Best PC Desktop Computer
By Annabelle Evans
| Updated 3 Days Ago
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Desktop computers remain a top choice for users seeking powerful performance and versatility, offering more flexibility and upgrade potential than laptops or tablets. Whether you’re setting up a basic home office or building a high-end gaming rig, desktop PCs come in a wide range of configurations to suit different needs and budgets. Key factors to consider include the processor, graphics card, RAM, and storage, all of which impact the system’s speed and capability for your tasks. Connectivity options, expandability, and included peripherals like a keyboard and mouse also matter. After over 100 hours of research and testing, we’ve found the best desktop PCs that deliver strong performance, reliability, and value across various use cases and price points.
Dell Optiplex 7050 SFF Desktop
We think this renewed Dell desktop is a solid choice for users seeking a powerful, no-frills PC at a reasonable price.
We think this renewed Dell desktop is a solid choice for users seeking a powerful, no-frills PC at a reasonable price.
We got our hands on this Dell Optiplex 7050 and put it through its paces. Right off the bat, we were impressed by how snappy it felt. The i7 processor and 32GB of RAM made short work of our usual tasks.
Booting up and loading apps was a breeze thanks to the 1TB solid-state drive. We didn’t have to wait around for things to load. The PC handled multiple browser tabs, office apps, and even some light photo editing without breaking a sweat.
One thing we really liked was the dual monitor support. We hooked up two 4K displays, and the Dell handled them like a champ. It made our workday much more productive. The small form factor was also a plus – it didn’t take up much desk space.
While it’s great for everyday use and office work, this PC isn’t built for gaming or heavy video editing. There’s no dedicated graphics card, so it relies on integrated graphics. That’s fine for most tasks, but it won’t cut it for demanding 3D games or professional video work.
Since it’s a renewed product, we were a bit worried about its condition. But our unit arrived looking almost new, with only minor signs of use. It came with a keyboard, mouse, and Wi-Fi adapter, which was nice. Just keep in mind that being renewed, your mileage may vary.
Acer Aspire TC Desktop
We recommend the Acer Aspire TC Desktop for its strong performance and value in everyday computing tasks.
We recommend the Acer Aspire TC Desktop for its strong performance and value in everyday computing tasks.
The Acer Aspire TC Desktop packs a punch with its 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor. We found it handles everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, and video streaming with ease. The 512GB SSD provides snappy boot times and quick file access.
We like the compact tower design that fits well in most home office setups. The front panel offers easy access to USB ports and an SD card reader, which we found handy for transferring files from cameras and other devices.
Upgrading is a breeze with this desktop. We opened it up and saw plenty of room to add more RAM or storage drives. This makes the Aspire TC a good choice for users who might want to boost performance down the line. While it’s not built for heavy gaming or video editing, it’s a solid pick for most home and office needs.
Dell Optiplex 9020 SFF Desktop
We think this Dell Optiplex 9020 is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable, compact desktop computer with good performance for everyday tasks.
We think this Dell Optiplex 9020 is a solid choice for those seeking a reliable, compact desktop computer with good performance for everyday tasks.
We’ve been using this Dell Optiplex 9020 for a few weeks now, and it’s proven to be a capable workhorse. The small form factor design is a big plus, fitting nicely on our desk without taking up too much room. It’s quiet too, which we really like.
The i7 processor and 32GB of RAM make quick work of most tasks we throw at it. We’ve had no issues running multiple applications at once or dealing with large spreadsheets. The 1TB SSD provides speedy boot times and fast file access.
We appreciate the variety of ports, including USB 3.0 for quick data transfers. The included Wi-Fi adapter works well, and we’ve had no connectivity issues. While it’s not a gaming powerhouse, it handles basic graphics tasks just fine with its integrated GPU.
HP Elite Desktop Bundle
We think this HP Elite Desktop bundle is a solid choice for basic home and office tasks, offering good value for budget-conscious buyers.
We think this HP Elite Desktop bundle is a solid choice for basic home and office tasks, offering good value for budget-conscious buyers.
This HP Elite Desktop bundle caught our eye as an affordable all-in-one solution. We found the Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM handled everyday tasks like web browsing, word processing, and light multitasking without breaking a sweat. The 1TB hard drive gave us plenty of room for files and photos.
