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
Acer Aspire TC-1780-UA92
Best Budget Desktop for Most Buyers
Why We Picked ItAcer has developed a bit of a value dynasty for itself, with the previous title holder’s direct successor now atop our list as the best desktop for most people. The Acer Aspire TC-1780-UA92 takes what the 1760 model accomplished and levels it up with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor inside paired with 8GB of memory and the same 512GB SSD capacity. With the Aspire TC-1780-UA92, Acer stands above every budget tower we’ve tested since. Its sub-$600 starting price nets you plenty of power, space for upgrades, and modern amenities like a front USB-C port and card reader, Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, and dual HDMI ports for two monitors.Who It’s ForYet again, anyone seeking the best PC for their family or household with a tight budget will be served well by this Acer model. Its value-oriented array of components continues to be better than what we see from most budget PCs, and it includes features found in high-end machines not too long ago. Expect this Acer tower to be a reliable daily driver for years after purchase.
PROS
Well-priced
Front USB-C port and card reader
Wi-Fi 6E
Dual HDMI ports
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Mainstream
Processor
Intel Core i5-13400
Processor Speed
2.5 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Intel UHD Graphics 730
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Learn More
Acer Aspire TC-1780-UA92 Review
Dell XPS Desktop (8960)
Best Mainstream or High-End Desktop for Most Buyers
Why We Picked ItDell continues to hold its position as a top dog of desktops, thanks to the stellar XPS Desktop 8960 for 2023. Configured for review in a high-end setup with more affordable configurations coming soon, this XPS Desktop tore through just about every task we threw at it, all while holding PC gaming-ready power inside its stealthy black chassis.Who It’s ForIf you’re in need of a high-end desktop for more than just gaming, then stop your search at the latest Dell XPS Desktop. Not only is it ready for just about any task you can imagine, but its case also leaves room for a decent amount of upgrades as well as ample port selection.
PROS
Gaming desktop power with office-ready looks
Ample port selection and Wi-Fi 6E
Decent upgrade potential
CONS
Proprietary power supply
No removable dust filters
High starting price (for now)
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i7-13700K
Processor Speed
3.4 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Learn More
Dell XPS Desktop (8960) Review
NZXT Player: One
Best Budget Desktop Gaming Computer
Why We Picked ItIt’s true: You can get a slick-looking gaming PC for narrowly more than $1,000, and the NZXT Player: One is proof. This Editors’ Choice award-winning desktop brings stellar performance at 1080p resolutions and a neat glass window for showing off any additional lighting you might want to add. Additionally, it’s covered by a two-year warranty, which is helpful peace of mind for cash-strapped buyers.Who It’s ForIf you’re hoping to get into PC gaming at the 1080p level or need an upgrade to keep current at that resolution, then NZXT’s Player: One is a smart bet. For just more than a grand, you’ll receive a sweet-looking rig with room for upgrades and expansions that’s covered for two full years against hardware failure and other issues.
PROS
Excellent 1080p gaming performance
Custom-built quality
Standard two-year warranty
Includes Wi-Fi 6E
CONS
More expensive than mainstream towers
Needs more front ports
Limited storage
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i5-12400F
Processor Speed
2.5 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
500 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Learn More
NZXT Player: One Review
Alienware Aurora R16
Best Midrange Desktop Gaming Computer
Why We Picked ItThe Aurora R16 gaming desktop is a new phase for Alienware, leaving its more outlandish case designs behind for more sensible form factors. This new case, inside and out, allows for quieter operation, more speed, and wider appeal. It’s also decently priced for what it offers, coming in with liquid cooling for less than $2,000.Who It’s ForIf you’ve been a fan of Alienware’s plug-and-play experience or excellent RGB lighting systems and interfaces, but not so much its case designs, then this is the time to get in. While it’s still less upgradable than most gaming PCs of its shape, size, and power, it’s definitely the best pre-built rig right now for its performance, price, and presentation.
PROS
Effective performance for the price
Refreshing design
Whisper quiet
Broad connectivity selection
CONS
No budget models
Proprietary mainboard and power supply
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i7-13700F
Processor Speed
2.1 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Learn More
Alienware Aurora R16 Review
Corsair One i500
Best High-End Desktop Gaming Computer
Why We Picked ItKnown primarily for its high-performance components and gaming PC cases, Corsair’s years-old foray into complete systems has resulted in one of the best PCs we’ve seen for compact gaming. Don’t be fooled by this diminutive desktop’s dashing wood-paneled design: The Corsair One i500 packs an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU that topped our benchmark charts, thanks in no small part to its high-efficiency, liquid-cooled parts inside. Plus, the One i500’s components are all upgradable despite its small frame, even the GPU, though you’ll need to mail in the tower for that. To get so much power out of such a space-friendly design, we think that once-a-generation process is worth it when the RTX 4090 eventually gets surpassed.Who It’s ForAnyone looking for the best desktop for compact gaming and having the cash to make their dream come true should consider the Corsair One i500 before looking further. If you don’t like the wood paneling, Corsair sells a metal-paneled version to match your aesthetic. Also, despite this PC clearing $3,000, you might be shocked to learn it’s better-priced than most gaming rigs housing an RTX 4090.
