Best home computers 2022: Find all the best desktop PCs and Macs

While the best laptops (opens in new tab) offer portability and a full PC experience, there’s something to be said for investing in one of the best home computers. They can be bigger, more powerful, and offer additional perks like a much larger monitor.

With so many manufacturers, though, and hundreds of parts and components, it can be tough to wrap your head around the options. Should you look to build a PC yourself? Or are you comfortable with a pre-built or made-to-order option?

A lot of this will depend on your workload. For example, if you want to do a lot of coding, or complex video editing, you’ll want to look into a powerful computer with a capable GPU, and the same goes for playing the latest games at high settings. If you’re looking for something to write on, view the family photos, and browse your emails, then you can look toward a more affordable option.

You’ll also need to pick between Windows and Mac, with each operating system offering its own pros and cons. Macs tend to be expensive, but they hold their value and last a long time. Windows PCs, on the other hand, aren’t usually quite as good looking, but have more headroom for swapping out parts, and are infinitely better for gaming.

Whichever home computer you opt for, be sure to make note of what comes in the box. Some computers, like the Mac Mini, are “headless” and don’t include a monitor, while the iMac has everything built into the screen.

So without further ado, below is our list of the best home computers you can buy in 2022.

The best home computers available

(Image credit: Dell)

(opens in new tab)

1. Dell XPS desktops The best home computers overall Specifications OS: Windows Build to order: Yes Upgradable: Yes Built-in screen: No Today's Best Deals View at Woot! (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Powerful premium PCs + Excellent customer support + Whisper quiet running Reasons to avoid - Relatively expensive

We chose the Dell XPS desktop range as our best home computers for 2021 because the quality of what you get in each PC here is unbeatable. The XPS is Dell’s premium range of PCs, and all the components used inside each unit is top quality. These PCs are well built, stylish, very user-friendly, and they run whisper quiet almost all the time. What’s more, Dell’s customer support is first-class, and you get a year’s worth of free support, antivirus coverage, and a lifetime use of Windows 10. You can choose and configure your XPS desktop as you desire, and the price of each PC is fair for what you get. Not the cheapest, but great value considering the quality.

The XPS range uses Intel 10th and 11th-gen processors, and while you can get an i3 PC for cheap - the range starts at $649 - we recommend getting an i5 or i7 XPS, depending on your needs. If you want your PC for web browsing and running more basic applications, then an i5 is fine - we’d suggest this build (opens in new tab), which has an i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD with a 1TB HDD, and an Nvidia 1650 GPU. This covers all bases, and you’ll usually get it for less than $1000.

If you want something more powerful, for video editing, gaming, and other more demanding tasks, this i7 model (opens in new tab) is perfect. You get an 11th-gen i7 chip, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of SSD and 1TB HDD, and an Nvidia 1660Ti graphics card for around $1400. If you’re working with 4K video, we suggest this model (opens in new tab), with 32GB of RAM and an i9 processor.

All the Dell XPS PCs have a great range of fast connections, and come with WiFi6 built-in, so you can connect to a wireless router and get a strong signal. They’re excellent PCs.

Read our full Dell XPS desktop review (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

2. Apple iMac (2021) The best Apple home computer Specifications OS: MacOS (Windows optional) Build to order: No Upgradable: No (although you choose colors) Built-in screen: Yes Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Absolutely beautiful, thin computer + Colourful and efficient + Not as expensive as older iMacs Reasons to avoid - But still expensive - Poor storage

The new Apple iMac is a bold step forward for Apple’s home computer range, which hasn’t been properly updated for years. Until now. What we love about the iMac is how stylish and compact it is - this is a thin all-in-one computer, and it’ll happily slot into any desk or home office space as it’s essentially the same size as a regular monitor. It’s only 11.5mm in depth. The downside is that you pay a lot for it, and you don’t get the same raw power as you would with a Windows PC. Macs are more efficient than PCs, but you’d still need to spend a lot to get an iMac capable of heavy video editing. Generally speaking, Macs are not gaming PCs either.

However, as a working computer, this is an exceptional machine. The new range is available at the end of May, and all these iMacs feature 24-inch screens and Apple’s new M1 processor. You’re looking at $1299 for the cheapest machine, with a 256GB SSD and regular keyboard and mouse thrown in, all the way up to $1699 for the top of the range iMac, which comes with 512GB of storage. You’ll find all three options here (opens in new tab), and they’re available in a range of colors.

In terms of style, you simply can’t beat the new iMacs. And while they’re not as powerful as many PCs, they do their work quietly and efficiently. Each one has wireless tech built-in, and a range of ports to plug in various devices. The screens themselves are 4.5K retinas, and look incredible, even if they’re a little smaller than some monitors. Our only real concern is the lack of storage space on the iMac itself - even 512GB isn’t that much, and you’ll quickly find yourself using iCloud and external hard drives (opens in new tab) to add more files and apps.

Please note that the 2021 models are extremely new, so may be on preorder or backorder.

Read our full Apple iMac review (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Dell)

(opens in new tab)

3. Dell Inspiron desktop The best budget home computer Specifications OS: Windows Built to order: Yes Upgradeable: Yes Built-in screen: No Today's Best Deals View at Newegg (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Affordable Dell quality + Easy to upgrade or modify + Great customer care Reasons to avoid - Not as cheap as some

Sometimes you just don’t want to spend $1000s on a new computer. That’s where Dell’s Inspiron range comes in - you still get the quality and customer service of a Dell product, but you’re paying less for a non-premium machine that will still do an excellent job at everyday tasks. Unlike the XPS desktops that top our guide, the Inspirons are better for simple internet browsing, word processing, and smaller apps that help you organize your everyday life.

