The Best Desktop Computers for 2022

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That's not always the right move. Desktops aren't facing extinction, and they're doing anything but standing still. For consumers and businesses alike, they're still the most cost-effective and customizable computers around, as shown by our favorite examples from recent reviews. Check them out, then read on to learn everything you need to know about finding the best desktop for you.

Snazzy, innovative laptop designs are constantly evolving. Smartphones are ubiquitous and astonishingly capable. So where does that leave that '80s relic, the desktop PC? There are still plenty for sale, and innovation never stops in the desktop market, especially among small-form-factor and all-in-one models. But many shoppers seem to consider desktops an anachronism, heading straight to the laptop aisle for their next computer purchase.

Dell Inspiron Desktop (3891) Best Budget Tower for Most Buyers 4.0 Excellent Why We Picked It Many economy models make do with Intel Pentium or Celeron or AMD Athlon processors that frankly don't cut the mustard nowadays. Dell's Inspiron Desktop 3891 is a happy exception, offering a perky Intel Core i3 CPU, Wi-Fi 6, and even a DVD burner in a Windows 11 PC priced under $400 as tested. Its mini-tower case has some (though not a ton of) room for expansion and, except for gaming—its integrated graphics simply aren't up for it—the Dell can handle any mainstream task. Who It's For It gives you just the basics, but there's nothing wrong with that. Both families and small-office entrepreneurs will find the Inspiron 3891 a handy productivity and online communications station at a price low enough to buy a pair. PROS Bargain price

Bargain price Perky Intel Core i3 CPU

Perky Intel Core i3 CPU Runs quietly

Runs quietly Built-in DVD burner and Wi-Fi 6

Built-in DVD burner and Wi-Fi 6 Includes 12-month McAfee subscription CONS Only one HDMI port

Only one HDMI port Integrated graphics limit gaming potential

Integrated graphics limit gaming potential Base model supports only one internal storage drive

Base model supports only one internal storage drive Nonstandard power supply Sold By List Price Price Dell $599.99 $599.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Dell Inspiron Desktop (3891) Review

Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (2021) Best Mainstream or Budget Gaming Desktop 4.0 Excellent Why We Picked It Gaming desktops can be bulky, blingy machines whose side-panel windows reveal elaborately RGB-lit components and whose prices can reach the stratosphere. Lenovo's Legion Tower 5i flunks on that last count—it's under $1,000—but hangs with the big boys surprisingly well in other respects. Its see-through side shows off three lighting zones (the Lenovo logo on the front is a fourth) and it delivers enjoyable 1080p gaming with a pair of sixes instead of fours: a six- rather than quad-core Intel Core i5 processor and a 6GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super graphics card instead of a 4GB GPU. Who It's For We can quibble that the Legion Tower 5i lacks a front-mounted USB-C port and you'll likely want to upgrade its 8GB of standard RAM to 12GB or 16GB, but otherwise it's a great gaming bargain. Mid-level players with low-level budgets will find it an ideal option. PROS Six-core CPU and 6GB GPU for under $1,000

Six-core CPU and 6GB GPU for under $1,000 Stylish case with customizable lighting

Stylish case with customizable lighting Quiet under load CONS Inadequate 8GB of RAM as tested

Inadequate 8GB of RAM as tested Could use a front USB-C port Sold By List Price Price Amazon $1,449.99 $1,449.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (2021) Review

Falcon Northwest Talon (2022) Best High-End Gaming Desktop 4.5 Outstanding Why We Picked It If pure performance is your aim, and money is no object, then the Falcon Northwest Talon is the undeniable pinnacle of desktop gaming. The company's flagship mid-tower gaming PC is breathtakingly expensive, with every unit built to order from a choice of premium components from AMD, Intel, and Nvidia. Plus, every inch of the tower is built for premium performance, from the magnetically latching side panels to the bespoke liquid CPU cooler and subtle lighting. This is the highest of high-end, and ours came packed with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor, a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition graphics card, 64GB of DDR5-5600 memory, and a 2TB SSD. That kind of top-shelf hardware blew the roof off our benchmark charts, making it the clear choice for cost-no-object gaming desktops. Who It's For Not everyone (or even most folks) can afford the Falcon Northwest Talon. But, if money is no object, this is your ticket to the best of the best. For anyone prioritizing quality, personalization, engineering, and design, the Talon should top your must-have list. PROS Stratospheric performance

Stratospheric performance Lavish quality

Lavish quality Elegant looks

Elegant looks Ample expansion room

Ample expansion room Excellent warranty CONS May require a second mortgage Sold By List Price Price Falcon Northwest $6,989.00 $6,989.00 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Falcon Northwest Talon (2022) Review

Alienware Aurora R13 A Solid Alternative to the Falcon Northwest Talon 4.0 Excellent Why We Picked It Falcon Northwest has few peers in the ultra-high-end gaming space, but Alienware is one, and the Aurora R13 shows Dell's exotic subsidiary at its finest. The curvaceous tower is not very compact, measuring 20 by 8 by 23 inches, but is so beautiful it belongs on instead of under your desk, with a honeycomb front panel and windowed side to show off gorgeous lighting and flawless assembly. Base models are actually pretty affordable, though you can reach for the sky with a 12th Generation Intel Core i9 and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090. (Our test unit approached $4,700.) Who It's For The Aurora R13 is Alienware's gaming flagship and mostly targets the cost-no-object crowd, though a midrange configuration will let you enjoy its style for less. Its plastic case is arguably less elegant than some metal sculpture, and its cooling fans get noisy under pressure, but otherwise it's a smashing success. PROS Redesigned chassis with side window

Redesigned chassis with side window Blazing-fast CPU performance thanks to new 12th Gen Core i9 “Alder Lake” chip

Blazing-fast CPU performance thanks to new 12th Gen Core i9 “Alder Lake” chip RTX 3090 GPU delivers top-end frame rates, even at 4K

RTX 3090 GPU delivers top-end frame rates, even at 4K Midrange starting price with plenty of configuration options CONS Pricey as configured

Pricey as configured Loud fans under load

Loud fans under load Plastic case (even with window) not as premium feeling as high-end metal builds Sold By List Price Price Dell $1,899.99 $1,899.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Alienware Aurora R13 Review

Velocity Micro Raptor Z55 (2021) Best High-End Tower Desktop for Power Users 4.5 Outstanding Why We Picked It Velocity Micro is Virginia's premiere boutique vendor, and the Raptor Z55 is its masterpiece. Hardcore gamers may find its conservative tower case a bit boring, but though it can push frame rates sky-high with the best of them it's even better as an ultra-high-end productivity or digital content creation machine. If you spend your days crunching colossal datasets or doing extreme 3D rendering but let your hair down with the most demanding gaming titles after hours, look no further. Who It's For Offering a beautiful custom build and impressive U.S.-based support, the Velocity Micro is a showpiece for Intel's 12th Gen "Alder Lake" CPUs and Nvidia's fastest graphics cards. It's tailor-made for deep-pocketed pros whose taste in work and play tends toward subtle rather than garish. PROS Blistering performance

Blistering performance Available "Alder Lake" Intel Core i9, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti options

Available "Alder Lake" Intel Core i9, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti options Pristine custom build

Pristine custom build Professional aesthetic

Professional aesthetic Robust US-based support CONS Pricey, particularly for base model

Pricey, particularly for base model Conservative, professional design may turn gamers off Sold By List Price Price Velocity Micro $4,599.00 $4,599.00 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Velocity Micro Raptor Z55 (2021) Review