PROS
Handsome and compact, with real wood paneling
Chart-topping performance
Efficient and quiet liquid-cooled components
Upgradable, despite unique chassis design
Well-priced as configured
CONS
Corsair recommends mailing in PC for GPU upgrades
Interior is accessible but tight to work in
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Gaming, Small Form Factor (SFF)
Processor
Intel Core i9-14900K
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
2 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Learn More
Corsair One i500 Review
Dell OptiPlex 5090 Tower
Best Desktop Computer for Business
Why We Picked ItWith the OptiPlex 5090, Dell crafted an affordable office desktop with a professional-grade Intel Core i5 processor including vPro security technology built in (in our test unit), as well as plenty of room for future component upgrades or replacements. While the base configuration is a little bare, higher load-outs are where it’s at, which make better use of the multiple USB and DisplayPort connections. Naturally, this is also one of the best desktop computers for working from home…if you’re using it for strictly business.Who It’s ForThis OptiPlex 5090 business desktop is best suited for offices or remote working operations that are seeking longevity for their machines—down to replacing specific parts so as to avoid replacing them outright for as long as possible. On a related note, the standard three-year warranty should be deeply appealing to fleet managers.
PROS
Good value for an Intel Core i5 desktop, with loads of configurability
Intel vPro support
Multiple USB and DisplayPort connections
260-watt power supply
Three-year base warranty
CONS
Base model has only 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD
No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth in base config
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Tower
Processor
Intel Core i5-11500
Processor Speed
2.7 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Intel UHD Graphics 750
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Learn More
Dell OptiPlex 5090 Tower Review
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3i
Best Budget All-in-One Desktop
Why We Picked ItLenovo’s sub-$500 IdeaCentre AIO makes a lot of right calls, producing suitable performance for its audience as well as some helpful features, like a webcam, disc drive, and four more USB ports. Of course, its price weighs heavily in our evaluation and recommendation, and with our test model’s ample amount of RAM and storage, you certainly have value here.Who It’s ForWhile you can find better AIOs, price is—again—a chief consideration when looking at this desktop. If you need an affordable computer, peripherals included, for web browsing, working from home, and movie watching (maybe even from a DVD!), put the IdeaCentre AIO 3i on your shortlist. For extremely tight budgets, you cannot do much better.
PROS
Solid screen for the money
Bundled mouse and keyboard
Decent speakers
Plenty of ports
CONS
No USB-C ports
Lackluster CPU performance
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
All-in-one
Processor
Intel Pentium Gold 7505
Processor Speed
2 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
DVD+/-RW
All-in-One Screen Size
22 inches
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
1920 by 1080
All-in-One Screen Type
Non-Touch Screen
Graphics Card
Intel UHD Graphics
Operating System
Windows 11
Learn More
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3i Review
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i
Best All-in-One Desktop for Most Buyers
Why We Picked ItOf every all-in-one desktop we’ve tested in recent memory, the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i is the best AIO today for most of you. It’s not outstanding at any particular task, but it reliably meets the needs of the average household. With a large 27-inch 1440p screen, it does well to replace most monitors more than a few years old, and you’ll find an excellent 1080p webcam above it. This isn’t a barn-burner on benchmarks, but it has lots of pep for its price.Who It’s ForIf all you need is a relatively quick and easy home computer, this IdeaCentre should serve you well. It’s fully capable of regular home computing tasks, it’s equipped with a gorgeous display, and it includes a sharp camera for video calls. If you’re looking for a high-power AIO, this ain’t it (look more toward the HP Envy 34 All-in-One), but the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i is a no-brainer home PC for most people, at a midrange price.
PROS
High-resolution 27-inch display
Impressive performer for the price
1080p webcam
CONS
8GB of RAM is light for the price
Can be noisy under heavy loads
Not the most exciting design
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
All-in-one
Processor
Intel Core i5-12500H
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
27 inches
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
2560 by 1440
All-in-One Screen Type
IPS
Graphics Card
Intel UHD Graphics
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Learn More
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i Review
Apple iMac 24-Inch (2023, M3)
Best High-End All-in-One Desktop
Why We Picked ItBreaking its hibernation at last, Apple updated its 24-inch iMac with the new M3 processor, bringing what it claims is the best-selling all-in-one overall into a new echelon of power. Not only is this new iMac more performant in general tasks, but it can run honest-to-goodness modern games, albeit not at its native display resolution, with impressive detail and smooth frame rates. The new 24-inch iMac is simply capable of a wider variety of jobs than its competition, especially with how far Apple’s integrated graphics have come since its M1 processor, making it the best high-end AIO right now.Who It’s ForFor self-employed creative professionals or high-level digital hobbyists, the iMac will serve you well—especially with the optional 10-core GPU and additional unified memory. The iMac is also ideal for Apple-fan families, allowing for the adults to get work done and connect with friends or extended family as well as letting the kids finish school assignments and play games—all using distinct profiles that are easy to switch between.