The Dell Inspiron range starts around $470 (opens in new tab), although deals are frequent, and for this you get an i3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 1TB HDD. For low-power users, this is all you really need, and while your PC won’t load Windows super fast, or run a load of apps at once, you’ll have a cheap, solid machine for basic tasks - all backed up with a year of Dell support and a free copy of Windows 10.

If we were buying Inspiron, we think this build is incredible value (opens in new tab). What you get here is an all-in-one PC, so no need to spend extra on a monitor or keyboard. It has an 11th-gen i5 processor, which is pretty damn quick, 8GB of RAM, and a combo storage drive with a 256GB SSD and a 1TB HDD, and a 27-inch Full HD screen. All for less than $930. That may not seem very budget, but you get all you need here for less than $1000, discounts are frequent, and your PC is actually pretty fast and versatile.

Read our full Dell Inspiron desktop review (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Alienware.)

(opens in new tab)

4. Alienware Aurora R13 The best gaming home computer Specifications OS: Windows Built to order: Yes Upgradeable: Yes Built-in screen: No Today's Best Deals View at Dell (opens in new tab) View at eBay (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Powerful + Compact + Windows 11 preinstalled Reasons to avoid - Very expensive

Alienware has long been known as a gaming brand, but the latest version of the company’s Aurora hardware is a powerful, compact machine and it looks great.

It’s also eye-wateringly expensive, but does offer 1TB of superfast NVMe storage, 32GB of RAM, and perhaps most importantly for anyone looking to play the latest releases, Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3080 GPU with 10GB of VRAM alongside a core i7. In layman’s terms, it’s a beast, and runs Windows 11 right out of the box, which is a plus.

There’s an argument that you’d get more for your money by building your own, but if you’re in the market for a gaming machine and don’t want to do the legwork yourself, this machine will have you set for years.

(Image credit: Apple)

(opens in new tab)

5. Mac Mini (2021) The best compact home computer Specifications OS: MacOS (Windows optional) Build to order: Yes Upgradable: RAM only Built-in screen: No Today's Best Deals View at eBay (opens in new tab) View at eBay (opens in new tab) Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Tiny form factor + High spec possible Reasons to avoid - Poor graphics performance - Limited upgrade potential

Recently upgraded to include the new Apple M1 chip, the Mac Mini starts at just $800. You’ll need to add a monitor, keyboard and mouse to that to actually be able to use it, of course, and by adding options through the build-to-order website it’s possible to spec yourself a decently powerful computer, as long as you don’t need graphics processing performance - the Mini is never going to be a games machine.

As with the iMac, the Mac Mini comes with Apple’s MacOS operating system rather than Windows, although you can install Microsoft’s OS if you want to. Choosing between the two is largely a matter of taste, with no single big feature one can do that the other can’t.

The Mac Mini is at the bottom of Apple’s range, and despite the build to order options it’s never going to be the computer you want if your interests include 3D rendering or anything that needs a GPU. With the new M1 CPU, however, it will blitz its way through photo editing and any other CPU-intensive tasks with ease. It’s the perfect home office machine, and also excels as a media center, connecting to a TV directly or storing your media on its large, fast SSD and serving it via a system such as Plex. And it’s so small, you can easily keep it in a cupboard.

Read our full Apple Mac Mini review (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: Acer)

(opens in new tab)

6. Acer Aspire TC desktop A great budget home computer Specifications OS: Windows Build to order: No Upgradable: No Built-in screen: No Today's Best Deals View at BHPhoto (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Well priced + Got everything you need Reasons to avoid - Older components - Limited range

We’re actually seriously impressed with how much computer you get for your money with Acer. While the support and customer care options can’t match Dell, and you’re getting older and lower quality components inside, you actually get more power for your buck than at any other home computer manufacturer. The Aspire TC series is at the heart of Acer’s value range, and we think you could do loads worse than one of these basic, but solid, desktops.

The range starts with the Intel i5 build, which comes with 8GB RAM and a 1TB HDD - more than enough for everyday use - and it starts at $479 (opens in new tab), which is a great price. If you’d rather have a super fast SSD inside your PC instead of a hard drive (and we’d recommend that, no matter what kind of user you are) then you can get the same spec but with a 512GB SSD for a few bucks more at $549 (opens in new tab). These desktops are often on sale too, so don’t be surprised if you buy it for less than $500. This is superb value for what you’re getting.

Acer has other desktop ranges, including the PS4-looking Veriton computers, but you’re paying more for the compact design here, and you’re getting less powerful PCs for your money. Stick with the Aspire sub-brand you’ll get a neat PC for less.

Read our full Acer Aspire TC desktop review (opens in new tab)

(Image credit: HP.)

7. HP Chromebase The best home computer for Google users Specifications OS: ChromeOS Made to order?: Yes Upgradable?: No Built-in screen?: Yes, 21.5-inch display with 1920x1080 resolution Today's Best Deals View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Easy to use + Google Assistant built-in + Rotating display Reasons to avoid - ChromeOS is not for everyone

If Windows and Mac are a little too heavy for you, then Google’s ChromeOS is doing some very interesting things in the home computing space. While the company’s Chromebook range offers portability in spades, the Chromebase is a joint venture with HP that offers an all-in-one PC.

Because it runs using ChromeOS, the apps included are Google’s own. If you’ve used an Android phone or are a keen Google Photos, Docs, or Drive user, you’ll feel right at home. There’s even the Play Store for adding additional apps to use, or playing games or streaming movies.

That’s also arguably the biggest downside, though – because ChromeOS is a lightweight operating system, it just can’t compete for the sheer number of programs, services, and applications available on macOS or Windows.

