Are you in the market for a new desktop? Then you are in the right place. With so many options out there, it’s hard to know which one to choose. That’s why I did the homework for you, and below is a breakdown of my top picks by type of usage.
Unlike laptops that are usually purchased for their portability, desktop computers are usually a fixture in your home or office. Given their larger size, there is a wider range of options with modern desktops and one for every type of use.
It’s also more customizable than purchasing a laptop because you can buy bundles, separate towers, or monitors.
Table of Contents:
Best Bargain
Due to their size, desktop computer components tend to be cheaper overall than their thinner, lighter counterparts: laptops. If you are anything like me, a bigger screen found with a desktop is so much easier to work with than a small display on laptops.
Below are desktops that give you the most ‘bang’ for your buck: (please note, product availability may fluctuate)
Acer Aspire XC-830-UA91 Desktop
Pros:
- A great value priced under $500 ($435.85 at time of publication)
- A total package as this bundle includes a monitor, tower, keyboard, and mouse, so you are ready to go (no need for separate purchases)
- Monitor included in bundle is a standard 21.5” Full HD ISP Ultra thin Zero Frame to maximize the screen ‘real estate’
- Basic RAM size (8 GB)
- Includes a DVD-Writer drive so you can watch and create DVDs & CDs
- Many ways to connect, including wifi, Bluetooth, and ethernet
Cons:
- Comes installed with older operating system (Windows 10 Home)
- Mediocre Hard drive Storage (256 GB SSD)
- Refresh rate is 75 hertz, so not ideal for heavy graphics or gaming
- Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6
- Not as many ports as other desktops with 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the front and 4 USB 2.0 ports in the back
- No webcam
At the time of publishing, this product had over 450+ global ratings with 71% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the Acer Aspire XC-830-UA91 Desktop
HP 22″ All-in-One Desktop
Pros:
- A great value priced under $500 ($463.86 at time of publication)
- A total package as this bundle includes monitor, which houses the internal components of the computer, keyboard and mouse so you are ready to go (no need for separate purchases)
- Comes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)
- Monitor included in bundle is a standard 21.5” Full HD ISP with a thin bezel so you can maximize the screen ‘real estate’
- Because the components – normally in a tower- is in the display, there is a small footprint
- Many ways to connect, including wifi, Bluetooth, and ethernet
- Webcam can be pulled up or pushed down for privacy when not in use
- Includes a DVD-Writer drive so you can watch and create DVDs & CDs
Cons:
- Low Storage (256 GB SSD)
- Decent Processor good for daily tasks (AMD Athlon Silver 3050U Mobile processor)
- Low RAM (4 GB is less RAM than in most base models, yet sufficient for basic use)
- Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6
At the time of publishing, this product had over 380 global ratings with 78% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the HP 22″ All-in-One Desktop
Best Overall
Rarely is there a desktop that meets most everyone’s needs as well as comes at a great price. However, this All-in-One by HP really checks most people’s boxes.
HP 27” All-in-One Desktop PC
Pros:
- Great price for what you get ($999.99 at time of publication)
- Ready right out of the box because this bundle includes display, keyboard and mouse with a beautiful, minimalist design throughput
- Display is large at 27” for maximum screen ‘real estate’ for multitasking multiple windows or replacing your tv for a comparable streaming experience
- Not only is the display large, it is Full HD IPS display for clarity and crisp images and micro-edge, anti-glare finish
- Comes with latest, higher-level operating system (Windows 11 Pro)
- Excellent storage with a 256GB SSD and a traditional HDD with 1 TB
- Good RAM (12 GB means you can run some heavier-duty programs without your workflow screeching to a halt)
- Excellent processor (AMD Ryzen 7)
Cons:
- Webcam is only 720P resolution
- More ports are always preferred (comes with 2 Superspeed USB-A, 2 USB ports), one HDMI out) yet the trade off is that your entire system is housed in the display
At the time of publishing, this product had over 230+ global ratings with 84% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the HP 27” All-in-One Desktop PC
Best for simple computing
For those of you that don’t need extra bells and whistles yet want a desktop for web browsing, light office work, and core programs, the options below will fit those needs:
MeLE Quieter2Q Fanless Mini PC
Pros:
- Lightweight & super portable: Weighs only .5 lbs and measures at 6.5 x 4.2 x 2.5 inches!