PROS
Impressive performance gains over M1 model
Honest-to-goodness modern gaming chops
Excellent webcam
High-end look with fun retro references
CONS
Short on ports
No keyboard backlighting
Steep prices for higher configurations
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
All-in-one
Processor
Apple M3
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
24 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
2 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
23.5 inches
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
4480 by 2520
All-in-One Screen Type
Non-Touch Screen
Graphics Card
Apple M3 (10-core)
Operating System
Apple macOS Sonoma
Learn More
Apple iMac 24-Inch (2023, M3) Review
Apple Mac mini (2023, M2 Pro)
Best Mac Desktop for Most Buyers
Why We Picked ItApple’s 2023 Mac mini builds upon an already excellent platform, incorporating the M2 line of processors. At the high end, the M2 Pro proves competitive with the company’s best from its M1 series. To get that level of performance from a system this size is impressive, once again earning the Mac mini our Editors’ Choice award for Mac desktops. Note: We tested the well-upgraded M2 Pro version, but we’re primarily picking this as our Best Mainstream Mac Desktop of the moment with an eye on the base M2 (non-Pro) model, which is now cheaper ($599!) than the M1 model was when it launched in 2020.Who It’s ForApple’s latest Mac mini actually serves quite a wide audience, from the budget-conscious Mac fan to, in its upgraded versions, those of you who use Macs professionally. It all depends upon how you configure your Mac mini before checkout. If you need a low-cost update to keep relevant with Apple’s macOS platform, this is where to start.
PROS
Classic Mac mini design
Snappy performance in either configuration
Extra Thunderbolt ports with M2 Pro model
M2 Pro adds peak 8K-resolution, 240Hz-refresh-rate display options
CONS
Memory and storage are not upgradable (and upticks at time of purchase are pricey)
True value pricing only on lowest-end model
No accessories or peripherals included
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Small Form Factor (SFF)
Processor
Apple M2 Pro (12-core)
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Apple M2 Pro (19-core)
Operating System
Apple macOS Ventura
Learn More
Apple Mac mini (2023, M2 Pro) Review
Apple Mac Studio (M2 Ultra, 2023)
Best High-End Mac Desktop
Why We Picked ItAs should be expected, the Mac Studio with Apple’s latest M2 Ultra processor is the company’s most powerful small-form-factor Mac desktop to date. In fact, it uses much of the same silicon and supporting hardware that the brand-new Mac Pro has, albeit in a far smaller case, which limits thermals as well as expansion comparatively. Regardless, our review unit tore through all of our benchmarks, proving to be well worth its steep but relatively competitive price, earning an Editors’ Choice award.Who It’s ForIf you use Macs for high-end multimedia or 3D asset manipulation and rendering, this is the Mac desktop you’ve probably been holding out for. While we weren’t able to directly test many uses cases for the Mac Studio, such as machine learning performance, we did note promising accuracy between most our test results and many of Apple’s M2 Ultra performance gains. If you don’t necessarily need the huge expansion available in the Mac Pro, then save yourself tens of thousands with the Mac Studio.
PROS
Noticeable performance improvements across the board versus M1 Ultra version
Competitively priced among workstations
Updated to Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
CONS
Accessories still sold separately
Internals are not user-upgradable after purchase
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Workstation
Processor
Apple M2 Ultra
Processor Speed
RAM (as Tested)
192 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
8 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Apple M2 Ultra (76-core)
Operating System
Apple macOS Ventura
Learn More
Apple Mac Studio (M2 Ultra, 2023) Review
MSI Pro DP21
Best Mini Desktop
Why We Picked ItMSI’s Pro DP21 is the latest mini PC that we’ve reviewed to earn our Editors’ Choice award, in large part thanks to its fast performance, ample wired connectivity, and Wi-Fi 6 for a decent price. (That goes for individuals and fleet buyers alike.) Plus, this VESA-mountable desktop is surprisingly easy to upgrade, extending its shelf life considerably.Who It’s ForWhile this isn’t the smallest mini PC, the MSI Pro DP21 makes up for that with its competitive power profile, easy access for upgrades, and compelling price. If your desk has precious little space to work with, but you need decent power and lots of ports, then this is an excellent place to end your search.
PROS
Compact, VESA-mountable design
Well-priced
Peppy Core i3 processor
Ample connectivity including Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth
Easily upgradable
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Business
Processor
Intel Core i3-12100
Processor Speed
3.3 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Intel UHD Graphics 730
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Learn More
MSI Pro DP21 Review
Falcon Northwest Talon (2024, Threadripper Pro)
Best High-End Workstation Desktop
Why We Picked ItOddly enough, it can pay to go custom when it comes to workstations…in dividends, even. The Falcon Northwest Talon of 2024, with its support for AMD’s ferocious 7000-series Ryzen Threadripper CPUs, goes harder than the best we’ve tested from Dell, HP, and Lenovo while costing thousands less. That’s largely thanks to the tower’s liquid-cooled components, which are rare among the systems we’ve tested from the big brands. Because the Talon will chew through almost everything you throw at it for so much less than the previous champs, it’s our top pick right now if you need massive multi-threaded processing power from the likes of AMD’s flagship workstation processors. Who It’s ForIf you’ve got the need for pro-grade power but also would appreciate saving as much as possible, the Falcon Northwest Talon stands above the rest as your best choice right now. Of course, small businesses are more likely to go with such an option unless they have specific needs that perhaps only big brands can meet. (Falcon’s customer service and warranties are top-notch, regardless.) If you can convince the purse-holders, your organization (and its power users) will be pleased by the performance for the price.