Lenovo ThinkStation P620 (2022, Threadripper Pro 5995WX) Best High-End Workstation Desktop 4.5 Outstanding Why We Picked It Thanks to an epic 64-core AMD Threadripper Pro CPU, Lenovo’s ThinkStation P620 can outrun even dual CPU workstations like our previous top pick for high-end workstations, the Dell Precision 7920 Tower. The Precision is an eye-watering $23,289, making the ThinkStation's $16,905 price as tested look like a bargain. It's not, of course, but you do get a lot for your money: a the 64-core Threadripper Pro 5995WX, two professional graphics cards, five 3.5-inch storage drives, and up to an amazing 1TB of RAM. Mere 2D design apps like AutoCAD are appetizers for this Lenovo; it's built for near-supercomputer levels of data science, 3D rendering, and simulation modeling. Who It's For Obviously, ordinary workstations like Dell's more mainstream Precision or HP's Z or Lenovo's ThinkStation desktops can handle almost all creative, architectural, and data analysis jobs. Many software applications (including our performance benchmarks) actually can't take full advantage of the P620's power. But when only the ultimate will do, scientists and engineers will be grateful for this monster's muscle. PROS Highly scalable performance

Highly scalable performance Easily serviceable

Easily serviceable ISV certified

ISV certified Ample connectivity

Ample connectivity Standard three-year warranty CONS Gets expensive quickly

Gets expensive quickly Audible fans under load Sold By List Price Price Lenovo $2,667.42 $2,667.42 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Lenovo ThinkStation P620 (2022, Threadripper Pro 5995WX) Review

HP Z2 Mini G9 Best Compact Workstation Desktop 4.0 Excellent Why We Picked It Technically one of HP's Z series desktop workstations, the Z2 Mini G9 outdoes even Apple's Mac mini at cramming serious computing power into a diminutive desk accessory. Taking just 8.3 by 8.6 inches of desk space (or zero if you use the optional VESA mount to stash it behind a monitor or attach it to the underside of your desk), the HP combines Intel's 12th Generation "Alder Lake" silicon (up to a blazing Core i9) with an industry-standard swappable graphics card and up to 64GB of memory and 8TB of storage. Who It's For You'll pay about $3,000 for a Z2 Mini G9 as well-equipped as our review unit, but if you need genuine workstation muscle in a tiny space, it's a heaven-sent solution. Architects, graphic designers, and engineers can get even faster performance and more expandability in bigger boxes, but if you crave not the most bang for the buck but bang for the square inch, it's your dream machine. PROS Compact VESA-compatible design

Compact VESA-compatible design Impressive performance

Impressive performance Easily serviceable, even the graphics card

Easily serviceable, even the graphics card Ample connectivity

Ample connectivity Modular I/O ports CONS Can get louder than expected

Can get louder than expected External power brick Sold By List Price Price HP $1,901.00 $1,045.55 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our HP Z2 Mini G9 Review

MSI Modern AM241P 11M Best Budget All-in-One Desktop 3.5 Good Why We Picked It Apple's iMac is probably the model of a 24-inch all-in-one desktop, but it starts at $1,299. MSI's Modern AM241P 11M starts at $849.99 with a peppy Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB solid-state drive, a reasonably good-looking full HD display, a nice array of ports, and a wireless keyboard and mouse. Its screen bezels are too thin for a built-in webcam, but MSI bundles a sharp 1080p USB webcam you can park on the top bezel and remove when not in use. Who It's For Don't expect to play games with the MSI's integrated graphics or enjoy audiophile music quality from its subpar speakers, but expect it to serve you well as a family-room homework, browsing, and email station. Sure, a sharper screen and more RAM and storage would be nice, but for the price it's a home run. PROS Compact design, with very thin top bezel

Compact design, with very thin top bezel 1080p webcam included

1080p webcam included Both HDMI-in and HDMI-out ports

Both HDMI-in and HDMI-out ports Wireless keyboard and mouse

Wireless keyboard and mouse Bay for a 2.5-inch drive upgrade CONS Underwhelming audio output

Underwhelming audio output Webcam is not built-in

Webcam is not built-in 256GB SSD in our test model will fill up quickly

256GB SSD in our test model will fill up quickly No Thunderbolt 4 support Sold By List Price Price Amazon $1,049.00 $1,049.00 See It (Opens in a new window) Walmart $949.00 $1,056.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Newegg $1,108.32 $1,108.32 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our MSI Modern AM241P 11M Review

HP Envy 34 All-in-One (2022) Best High-End All-in-One Desktop 4.5 Outstanding Why We Picked It Did we just say a sharper screen would be nice? HP's Envy 34 all-in-one offers a massive (34-inch diagonal) 5K display with panoramic 5,120-by-2,160-pixel resolution, as well as a 16-megapixel webcam that magnetically snaps almost anywhere along the top or either side of the screen to make you look your best. It's also a lively performer, even for mid-level gaming thanks to a discrete Nvidia GeForce GPU instead of the usual integrated graphics, and has all the ports, memory, and storage you'll likely need as well as a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse. Who It's For With Apple taking its 27-inch Retina Display iMac off the market, there's a dearth of premium all-in-one PCs, and the Envy 34 fills the niche nicely. Though not cheap, it's not prohibitively expensive, and its 21:9 aspect ratio widescreen is as good as a dual-monitor setup for arranging multiple app windows for max productivity. One of PCMag's staffers bought one and edited this writeup on it. PROS Sharp, snazzy 34-inch 5K display

Sharp, snazzy 34-inch 5K display Strong all-around performance

Strong all-around performance High-quality 16-megapixel magnetic camera

High-quality 16-megapixel magnetic camera Thunderbolt 4

Thunderbolt 4 SD card reader

SD card reader Easy access to RAM and M.2 SSD slots CONS Less-powerful, mobile-class GeForce RTX 3060 GPU Sold By List Price Price HP $1,999.99 $1,629.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our HP Envy 34 All-in-One (2022) Review

Intel NUC 12 Pro ('Wall Street Canyon') Best Mini Desktop 4.0 Excellent Why We Picked It The latest Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing) is another entry in Intel's long line of mini PCs, and another that comes highly recommended. Leveraging laptop components to create a truly compact desktop experience, the Intel NUC 12 Pro is surprisingly powerful, and ready for everything from media streaming to professional work. With plenty of ports and a design that encourages add-ons and novel uses, this tiny PC is great for everything shy of gaming and heavy media editing. It's also offered as either a preconfigured system, or a bare-bones kit (you provide the RAM, solid-state drive, and Windows license), making it a great choice for hobbyists looking to tinker. Who It's For With capability that can meet professional standards, this is one flexible mini PC, whether you want to use it to power signage or a point-of-sale device, or use it as your daily driver. The NUC form factor makes it especially fitting for space-strapped offices or hybrid workplaces that don't want large, permanent towers cluttering up desks. PROS Ultra-compact design

Ultra-compact design Great performance from Intel Core i7 CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics

Great performance from Intel Core i7 CPU and Intel Iris Xe graphics Classic NUC design is both simple and upgradable

Classic NUC design is both simple and upgradable Ample connectivity with dual display support CONS Bare-bones kit means no included RAM, SSD, and OS

Bare-bones kit means no included RAM, SSD, and OS No discrete GPU option Sold By List Price Price Amazon $999.99 $999.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Intel NUC 12 Pro ('Wall Street Canyon') Review

Corsair One a200 Best High-End Compact Desktop 4.0 Excellent Why We Picked It Speaking of taking almost no space, the Corsair One a200 is the derringer of gaming desktops. Our most recent test unit ($3,799) paired a 12-core AMD Ryzen 9 5900X processor with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card for blazing-fast, silky-smooth 4K gameplay. It even made room for 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD plus 2TB hard drive. The 15-by-6.9-by-7.9-inch PC sports a handsome metal case with two RGB lighting zones on the front panel and plenty of ports. Who It's For With white-glove build quality and blissfully quiet liquid-cooled operation, the Corsair One a200 is obviously an exceptional gaming rig but also ready to serve as a powerful productivity or creative workstation. Small is beautiful? Make that small is mighty. PROS Stellar gaming performance

Stellar gaming performance Great-looking, minimal-footprint design

Great-looking, minimal-footprint design Whisper-quiet operation

Whisper-quiet operation Includes PCI Express 4.0 SSD CONS Complicated, though not impossible, to upgrade Sold By List Price Price Amazon $3,799.99 $3,799.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Corsair $2,599.99 $2,599.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Corsair One a200 Review