Still, if you can look past that, the swiveling display and built-in speaker are well worth a look. It’s got plenty of ports tucked into the base, comes with a Bluetooth mouse and keyboard combo, and has a built-in webcam for work calls and family time. There’s even Google Assistant support, so you can use it like a smart speaker, too, and ask what the weather is like or start playing a song using just your voice.

8. Alienware Ryzen Edition R10: Best budget gaming computer

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

(Image credit: Dell)

(opens in new tab)

Alienware Ryzen Edition R10 Want gaming power at a slightly lower price? Try the Ryzen Alienware range Specifications OS: Windows Build to order: Yes Upgradable: Yes Built-in screen: No Today's Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Hugely powerful + Multipurpose machine + Handsome design Reasons to avoid - Still expensive

Saving money on a gaming rig is, frankly, a challenge. You really do get what you pay for, so the more cash you sink into a gaming computer, the more power you get. However, if you’re willing to buy into the AMD brand of processors, which are actually equal to and better than Intel’s chips in some respects, you can shave a few hundred dollars off the price of your gaming PC.

Ok, so as we’ve flagged this as our budget option, we’ll link you to the lowest spec of the AMD Aurora PC, which has a Ryzen 5 processor, an AMD Radeon RX5300 GPU, and 8GB RAM - that’s more power than the same Intel-based Alienware PC, and a slight saving at $1080 (opens in new tab), but it’s marginal. For what you get, it’s good value, but you’ll struggle to run 1080p games at higher settings. We’d recommend the mid-range Ryzen 7 5800 build, however, which has the 16GB of RAM you’ll need, a 512GB SSD for faster gaming loading, and a neat Nvidia 3060 Ti graphics card. That’s a powerful machine for $1820 (opens in new tab).

You can go all the way up to a Ryzen 9 build, with an Nvidia 3080 graphics card, for $2769 (opens in new tab)… which is good value, certainly. If you do decide to spend the extra, we thoroughly recommend adding an extra 16GB of RAM to future-proof your machine, and perhaps getting a second storage drive too, for mass storage, as the 1TB SSD it comes with will fill quickly if you’re running Windows, apps, and games from it.

Read our full Alienware Aurora R10 Ryzen review (opens in new tab)

9. Microsoft Surface Studio 2 - Best Windows all in one computer

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 If you want an all in one computer, but don't want a Mac then the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is the way to go. Specifications OS: Windows Build to order?: No Upgradeable: No (other than RAM and SSD) Built-in screen?: Yes Today's Best Deals View at eBay (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Microsoft US (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Stunning display + Stylus is excellent for drawing Reasons to avoid - Expensive - Outdated components

The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a few years old now, but it still has one of the best displays on the market - bask in the glory of this 28-inch 4,500 x 3,000 pixel screen. If you’re a creative person who is regularly doing digital design work who prefers Windows devices, then this is the best option out there for you.

The machine itself looks stunning too - you certainly won’t be embarrassed to have this beauty sat on your desk. The stand has a double hinge, letting you adjust between upright and shallow angles depending on what you’re doing

As we said though, the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is a few years old now and it shows in the components. The CPU is still a decent model, but you can easily get cheaper and faster options these days. It’s the same story with the GPUs that are available - they’re perfectly suited to running creative software, but they’re not top of the line anymore. With prices starting at $3,499, you’re paying a lot of money for that fancy screen, but what a screen it is.

Read our full Microsoft Surface Studio 2 review (opens in new tab) .

10. Lenovo Legion Tower 5i

(Image credit: Lenovo.)

(opens in new tab)

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i A powerful machine that will suit gamers. Specifications OS: Windows Build to order: No Upgradeable: No Built-in screen: No Today's Best Deals View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Solid gaming machine + Great design + Fast M.2 storage Reasons to avoid - Cheaper to build your own

As home gaming computers go, Lenovo’s option is an attractive one – you’ll need a monitor and speakers, but at this price point there are definitely reasons to be cheerful. These include fast M.2 storage, an understated but still powerful design, and the fact it runs impressively quietly.

It’s still running Windows 10, which is unlikely to be an issue, but the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 inside isn’t the most powerful around. Still, it’s likely to be a dependable workhorse for gaming and video editing work, but the 6GB of video RAM won’t go too far for creative professionals.

In better news, though, if you do know what you’re doing, the machine is fairly easy to upgrade – but there’s an argument that if you’re doing that, it might be worth just building your own with a more powerful GPU.

What to look for in the best home computer

Home Computer Explainer

There are several key components to the best home computers. Here’s a quick rundown of what they are, and what they do.

CPU

Short for “Central Processing Unit”, think of the CPU as the brain of a home computer that’s in charge of lining up tasks and ensuring they’re completed.

In Apple machines, the company now uses its own system on a chip (SoC) which contains multiple components. This makes it quicker because it’s not transferring data.

On the other hand, Intel and AMD are the primary manufacturers of CPUs on Windows and ChromeOS machines, and they’ll pass on information to the GPU.

GPU

The Graphics Processing Unit is more commonly referred to as a graphics card, and the more powerful your GPU the more impressive graphical fidelity you’ll get while working in large video projects or playing the latest games.

Because Apple now integrates both the CPU and GPU on the same chip, their machines have a sort of “ceiling” depending on the chip in your device. On the other hand, Windows machines are much more customizable (if you know what you’re doing), and you can put a GPU that outpaces the latest game consoles inside.

RAM

If your CPU is the brain and your GPU is the muscle, then RAM essentially acts as the nerves connecting the two. Short for Random Access Memory, the more RAM you have, the more you can do at once – meaning more RAM is ideal for multitasking.

More RAM is also ideal for gaming, because it means the CPU and GPU can “talk” more easily. Many GPUs even have their own dedicated RAM, so that they have more resource to pull from.

