What Is The Best Desktop Computer For Home Use

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Desktop PCs come up in a mind-boggling array of shapes and sizes, from streamlined all-in-ones to behemothic towers. Their functions are as varied every bit their forms, from the affordable Chrome-based PC built for lightweight productivity to liquid-cooled gaming rigs that can pump out buttery polish frame rates or fast render times for high-resolution video editing.

Rather than working on a cramped 15-inch laptop display, desktop PCs allow you to stretch your workload beyond multiple screens 27 inches across or larger. Additionally, a desktop can be upgraded with relative ease, whereas near portable devices offer very limited upgradeability or lack any customization potential.

We researched and tested some of the top options from well-known brands. Here are the best desktop PCs.

Amazon

What Nosotros Like

11th generation processor
Plenty of customization options
Mature design
Easy to upgrade

What We Don't Like

Upgrades get expensive
Generates a lot of heat
Loud fans

Alienware Aurora R11 Review

Dell's Alienware desktop comes from a long legacy of top-quality gaming hardware. Presently after Intel announced its 11th generation processors, Dell upgraded its Alienware to take reward of them. We haven't had the chance to go hands-on with the Alienware R12, only we did look at the R11, and we're confident plenty in the Alienware brand to conclude the R12 is a beast.

The hardware is capable, with an 11th generation Core-i7 processor, a solid NVidia GeForce RTX 3080 Super GPU, 64GB of RAM, and two SSDs for a combined total of 3TB. That means you tin can shop basically anything and admission it very quickly.

Put all that nether a load, and this calculator will spit out quite a bit of oestrus and fan noise, but that's consistent with a lot of gaming PCs. Information technology'southward of import 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 lot intendance to throw at information technology.

_{CPU: Intel Cadre i7-11700F | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 | RAM: 64GB | Storage: 1TB SSD, 2TB SSD}

"The Aurora R11 replaces its predecessor as the all-time gaming desktop of the year." — Erika Rawes, Product Tester

Lifewire / Erika Rawes

Amazon

What We Similar

Plenty of power
Stylish clear instance
Great customization and upgrade options
Good value for money

What We Don't Like

Gets expensive quickly
Loud fans

Games button the limits of every aspect of PC hardware, making gaming computers ideal for gaming and but about any other task you can imagine. The HP Omen series of gaming PCs offers everything from affordable configurations to high-end VR-capable rigs. Whether y'all spend a lot or a piffling, Omen gaming desktops deliver bang-up value for the money.

Gamers, in particular, may expect to upgrade their machines someday down the road, and fortunately, the HP Omen 30L makes that easy with an attainable case design that's groovy to piece of work in. It'due south also clear, so you can see all the hardware within, with built-in LED lights to show information technology off. Overall, the HP Omen 30L is a top-notch gaming PC.

_{CPU: Intel Cadre i9-10850K | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD, 1TB HDD}

What We Like

Corking toll-to-performance ratio
Good-looking
High build quality

If you lot want to get the most out of your money, then the ASUS ROG G10CE offers a respectable setup with the latest hardware, including a powerful graphics processing unit (GPU) and plenty of storage capacity. That's plenty to max out settings in the latest games at 1080p or do power-hungry graphic pattern or video editing tasks.

A flashy-looking instance contains all this capability. The build quality is a cut above the typical office PC tower. The only downside worth mentioning is that information technology gets pretty loud when playing particularly enervating games, but overall you're getting a lot of power in a well-built package at an attractive price point.

_{CPU: Intel Core i7-11700F | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB SSD, 2TB HDD}

Bestbuy

What We Like

Slick, attractive pattern
All-in-i design saves space
Skillful value for money

What We Don't Similar

Limitations of Chrome Bone
Small selection of ports

The HP Chromebase All-in-one 22 is one of the slickest-looking desktops y'all tin buy on a shoestring budget, so long as Chrome Os works for y'all. Though the processor is irksome and there'southward not a lot of RAM, it's good enough to run Chrome OS. The limited nature of this operating system isn't for everyone, but if you but need a PC for browsing the web, watching shows, or basic productivity tasks, and then this HP Chromebase offers a lot of bang for your cadet.