Intel NUC 12 Extreme Kit ('Dragon Canyon') Best Compact Desktop for DIY Power Users 4.5 Outstanding Why We Picked It A far cry from the tiny designs that started the NUC line of branded mini PCs, Intel's NUC Extreme gaming systems offer the same sort of bare-bones kits, but with bigger, badder designs and a whole lot more power. The Intel NUC 12 Extreme Kit ("Dragon Canyon") takes it further, with Intel's Compute Element modular design helping cram extra power into the compact desktop. Packing that small design with gaming-grade performance is no mean feat, but with a full-length graphics card and an "Alder Lake" desktop CPU, this is one scorcher of a mini PC. This little Dragon can hang with the big boys, providing as much gaming performance as larger systems. Who It's For This is one for the PC builders and DIYers that want to really get small. The compact design offers portability for desktop gaming, but that brings its own challenges, especially since you'll need to bring your own RAM, storage, and graphics card to the party. If that sounds like a good thing, then this is the little gaming rig for you. PROS Ultra-compact for a gaming PC

Ultra-compact for a gaming PC Fits a full-length graphics card

Fits a full-length graphics card Intel 12th Generation “Alder Lake” CPU elevates performance

Intel 12th Generation “Alder Lake” CPU elevates performance Impressive connectivity and M.2 storage support CONS Only available as a barebones unit

Only available as a barebones unit Light-up skull faceplate isn’t for everyone

Light-up skull faceplate isn’t for everyone Uses DDR4, not DDR5, RAM Sold By List Price Price B&H Photo Video $1,305.95 $1,305.95 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Intel NUC 12 Extreme Kit ('Dragon Canyon') Review

Apple Mac mini (M1, Late 2020) Best Mainstream Mac Desktop 4.5 Outstanding Why We Picked It The Mac mini has been around since 2005, and it's never been better. Its starting price of $699 is dirt cheap by Apple standards, but its move from Intel to Apple's in-house M1 processor has revitalized the 7.7-inch-square (1.4 inches high) desktop. Its seamless aluminum design still makes the system the prettiest paperweight on your desk, and its combination of macOS and preinstalled productivity apps make it an unbeatably user-friendly family PC. The mini offers plenty of ports, surprisingly quiet operation, and lively performance. Who It's For As long as they don't mind buying a monitor, keyboard, and mouse a la carte, both consumers and small-office entrepreneurs will be delighted with the Mac mini. It's an elegant all-around solution that forms an unbeatable ecosystem with your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. PROS New, lower starting price

New, lower starting price Much improved overall performance from 2018 model

Much improved overall performance from 2018 model Especially promising bench results with native "Universal" apps

Especially promising bench results with native "Universal" apps Surprisingly quiet and cool operation under load CONS Boosting RAM and SSD capacity at purchase time is pricey

Boosting RAM and SSD capacity at purchase time is pricey Fewer Thunderbolt ports than previous Mac mini

Fewer Thunderbolt ports than previous Mac mini Memory no longer upgradable post-purchase Sold By List Price Price Amazon $669.99 $669.99 Check Stock (Opens in a new window) Adorama $699.00 $639.00 See It (Opens in a new window) Best Buy $699.99 $699.99 See It (Opens in a new window) Read Our Apple Mac mini (M1, Late 2020) Review

Apple Mac Studio (M1 Ultra) Best High-End Mac Desktop 4.5 Outstanding Why We Picked It We mostly refer to Windows systems when we talk about workstations, but macOS holds a well-earned part of the design and digital content creation market. The Mac Studio with Apple's M1 Ultra processor delivers performance that's simply stunning, well worth our test unit's $6,199 price—you may mistake it for the petite Mac mini at first glance, but this is a superior alternative to the Intel Xeon-based Mac Pro. Its unibody aluminum chassis (7.7 inches square and 3.7 inches high) holds up to 128GB of memory and 8TB of storage. A plethora of ports support all the monitors and peripherals you could desire. And as for speed, well, we applaud PCs that perform our HandBrake video encoding test in under eight minutes. The M1 Ultra Studio does it in two and a half. Who It's For Creative pros and macOS speed freaks won't find a better desktop than the Mac Studio with the M1 Ultra chip. We found the M1 Max version underwhelming, but this one's the real deal. PROS Incredible performance from M1 Ultra processor

Incredible performance from M1 Ultra processor Impressive industrial design

Impressive industrial design Plenty of ports CONS Display and accessories sold separately

Display and accessories sold separately Not user-upgradable after purchase Sold By List Price Price $3,999.00 $3,999.00 See It (Opens in a new window) Best Buy $3,999.99 $3,999.99 Check Stock (Opens in a new window) Read Our Apple Mac Studio (M1 Ultra) Review

HP Chromebase All-in-One 22 Best Chrome OS All-In-One Desktop 4.0 Excellent Why We Picked It At the other end of HP's all-in-one desktop offerings, the under-$500 Chromebase 22 brings the appeal of an easy-to-use, online-friendly Chromebook to your desk or den or kitchen counter. Its 21.5-inch 1080p screen pivots between landscape (horizontal) and portrait (vertical) modes, letting you switch from enjoying a YouTube or Netflix video to seeing most of a webpage or Google Workspace word processing document without scrolling. Its small-footprint, cone-shaped base doubles as a surprisingly high-quality speaker, and it offers a high-res webcam and wireless keyboard and mouse. Who It's For Chrome OS' mostly browser-based design means it's a poor choice for demanding apps like photo or video editing (as is the HP's Pentium Gold CPU), but a fine fit for everyday productivity, schoolwork, email, and web surfing. Few Android games can take advantage of its rotating display, but it's a nifty online kiosk for a family room or even a home office. PROS Attractive, space-saving design

Attractive, space-saving design Rotating display useful for some websites

Rotating display useful for some websites High-res webcam

High-res webcam Booming audio

Booming audio Includes wireless keyboard and mouse

Includes wireless keyboard and mouse Affordable as configured CONS Display isn’t the sharpest

Display isn’t the sharpest Occasional screen-rotation hitches

Occasional screen-rotation hitches No side-mounted ports Sold By List Price Price Amazon $405.99 $405.99 See It (Opens in a new window) HP $679.99 $529.99 Check Stock (Opens in a new window) Read Our HP Chromebase All-in-One 22 Review

Buying Guide: The Best Desktop Computers for 2022

We've reviewed an impressive variety and capability of 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 for small offices, families, creative pros, gamers, and tech tinkerers, desktops are often the best choice and the best value.

(Credit: Zlata Ivleva)

While desktops don't come in as many distinct form factors as laptops, there's great variation in computing power and room for upgrades and expansion. Let's dive into these, and a bunch of other important factors, as you prepare to buy your next desktop.

How Much Should I Spend on a Desktop?

One of the desktop's most alluring promises is the value it delivers. Your money simply goes further with desktop PCs and their components. 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 in it, and maybe even squeeze in a dedicated graphics card.

You can find complete mini PCs for very light work and display-signage tasks for under $300, and perfectly serviceable small towers for $300 to $600. Gaming desktops with dedicated graphics cards start at around $500. 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, 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: Molly Flores)

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 offer 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's. 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 stretch of time.

Windows vs. Mac: Settle on an Operating System

The Mac vs. 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 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 they offer seamless compatibility with iPads and iPhones, including the ability to send and receive messages on any device connected to your iCloud account. The cost of entry will be higher than with the least expensive PCs, however.

Google's Chrome OS 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 okay 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 offer room for more or less easy 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 very 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 can serve as adequate web browsing or multimedia viewing platforms. But know that the models at the truly tiny end of the scale offer no room for adding extra internal components, and their preinstalled parts are usually difficult or impossible to upgrade.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

That said, you can find a fair mix of what qualify as mini PCs that do offer the ability to customize or upgrade components. Models based on or inspired by Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) platform can be as small as 5 inches square but still allow for one or two solid-state drives of your choosing, and the ability to choose and install your own RAM. They're bigger than the "stick"-style PCs but much more flexible.