We liked that everything we needed came in the box. The 19-inch LCD monitor was bright and clear for office work. The included keyboard and mouse felt basic but got the job done. We were pleased to see Windows 10 already set up and ready to go.
While testing, we noticed the computer wasn’t ideal for resource-heavy tasks like video editing or gaming. The older processor showed its age at times. As a refurbished unit, we spotted a few minor scratches, but nothing major. For users with basic needs looking for a complete desktop setup on a budget, we think this HP Elite bundle offers good bang for your buck.
Dell Vostro 3910 Desktop
We think this Dell desktop is a solid choice for small businesses and home offices needing a reliable workhorse computer.
We think this Dell desktop is a solid choice for small businesses and home offices needing a reliable workhorse computer.
The Dell Vostro 3910 packs a punch for everyday computing tasks. We found its 12th Gen Intel Core i3 processor zippy enough for most office work. The 16GB of RAM let us keep lots of browser tabs and apps open without slowdowns.
Storage is a strong point. The 256GB SSD boots Windows 11 Pro quickly, while the extra 1TB hard drive gives room for lots of files and programs. We like that Dell included both drive types.
Connectivity is decent but not amazing. There are lots of USB ports, which is nice. But there’s only one HDMI port, which limits multi-monitor setups. We missed having built-in Wi-Fi – you’ll need to use Ethernet or buy a wireless adapter.
For basic office and home use, this Dell desktop fits the bill nicely. Just don’t expect it to handle demanding games or video editing. We think it’s a good value for small businesses and home users who need a reliable PC without fancy extras.
Dell OptiPlex Desktop Bundle
We think this Dell OptiPlex bundle is a solid choice for basic home and office use, offering decent performance and a complete setup at a budget-friendly price.
We think this Dell OptiPlex bundle is a solid choice for basic home and office use, offering decent performance and a complete setup at a budget-friendly price.
This Dell OptiPlex desktop package caught our eye as a budget-friendly option for those needing a complete computer setup. We found the Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM handled everyday tasks smoothly. The 2TB hard drive gave us plenty of room for files and programs.
We liked that it comes with a new 22-inch monitor, which displayed crisp images at 1080p. The RGB keyboard and mouse added a fun touch, though we noticed they felt a bit light and plasticky.
Setting up the system was easy, and Windows 10 Pro was ready to go out of the box. We appreciated the lack of bloatware. While browsing and office work were smooth, we did notice some lag when trying more demanding tasks or games. The integrated graphics aren’t meant for serious gaming or video editing.
We did run into a few hiccups. Some buyers reported getting systems with faulty parts or missing accessories. Our unit worked fine, but it’s worth noting that quality control might be hit-or-miss with renewed products.
For basic home or office use, this Dell bundle offers good value. Just keep in mind its limits for more intensive tasks. If you need a simple, complete desktop setup without breaking the bank, it’s worth considering.
Dell OptiPlex Desktop Bundle
We recommend this Dell OptiPlex bundle for budget-conscious users who want a complete desktop setup with gaming flair.
We recommend this Dell OptiPlex bundle for budget-conscious users who want a complete desktop setup with gaming flair.
We tested this Dell OptiPlex desktop bundle and found it offers good value for casual users. The Intel i5 processor and 16GB of RAM handled basic tasks smoothly. We appreciated the 512GB SSD, which made booting and loading programs quick.
The 24-inch monitor gave us plenty of screen space for work and web browsing. We liked the RGB keyboard and mouse – they added a fun, gamer-inspired look to our desk. The remote-controlled RGB front panel on the PC case was a nice touch too.
Setup was mostly straightforward, but we did run into a few hiccups. Some buyers might feel uneasy about the refurbished status, but our unit worked fine. Just keep in mind this isn’t a powerhouse for hardcore gaming or intensive creative work. For everyday computing needs, though, we think this bundle is a solid choice at its price point.
HP Pro Tower 290 G9
We think this HP desktop is a solid choice for basic home and office tasks, offering good performance and storage at a reasonable price.