Storage

While your personal memories and files used to be stored on large mechanical hard drives (HDDs) that were prone to failure after extended periods of use, things are a little different in the modern computing world.

That’s because much of the industry has moved to Solid State Drives (SSDs) which don’t have moving parts and are more reliable in the long term. They’re also much faster than older drives, and have advanced to take up much less space – allowing for slimmer computers.

(Image credit: Dell)

What extras do you need to buy?

If you get an All-in-One computer, like an iMac, you don't need any extras to get started. However, if you're buying a desktop tower - like most of the PCs on our list - then you'll need extra equipment.

Monitor - Unless you plug your PC into the TV, which we don't recommend as a full time solution for anything other than it being a media center, you'll need a monitor. Most PC monitors start around 24-inches, and can go well past 32-inches. We think the sweet spot is a 27-inch monitor, for most home offices. Almost all monitors are Full HD ready now, so will display up to 1080p, which is fine for anything except higher demand tasks like video and photo editing, and high-end gaming. For these you may need either a higher-refresh monitor, or a 4K screen. Monitors start at just over $100 (opens in new tab), and run to... well, over $2000 for the mega gaming screens.

Keyboard - Yeah, you'll need a keyboard for your desktop too. Happily, you can get a wired keyboard and mouse combo for around $25 (opens in new tab), which is only a little extra on top of your PC purchase. Most manufacturers offer the chance to bundle a keyboard and mouse when you buy a desktop, so we suggest you just do that.

Mouse - As mentioned above, you'll also need a mouse, but they can be easily bundled with a keyboard at little extra expense when you buy. While you'll probably be fine with a wired keyboard, we do think it's worth paying a little extra for a wireless mouse, to eliminate the tangle of wires.

Cables - While most PCs come with all the cables you need, it's worth considering whether or not you need to plug anything else in. Some monitors include an HDMI, for example, but not all do. If you want to plug into your router for a wired connection you'll need an ethernet cable to do that.

Router - While almost all households have a router nowadays, it should be mentioned that you can't access the internet without one, so make sure you have a router when you buy your PC. We have a list of the best wireless routers (opens in new tab) if you need it, although most internet providers will bundle one with their subscription plans.

Webcam - While some All-in-One computers come with built-in webcams, and some monitors have them, you'll likely need a separate camera if you want to take part in video calls, or record yourself. Again, we have a guide to the best webcams (opens in new tab), and they really aren't all that expensive.

Printer - This isn’t a necessity, but a printer is a great addition to your home office set up. A good all in one printer (opens in new tab) will let you print, scan, and copy documents from the comfort of your own home - ideal when you’re working from home. If you’re short on space, you could get a compact printer (opens in new tab), while photography buffs can benefit from a photo printer (opens in new tab) to make the most of your camera work.

RS Recommends: 5 Desktop Computers That Deserve a Spot at the Table

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

Laptops offer portability, but if you need raw power and performance, there’s no beating a traditional desktop computer.

Desktops don’t have the size or thermal constraints of a laptop, and don’t need to consider power consumption because they’re not running on battery power. This makes them a significantly better choice for high-intensity work like 4K video editing, or resource-intensive tasks like gaming. You can do these things on a laptop, but they’ll take longer and burn through battery life really quickly.

The trade-off is that desktops aren’t portable, and require a lot more space. This won’t be a problem if you need a computer for your home office but could get in the way if you’re used to working from public places, like your local coffee shop.

If you haven’t used a desktop computer in a while, don’t worry, we’ve researched the best ones available right now.

What Are the Best Desktop Computers?

There are many factors to consider when choosing the best desktop computer for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list.

Operating System: The desktop computers in this guide either run Windows 10, the latest version of Microsoft’s OS, or MacOS, which runs exclusively on Apple hardware.

All-In-One Vs. Tower: Desktop computers come in two styles: All-in-ones, which means the computer’s components are built into a screen, or towers, which need to be connected to a monitor separately. Our guide features a mix of both.

Processor: All of the best desktop computers have a modern Intel or AMD processor, and are capable of running almost any task you throw at them without slowdown.

RAM: The desktop computers in our guide have at least 8GB (gigabytes) of RAM (memory). Having more RAM can help apps run more smoothly, and allow you to use more of them simultaneously without slowdown.

Storage: We’re recommending a desktop computer with between 256GB and 2 TB (terabytes) of storage. You won’t run into trouble with a smaller SSD (solid-state drive) if you stream most of your media, but you’ll need a larger one if you like to keep large video files or projects on your machine.

Editor’s picks

Upgradability: One of the biggest benefits of using a desktop over a laptop is the ability to upgrade it over time. This feature is only available on tower-style desktops.

Inputs: A computer’s inputs (known more commonly as ports), are what allow you to connect accessories to your machine. Each of our picks has a different assortment of ports, which you should strongly consider depending on how you intend to use your machine. All of them support WiFi and Bluetooth, though, so you have a range of wireless connectivity options, too.

1. Dell XPS 8940 Tower Desktop

Best Overall

Dell’s XPS 8950’s mix of excellent tech specs and upgradability has earned it the top place in our guide.

This desktop is a tower computer that runs Windows 11 Pro. You can pick between 11th gen i5, i7 or i9 Intel Core processors, but we recommend upgrading to the 11th gen i7 or i9 for faster performance. RAM options also run as high as 64 GB, just in case you spend your time video editing in 4K.

Since there’s ample RAM, you should have no problem running a handful of resource-intensive apps simultaneously without any lag and never worry about running out of disk space. The high amount of internal storage is especially useful if you like to keep a large media library on your computer rather than streaming it from the cloud.