PROS
Blazing performance
Highly customizable
Top-notch quality
Relatively quiet operation
Three-year warranty
CONS
Price scales quickly with upgrades
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Workstation
Processor
AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7895WX
Processor Speed
2.5 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
256 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
4 TB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
3.84 TB
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Nvidia RTX 6000 Ada Generation
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Learn More
Falcon Northwest Talon (2024, Threadripper Pro) Review
HP Z2 Mini G9
Best Compact Workstation Desktop
Why We Picked ItMiniaturized performance computers often lose something when going so small, but the Z2 Mini G9’s caveats are few enough to overlook. HP’s redone frame has the best access for upgrades and service we’ve seen from a workstation this small, most notably featuring a professional-grade graphics card. For that, it’s easy to recommend the HP Z2 Mini G9 as the top compact workstation.Who It’s ForWith support for desktop-class (125-watt) Intel silicon, DDR5 memory (with error-correcting RAM if needed), and PCI Express Gen 4 storage, this Z2 Mini brings a lot of workstation-grade features to your space-strapped desk. For its size, we’re also impressed by its broad connectivity. Naturally, expansion is a weak point, but if you know that going in, you’re still getting lots of power out of a little bit of space, making this workstation ideal for especially small offices.
PROS
Compact VESA-compatible design
Impressive performance
Easily serviceable, even the graphics card
Ample connectivity
Modular I/O ports
CONS
Can get louder than expected
External power brick
SPECS
Name
Value
Desktop Class
Workstation
Processor
Intel Core i9-12900K
Processor Speed
3.2 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
64 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
Optical Drive
All-in-One Screen Size
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution
All-in-One Screen Type
Graphics Card
Nvidia RTX A2000
Operating System
Windows 11 Pro
Learn More
HP Z2 Mini G9 Review
Buying Guide: The Best PCs (Desktop Computers) for 2024
To help you make the best decision in your search for the best desktop, we’ve gathered a list of the most frequently asked questions surrounding the topic as well as a few more unsolicited but helpful facts to inform your choice. Below that, you’ll find a condensed list of the above recommendations for easier spec comparisons.How Do I Choose a Good Desktop Computer?We’ve reviewed an impressive variety of the best desktops above, right? We don’t deny that a laptop or tablet is a better pick for people who depend on business travel or whose computing consists mostly of basic surfing and typing from the living-room couch. But desktops are often the best choice and the best value for small offices, families, creative pros, gamers, and tech tinkerers.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
While the best desktops don’t come in as many distinct form factors as laptops, you’ll find lots of variation in computing power and room for upgrades and expansion. The key is to spend as little as possible to get exactly what you want or need out of your next desktop computer, whether that’s a suitable budget buy or a high-power PC with a price tag to match.Which Brand of Computer Is the Most Reliable?Reliability is a nebulous concept when it comes to computers: It could mean consistency of performance, or it could also mean the strength and support of its warranty, just to name two interpretations. Certain brands have developed reputations for reliability, namely computer makers like Apple, Dell, HP, and Lenovo. But no single brand can lay a blanket claim to any such title.Since that might not be the most satisfying answer to such a question, we also have our Readers’ Choice coverage of the desktops category, which polls readers like you to determine widely held opinions on the various desktop options out there. Once you have winnowed down models based on other, more solid criteria, the wisdom of the crowd might help you develop an idea of the most reliable brands to count on in your search for the best PC for you.Is It Still Worth Buying a Desktop Computer?One of the best desktops’ most alluring promises is the value they deliver. With desktop PCs and their components, your money simply goes further. Instead of buying a $700 laptop with a competent Intel Core i5 processor, you can get a $700 desktop with a more powerful Core i7 CPU and maybe even a dedicated graphics card.You can find complete mini PCs for super light work and display-signage tasks for under $400 and perfectly serviceable small towers for $300 to $600. Gaming desktops with dedicated graphics cards start at around $700. You can also find all-in-one desktops, with the display and all of the computing components built into a single device, starting at around $400.The thing with desktops is, that opting for a cheap one does not carry some of the same risks you’d face with a like-priced laptop. A $250 Black Friday special or a steeply discounted refurbished desktop could perform just fine for basic computing, and you wouldn’t need to worry about the wear and tear on cheap materials that you might with a laptop of a similar price. That inexpensive laptop would be subject to the vagaries of daily commuting and the occasional drop from a coffee table. The desktop, in contrast, would need to stay put and just work.