- Very affordable (less than $300 at the time of publication)
- Lots of connections options with ethernet port, wifi enabled, and Bluetooth 4.2 enabled
- Comes with latest, higher-level operating system (Windows 11 Pro)
- Comes with the base level of RAM expected with most desktops (8 GB)
- Supports Linux
- Base level processor: Intel Celeron J4125 (2GHz to 2.7GHz) Quad Core Processor
- Has a micro SD storage slot to expand storage (up to 1 TB)
- Fanless design means a super quiet device, yet passive cooling technology means good thermal dissipation and dust-free performance
- Has 2 HDMI 2.0 ports that support higher-resolution streaming
- Lots of ports: 4 UB 3.0 Ports
Cons:
- Smaller Storage (128 GB SSD but can be upgraded up to 4 TB)
- Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6
At the time of publishing, this product had over 520+ global ratings with 73% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the MeLE Quieter2Q Fanless Mini PC (J4125)
Apple iMac (21.5-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)
Pros:
- Affordable (under $1000 at the time of publication)
- Storage is SSD technology for faster response
- Base-level RAM (8 GB), which is sufficient for basic use
- All-inclusive: includes display, keyboard, and mouse
- Display is 21.5”, which is sufficient for daily use, and high resolution looks clear 1080P
- Good processor with Intel Core i5
- Good connectivity with ethernet, wifi and Bluetooth, headphone jack, 4 USB-A ports, & 2 USB-C ports
Cons:
- Older model
- On the lower end of the storage size (256 GB)
- Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6
At the time of publishing, this product had over 870+ global ratings with 78% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Acer Aspire TC-1760-UA92
Pros:
- Affordable (Under $600 at the time of publication)
- Decent Storage (512 GB SSD)
- Wi-Fi 6 for latest wifi technology
- Bluetooth 5.2 is latest Bluetooth technology
- Ample RAM (12 GB)
- Processor can handle basic and multimedia entertainment (12th gen Intel Core i5 processor)
- Includes a DVD-Writer drive so you can watch and create DVDs & CDs
- Comes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)
Cons:
- Even though it comes with a keyboard and mouse, the display is sold separately
- Larger and traditional tower design does take up a lot of space
At the time of publishing, this product had over 450+ global ratings with 71% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the Acer Aspire TC-1760-UA92
Best for Creatives
For individuals who find themselves working on processor-intensive programs like photo editing, video editing, or design programs, desktops are not only going to need excellent screens with rich color and high resolutions – yet also enough storage, ram, and processor speed to handle the intensity of these media and workload-heavy programs. Below are the top picks for desktops that can handle the work:
HP Envy 34” All-in-One Desktop
Pros:
- Massively large display clocking in at 34” that’s WUHD IPS (5120×2160 resolution, 5K) which means you can comfortably see more of your screen
- A 3-sided micro-edge means you get to utilize most of the 34”, which comes with a convenient anti-reflection
- Comes with a magnetic camera that has 16 MP binning IR privacy that can be moved and attached to various parts of your display for freedom of movement
- HP enhanced lighting & AI noise removal to eliminate background noise for enhanced video chat
- Excellent RAM (32 GB) to handle large and intense programs
- Excellent Processor (2.5 GHz Intel Core i7)
- Excellent graphics (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics with 6 GB GDDR6X dedicated memory and NVIDIA Max-Q technology, which delivers enhanced Ray Tracing Cores and Tensor Cores, new streaming multiprocessors, and high-speed G6 memory
Cons:
- Expensive (Priced at $2,399 at the time of publication)
- Not the largest storage size for creatives with 1 TB SSD
- Comes with Windows 11 Home installed; Windows 11 Pro would be more fitting for a graphics-intensive user
- Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6
At the time of publishing, this product had over 20+ global ratings with 91% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the HP Envy 34” All-in-One Desktop
Apple 2021 iMac All-in-one Desktop
Pros:
- Beautiful 24” Retina 4.5K display for a gorgeous view (1 billion colors and 500 nits brightness)
- Many color options; 7 colors to choose from with matching mouse and keyboard
- All-inclusive with magic keyboard and mouse and compact as internal components are housed in a thin display and lightweight at 9.83 lbs
- Features latest in wifi & Bluetooth technology with wifi 6 & Bluetooth 5.0
- M1 delivers maximum performance with 8-core CPU
- 1080P FaceTime HD camera with studio-quality three-mic, six-speaker sound system with spatial audio creates the optimal video chat environment
- Has biometric entry with TouchID, which makes your system safe and easy to access
Cons:
- Nearing the end of its product cycle where a new iMac version is likely to be introduced soon
- Decent storage (512 GB SSD) but not large enough for most creatives as file sizes, as well as programs, tend to be large
- Small RAM (8 GB RAM) – many more intensive programs require 16 GB RAM to run comfortably
- Could use SD or microSD slots to give users easier access to external drives and SD cards, which is commonly utilized in the creative community
At the time of publishing, this product had over 1,820+ global ratings with 88% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the Apple 2021 iMac All-in-one Desktop
Best for Gamers