For graphics, you can either pick the generic Intel UHD graphics card or spend a little extra for either an NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon graphics card, important if you’re looking to game on your new desktop.

As for connectivity, there are 10 USB ports, a microSD card reader, a display port, an HDMI port and multiple audio ports, allowing you to add extra screens and speakers to this desktop.

If you need a tower-style desktop computer that can handle anything you throw at it, and offers the ability to customize it as your needs change, Dell’s XPS 8950 is the best choice.

Buy Dell XPS 8950 Desktop $749+

2. HP Slim Desktop

Best Entry Level

If you need a tower-style desktop computer for casual use, HP’s Slim Desktop is the right choice.

It runs Windows 11, and has a respectable set of tech specs: a 10th Gen Intel Core Processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. You may run into storage issues if you have a large media library, but you’ll be fine if you prefer streaming videos and music instead.

If you’re really concerned about storage, HP says this computer has a slot for an additional hard drive, though we recommend using an SSD like Crucial’s MX500 because it’s a lot faster. HP says this computer has two PCIe slots, so you have a limited upgrade path if you’d like to improve this desktop computer over time.

Related

HP’s Slim Desktop has four USB ports and a headphone jack on the front. HP doesn’t show the back of the machine, but says it has 4 USB ports and an audio in and out jack.

This computer is a good pick if you spend most of your time streaming videos, browsing the web and doing light work like word processing, creating spreadsheets and putting together slideshows.

Buy HP Slim Desktop $549.99

3. Apple M1 iMac

Best Apple Desktop

Apple’s 24-inch M1 iMac is the company’s latest-and-greatest desktop, and our recommendation if you’re in the market for a Mac.

This desktop is an all-in-one computer with Apple’s latest M1 chip for smoother performance — face little to no lag times on heavy-duty apps and multitask with ease.

This is a well-rounded desktop computer, but its marquee feature is a high-resolution 4.5K display. Get sharper images, texts and videos while you edit, video call or game.

This machine has the option for a 7-Core or 8-Core GPU and packs up to 512 GB of storage along with 8GB of RAM. It’s also got a 1080p webcam and microphone built into the top of the screen, so you can video conference with it right out of the box.

It’s even got a relatively low footprint featuring a build that’s just 11.5mm and a design that weighs less than 10 pounds. This means you can pack extra monitors or speakers easily onto your desk and connect it to your new Mac desktop.

Speaking of ports, the 24-inch iMac has four USB-C ports (including two Thunderbolt ports) and a convenient headphone jack for privacy. This assortment should allow you to connect all of your accessories to it at once without any adapters.

If you want a highly capable all-in-one desktop computer that runs MacOS, the M1 iMac is our go-to pick.

Buy 2021 M1 Apple iMac $1,249.00

4. Alienware Aurora R12

Best For Gaming

Alienware has been a mainstay in the gaming PC space for over a decade, and we recommend its Aurora R12 if you want to get more serious about computer gaming.

This tower computer runs Windows 11 and comes with some pretty beefy specs. It’s got an 11th Gen Intel processor, 16GB of RAM and up to 512GB SSD in storage. These specs are overkill for common tasks, but necessary to achieve and maintain a high frame rate (a measure of graphical fidelity) while playing games.

On the graphics side, the Aurora R12 comes with NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics (RTX offers a more realistic picture). This card is powerful enough to play modern games at a high resolution, but you can upgrade it as new, more demanding titles get released.

Alienware says the Aurora R12 has an efficient new cooling system with a dual-axial fan design, allowing your desktop to stay cool as you game for hours. If a computer runs too hot, you run the risk of overheating it and eventually damaging it.

If you’re wondering about ports, the Aurora 12 has a total of 15 USB ports, an audio out, an ethernet port, and even a dedicated microphone input.

If you’re getting into PC gaming, and don’t want to build your own computer, Alianware’s Aurora R12 has a lot to offer.

Buy Alienware Aurora R12 Gaming Desktop $1,840.45

5. Intel NUC NUC10i7FNH

Best Mini PC

Intel’s NUC 10i7FNH is an extremely small desktop computer that offers impressive performance and features for its size.

This mini-tower is only two inches tall and 4.6 inches wide and runs Windows 10 Pro. It has a six-core Intel i7 processor running at 1.1GHZ, 32GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD. The processor is a little underpowered if you want to run extremely power-hungry apps but fine for everyday tasks. The computer’s ample memory and storage more than make up for this slight dip in processor performance.

The big trade-off when choosing a computer this small is that there’s no way to upgrade it. What you see is what you get. You can upgrade it using external accessories, but won’t be able to get inside the machine.

Intel has made this easier by this by stuffing the NUC10i7FNH full of ports. It has three USB-A ports, two USB-C ports (one is a Thunderbolt 3 port), an Ethernet jack, and an HDMI output. This assortment of ports should allow you to connect the necessary accessories to make this machine work for your specific needs.

If the only thing keeping you back from getting a desktop computer is their size, and you don’t mind sacrificing some performance to get there, we highly recommend Intel’s NUC10i7FNH.

Buy Intel NUC10i7FNH Mini PC $579.00

Best computers in 2022

The best computers offer power and affordability right on your desktop, with systems suited to everything from remote work and school to photo and video editing, gaming, and even virtual reality.

Whether you want the uncluttered design of an all-in-one computer, the compact size of a mini PC or a gaming PC that can handle the latest titles with ease, we've got you covered. Be it Windows or Mac, these are the best desktop computers we've reviewed.

To help you choose the right PC that meets your unique needs we've got recommendations for systems that will meet your budget, whether you need lots of power for content creation or a more affordable system for projects and education.

Now that November is upon us we're rounding up the best Black Friday deals, too!