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
At the top end of the market are business workstations, tricked-out gaming rigs, and magnificently engineered all-in-one PCs that cost several thousand dollars. Not only will a $3,000 gaming tower provide immense computing power today, but it should come with so much room for expansion and potential for upgradability that its useful life will be far longer than any laptop. And that’s before you even delve into the wild world of custom PCs: automotive-grade paint jobs, liquid cooling, and fanciful lighting and wiring. IT-manageable, security-conscious business desktops—most of them nowadays made by Dell, HP, and Lenovo—have their own pricing dynamic and tend to cost more, all else being equal. That’s because of their premium warranty or support plans, as well as the possible addition of enterprise-specific silicon focused on manageability or security. Sometimes, part of the cost premium of business desktops reflects the PC maker’s guarantee that it will stock replacement components and upgrades for that line of machines for a fixed future period. That allows IT pros to count on the ability to continue servicing a fleet of a given business machine over that period. Windows vs. Mac: Settle on an Operating SystemThe Mac versus PC debate is one of the oldest in modern technology, and we’re not going to pick a side or try to settle that particular religious war here. But if you’re not wedded to one or the other by years of habit (or the peripherals and software you own) and are open to switching, here’s a quick rundown of your choices.Windows 11 is the latest iteration of Microsoft’s operating system. Desktops that use it and previous versions of the OS are what most people typically rely on, so you’ll be assured of the best compatibility and the widest selection of third-party software. Desktops running Windows are also readily available below $500, making them attractive to casual users, families looking for a second PC, and bargain hunters.
(Credit: Jose Ruiz)
Macs are an excellent choice if you’re already in an Apple-centric household since macOS is seamlessly compatible with iPads and iPhones. You can also send and receive messages on any device connected to your iCloud account. However, the cost of entry will be higher than with the least expensive PCs.Google’s ChromeOS is a viable alternative to Windows and macOS, but desktops running it (called Chromeboxes) are rare and best suited to niche uses like powering a restaurant menu display. A fourth option is to buy a desktop with no operating system at all and install an open-source one of your choosing, such as Ubuntu Linux. We don’t recommend going this route unless you’re technically savvy, willing to experiment, and OK with fixing software compatibility issues and other quirks.What Desktop Form Factor Do I Need?Macs and Windows PCs are available in all three of the major desktop form factors: mini PCs that can fit on a bookshelf, sleek all-in-ones with built-in (and usually high-resolution) displays, and traditional desktop towers that are bulky but have room for more expansion. These three forms each have strengths and weaknesses, and none of them is an obvious best choice for everyone. You’ll have to choose based on what you plan to do with your desktop and where you plan to put it. For truly cramped quarters or light workloads, as well as for people who love the efficient use of space, a mini PC could be the best choice. They come in sizes ranging from tiny sticks not much larger than a USB thumb drive to small-form-factor (SFF) towers that may be nearly a foot tall but have compact footprints. The smallest sizes have the benefit of disappearing behind an HDMI-equipped monitor or TV, and they contain a processor, memory, storage, and ports to hook up keyboards and mice. They’re economical and power-efficient, and they can serve as adequate web browsing or multimedia viewing platforms. But know that the models at the truly tiny end of the scale have no room for adding extra internal components, and their preinstalled parts are usually difficult or impossible to upgrade.
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
Regardless, you can find a fair mix of what qualifies as mini PCs that can be customized or upgraded with better components. They’re bigger than the “stick”-style PCs but much more flexible and expandable.Traditional tower desktops are capable of even more flexibility but also bring a lot more bulk. Nowadays, the differences between midsize and full-size towers are less well-defined, and some of the new PC case designs—from cubes to glass boxes—defy easy categorization. Still, nearly all desktop towers have generous amounts of interior space and full-size (a.k.a. ATX) motherboards, so you can install one or more (sometimes, many more) secondary storage drives, more RAM in empty slots on the motherboard, a video card if one isn’t installed, and in some remote cases, even a second graphics card for extreme gaming or graphics-accelerated tasks. (Note that not all desktop mini towers and towers can take a graphics upgrade. That is where reviews come in.) An all-in-one (AIO) desktop is quite a different animal from both of these form factors. An AIO can save you some space since the display is built in. An AIO’s value proposition comes down to space saving and whether you happen to be shopping for a desktop display at the same time. Though you can find budget AIOs with basic feature sets, lower resolutions, and non-touch screens, many new models include touch-enabled screens, and some AIO panels have exceptionally high native resolutions of 4K (3,840 by 2,160 pixels) or even 5K (5,120 by 2,880 pixels). Touch displays make them excellent choices for watching movies or serving as a multimedia hub in the kitchen or other public areas of your home, though the absolute highest resolutions target content creators rather than consumers.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
With a few exceptions for business-oriented models, you will give up a lot of room for expansion in an AIO versus a traditional desktop tower. Cracking open an AIO for an upgrade or fix, while not impossible, is a bigger deal than opening the side of a desktop tower. Apple’s recent iMacs are particularly difficult to open.How Much Processing Power Is Enough?One of the main benefits of a desktop tower is that it will use a desktop-grade CPU. That may sound obvious, but it’s a key distinction. AMD and Intel, the two biggest makers of PC processors, provide desktop-class and laptop-class chips to system manufacturers, but often, the CPU model names are similar and tricky to tell apart. For example, you will see Intel’s Core i7 in laptops and desktops, but having a “true” desktop CPU versus one made for a mobile device makes a big performance difference. A desktop CPU gives you more power for complex content-creation work, PC gaming, or math and scientific projects. Faster processors with four, six, eight, or even as many as 18 cores will benefit software written to take advantage of the extra cores. The desktop version of a given CPU will consume more power and generate more heat than versions designed for laptops, which must be incorporated into environments that have less thermal and power-delivery leeway. A desktop CPU also has greater wiggle room to incorporate a key feature, multithreading, that allows each of the CPU’s cores to address two processing threads at a time instead of just one. When engaged with suitably equipped software, multithreading (which Intel calls “Hyper-Threading”) can deliver a major performance boost.