Gaming is a popular past-time for people of all ages. However, it requires a certain amount of processing speed and storage space to handle the intensity of graphics and program complexities. Below are the top picks for gaming:
Alienware Aurora R14
Pros:
- Excellent storage: No longer do you have to choose between faster HD vs. bigger with 1 TB SSD for faster retrieval and 2 TB HDD for a large storage
- Excellent RAM (32 GB) with DDR4 memory, which means you can manage large games
- Fast Processor: AMD Ryzen 9( 12-core processor)
- Optimized Airflow: With internal layout reorganized to allow for less obstruction, thus more airflow and quieter acoustics
- Attractive design and color with a unique curved tower
- New Legend 2.0 design means 50% more internal volume
- Lots of ports: 4 USB 2.0 and 7 USB 3.0 Ports
Cons:
- Expensive (At the time of publishing, it costs $2,499.99)
- Display sold separately, although it does come with a keyboard and mouse
At the time of publishing, this product had over 415+ global ratings with 71% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N
Pros:
- Comes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)
- Decent processor (Intel Core i5)
- Great RAM (16 GB)
- Beautiful display (16 color RGB lighting case)
- Warranty: 1 year parts & labor + Free lifetime tech support
- Hard Drive is an SSD for faster retrieval
- Reasonable priced (Under $1000 at the time of publication)
- Easier access to ports at top of tower
Cons:
- Decent amount of storage (500 GB)
- Display sold separately although it does come with a keyboard and mouse
ports (6 USB 3.1 ports) - Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6
At the time of publishing, this product had over 2,391 global ratings with 73% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N
Skytech Archangel Gaming PC Desktop (Arch 4)
Pros:
- Moderately priced (Under $1K at the time of publication with $200 off coupon)
- Good RAM (16 GB) with Heat Spreader (dissipates heat better while operating at full tilt)
- Beautiful design (Skytech Archangel Gaming Case with Tempered Glass)
- Good Storage (1 TB SSD)
- Comes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)
- Great airflow to manage heat with 4 RGB RING fans
- Easier access to ports at top of tower
- 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Lifetime Free Technical Support | Assembled in the USA
Cons:
- Display sold separately, although it does come with a keyboard and mouse
- Brands for processors and certain components can vary depending on what is in stock
- More ports would be helpful for peripherals for a complete gaming experience
- Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6
At the time of publishing, this product had over 400+ global ratings with 74% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the Skytech Archangel Gaming PC Desktop (Arch 4)
Best Space Saver
While you may or may not already have a laptop at home, you might consider a space-saving desktop to complement or replace your aging laptop. Or perhaps you are working from home and need the ability to move around your living space to get work done. Or maybe you need need a device that has more computing capabilities, such as a desktop, yet is not as bulky? Below are some top picks of space-saving desktops:
HP All-in-One PC, 23.8″ FHD
Pros:
- Immersive experience with a micro-edge 23.8” Full HD display and dual speakers
- Display also comes with an anti-glare panel
- Display is a Full HD ISP touchscreen
- Comes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)
- Fast Processor (2.3 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5625U Processor)
- Good RAM (12 GB); more than a typical base model
- Plenty of ports: 4 USB 2.0 Ports and 2 USB 3.0 Ports
- HP True Vision 720P HD camera for clear video chat, which can be pulled up or pushed down for privacy when not in use
- Clear sound with 2 microphones and advanced reduction software
- Weighs a mere 17.61 lbs with no bulky tower
- Sleek, cohesive design from mouse, keyboard
Cons:
- Average Storage (512 GB SSD)
- Some users have complained that because you have to manually pull up or push down the camera, it can be a bit cumbersome and awkward
- No optical drive (DVD-Writer)
At the time of publishing, this product had over 656 global ratings with 83% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
Get the HP All-in-One PC, 23.8″ FHD
Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip
Pros:
- Cheap for a Mac
- Incredibly small footprint & lightweight for the amount of power (1.41” x 7.75” x 7.75”)
- Incredibly lightweight for the amount of power (2.6 lbs)
- 10Gb Ethernet for up to 10 times the throughput
- M2 chip has exceptional speed & performance with 8 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores, and up to 24GB unified memory *
- Wi-fi 6E for the fastest wifi technology available
Cons:
- Low storage size (256 GB SSD)
- Installed RAM size is average or small at 8 GB
- No color options
- Does not include a display, which is sold separately
At the time of publishing, this product had over 5+ global ratings* with 54% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.
*Only 3 reviews but it was released on January 17, 2023
Get the Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip
Whether you’re giving it away, donating, or recycling your old desktop or laptop, don’t forget to check out our article on how to safely release your old laptop. If you’re building a setup for the new year, you might want to also check out our article on the best monitors.
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Are you thinking about replacing an old laptop or desktop? Is there a model you love that we didn’t cover above? Comment below.