The best computers in 2022

Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

(Image credit: Future)

1. Apple iMac 24-inch (2021) The best desktop for most, the 24-inch iMac is an impressive all-in-one Specifications Display: 24-inch, 4480 x 2520 display Special Features: 1080p webcam, great speakers Processor: Apple M1 chip (8-core w/ 7-core GPU on $1,299 model, 8-core GPU otherwise) Graphics: Apple M1 chip (8-core w/ 7-core GPU on $1,299 model, 8-core GPU otherwise) Today's Best Deals $1,199 (opens in new tab) at Amazon (opens in new tab) $1,584.95 (opens in new tab) at Walmart (opens in new tab) $1,699.99 (opens in new tab) at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Gorgeous display + Great 1080p webcam + Speakers deliver rich, vibrant audio + M1 chip offers speedy performance Reasons to avoid - No vertical height adjustment - Entry-level model lacks features - Ports inconveniently located on the back

The Apple iMac 2021 (24-inch) is a breath of fresh air for the aging iMac line, arriving with a beautiful display, an excellent webcam and an array of bright new color schemes. This is also the first iMac to incorporate Apple’s M1 chip, a custom bit of silicon that’s already proven itself to be powerful and efficient in the M1 MacBook Air, the M1 MacBook Pro, and the Mac mini with M1.

Here it gives this 24-inch all-in-one enough power to handily run all your favorite apps with power to spare, though if you want to play the latest games you're probably better off with the 27-inch iMac and its discrete Radeon graphics card. But if you just want a powerful, beautiful machine for getting things done, this M1-powered iMac is more than capable of handling whatever tasks a family, student, or working stiff might throw at it.

Read our full Apple iMac 24-inch review.

(Image credit: Future)

2. Alienware Aurora R13 Best gaming PC overall Specifications VR Ready: Yes Processor: Up to an Intel Core i7-12700KF RAM: Up to 64 GB Graphics Card: Up to Nvidia GeForce 3090 Storage: Up to 2 TB SSD x2 Accessories: Dell Multi-Media Keyboard, Dell Optical Mouse MS116AW Today's Best Deals $1,249.99 (opens in new tab) at Dell (opens in new tab) $1,999.99 (opens in new tab) at Best Buy (opens in new tab) $2,649.98 (opens in new tab) at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Eye-catching new design + Good performance for the price + Plenty of ports and easy upgrades + Stays quiet and cool Reasons to avoid - Underwhelming Alienware software - Weak 4K performance (as reviewed) vs. pricier PCs

A judgment of the Aurora R13 is in large part a judgment of the new Legend 2.0 chassis, since so much of Alienware's business is based on building you a PC with the specific components you want. And after spending a couple of weeks working, playing and mucking around with our review unit, we can tell you that the Aurora R13's new look is a winner.

The redesigned chassis is easy to access, offers plenty of ports and has enough ventilation that even after gaming in 4K for hours, I noticed only a mild hum and a pleasant warmth emanating from the PC. Since the computer weighs up to 35 pounds, it's a bit hefty to move around (watch those fins) or plop on a desk. But if your desk can accommodate it, the space-age design and customizable RGB lighting are sure to turn heads.

If you can afford it, Alienware will fill the Aurora R13 with top-of-the-line components that make it a top-tier gaming PC. At nearly $3,000, our review unit is far from cheap, but it's powerful enough to play the latest and greatest games in 1080p for years to come. Just don't expect blazing-fast framerates at 4K for that price -- the Aurora R13 gets as expensive as any other PC on this list if you fill it up with top-tier components.

Make sure you check our Dell coupons page to find the latest discounts.

Read our full Alienware Aurora R13 review.

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

3. Apple iMac 27-inch (2020) The 27-inch iMac remains an impressive all-in-one Specifications Type: All-in-One CPU: 10th-gen Intel Core i5 / i7 / i9 Graphics: Up to AMD Radeon Pro 5700 XT RAM: Up to 128GB of RAM Storage: Up to 4TB SSD Display: 27-inch, 5120 x 2880 Special Features: 1080p FaceTime camera, Nano-texture glass (optional) Accessories: Magic Mouse / Magic Trackpad (optional), Magic Keyboard (optional) Today's Best Deals $799 (opens in new tab) at eBay (opens in new tab) $1,598.99 (opens in new tab) at Newegg (opens in new tab) $1,798.96 (opens in new tab) at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Great display + Rich-sounding speakers + Powerful graphics and processor Reasons to avoid - Thick bezels - Ports all on back

The Apple iMac 27-inch (2020) is the last Intel-powered all-in-one from Apple, but it still has plenty of power for most people. The 27-inch iMac boasts Intel 10th-generation processors, AMD Radeon Pro 5000 series graphics, and perhaps most importantly, a 1080p webcam – a big step up from the 720p cameras used in older iMacs. Other highlights of the 2020 iMac included enhanced speakers and optional nano-texture display that reduces glare.

The iMac design remains unchanged, complete with thick bezels around the screen and a prominent aluminum chin below the display, but the screen in question is a Retina 5K display, which has 5120 x 2880 pixels of colorful detail, as well as P3 wide color gamut support. It also has TrueTone color temperature adjustment, which automatically shifts the color on screen to look best for the ambient light in the room.

Read our full Apple iMac 27-inch (2020) review .