(Credit: Michael Justin Allen Sexton)
The absolute best desktop chips may require liquid cooling systems, which limits their use to high-end towers with lots of interior space. Processors in these families are specialized and expensive, and you’ll only want them if you have specific software needs that you know, explicitly, can leverage their higher base and peak clock rates, as well as all of their addressable cores and threads. These are not casual purchases.Conversely, many AIOs and mini PCs use the same efficient, cooler-running types of CPUs that you’ll find in laptops. Intel typically labels these mobile-first chip designs with a CPU name containing “U” or “H,” whereas most desktop chips instead have a “T” or a “K,” or just a zero at the end. A mobile CPU might have the same number of processor cores as its desktop counterpart (four- and six-core chips are common in both), but its maximum power consumption will often be far lower. Also, the typical base and boost clock speeds may be lower, and the chip may not support multithreading. Regardless, many desktop PC buyers will be fine with these lower-powered CPUs for everyday work and a little more.
(Credit: Michael Justin Allen Sexton)
For a typical tower using a true desktop-grade CPU, mainstream users should look for an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5; the Core i7 and Ryzen 7 are also excellent, powerful choices, but overkill for most folks who aren’t serious PC gamers, intense multitaskers, or prosumer video or image manipulators. If CPU power is critically important, though, these should suffice. The Core i9, Ryzen 9, Ryzen Threadripper, and Core X-Series are worthwhile only if you know your workflow is being held back by too few cores or threads or you have extreme needs in terms of internal storage (for which the Threadripper and Core X can help with internal resources). Again, see our deep dive on desktop CPUs to understand the nuances of these higher-end choices.Do I Need a Powerful Graphics Card?All computers have a CPU, but most laptops and many cheaper desktops don’t have a dedicated graphics processor or GPU. Instead, their display output comes from a portion of the CPU, a slice of silicon known as an integrated graphics processor (IGP). An IGP is fine for basic tasks, such as checking your email, browsing the web, or even streaming videos. Doing productivity work on an IGP is completely within bounds. Indeed, most business desktops rely on IGPs.
(Credit: Michael Justin Allen Sexton)
In any case, an IGP is not the answer for anyone who wants to run intensive 3D games, render architectural simulations, or perhaps train an artificial intelligence algorithm. These situations—especially games, but often pro-grade apps, too—can benefit from more muscular graphics. Times like these call for a graphics card, which will bring its own GPU to the game, and the most powerful of these are found in the best PCs for gaming.
(Credit: Michael Justin Allen Sexton)
Choosing a graphics card is a complex affair. Gamers should consider the capabilities of their monitor first. A 4K monitor or one with a high refresh rate (144Hz or greater) will require a profoundly powerful GPU (or occasionally even two GPUs) to display games at the monitor’s maximum potential. If you’re just looking to do some middle-of-the-road gaming on a 1080p monitor (and not looking to win any professional esports crowns), a mainstream card will do just fine. Meanwhile, creative professionals and other power users should consider the graphics-acceleration recommendations of the apps they plan to run, using the software maker’s system requirements as a guide. Graphics-accelerated video rendering or AI programs can benefit from the same types of GPUs as intensive 3D games. Professionals eyeing workstations will want to consider Nvidia’s RTX A series lineup or AMD’s Radeon Pro models. Check out our deep-dive guide to graphics cards for much more on the nuances of today’s video cards.How Much Storage and Memory Should My Desktop Have?While powerful CPUs and GPUs are mostly relegated to desktop towers, nearly every desktop form factor can handle copious amounts of storage and memory. This is thanks to the advent of higher-capacity memory modules especially solid-state drives (SSDs). The latter take up vastly less space than the spinning hard drives of old. It’s still possible to find desktops with only spinning hard drives, but we recommend avoiding these and choosing an SSD as the main boot drive whenever possible. Some desktops feature a single-drive combination of an SSD and a hard drive. A “true” SSD is the only way to go as a boot drive today, though, considering how far prices have dropped in the last couple of years. A single 500GB or 512GB SSD is fine for most users. A 250GB or 256GB SSD is also a common size for a boot drive these days, but it’s a little tight if you store much locally. Anyone with large media and game collections will want to consider several terabytes of storage across multiple drives. Consider choosing a fast SSD as the boot drive, and one or more large-capacity but slower hard drives for bulk storage of capacity-sapping video or games. A typical configuration in this case is one 512GB SSD and one or more hard drives with at least 1TB of space on each. Such a setup can be more affordable than you might think—an SSD plus one hard drive is sometimes seen on under-$1,000 desktop towers.
(Credit: Chris Stobing)
If you think you’ll add storage later, consider how many expansion bays your desktop has. A combination of two or more 2.5-inch or 3.5-inch bays should be enough, as these can accommodate any type of traditional SSD or hard drive. You’ll also want to ensure your desktop has at least one M.2 slot to accept a PCI Express SSD as the main boot drive since that will enable the fastest throughput speeds. The boot drive will come as an M.2 drive in most new systems. These drives are quite small, the size and thickness of a stick of gum.