We think this HP desktop is a solid choice for basic home and office tasks, offering good performance and storage at a reasonable price.
When we unboxed the HP Pro Tower 290 G9, we were pleased with its sleek black design. Setup was a breeze, and we had it up and running in no time. The 12th Gen Intel Core i3 processor handled our everyday tasks without breaking a sweat.
We loved the storage options. The 256GB SSD made booting up and loading programs quick, while the extra 1TB HDD gave us plenty of space for files and media. Multitasking was smooth thanks to the 16GB of RAM.
The built-in DVD drive was a nice touch, letting us access our old discs. We found the eight USB ports super handy for all our devices. The Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity worked great, giving us fast internet and easy pairing with wireless peripherals.
This PC isn’t built for heavy gaming, but it handled light games and video streaming well. The integrated graphics are fine for basic use, but won’t cut it for more demanding titles.
We appreciated the included keyboard and mouse, which were comfortable to use. The tower is on the larger side, so make sure you have desk space. Overall, we think this HP desktop is a reliable workhorse for everyday computing needs.
Dell OptiPlex 5040 Desktop Bundle
We think this Dell OptiPlex bundle offers good value for basic home and office tasks, but it may not suit everyone’s needs.
We think this Dell OptiPlex bundle offers good value for basic home and office tasks, but it may not suit everyone’s needs.
We tested the Dell OptiPlex 5040 desktop bundle and found it to be a decent option for basic computing needs. The compact PC takes up little space on a desk, which is great for small workspaces. We liked the crisp 23.8-inch Full HD monitor that came with our unit. It provided clear visuals for office work and web browsing.
The Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM handled everyday tasks well. We could open multiple browser tabs, work on documents, and stream videos without much lag. The 256GB SSD isn’t huge, but it helped the system boot up quickly. For most users, this should be enough storage for work files and some personal media.
We had mixed feelings about the included peripherals. The mouse worked fine, but the keyboard felt cheap to us. Some buyers mentioned getting different keyboards than shown in the product images. We also didn’t receive speakers with our bundle, though they’re pictured in the listing. If you’re counting on getting every pictured item, you might want to double-check with the seller first.
HP EliteDesk 800 G1 Business PC
We recommend this HP EliteDesk for its reliable performance and good value as a refurbished business desktop.
We recommend this HP EliteDesk for its reliable performance and good value as a refurbished business desktop.
This HP EliteDesk packs a punch for everyday business tasks. We found its quad-core Intel i5 processor zipped through office apps and web browsing with ease. The 16GB of RAM let us keep lots of browser tabs and programs open without slowdowns.
We really liked the dual storage setup. The 256GB SSD made booting and loading programs super quick, while the 1TB hard drive gave us plenty of space for files. The compact size fit nicely on our desk without taking up too much room.
Connecting two 4K monitors was a breeze thanks to the multiple display outputs. This made multitasking much easier. The built-in Wi-Fi was convenient, though we did notice it wasn’t the latest standard. For a refurbished PC, it felt and ran like new. The 90-day warranty gave us some peace of mind too.
Buying Guide
When shopping for a desktop PC, there are a few key things to keep in mind. We’ve put together this guide to help you choose the right computer for your needs.
Processor (CPU)
The CPU is the brain of your computer. Look for recent generation Intel or AMD processors. More cores and higher clock speeds generally mean better performance.
Memory (RAM)
8GB is the minimum we recommend for most users. 16GB or more is ideal for heavy multitasking or demanding applications.
Storage
Consider a solid-state drive (SSD) for faster boot and load times. 256GB to 512GB is sufficient for many users. Add a larger hard drive if you need more storage space.
Graphics
For basic computing, integrated graphics are fine. Gamers and content creators should opt for a dedicated graphics card.
Connectivity
Make sure the PC has the ports you need, like USB, HDMI, and Ethernet. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth are useful for wireless connections.
Upgradability
Look for PCs with easy access to internals if you want to upgrade components later.
Form Factor
Choose between towers, all-in-ones, or compact desktops based on your space and needs.
Operating System
Most PCs come with Windows, but consider Mac or Linux if they better suit your workflow.
By focusing on these key areas, we can help you find a desktop PC that meets your needs and budget.