(Image credit: Future)

4. Acer Predator Orion 3000 Best gaming PC for first-timers Specifications VR Ready: Yes Processor: Up to Intel Core i7 RAM: 16GB Graphics Card: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Storage: Up to 1TB HDD, 1TB SSD Accessories: Predator wired keyboard and gaming mouse, both w/ customizable RPGB lighting Today's Best Deals $878.99 (opens in new tab) at Newegg (opens in new tab) $999.99 (opens in new tab) at Amazon (opens in new tab) $999.99 (opens in new tab) at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Stylish design looks good on a desk + Easy to open and upgrade + Quiet, even while gaming + Great 1080p performance Reasons to avoid - Underwhelming performance vs. competition - Low-quality keyboard and mouse

The Acer Predator Orion 3000 ($829 to start, $1,949 as reviewed) is a mid-sized gaming PC that's attractive, (relatively) affordable, and great for playing games at 1080p to 1440p.

It's not a great choice if you're looking to play games at 4K, however, and its packed-in keyboard and mouse leave much to be desired. The Orion 3000 also fared slightly worse in our suite of performance tests than some similarly-priced gaming PCs, perhaps because our review unit arrived with just 16GB of RAM.

The case is well-organized and easy to open though, so it should be pretty easy to upgrade this machine with more RAM when you need it. With its sub-$2,000 price, beefy components, and stylish, accessible case, Acer's Predator Orion 3000 is a great first gaming PC for someone looking to get into the hobby.

Read our full Acer Predator Orion 3000 review.

(Image credit: Azulle)

5. Azulle Access3 The best stick PC, this little computer is a small wonder Specifications Type: Mini PC CPU: Intel Celeron N4100 Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600 RAM: 2GB / 4GB / 6GB Storage: Up to 64GB Display: N/A Special Features: Stick form factor, direct HDMI connection Accessories: Lynk Windows Multifunctional Remote Control (optional) Today's Best Deals Check Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Elegant design combines fanless cooling with stylish looks + Improved port selection boasts USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet + Zippy performance with 4K video support Reasons to avoid - Slow data transfer speeds - Optional bundled keyboard is clunky

The Azulle Access3 takes our favorite tiny stick PC and makes it even better. With a compact design that's almost small enough to put on a keychain, and flexible enough to be used with any monitor or TV, the Access3 gets a faster processor, speedier USB 3.0 ports and adds Gigabit Ethernet for better performance and connectivity than any other stick PC we've reviewed. The zippy performance even supports 4K video output, making it great for streaming.

Whether it's for use in your home theater, powering digital signage or just giving you a way to watch Netflix on your hotel TV, the Access3 presses forward in a form-factor that larger manufacturers have largely forgotten. The Azulle Access3 is our new favorite stick PC, and the best mini PC you can slip into your pocket.

Read our full Azulle Access3 review .

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

6. Apple Mac mini with M1 The best mini PC, the Mac mini offers big power in a small size Specifications Type: Mini PC CPU: Apple M1 (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU) Graphics: Apple M1 (8-core CPU, 8-core GPU) RAM: 8GB / 16GB Storage: 256GB to 2 TB Display: N/A Special Features: Compact size, 2 Thunderbolt 3 ports Accessories: Magic Mouse / Magic Trackpad (optional), Magic Keyboard (optional) Today's Best Deals $539 (opens in new tab) at eBay (opens in new tab) $599 (opens in new tab) at Amazon (opens in new tab) $629 (opens in new tab) at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Seriously fast performance + Seamless support for most software + More affordable than ever before Reasons to avoid - No aftermarket upgrades - Fewer Thunderbolt 3 ports - A few minor hiccups with compatibility/features

The Apple Mac mini with M1 processor is everything we loved about the Mac mini, but now its cheaper and faster thanks to the addition of Apple's custom M1 chip.

While the M1 chip's lack of support for Boot Camp makes running Windows on this machine tricky, for most users this is a no-brainer: The M1 Mac mini is the most affordable of Apple's new crop of Macs, and it delivers huge value for a decent price. If you're a professional or were keen for now-missing features like eGPU support, then you might want to look elsewhere, but if you just want a Mac desktop that won't cost a lot of money, the M1 Mac mini is the best thing out there.

Read our full Apple Mac mini with M1 review .

(Image credit: Future)

7. Microsoft Surface Studio 2 The best PC for artists and photographers Specifications Type: All-in-One CPU: Intel Core i7-7820HQ Graphics: Nvidia GTX 1060 / GTX 1070 RAM: Up to 32GB Storage: Up to 2TB SSD Display: 28-inch, 4500 x 3000 touchscreen Special Features: Pulls down display for drawing, Surface Dial support Accessories: Surface Keyboard, Surface Mouse, Surface Pen (included), Surface Dial (optional) Today's Best Deals $2,774 (opens in new tab) at eBay (opens in new tab) $4,499.99 (opens in new tab) at Best Buy (opens in new tab) $4,499.99 (opens in new tab) at Microsoft US (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Excellent design lets you use as a desktop or drawing board + Superb display quality + Best-in-class pen support Reasons to avoid - Inconvenient port placement - Hardware is dated from the start

The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is the best thing around for anyone who does digital art, thanks to a gorgeous touchscreen that drops down low for comfortable touch and pen use. The better-than-4K display looks amazing, the touch screen supports both the Surface Pen and Surface Dial and the design is top-notch. The design alone would make this the best touchscreen all-in-one for drawing, but the addition of best-in-class pen support takes it up another level.

The updated Surface Studio 2 gets beefier processing and graphics hardware, switches to all-solid-state drives for storage, and gets an even better version of the PixelSense display that offers enhanced brightness and contrast. It's one of the best all-in-one computers we've seen, and our top pick for media creators and artists.

Read our full Microsoft Surface Studio 2 review .