(Credit: Chris Stobing)
While a desktop’s SSD stores your data, its system memory (or RAM) works with the CPU to run apps and helps define its capacity to multitask. Memory capacities of 8GB or 16GB are fine for most users, and these are the most common configurations on entry-level or midrange desktops of all forms and sizes. Few people will see much benefit from memory amounts above 16GB, but you’ll find exceptions. Gaming PCs above the budget level should have at least 16GB of RAM, and 32GB is a prudent upgrade for esports hounds who want to play and simultaneously edit and stream in-game footage. Finally, assuming your professional software can address higher memory amounts, professional workstations should have at least 32GB of memory with error-correcting code (ECC) capabilities to keep everything running smoothly. In that case, you’ll want to follow the software maker’s guidance.What Wired and Wireless Connectivity Does My PC Need?You might be able to excuse a relative lack of input and output ports on a sleek AIO. The screen and speakers are built-in, and you’ll likely use a wireless keyboard and mouse, anyway. But mini PCs and desktop towers need the right selection of ports. At a minimum, they’ll have to connect to a display, speakers or headphones, and a power source.On all but the absolute tiniest mini PCs, you should look for at least three USB 3.0 (or higher) ports, at least one of which should be the newer, oval-shaped Type-C variety if you have any compatible peripherals that plug directly into that kind of port. Future-proofers will want to seek out USB4 or Thunderbolt 4 options, which both use the Type-C standard with increased speeds and bandwidth.You’ll also typically find an HDMI output (and perhaps another video output or two, such as DisplayPort or VGA), a 3.5mm audio jack, a connector for an external Wi-Fi antenna, and a receptacle for a physical lock. Note that some mini PCs use scaled-down “mini” versions of HDMI or DisplayPort, which require a different kind of input cable or a dongle. Make sure the machine’s video outputs are compatible with your display and its cabling.
(Credit: Kyle Cobian)
Larger tower PCs will have many more ports, providing support for pretty much any peripheral you need to connect. Expect six or more USB ports, for starters. On larger towers, one or two of these should support Thunderbolt over USB-C. Also a given: an Ethernet jack for wired networking and multiple DisplayPort and HDMI jacks on the dedicated GPU for connecting one or more external monitors. Note that a tower with a graphics card may also have video outputs that stem from the motherboard, but you should only use the video outputs on the GPU.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Many towers will also have multiple audio ports, including possibly an optical output and ports for individual speaker channels in a surround-sound setup. Make sure that these match up with any gear you may have; the number of surround-sound jacks can vary depending on the PC and its motherboard. Note that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, while reliably present on even the cheapest laptops and many smaller desktops, is not a given on larger towers.High-end workstations and gaming desktops sometimes have a second Ethernet port for doubling network bandwidth or for always-connected redundancy, while business desktops sometimes include legacy connectors such as VGA video outputs, PS/2 peripheral ports, or serial ports. The throwback-style ports are included for people who still need to use them with older, specialized hardware such as point-of-sale scanners or industrial equipment. Of course, you can buy dongles and adapters for these special port needs, but the possibility of having them built in is a key benefit of choosing a desktop over a laptop.When evaluating a desktop, beyond looking at what ports are present, also evaluate where they are. Are they easily accessible? Towers tend to have a few commonly used ports on the top or front (usually a headphone jack and a few USB ports). Some AIOs, in contrast, have some of their key ports hidden behind the stand in hard-to-reach places. Screen Size, Expansion Bays, and MoreSome buying concerns, no less crucial than the ones above, apply only to certain types of desktops. For instance, deciding on a screen size and type is critical for AIO shoppers. A touch-enabled display with support for in-plane switching (IPS) to widen viewing angles is welcome for an AIO that serves as the family’s calendar or photo album, but know that touch support is not currently available on Apple’s iMacs. Give some deep thought to the screen resolution, whatever the panel size. A 4K or even 5K resolution makes for a breathtaking screen, especially one that’s 27 inches or larger, but such resolutions often add significantly to the price. As a result, you may want to settle for a screen with a full HD or 1080p (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) native resolution and spend money to upgrade other components instead.Also look for multiple cameras, one facing the rear, that could make an AIO a smart choice, say, for an ID-card printing station. Fan noise is also a consideration with AIO since their computing components will be on your desk instead of hidden underneath it.The best desktop towers have many idiosyncrasies. Enthusiasts who like to tinker with components but aren’t interested in building their own best PCs from scratch will need to pay special attention to the number and type of expansion bays and how easy it is to access power and data cables.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
They should also check the maximum wattage rating of the power supply unit (PSU) and whether the case has the clearance for bigger coolers (or the mounting points for liquid cooling gear) if they plan to add a more powerful CPU later on. A low-wattage PSU, such as a 300-watt model used in a desktop with integrated graphics, might preclude adding a graphics card later on without upgrading the PSU, too. Note also that some ultra-budget desktop PCs use low-wattage, custom-design PSUs that can’t support a graphics card and also aren’t easy to upgrade due to their use of nonstandard connectors on the motherboard side. Again, this is where a careful reading of reviews comes in.
