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The Best Desktop Computers

Last updated on October 14, 2020

We looked at the top 12 Desktop Computers and dug through the reviews from 51 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Desktop Computers.

Best Desktop Computer

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The PC market has definitely shifted — today, you see more laptops and tablets in people’s homes than desktops.

“What used to be a staple of households, has now been taken over by the convenience and portability of laptops and tablets,” DWYM’s resident technology expert Patrick Ward, editor-in-chief of IT industry education platform and search engine blog High Speed Experts, says. “The key reason why you should buy a desktop over a laptop is simple: power.”

Desktops have come a long way over the years. You no longer need a large tower connected to a monitor. Instead, you can get peak performance from a small box tucked away in the corner of your desk. You also have the option of an all-in-one desktop, with the processing power packed into the display itself. These options free up your workspace, leaving plenty of room on your desk for stacks of forgotten reports and junk mail.

Don’t be fooled by the space savings, though. Technology companies have simply found a way to do far more in a smaller space. There’s a reason for that. Today’s applications require peak performance. You’ll need to search for a computer with the processing power to handle what you’ll be doing.

Playing games online specifically requires high-quality graphics and computing power, which makes desktops essential. More than that, they allow you to improve various elements without buying a whole new unit: “Not only can desktops be more powerful when you initially purchase them, they also can be upgraded with increased memory space and processing power,” says Ward.

One of the major components to consider is RAM, or random access memory.

“RAM speeds up your computer by storing real-time system information that you request,” Ward explains. “In other words, if you are using a video editing software or playing video games that make many requests a second, you’re going to want a lot of RAM. 8GB is the recommended minimum, but consider getting higher RAM if you’ll be running multiple programs at once (e.g. rendering a video while playing a video game).”

Next, you’ll want to explore storage capabilities. You’ll likely come across two main types of storage devices, internal hard-disk drives (HDD), and internal solid-state drives (SSD). An SSD can house 120-240GB, while an HDD holds 400GB-2TB. Many desktops will have both types of drive, but only need one.

“The generally accepted best practice is to place large media files on the HDD (videos, music, family photo albums) and essential programs, plus the operating system,” Ward says.

Video streaming quality is also a consideration. If you plan to stream video from your computer to a TV or large monitor, you’ll want to make sure you choose a computer with the power to handle the video resolution you desire. Some desktops have the graphics power to support high-definition displays. It’s important to look for this functionality upfront in case you’ll want it down the road.

No matter what your level of tech proficiency, setup can be a big consideration. Many all-in-one computers are designed to be put together quickly, so that may be a bonus. A kit is for those who want to put serious time into building a computer to be exactly how they want it.

Peripherals are also worth considering. Your all-in-one computers will probably come with a keyboard and mouse in the box, giving you everything you need to get started. However, these accessories aren’t typically of the highest quality, so if you’re picky about peripherals, you may end up replacing them anyway.

Lastly, there’s price. All-in-one pricing runs the gamut, but if you’re a gamer, you may find yourself paying more. For a bargain, you can’t go wrong with the Acer Aspire Desktop Computer. Just make sure you factor in the cost of a monitor. A kit setup requires so many add-ons, you’ll want to price everything before you make the decision to go that route.

Our Picks For The Top Desktop Computers

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Product Overview
Our Take
  Best All-Purpose

Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91 Desktop Computer

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Acer

Aspire Desktop Computer

Unlike other desktop computers on the market, this one includes a keyboard and a mouse. It has a fast Intel Core i3 processor and extensive connectivity. Not only is it Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatible, but it also has built-in USB, ethernet, audio and HDMI ports.

Overall Take

Everything You NeedWith this desktop computer that's able to transfer data in a flash, you'll have no trouble staying productive.

  Best for Office

Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Desktop Computer

Lenovo

ThinkCentre Desktop Computer

If you're looking for a desktop computer to use in a professional capacity, this model is your best bet. It comes with a Windows 10 Pro operating system. It's compact in size, but still has SSD storage coupled with a DDR4 memory.

Overall Take

Lightweight and CompactYou won't have any trouble finding room for this desktop computer on your work desk, as it's made with a thin build.

  Best for Gaming

HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop

HP

Pavilion All-In-One Desktop

AMD Radeon R5 graphics makes this desktop computer ideal for video games, along with everything else you plan to do. The affordable price makes it appealing to the typical user, and the all-in-one design streamlines it to make it easy to fit on your desk. One of the best features of this desktop, though, is that it's touchscreen.

Overall Take

Great GraphicsWith top-notch graphics, this desktop computer is perfect for video games.