Traditional tower desktops offer even more flexibility, but also 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 than 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 offer 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 area of your home, though the very highest resolutions target content creators rather than consumers.

(Credit: Molly Flores)

With a few exceptions for business-oriented models, you will give up a lot of room for expansion in an AIO versus 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 late-model 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 processors for PCs, offer desktop-class chips 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 both 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. Multithreading (which Intel calls "Hyper-Threading") can deliver a major performance boost when engaged with suitably equipped software.

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The very highest-end 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 very 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.

Many AIOs and mini PCs, conversely, 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," "H," or "P"; 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. That said, many desktop PC buyers will be fine with these lower-powered CPUs for everyday work, and a little more.

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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, intensive multitaskers, or prosumer or pro 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.

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That said, 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 desktop PCs.

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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 very 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 like those in Nvidia's GeForce GTX series will do just fine. At the high end, current GPU choices for gaming desktops comprise Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3000 series, and AMD's Radeon RX 6000 series. The RTX 2000 series and RX 5000 series respectively indicate previous-generation cards.

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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, 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 and 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 really 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 two 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.

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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 offer the fastest throughput speeds. In most new systems, the boot drive will come as an M.2 drive. These drives are very small, the size and thickness of a stick of gum.

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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 there are 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. You'll want to follow the guidance of the software maker, in that case.

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 very tiniest of 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. 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.

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Larger tower PCs will have many more ports, offering 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 (assuming there is one) 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.

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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 offer legacy connectors such as VGA video outputs, PS/2 peripheral ports, or serial ports. The throwback-style ports are there 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.

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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 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 More

Some buying concerns, no less crucial than the ones above, apply only to certain types of desktops. Deciding on a screen size and type is critical for AIO shoppers, for instance. A touch-enabled display with support for in-plane switching (IPS) to widen viewing angles is nice to have 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 good choice, say, for an ID-card printing station. Fan noise is also a consideration with AIOs, since their computing components will be on your desk instead of hidden underneath it.

Desktop towers have many of their own idiosyncrasies. Enthusiasts who like to tinker with components but aren't interested in building their own 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.

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They should also check the maximum wattage rating of the power supply unit (PSU) and whether or not the case has the clearance for bigger coolers (or the mounting points for liquid cooling gear), if they might 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 very inexpensive 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.

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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's 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.

That said, 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.

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.

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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. And 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 great desktops. In fact, some configurations can be exclusive to a single reseller, such as Best Buy, Costco, or Walmart. Other merchants, such as Micro Center, frequently have in-store-only deals that aren't available anywhere online.

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This is where return policies come in handy. If you find a desktop with your ideal specifications online but can't audition 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 ends up not working out.

How Long a Warranty Does My Desktop Need?

Most desktop makers offer 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 of time 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 wide ranges 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. They can be excellent values in certain circumstances.

Large corporations lease fleets of desktops for a few years at a time, after which third parties refurbish them and offer them for resale on eBay, as well as via retailers such as Best Buy, Newegg, and TigerDirect. To find them, 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, if you're looking for a cheap desktop to stow in a cabinet or under a desk, used just to check your email and calendar, refurbs can be a fine option. 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 hundreds 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.

Our current favorite desktops are below. Not finding anything that looks good? 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.

The best computer for 2023: top desktop PCs for work and home

The best computer for you should be able to handle your day-to-day demands without slowing down or heating up your whole space. Luckily, if you're looking for a PC upgrade, you have a lot of options just with the type of computer you want, much less specific brands and what they bring to the table.

Just keep in mind that there are a lot of things to consider before you go shopping for your next PC. The best PCs can cost a small fortune, after all, so you need to be wise about your pick, ensuring that you're getting something that's the best value for your money, instead of getting one that's overkill or a cheap one that barely runs.

In fact, co long as you know what you need and find the best PC that fills that need, you'd be amazed how much money you can save. Though, if you want one of the best workstations for heavy duty content creation or other intensive task, you've also got some incredible options from names like HP, Dell, Lenovo, and more that will get you what you need, no matter your budget.

Whether its the best budget gaming PC or the best all-in-one computer you're after, chances are we've tested it. We've put our many years of experience to use to by running them through their paces and choosing only the best computers on the market. We then gathered the best of the best below to help you make the right choice for your needs and budget. Take a look at our best computer picks.

The best computer for 2023

Why you can trust TechRadar 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.

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1. Dell XPS Desktop The best desktop tower PC for business and everyday use Specifications CPU: 12th-generation Intel Core i5 – i9 Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 RAM: Up to 128GB DDR5-3600 (or 64GB DDR5-4400) Storage: Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe NVME SSD + 2TB SATA 7200RPM HDD specifications Storage Size 16GB - 32GB Colour Black Storage Type SSD Read more ▼ Today's Best Deals View at Dell (opens in new tab) View at eBay (opens in new tab) View at Walmart (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Great value for money + A lot of power Reasons to avoid - Only one USB-C port - Chassis a bit dull

We haven't finished our latest review of the Dell XPS desktop, but given what we've seen already in our testing, we really couldn't wait to let you know how great a computer it is.

Powered by 12th-gen Intel Core processors (up to an Core i9-12900K), and up to an Nvidia RTX 3090, this rather compact desktop PC packs an enormous punch. And given that it's a Dell PC (Dell remains one of the best OEM systems integrators in the world), the hardware in the XPS desktop manages to edge out similar systems from rivals with the same hardware configurations at a generally lower price.

So whether you're just looking for a new home office PC or you're looking for a dedicated creative workstation that doesn't break the bank (with some serious gaming performance on the side to boot), then you really cannot miss with the XPS Desktop.

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2. Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020) The best Mac desktop for most people Specifications CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8-core CPU Graphics: Integrated 8-core GPU RAM: 8GB – 64GB unified memory Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD Dimensions (W x D x H): 19.7 x 19.7 x 3.6 cm Reasons to buy + Same lovely design + Very good performance + M1 hardware is great for home users Reasons to avoid - Can't use eGPUs

One of Apple’s biggest surprise hits of recent years is the updated Mac mini, powered by Apple's inaugural silicon, the Apple M1 chip. Though it has some more powerful hardware under the hood, it still keeps things classy with its much-loved design.

It’s more powerful than ever – with more than decent video editing performance, even at 8K, and can now run iOS apps and the best Mac games thanks to this new chip. All the while, it still keeps its title as the cheapest Mac ever – terrific news for budget-minded Apple fans, even as we anticipate the release of another Mac Mini refresh with the new Apple M2 chip in 2023.

Considering that the M2 MacBook Air saw a major price increase, an M2 Mac Mini might see something similar, so this M1 model will still remain dear to our hearts for its excellent performance and affordability, something we can all benefit from these days.

Read the full Mac mini (M1, 2020) review

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3. MSI MEG Aegis Ti5 The best gaming PC that doesn't absolute destroy your retirement savings Specifications CPU: Up to Intel Core i9-12900K Graphics: Up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 RAM: Up to 128GB 4400MHz DDR5 Storage: Up to 2TB SSD + 3TB HDD specifications Processor Intel Core i9 RAM 32GB RAM - 64GB RAM Storage Size 2TB Read more ▼ Today's Best Deals View at Newegg (opens in new tab) View at Adorama (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Ridiculously powerful + Eye-catching chassis + Funky 'Gamer Dial' display Reasons to avoid - Very expensive - Limited port selection - Design won't be for everyone

It certainly won't be for everyone, but sometimes you just want the best of the best, the absolute cream of the crop. By our judgement, that's the MSI MEG Aegis Ti5: an almost ludicrously powerful gaming PC with a jaw-droppingly unique chassis that includes a 'Gamer Dial' on the front, which can be used to tweak your system performance settings and also display information or fun animations on its dinky circular display.