(Credit: Michael Justin Allen Sexton)
Desktop towers and mini PCs also require separate speakers or headphones to deliver audio. If you don’t already have them, you’ll have to spend extra money to buy some, and in the case of dedicated speakers, they’ll take up room on your desk. For people who don’t care as much about audio quality and just want loud enough audio to hear family members on the other end of a Skype call, the built-in speakers of an AIO should work just fine.When Is the Best Time to Buy a Desktop?For most people in the market for an inexpensive desktop tower, there is no single best time to buy. While traditional sale holidays such as Black Friday can net you the odd bargain, when you find a system whose features, price, and performance match what you’re looking for, take it home. However, people who need copious amounts of CPU or GPU muscle (and who have a clear idea of what hardware moves the performance needle with the apps they use) should pay attention to PC-component release cycles. Traditionally, Intel has announced new desktop CPU generations once a year, with the new chips showing up in PCs in the fall or early in the holiday shopping period. (This has shown more variance in recent years.) New graphics card releases are less frequent and depend on the vagaries of technical advances—Nvidia’s highly successful GeForce GTX 1000 series, for example, was the cutting edge for several years before the first GeForce RTX cards were announced.
(Credit: Molly Flores)
Keeping track of PC component release cycles helps you become aware of what’s new before you buy and also what is going off-market. For shoppers seeking maximum value or on a tight budget, getting a desktop based on a discounted last-generation (but still powerful) CPU or GPU can be the way to go.Shoppers looking for an all-in-one PC, meanwhile, should pay attention to announcements from Apple. Many other manufacturers end up copying—and, sometimes, improving upon—the field-leading designs of the Apple iMac.Where Should I Buy a Desktop?Since you won’t be lugging a desktop around nearly as much as you would a laptop, it’s less important to handle the chassis and test-drive its build quality in the store before you bring it home. Still, if the desktop comes with peripherals included, it can be helpful to type a few lines and move the mouse around in the store. Setting eyes on an all-in-one desktop is more crucial than with a typical tower desktop or mini PC. The screen is an integral part of what you are buying, and eyes-on time matters, especially if you’re not well-versed, say, in the differences between a 24-inch and 27-inch panel or a 1080p screen versus a 4K one. If you limit yourself only to the selection at your local electronics outlet, though, you’ll miss out on many excellent desktops. Some configurations, such as Best Buy, Costco, or Walmart, can be exclusive to a single reseller. Other merchants, such as Micro Center, frequently have in-store-only deals that aren’t available anywhere online.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
This is where return policies come in handy. If you find the best desktop for you online but can’t test drive it locally, a seller with a liberal return policy is your best friend. Just make sure you’ve got adequate time to return it if it doesn’t work out.How Long a Warranty Does My Desktop Need?Most desktop makers provide one-year warranties on parts and labor, with extensions available for as many as five years at an additional charge. Before you pay to extend the warranty, though, check your credit card account benefits guide—your issuer might cover mishaps for a short period after you buy a new product and possibly extend the manufacturer’s warranty, too. (Many MasterCard accounts include a doubling of the standard warranty period, up to one year, for example.)If your card issuer doesn’t cover you and you plan on keeping your desktop for several years, look into the cost of added coverage. Some manufacturers and resellers offer a wide range of extended warranties; expect to spend $100 to $300 for one of these options. Our rule of thumb is that if a warranty costs more than 15% of the desktop’s purchase price, you’re better off spending the money on backup drives or services that minimize downtime and protect precious data that you can’t replace.Should I Buy a Refurbished Desktop?Many people considering desktops in the $200-to-$500 range should also consider a refurbished machine. In certain circumstances, they can be excellent values. Large corporations lease fleets of desktops for a few years at a time, after which third parties refurbish them and provide them for resale on eBay and via retailers such as Best Buy, Newegg, and TigerDirect. To find these systems, search or filter the product category pages for “off-lease” or refurbished systems. These refurbished PCs are often surprisingly cheap ($150 to $250 is common), and many are desktop towers, so they’re easy to upgrade or service if a component goes south. They do come with drawbacks. Their components are usually several years behind the cutting edge, they may be in imperfect cosmetic condition (some refurbishers grade condition on an A-B-C scale), and different refurbishers can have varying levels of attention to detail. Still, refurbs can be a fine option if you’re looking for a cheap desktop to stow in a cabinet or under a desk, used to check your email and calendar. Just be sure to buy from a seller with a reasonable return policy in case you get a dud.So, Which Desktop Is the Best One to Buy?Armed with all of the knowledge and decision points above, you’re almost ready to shop. The final consideration is how well a desktop PC performs. We review dozens of PCs every year, evaluating their features and testing their performance against peers in their respective categories. That way, you’ll know which are best suited for gaming, which is our favorite general-purpose all-in-one, and which is the best if all you need is a small, powerful system you can get up and running quickly.Are you not finding anything that looks decent? Check out the full feed of all of our latest desktop reviews, as well as our narrower-focused guides to our favorite all-in-one PCs, business desktops, and gaming desktops.
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