  Best for Customization

Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit

Intel

NUC 6 Mini MC Kit

For those who want to customize a computer, this desktop computer is a great start. You'll have to add a hard drive, RAM and an operating system, but this option often appeals to Linux enthusiasts. It's not powerful enough for intense gaming applications, but you will find video streaming is very impressive.

Overall Take

Ready for LinuxIf you want to build and customize your own computer, this desktop computer is the way to go.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, Simplemost analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
19

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the desktop computers available to purchase.
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We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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Expert Reviews Included

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Our Expert Consultant

Patrick Ward 
Editor-in-chief of High Speed Experts

Patrick Ward is the editor-in-chief of High Speed Experts, a broadband connectivity-, search engine- and IT-industry education blog that empowers consumers by open-sourcing information about tech services. He earned his bachelor’s degree in commerce with an emphasis on communications at the University of Sydney. His expertise spans the digital, emerging tech and telecommunications fields.

What to Look For

  • Before you start shopping, consider the type of desktop you want. The HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop is an all-in-one unit. This means everything you need is in the monitor. Simply connect the keyboard and mouse to the monitor and you’re ready to go.
  • Some models connect to a monitor in the traditional sense, but they’re really small. You’ll have to attach it to a monitor or TV, so keep that in mind. You’ll also have to buy a keyboard and mouse that’s compatible with the unit.
  • The Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit is designed to be part of a do-it-yourself desktop setup. You’ll need to purchase RAM, a hard drive and an operating system, but it works with Linux if you want to avoid the hefty price for Windows 10.
  • If you’re a gamer, the HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop is the best option. It offers solid gaming performance. The Dell Inspiron All-in-One Desktop, 27″ has an 8-core, 3 GHz processor that will easily handle the upcoming increase in virtual reality games. The HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop has AMD Radeon R5 graphics designed to tackle even the most intense games.
  • The performance of the Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit is best for non-gaming applications. It has a 6th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, as well as an Intel Iris Pro Graphics. If you’re a casual gamer or just use it for work, though, you’ll find it suffices.
  • One of the best uses of the Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit is streaming TV shows and movies. Intel Iris Pro Graphics powers higher resolutions, making it perfect for watching video on 4K displays. This feature is also great for video and photo editors.
  • Your computer naturally becomes part of the aesthetics of the area where you set it up, so design can be an important consideration. The HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop has a thicker, more standard bezel, but it’s still very attractive.
  • Look for a desktop computer with a vibrant 4K matte display that makes images pop. You’ll get more color contrast, thanks to an HDR 10 screen.
  • You’ll also get impressive video with the Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit, which provides Iris Pro 580 high resolution, giving you crisp images and offering 4K resolution even when spread across multiple monitors.
  • Another big decision you’ll need to make is whether you want a touchscreen monitor. The HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop has a touchscreen, while other desktops don’t.
  • The Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit doesn’t come with a display, mouse or keyboard, so you’ll need to have to be prepared to purchase those separately. With the HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop, a mouse and keyboard are included. However, these aren’t top-of-the-line peripherals, so you may end up replacing them anyway.
  • The Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit looks portable, but its power brick is surprisingly heavy. If you’re looking for portability, you may be disappointed.
  • When purchasing any computer today, ports are a big part of the decision. Some models have an HDMI in, HDMI out, seven USB ports and a universal headset jack. The HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop has only three USB ports. The Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit has a full-sized HDMI port, Thunderbolt 3, a Mini DisplayPort and two USB ports.
  • As far as setup’s concerned, the easiest options only require you to screw on the base to get started. A single screw does the job. You don’t even need a screwdriver. The Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit is not geared toward the novice or even intermediate computer user. You’ll need to purchase peripherals and parts and ensure they’re compatible, then hook everything up and track down an operating system to install.
  • As complex as the Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit can be to set up, it does offer more compatibility than other desktop options. With the HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop, though, you can upgrade the processor, graphics, RAM and storage.
  • Models that use Windows Hello login utilize the computer’s infrared camera to log you in using facial recognition.
  • It may not be a top priority, but if you plan to sometimes use the webcam, you’ll want to check to make sure your desktop has that feature. Some models tend to provide odd angles. With the HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop, Intel NUC 6 Mini MC Kit, you’ll have to purchase a camera separately.
  • If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option, you can’t go wrong with the Acer Aspire Desktop Computer, although you’ll also need to budget for a monitor if you don’t already have them. The HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop is the more budget-friendly all-in-one option.
  • One benefit of the HP Pavilion All-In-One Desktop is that it runs quietly.
  • Some desktop computers come with Chrome OS installed. This means you won’t have Windows preinstalled. Still, you can fully operate using the Chrome operating system once you get used to it.

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