Naturally, the MEG Aegis Ti5 comes in a variety of models, all equipped with the latest gaming hardware. The newest top-spec configuration uses the top-of-the-line Intel Core i9-12900K CPU and an Nvidia RTX 3090 graphics card, and there are a tonne of different models available if that isn't exactly what you're looking for. Of course, most of these models will cost you a pretty penny, but if you're looking for the best in performance, look no further.

Read the full MSI MEG Aegis Ti5 review

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4. Apple iMac 24-inch M1 2021 The best all-in-one computer gets a welcome redesign Specifications CPU: Apple M1 chip with 8‑core CPU Graphics: Integrated 7-core – 8-core GPU RAM: 8GB – 16GB unified memory Screen: 24-inch 4.5K Retina display Storage: up to 2TB specifications RAM 8GB RAM Storage Size 256GB - 512GB Screen Size 24-inch Read more ▼ 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 + Excellent screen + Powerful new Apple M1 processor + Fantastic webcam Reasons to avoid - Lack of ports remains - Mac mini may offer better value for some - Mouse charging is still weird

The 2021 redesign of the ever-present iMac is as good as it looks, boasting an enlarged display (24 inches, up from the previous 21.5-inch models) and a selection of vibrant color schemes. The new iMac runs on Apple's own silicon now, utilizing the powerful Apple M1 chip to elevate performance beyond the older Intel-powered iMacs. It's a versatile and effective platform for any professional workload, and gaming on a Mac is even a tangible option nowadays too.

If you want an all-in-one system that is ready to go straight out of the box, the 2021 iMac is a fantastic choice, arguably the very best option on the market right now. It even comes with Apple's wireless Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse - colored to match your iMac, we might add - so you can get to work the moment you set it up. A full HD webcam and studio-quality triple microphone setup make for excellent clarity in video calls. The new display is a bright and colorful high-resolution screen that serves wonderfully for photo and video editing, too.

Read the full iMac (24-inch, 2021) review

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5. Corsair One i300 The best compact workstation for gaming and content creation Specifications CPU: up to 12th Gen Intel Core i9-12900K Graphics: up to Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti RAM: up to 64GB DDR4 2666MHz Storage: 1 x M.2 SSD + 1 x 2.5" HDD / SSD specifications Processor Intel Core i9 Storage Size 32GB Colour Black Read more ▼ Today's Best Deals View at eBay (opens in new tab) View at Amazon (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Amazing performance + Incredibly compact design + Not too loud Reasons to avoid - Extremely expensive - Difficult (though not impossible) to upgrade

A frankly inspired piece of computer hardware engineering, the Corsair One i300 is a marvelously compact workstation computer that leverages some smart internal design choices to offer top-tier performance with a footprint barely any larger than the Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini 5i seen higher up in this very list. It also runs quieter than many powerhouse PCs thanks to its single roof-mounted fan and perforated side panels.

The One i300 is likely to be a bit overkill for the average user, given its high-end internal components and steep entry price. Still, this is indisputably the most powerful compact form factor PC available right now, and Corsair offers a variety of models with both AMD and Intel processors. If you're looking for a high-end PC for resource-intensive content creation tasks or 4K gaming (or both!), this is an excellent pick. The remarkably compact design does mean that cracking open the chassis to upgrade your components is a tricky - though not entirely impossible - proposition, but thankfully the hardware on offer here means the Corsair One i300 should serve you for years to come.

Read the full Corsair One i300 review

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6. Mac Studio The best Mac computer for serious professionals Specifications CPU: Apple 10-core M1 Max or 20-core M1 Ultra Graphics: Integrated 24-core - 32-core (M1 Max) or 48-core - 64-core (M1 Ultra) GPU RAM: 32GB – 128GB unified memory Storage: 512GB – 8TB SSD Dimensions (H x W x D): 9.5 x 19.7 x 19.7 cm specifications Storage Size 512GB Colour Silver Storage Type SSD Read more ▼ Today's Best Deals View at eBay (opens in new tab) View at Best Buy (opens in new tab) View at Newegg (opens in new tab) Reasons to buy + Compact + Powerful + Essentially silent Reasons to avoid - Pricey - Non-upgradable

If you're a creative professional, the Mac Studio is basically the best computer you can buy right now. Think of it like a super-charged Mac Mini aimed directly at digital content creators, equipped with a powerful M1 Max or M1 Ultra chip from Apple along with a whopping 128GB of RAM. These chips are actually more effective for high-end content creation than the newly-introduced M2 chip thanks to their laser focus on creative workloads rather than the more general functionality of the M2. Heavy workloads like rendering complex 3D animations or editing 8K footage are all in a day's work for the Mac Studio, provided you've got a suitable display to plug it into.

Like the Mac Mini, the Mac Studio is extremely compact and effectively silent when running, so you won't have to worry about clearing desk space or listening to fans humming while you work. Unlike some of the computers on this list, the Mac Studio can't be upgraded - a side effect of its compact design - and it's also very, very expensive. But if you're a professional creative, this is undeniably worth the asking price.

Read the full Apple Mac Studio review

How to choose the best PC for you

How to choose the best PC for you Finding the best computer can be challenging since there are so many different types of desktop PCs. We look at all different kinds and compare them to other PCs in their class and consider everything from price to performance. Just because something is cheap doesn't mean it's bad, so budget PCs need just as close an inspection as high-end systems, and in all cases we consider the performance of the PC against the expected price for a product in that class. That means a PC less than $500/£500/AU$800 won't be as powerful as the best gaming PC, but if it outperforms our expectations then it is a strong candidate for our list. Meanwhile, if a PC has best-in-class performance but is selling for three times what it should, we're very unlikely to recommend it to anyone since you can pay considerably less with just a slight decrease in performance.

Which computer configuration is best? The best computer configuration will depend on what you’re using your PC for. You need to pay attention to the CPU, GPU, hard drive and SSDs, and RAM in your tower because each individual aspect needs to be changed for the optimal computer configuration. If you’re using your desktop PC for everyday tasks, you won’t need a high-powered CPU or GPU and the standard SSD and RAM will do just fine. Gaming PC towers, however, will need those high-power CPUs and GPUs as well as lots of hard drive and SSD storage to account for high-resolution gaming.

Which is the best computer brand? The best computer brand depends on what your PC’s functionality is and what you use it for. Dell and Lenovo make great everyday use computers if you like Windows operating systems, but Apple also has great desktop computers if you’re able to afford how expensive they can be. On the other hand, if you want a PC that has gaming capabilities, you’ll want to look at brands like MSI, Corsair, or even Alienware (a gaming-focused brand owned by Dell) if you’re looking for the highest quality gaming PC. Many computer brands have the best PCs that are top-quality and affordable, so the best computer brand for you will ultimately depend on what you want your PC to accomplish.

How We Test

Here at TechRadar, we believe in rigorously testing every piece of hardware that passes through our hands. If it fails to impress during testing, we'll always let you know; we won't recommend you buy any product that falls short of the performance median for its price range.

Our testing process varies from product to product, but we're always sure to run the most appropriate tests considering the target purpose of whatever we're reviewing. This means we're always sure to run plenty of gaming tests on a gaming laptop, or editing benchmarks for a desktop workstation PC. We also always examine the build quality of a product to see whether it aligns with the attached price tag.

If you want to know more about how we test and rate the computers in this guide, check out our explainer on how we test laptops and desktops to learn more.

The 15 Best Desktop Computers of 2022 for Any Price Point

While the best laptops have become increasingly popular over the years, desktops still have their place in the home and office. The best desktop computers tend to be more powerful than laptops, offering better CPU and graphics cards and much more memory and storage. Many desktop models provide both SSD and traditional hard-disk drives for faster boot times and file access and more reliable, expanded storage for large files. On top of that, you can often get a top-rated desktop for less than a premium or even mid-range laptop.