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

8. MSI MEG Trident X The best high-end gaming PC to buy if you need gorgeous design and powerful performance Specifications Type: Gaming desktop CPU: Up to Intel Core i9-10900K Graphics: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti RAM: Up to 64 GB Storage: Up to 1 TB SSD + 1 TB HDD Display: N/A Special Features: RGB lighting Accessories: MSI Clutch GM11 Mouse, MSI Vigor GK30 Keyboard Today's Best Deals $1,699 (opens in new tab) at Newegg (opens in new tab) $2,459.93 (opens in new tab) at Amazon (opens in new tab) $3,699 (opens in new tab) at eBay (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Powerful performance + Quiet cooling + Smart, compact design Reasons to avoid - Expensive - Subpar peripherals

The first thing you'll notice about the MSI MEG Trident X is that it's absolutely gorgeous. This small, angular machine fits easily into just about any gaming nook, and is ideal for either desktop or living room setups. The second thing you'll notice is that it runs games absolutely beautifully, whether you want to experience them at full HD, QHD or UHD settings. With a variety of processor, GPU and RAM options from which to choose, you'll be able to customize a machine that works for your games, and for your monitor.

Just be aware that no matter how you design the MEG Trident X, it's going to be expensive. Furthermore, the accessories it comes with — the MSI Clutch GM11 Mouse and MSI Vigor GK30 Keyboard — are mediocre at best, and disappointing at worst. Still, in terms of both physical design and raw performance, the MEG Trident X is one of the most gorgeous and functional gaming PCs on the market today.

Read our full MSI MEG Trident X review .

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

9. Raspberry Pi 4 Model B The best single-board computer for projects and tinkering Specifications Type: Single-board CPU: ARM Cortex A72 Graphics: VideoCore VI GPU RAM: 1 GB / 2 GB / 4 GB Storage: N/A Display: N/A Special Features: 4K 60 Hz video support Accessories: Wide range of optional accessories Today's Best Deals $68.44 (opens in new tab) at Newegg (opens in new tab) $78.88 (opens in new tab) at eBay (opens in new tab) $177 (opens in new tab) at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Significantly more powerful than past models + Supports dual 4K video output, USB 3.0 and USB Type-C for power Reasons to avoid - Not compatible with older Raspberry Pi cases - Software compatibility is hit or miss

The Raspberry Pi ushered in a new era of DIY tech, and the latest model, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, pushes that to new heights with a more powerful processor, 4K video output and an improved part selection. The latest model, the $35 Raspberry Pi 4 Model B offers enormous value for projects ranging from simple to complex, from its enhanced processing and graphics to offering broad compatibility with older accessories.

If you want to do something different with your technology, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B is the best mini PC for tinkering and experimenting. Whether you buy it alone or in a kit, the Raspberry Pi is hard to beat.

Since our review, the Raspberry Pi 4 Model B has been updated with a new model that has 8GB of RAM, significantly improving on the 2GB memory of the base model.

Read our full Raspberry Pi 4 Model B review .

How to choose the best computer for you

Finding the right computer is mostly about form and function: What do you want it to look like, and what do you want it to do? In our roundup of the best desktop computers, we look at a free different styles of computer, each offering unique designs and tailored to specific use cases.

Standard PC towers are often the most affordable desktop option, as well as the most basic. With simple designs and plenty of configuration options, a basic desktop tower is still the best option for cost-effective computing power. And thanks to the flexibility of the design you can outfit these standard computers for everything from basic web browsing and media streaming to incredibly demanding uses such as gaming and animation.

All-in-one desktops, as the name suggests, provide a combination of PC and monitor in the same device. These all-in-one designs give you a powerful desktop without the bulk of a tower or the tangle of cables that come with a separate monitor. The best all-in-one computers range from budget-friendly systems to high-powered workstations, so check out our in-depth reviews of the best all-in-one computers .

Gaming desktops, by and large, use the traditional tower design, but are outfitted with powerful components optimized for high performance gaming. These high octane systems are built to accommodate the latest discrete graphics cards, potent processors, large volume storage, and all of the cooling necessary for a high performance machine. There are several options for gaming, whether it's your choice of hardware, or the stylized design that fits your taste. check out our in-depth reviews for all of the best gaming PCs .

Mini PCs take a very different approach, leveraging the tiny components used in laptops and tablets to provide a desktop experience that fits in the palm of your hand or into a pocket. These pint-sized or smaller desktop computers can be easily stashed out of sight or incorporated into less traditional arrangements, such as into a home theater system for streaming movies. Whether it's a small box on your desk or a stick PC in your pocket, our reviews layout the features and performance of the best mini PCs .

Once you know what type of computer you want to get, it's a question of what you want to do with it. While any of the systems on the list above can be used for web browsing and basic productivity uses like typing up documents or putting together a PowerPoint presentation, different use cases have slightly different demands.

The best desktop for gaming will feature graphics cards built for gaming performance, while systems for video editing or animation may use equally powerful GPUs, but with models that focus on reliable performance and certification for different applications. A great desktop for kids will keep things fairly basic, focusing on speedy web browsing and streaming capability, with less of an emphasis on raw horsepower.

How we test computers

As we evaluate and review all sorts of computers, we run a series of standardized tests to measure how each machine performs, what uses it's best suited to, and what sort of capability you get for the price.

These standard tests include generalized performance benchmark tests, like Geekbench 4 and 5 (for processor performance), 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (for graphics), and a custom file transfer test to measure hard drive performance.

Gaming-oriented benchmarks test the performance of systems using current games, measuring the frame rates each desktop will produce in games like Tomb Raider, Far Cry: New Dawn, Red Dead Redemption 2 and Middle-earth: Shadow of War. We'll also run individual game tests and the SteamVR performance test to evaluate how well-suited they are to the unique demands of virtual reality.

Most importantly, we spend a ton of time simply using each desktop computer for everyday activities. We watch movies, do work, play games, and blast music on the speakers, all to get a better sense of which ones are worth your money.

For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.