The Best Desktop Computers 2022: Dell, HP, Apple
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HP doesn’t show the back of the machine, but says it has 4 USB ports and an audio in and out jack. If you haven’t used a desktop computer in a while, don’t worry, we’ve researched the best ones available right now. All-in-one PCs are a dime a dozen, but the HP Envy 34 manages to stand out. If you want to keep your desk clean while still having a powerful PC, the Envy 34 is for you.
Most computers include wireless mice and wireless keyboards, but every once in a while, connectivity can be problematic. Having a backup option that’s wired means you’re ready for any situation. It has an Intel Core i5 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX GB video card and 8GB of RAM.
HP Slim Desktop
Velocity Micro is Virginia's premiere boutique vendor, and the Raptor Z55 is its masterpiece. 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. 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.
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. 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. The Surface Studio 2 is meant for graphics professionals, but it’s got tons of handy features for anyone who’s got the cash for the hefty price tag. It’s centered around a 28-inch touch screen display with 13.5 million pixels that are intended to more accurately represent real colors than competitors.
Best Mainstream or Budget Gaming Desktop
While investigating desktop computers, we have found that one of the reasons people prefer them to laptops is the full-size keyboard, especially if said keyboard uses mechanical switches. Laptops and mobile devices may be all the rage these days, but there are times when nothing but a proper desktop computer will do. Whether you’re a hardcore PC gamer, a work-from-home warrior, or a once-in-a-while user, a desktop computer is the perfect way to get peak performance at a fraction of the cost of an equivalent laptop. Make sure you get a PC with enough storage space to hold everything you want to store on it. Ensure the primary storage is solid-state rather than a hard drive , as an SSD is much faster than an HDD. You can always add more internal drives if your PC has the space for them, and if not, then external hard drives or Network Attached Storage is an option.
The sheer variety of desktop computers available can make finding the right one a challenge, but the good news is that you can find a just-right machine no matter what your needs or budget. Here’s everything you need to know to find the perfect desktop computer for you, including a few of our favorites. Either way, the unique streamlined design of the R14 makes it instantly stand out from the crowd of glass-paneled RGB lighted towers out there.
The best all-in-one desktop computer
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. The iMac M1 is my top choice, and the computer I use on a daily basis.
If you’re really concerned about storage, HP says this computer has a slot for an additional hard drive, though we recommend using an SSD like Crucial’s MX500 because it’s a lot faster. HP says this computer has two PCIe slots, so you have a limited upgrade path if you’d like to improve this desktop computer over time. You can pick between 11th gen i5, i7 or i9 Intel Core processors, but we recommend upgrading to the 11th gen i7 or i9 for faster performance. RAM options also run as high as 64 GB, just in case you spend your time video editing in 4K.
Best Splurge: Corsair One Pro i200
Dell isn't the only desktop brand, though, and there are several other great options from HP, Apple, and even less-known brands like Falcon Northwest. We've included picks below for heavier tasks like gaming or video editing, as well as some mini-PC and all-in-one options, which are ideal for those with limited space. If you want to save some money, you can also take a look at some of the best desktop deals we've found. Get a desktop computer with internal space for additional drives if you plan on adding file storage later. One of the sad truths in the digital age is that eventually you’re going to need more file storage.
Check out our deep-dive guide to graphics cards for much, much more on the nuances of today's video cards. 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.
Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right . Apple’s flagship desktop computer for creators, media editors, and coders is the Apple Mac Studio. This Mac desktop comes with either the M1 Max or M1 Ultra chip, both of which are higher-powered versions of the M1 chip found in the iMac and the Mac mini. In our tests, the M1 Max matched some of the highest-powered desktop processors available, and it’s also quieter and more power efficient, a rare combination.
One good way to evaluate the true power of a desktop computer is to do some research. A lot of the PCs on our list have their own dedicated reviews right here on Digital Trends, so you can check them out to learn more about these computers. In addition, looking up benchmarks is a surefire way to explore the performance of a given computer.
The back of the tower has seven USB 3.1 ports to connect to peripherals, external memory storage, and other devices. The front and rear of the PC tower offer plenty of USB-C and USB Type-A ports to plug in external memory storage and peripherals. You can also expand internal memory storage with the two extra HDD bays.
Speaking of ports, the 24-inch iMac has four USB-C ports and a convenient headphone jack for privacy. This assortment should allow you to connect all of your accessories to it at once without any adapters. There are many factors to consider when choosing the best desktop computer for you; below are the most important ones, which we considered while we were researching this list. They’re frequently paired with bigger displays, too, which can be much gentler on the eyes and neck, especially over long stretches of time. When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission.
Apple Mac Mini
Put all that under a load, and this computer will spit out quite a bit of heat and fan noise, but that's consistent with a lot of gaming PCs. It's important to make sure this PC is in a place with good ventilation and airflow. But overall, this computer will happily take on any demands you care to throw at it.
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