Desktops are also easier to upgrade and customize than laptops. However, if you want to upgrade your computer yourself, you’ll have to go with a Windows or Chrome-based model rather than a Mac, which has integrated components that can’t be removed at home. Many desktop PCs now have extra RAM and storage drive slots for either dropping in additional memory and storage (relatively easy) or completely reconfiguring your new rig (way more advanced). This is especially helpful for gamers who want to start with a mid-level pre-built gaming PC and then upgrade piecemeal as they become more confident or have larger budgets.

Pre-built desktops are also some of the only options you have if you want to get the new Nvidia 3000 or AMD Radeon 5000 series graphics cards, whether it’s the ongoing chip shortage or outrageous prices from scalpers, the latest GPUs are exceptionally difficult to buy right now.

Simply put, there are a lot of reasons to invest in the best desktop computers of 2022:

Can be more affordable than laptops

Typically more powerful than laptops

Easier to upgrade

Most 2022 models are remarkably compact

All-in-one setups package everything you need

Customizable components

If you’re worried about a huge tower taking up precious desk or floor space, you don’t have to worry anymore. Plenty of manufacturers like Apple and HP offer sleek, compact models ranging from the size of a shoebox to tiny boxes that can fit in the palm of your hand. These compact desktop computers are also perfect for anyone with a small work-from-home space or who prefers something on the teeny-tiny side for a more streamlined workspace.

1. Dell XPS Desktop Special Edition

BEST OVERALL

Who’s It For: The average user who’s using it mostly for basic productivity tasks such as surfing the web, word processing and sending emails. Someone who doesn’t mind a tower near their work area.

Why We Chose It: It has the features that most people need, backed by a top-notch performance to ensure your workflow isn’t interrupted by slowdown or freezes.

Courtesy of Dell

The Dell XPS Desktop Special Edition is one of the best desktop towers you can use. It has tons of configuration options like an 11th generation Intel i7 that can be overclocked, dual storage drives (both an MVNe SSD and HDD) up to 2TB each, and up to 128GB of RAM. It also has 10 USB ports, including a USB Type-C input, so you can connect everything from mice and keyboards to flash drives and external hard drives.

Best of all, it’s also one of the few ways you are guaranteed to get your hands on a new Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 or 3070 video card (which are still tough to find over a year-and-a-half after their release), making this a sleeper choice for gamers and creative professionals. The tower also has a sleek, minimalist design that is perfect for tucking away out of sight when space is limited or complementing a super modern office.

2. Apple iMac with M1 BEST ALL-IN-ONE MAC Who’s It For: Apple users who love the cohesive experience between their computer, iPhone, iPad and other Apple-made products. Why We Chose It: With its space-saving design, you’re not just getting a computer that can run just about anything but also a minimalist-designed monitor worthy of any tabletop.

Courtesy of Amazon Apple iMac with M1 $1,199.00 $1,299.00 8% Off Buy Now On Amazon Apple iMac at Best Buy $1,499.99 Buy Now It’s been on the market for more than a year and deserving of an update soon, but the 24-inch Apple iMac with M1 chip is still a sleek, compact, and fun machine that packages everything you want in a worthy desktop. Available in seven pastel colors, the M1 iMac design calls back to the original, more colorful iMacs from the 90s, which came in the same range of colors (minus silver). But don’t let the cute look fool you: This computer is built for serious work. The 24-inch iMac also features Apple’s M1 chip, which singlehandedly turned the M1 MacBook Air into a computing powerhouse. Add to that a 24-inch Retina 4.5K display, Dolby Atmos speakers, a redesigned webcam and improved microphones, and you have a computer that can just about do it all. That includes Zoom calls, streaming 4K HDR movies, editing 4K video and even playing recent games in 1080p at 60 frames per second. The iMac is the way to go if you’re still all-in on the Mac ecosystem.

3. ASUS ExpertCenter

BEST BUDGET TOWER

Who’s It For: Budget shoppers who don’t want to exceed $1,000 for a desktop computer. Businesses and schools that need to buy in bulk and save on spending.

Why We Chose It: You won’t be compromising a whole lot with this desktop because it’s affordable but can still deliver good performances on a variety of functions.

Courtesy of Amazon

Looking for the best desktop computers under $700? The ExpertCenter tower from ASUS proves that you don’t have to spend much cash to get a great pre-built PC. This model features both a 1TB HDD and 256GB SSD for plenty of storage for everyday files, working from home or even remote learning. It comes with 16GB of RAM, which provides plenty of power. It’s built with a 1the generation Intel core i5 CPU for plenty of power for everyday work, plenty of ports for all the accessories you may need to get through a workday, and a small (but sturdy!) package that makes it great for any workspace, big or small.

4. HP Envy 34 All-In-One PC

BEST ALL-IN-ONE PC

Who’s It For: Serious content creators who need one machine to do everything from editing video, viewing spreadsheets and watching the occasional video in between breaks.

Why We Chose It: Windows users have a worthy contender with this clean and minimalist design from HP, which is accompanied by enough raw power to easily handle creating content.

Courtesy of HP

The Envy 34 from HP is probably the best all-in-one PC you’ll ever use; even diehard Mac users will be impressed with it. It features a 34-inch, 5K display that is factory calibrated for color accuracy and has an anti-reflection coating and low blue light mode for more comfortable, long-term use. The magnetic webcam can be quickly and easily moved around or detached entirely for conference chats, streaming, or just putting it away when you don’t need it. It’s built with an 11th generation Intel i9 processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU, Windows 11, and plenty of RAM and SSD slots for upgrading memory and storage. The stand also has a wireless charger to keep your phone and other devices charged all day.

5. HP Omen 45L

GREAT FOR GAMING

Who’s it For: Gamers who will want to upgrade their systems in the future.

Why We Chose It: At the base level, it’s already a good gaming computer, but the design makes it one of the easiest to upgrade for gamers who want more performance from their desktop computer.

The design of the Omen 45L makes this a dream for gamers who like to tinker and upgrade their systems. The well thought out design allows users easy access to swap out components without any hassle. And when in operation, the liquid cooler not only keeps the desktop computer components cooler than most, but it is also quiet. The base model offers an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage, but you can go upgrade all of those components easily to make this into the dream gaming desktop computer you’ve always wanted.

Courtesy of Amazon

6. Lenovo ThinkStation P620

Who’s it For: Power users, multitaskers and CAD designers that need heavy processing power at their disposal.

Why We Chose It: It’s one of the most powerful desktop computers available for those who need as much processing power as possible for intensive computer tasks.

Even at the base level, you get the “Threadripper” series of AMD processors, which are no-nonsense powerful. The storage and memory are equally as impressive boasting 64GB of memory, supporting all the way up to 64GB of memory and containing enough slots for up to six total drives and 2TB of storage. That might seem like overkill – and to many, it is – but the ThinkStation is for serious power users like CAD designers or machine learning programmers. Even if those aren’t your profession, going with the ThinkStation P620 as your home desktop computer ensures you’ll have more than enough processing power for any task.

Courtesy of Amazon

7. Apple Mac Studio

BEST FOR VIDEO EDITING

Who’s It For: Digital animators, track record mixers and videographers who can’t deal with buffering.

Why We Chose It: Even the best desktop computers struggle with editing 8K videos or creating realistic-looking 3D animation effects, but this doesn’t skip a beat.

Read More: Apple Mac Studio and Studio Display, a Match Made In Heaven

Courtesy of B & H.

It’s the latest Mac on this list, and while it takes inspiration from the Mac Mini’s design, the Apple Mac Studio is a different beast of a desktop. The tabletop-friendly design is an Apple staple, complete with a clever thermal design that features a set of double-sided blowers that push air through the 4,000+ perforations around the chassis. Combined with the muscle power of the 10-core CPU of the M1 Max chip and 12 high-performance ports located on the front and rear, the Mac Studio has the muscle power that video editors need to cut 4K and 8K video without slowdown.

8. Acer Chromebox

BEST CHROME OS DESKTOP

Who’s It For: Elementary and middle school students who need a desktop computer for researching projects, word processing and accessing school services.

Why We Chose It: We love its space-saving design, ultra-affordable cost, and Chrome OS’s syncing services.

Courtesy of Amazon

Those looking for a capable, affordable computer that can handle everything from remote learning to casual use should strongly consider a Chromebox. Powered by Google’s well-designed Chrome OS, this device can handle nearly any web-based task you can throw at it (and most people’s computer usage these days is mainly web-based, anyway). Furthermore, Acer’s affordable Chromebox is powered by an Intel Celeron processor and 4 GB of RAM, which means this machine will be fast. Plus, it includes a mouse and keyboard, so you’ll be nearly set to go right out of the box.

9. Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 Gaming PC

BEST GAMING PC

Who’s It For: Hardcore gamers who need ultra-fast responses while in the middle of the action. Anyone tired of laggy gameplay.

Why We Chose It: Designed with gamers in mind, this desktop computer is paired with an NDVIA graphics processing unit to ensure games run smoothly and without incident.

Courtesy of Dell

Pre-built gaming PCs tend to get a bad rap, but they’re great for anyone who doesn’t have the time to build their own rig or is just starting and is nervous about producing their own. And for gamers, Alienware makes the best desktop PCs for gaming, hands down.

The Alienware Aurora R12 is a pretty pricey rig at just under $4,400, but you’ll get more than enough bang for your buck with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 GPU, 11th generation Intel i5 CPU, 2TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 128GB RAM, and Windows 11. If you’ve got cash to burn, you can upgrade to an i7 or i9 processor and even choose liquid cooling options to keep your fancy components running at optimal temperatures. The rounded chassis comes in either black or light grey with blue LED accents for a futuristic look.

10. Dell New XPS Desktop

BEST FOR STUDENTS

Who’s It For: College students who need a desktop for both homework and play, as well as something that’ll last them through college.

Why We Chose It: Four years is a long time, but Dell’s New XPS desktop has all the hardware college students will need — including a DVD Drive that could come in handy for projects.

Courtesy of Dell

The Dell XPS line of desktop computers has been one of the best since it first arrived, and it seems that with its latest generation of PCs, it just keeps improving. While you can configure the newest XPS to your liking, we love the value of a build featuring a 12th-generation Intel Core i3 CPU and 8 GB of RAM, which will get you through all your daily computing needs short of gaming or intensive video editing. Plus, the striking XPS logo’s updated design and silver-accented grill make for a standout unit.

What makes this the best option for college students? This is a no-frills desktop that can handle everything college students might need, and we trust Dell computers to last for at least four years.

11. M1 Mac Mini BEST COMPACT MAC Who’s It For: Users who don’t need all the bells and whistles of an iMac but still love the Mac OS experience. Why We Chose It: With its compact footprint, it’s a desktop computer that still packs a punch with its hardware but can be disguised or tucked underneath something to make it invisible. Courtesy of Apple M1 Mac Mini $599.00 $699.00 14% Off Buy Now On Amazon M1 Mac Mini (2020) at B & H $699.00 Buy Now For those who don’t want an all-in-one but still want the additional horsepower that often comes with larger desktop towers, look no further than the M1 Mac Mini. While Apple hasn’t refreshed the Mac Mini since its debut in 2020, it still is well worth considering, as it comes equipped with the same world-beating components as the game-changing M1 MacBook Air. That means this Mac Mini can handle just about any typical task without breaking a sweat — browsing the web, playing back 4K video, running apps for work — while also being powerful enough to take on things like gaming and video editing. It’s also versatile enough to plug into your TV and function as a media hub if that’s your thing. Thanks to that M1 chip, this mini-computer can outperform most desktops and laptops that cost twice as much. Of course, you will also need to invest in one of the best monitors. This mini desktop might be two years old, but Apple’s M1 chip was a genuine game-changer. That’s a cliche term overused in tech, but it’s appropriate here. We don’t know how much longer this desktop will be available, and we hope to see an updated version of the Mac Mini sometime later this year. Until then, here’s the bottom line: For as long as it’s still available, the M1 Mac Mini is a small but mighty machine and the most surprising contender for the best desktop computer of 2022.

12. Dell Inspiron 27 7000 All-In-One

BEST FOR CREATIVES

Who’s It For: Professionals who need to collaborate with colleagues virtually, YouTubers who live stream and podcasters who need a robust desktop to manage their setup.

Why We Chose It: Sporting a touchscreen paired with a powerful GPU, this all-in-one machine from Dell makes it a breeze for professionals to juggle multiple applications.

Courtesy of Dell

This all-in-one PC features a 27-inch touchscreen display that is perfect for creative professionals. It also has an integrated soundbar for better audio when working with sound files, music, or virtual meetings. You can choose either integrated Intel Iris graphics or a dedicated Nvidia GPU for more graphical processing power. Bluetooth 5.1 lets you wirelessly connect your favorite peripherals like mice, keyboards, and drawing pads. At the same time, Dell Mobile Connect enables you to mirror your mobile devices to your PC for easier drawing and app use.

13. HP Z2 Mini G5 Workstation

BEST COMPACT PC

Who’s It For: Serious desktop users who love compact towers that still carry some serious muscle power under the hood.

Why We Chose It: Don’t let its compact design fool you because this desktop computer from HP can still please on many fronts, including productivity, content consumption and other leisurely activities.

Read More: The Best Small Laptops

Courtesy of HP

Having a powerful PC doesn’t mean you have to have a monster tower taking up floor or desk space. The Z2 Mini G5 from HP packs tons of premium hardware into an incredibly compact chassis. It’s built with a 10th generation Intel i7 processor, 16GB of Ram, a 512 GB SSD, and Nvidia Quadro P620 GPU. You can connect your peripherals and storage devices with USB-C and 3.1 inputs, and the three DisplayPort inputs let you connect multiple monitors for the ultimate workstation. It also features Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless peripherals and WiFi 6 for blazing-fast wireless internet speeds. It even has an integrated speaker, though there is a headphone jack for private listening and calls.

14. Apple iMac with Retina 5K Display (2020)

BEST UHD DISPLAY

Who’s It For: Photoshop users, binge-watchers and anyone who looks at a lot of spreadsheets at their job.

Why We Chose It: You won’t find many all-in-one desktops with a 5K display, so if pixel density matters to you, this machine will astound by its level of detail.

Courtesy of Apple

It’s not the cheapest option (although it’s not financially prohibitive). It’s not the most powerful on this list (although it’s more than capable). Still, when you factor in simplicity, display, longevity and design, the 27-inch iMac 5K Retina is easily one of the best desktop computers for sale in 2022.

All-in-ones can often be underpowered, but Apple’s offering comes equipped with one of the best displays money can buy, an excellent operating system and enough oomph to handle the demands of your average photo and video editing tasks for years to come. You can’t do better than the gorgeous iMac for professionals, students and creatives who need a machine that can keep up with them.

15. HP Chromebase All-in-One Desktop

HONORABLE MENTION

Who’s It For: Grandparents who prefer a simple setup. Students who don’t need a high-end desktop. Budget shoppers.

Why We Chose It: The all-in-one desktop won’t cost you a fortune but can still handle some light productivity.

Courtesy of Amazon

Admittedly, this falls short on a couple of our minimum recommendations for our picks — it only has four USB ports instead of six and sports 128GB of storage instead of 256GB. Thankfully we think the price reflects that. But beyond its specs, it’s a gorgeous all-in-one design with a touchscreen display that also goes vertical. It is ideal for various applications such as coding, writing and editing content. It’s not the best desktop we’ve seen, but we feel it is worth mentioning simply for its value and display design.

How We Chose the Best Desktop Computers

There’s a lot to consider when buying any computer, let alone something as powerful as a desktop computer. We are here to make it simple for you — here’s how we chose the best desktop computers:

Size: You might think, “If I wanted something small, I’d just get a laptop.” Well, these aren’t the home computers you grew up with. The towers we picked are compact (often no taller and deep than one foot), and the “all-in-one” variety takes up just as much space on your desktop as your laptop if you include an extra monitor. The super-compact options like Mac Mini are essentially the size of an external hard drive. If that’s not compact, we don’t know what is.

Power and Connectivity: This is ultimately the point of getting a desktop computer versus a laptop, right? With the exception of the uber compact choices like the Mac Mini, we looked for options with over six USB ports and multiple other connectivity options like at least two HDMI ports and multiple display ports. For power, we looked for towers with at least 8GB of RAM but configurable up to much more processing power than that and at least 256GB of storage.

Price: One of the main benefits of a desktop computer is the performance-to-price ratio compared to laptops. We don’t think you should spend more than $2,000 for your desktop unless you are doing something intensive like crypto mining or major media editing, like full-length feature films. Except for the all-in-one options, most of the towers you’ll find below are close to or under $1,000.

Confused by Configurations? How To Pick the Right Desktop Computer

Generally, the best pre-built and all-in-one desktops are best suited for everyday users who don’t necessarily want or need fancy graphics cards or oodles of storage space. If you’re looking for a desktop that can handle everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and maybe your kids’ homework, there are a few things you should look for:

8-16GB of RAM

At least 256GB hard drive

An AMD Ryzen 3 or Intel Core i3 CPU

Dual-band WiFi connectivity

For professionals who need to perform more complex tasks, we recommend buying a newer desktop like the new Apple iMac with M1, the HP Envy 34 or the Dell Inspiron 27 7000, which offer more advanced configurations. The new iMac is powered by the ultra-fast M1 Chip, which we’ve been raving about since it debuted in late 2020. And if you prefer a PC, you’ll want to splurge on a more advanced configuration of a machine like the Dell Inspiron featuring an Nvidia GPU, Intel’s Core i7 processor and a 1TB hard drive. For the average user, these specs are overkill, but for photo and video editing, they’re essential.

Finally, you’ll also want to ensure your new desktop has plenty of USB inputs for transferring files, saving to flash drives or connecting devices like printers, so you don’t have to unplug and re-plug cords constantly.

Below, you’ll find our ranking of the best desktop computers for sale in 2022, with options for every type of user and budget.

Updates: This product selection in this shopping guide was last updated on August 1. At that time, we added the New Dell XPS Desktop as our “Best for Students” winner. Previously, on July 19, this review was updated to include the Apple Mac Studio. We also moved up the HP Envy 34 All-In-One PC, Acer Chromebox, and Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 Gaming PC higher on the list. In addition, we added additional purchasing options for the HP Pavillion All-in-One and the M1 Mac Mini. We also included news about a possible update to the Mac Mini, rumored for late 2022.

Everything You Need to Know About the Best Desktop Computers Should I buy a desktop computer instead of a laptop? Desktops and laptops definitely have their relative merits with the major difference boiling down to portability. But if you’re largely using your computer at home, here are some advantages of buying a desktop: Power: The best desktop computers are more powerful than your typical laptop.

The best desktop computers are more powerful than your typical laptop. Affordability: The best desktop computers offer more bang for the buck.

The best desktop computers offer more bang for the buck. Upgradability: Many of the best desktop computers can be repaired or upgraded more easily.

Many of the best desktop computers can be repaired or upgraded more easily. Flexibility: The best desktop computers allow you to pick your own monitor, speakers, keyboard and mouse. What specs should I look for when buying a new computer? The specs you want from the best desktop computers will largely depend on what your needs are. But the main things you’ll want to look for when buying a new computer are: CPU: A powerful CPU sets the standard for the overall speed and capability of your computer. As a baseline, you should want a computer that has at least a 10th generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 CPU. Ideally, you’ll want a desktop computer that has an 11th generation Intel Core i5 CPU (or an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU) If you’re a gamer or a creative professional (photographer, illustrator, video editor, etc.) you will likely want an 11th generation Intel Core i7 CPU (or an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU).

A powerful CPU sets the standard for the overall speed and capability of your computer. As a baseline, you should want a computer that has at least a 10th generation Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 CPU. Ideally, you’ll want a desktop computer that has an 11th generation Intel Core i5 CPU (or an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU) If you’re a gamer or a creative professional (photographer, illustrator, video editor, etc.) you will likely want an 11th generation Intel Core i7 CPU (or an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU). RAM: Random access memory is specifically for apps to temporarily use while they’re running. Working together with the CPU, more RAM enables apps to run as fast as possible, or many apps to run at the same time. At a minimum, you’ll want to buy a computer with 4GB of RAM, but 8GB of RAM is preferable. This will ensure that your computer can handle everything from web browsing, productivity software, 4K video and even some light photo and video editing. For dedicated gamers, streamers and creative professionals, 16GB of RAM is more desirable.

Random access memory is specifically for apps to temporarily use while they’re running. Working together with the CPU, more RAM enables apps to run as fast as possible, or many apps to run at the same time. At a minimum, you’ll want to buy a computer with 4GB of RAM, but 8GB of RAM is preferable. This will ensure that your computer can handle everything from web browsing, productivity software, 4K video and even some light photo and video editing. For dedicated gamers, streamers and creative professionals, 16GB of RAM is more desirable. GPU: For most users, the graphics cards that come with any of the best desktop computers will be fine. But gamers and creative professionals will want to spend a little extra to upgrade in this area. While a graphics card like an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is a fine choice, jumping up to a GeForce RTX 2060 or 2080 will make a huge difference in what you can do with your computer.

For most users, the graphics cards that come with any of the best desktop computers will be fine. But gamers and creative professionals will want to spend a little extra to upgrade in this area. While a graphics card like an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is a fine choice, jumping up to a GeForce RTX 2060 or 2080 will make a huge difference in what you can do with your computer. Storage: For most people, choosing between a hard drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SDD) will be a matter of preference when it comes to the best desktop computers. While hard drives are slower and more prone to failure because they have moving parts, they also offer more storage for the money. SSDs may be more costly, but their speed and reliability often make them a great choice for gamers and video editors trying to squeeze every last ounce of performance out of their machines.

For most people, choosing between a hard drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SDD) will be a matter of preference when it comes to the best desktop computers. While hard drives are slower and more prone to failure because they have moving parts, they also offer more storage for the money. SSDs may be more costly, but their speed and reliability often make them a great choice for gamers and video editors trying to squeeze every last ounce of performance out of their machines. Accessibility/Upgradability: If you’re looking to buy a computer that will last you more than a few years, you’re going to want to buy a desktop computer that is fixable, upgradable and/or expandable. This means that you’ll be able to open up the case of your tower and access the hard drive/SSD, GPU, RAM and optical drive. Generally speaking, components such as the CPU, motherboard and power supply are not upgradable in pre-configured computers. What are the the top brands I should look for when buying a desktop computer? Most computer brands have made a solid desktop computer at some point or another, but here are a few of our favorite companies right now: HP

Dell

Apple

Microsoft

Acer What is the best pre-built PC for gamers? If you're not interested in building your own gaming PC, then we recommend buying a pre-built PC from Alienware. Specifically, we recommend the impressive Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R10 Gaming PC. Yes, we know it's pricey, but this PC has features like (deep breath) an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 GPU, 11th generation Intel i5 CPU, 2TB SSD, 2TB HDD, 128GB RAM and Windows 11. What is the best desktop computer for photo and video editing? Ultimately, this is a matter of preference and budget, but our editors prefer the new 2021 iMac with M1 Chip. The M1 chip is just such an impressive feat of engineering, so much so that the $650 M1 Mac Mini can also be used for photo and video editing. If you prefer a PC to Mac, then we'd recommend either the Dell Inspiron 27 7000 or the new HP Envy 34 all-in-one computers. What is an all-in-one desktop computer? Unlike a tower PC, which requires a separate external monitor, an all-in-one PC comes with its own monitor. Of course, you can still connect additional monitors if you want to maximize your workstation.

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