This affordable PC too looks fantastic with a spacious, built-in 21.5-inch screen that offers a broad range of potential adjustments. 1 downside is that it only features nearly every bit many ports as you'd look to find on a laptop. Because the scope of Chrome Bone and what you're likely to use it for, this isn't so much a problem.

_{CPU: Intel Pentium Gold G6405U | GPU: Integrated | RAM: 4GB | Storage: 64GB SSD}

Courtesy of B&H

What Nosotros Similar

Relatively low price
Small size
Minimalist design

What We Don't Like

Small selection of ports
Not upgradeable

Apple tree Mac mini (M1, 2020) Review

In late 2020, Apple introduced the M1 Scrap, its first ARM-based processor built specifically for Apple tree hardware. That hardware included the Mac mini, making information technology a formidable picayune motorcar. However, the blueprint of the Mac mini is a little disappointing, given that it'due south less upgradeable and has fewer available ports than the previous generation of this PC.

The Mac mini is a great minimalist PC if you prefer Apple'due south operating system. It'll fit just virtually anywhere and isn't huge and intrusive like so many desktop machines. It's also relatively affordable for a Mac, but it's worth spending more at the get-go for a more capable configuration because you won't exist able to upgrade information technology down the road.

_{CPU: Apple M1 | GPU: Integrated 8-cadre GPU | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD}

"The Apple Mac mini with M1 is a tremendously impressive piece of hardware, offering staggering performance at an affordable toll. The only existent take hold of here is that in leaving Intel backside, Apple tree may accept left you in the lurch. If you can alive and work in a world that's entirely gratuitous of Windows, so the M1 Mac mini is gear up to welcome you home." — Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester

Lifewire / Jeremy Laukkonen

What We Like

Affordable toll
Dedicated GPU
Great looking blueprint

What We Don't Similar

Not much storage capacity

Students don't typically need the most powerful PC on the market, and affordability is pregnant when choosing a device. However, for many, the ability to handle demanding digital content cosmos is a must. The HP Pavilion TG01-1120 hits the sugariness spot for price and power with its competent set of components at a cost indicate that won't break the bank.

With it, you go reasonably powerful components that can handle graphic design or other demanding tasks y'all may encounter during your education. On the downside, this PC doesn't come with a ton of storage. However, its solid-state storage offers a serious speed boost over a difficult bulldoze. Plus, adding an internal or external hard bulldoze won't set you lot dorsum that much if you need actress storage.

_{CPU: Intel Core i5-10400F | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD}

B&H Photograph

What We Like

Ultra-wide high-resolution brandish
Powerful components
High-quality magnetic webcam

What We Don't Like

Expensive
No touchscreen

Ii things digital content creators need, whether artists, Youtubers, or video game creators, is a big screen and enough of power backside it. The 34-inch HP ENVY 34-c0050 All-in-One Desktop Computer has both in ane convenient, space-saving, and attractive package. Its huge, high-resolution brandish is perfect for working on fine details, and it'south big plenty that you can fit multiple documents or programs on it at the same time.

Under the hood is a powerful, modern processor and a reasonably powerful graphics card, also as plenty of RAM. This combination is the perfect recipe for a content creation automobile. All the same, it is a little pricey, and it, unfortunately, does non have a touchscreen. Withal, considering how much a high-resolution brandish on its own will set you back, this HP all-in-one is an ideal desktop PC for creating amazing things.

_{CPU: Intel Core i7-11700 | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 1TB SSD}

What We Like

Stunning exterior
Powerful up-to-date components
Plenty of customization options

What Nosotros Don't Like

Build is more than form over office

Desktop PCs come up in many and varied shapes and sizes, only few stand out quite as much as the Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R14. It's difficult to say whether the Aurora R14 looks more like an alien spacecraft docked on your desk, or a jet turbine from some futuristic fighter jet.

Either manner, the unique streamlined pattern of the R14 makes it instantly stand out from the crowd of glass-paneled RGB lighted towers out there. Different previous generations of Alienware's Aurora PCs, the R14'due south interior is worth showing off with a transparent side console and college quality components. It can besides exist outfitted with all the latest and greatest hardware, at a price.

_{CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800 | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 TI | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512TB SSD}

Final Verdict

If you're looking for a powerful and customizable desktop PC, the Alienware Aurora R12 is our best overall choice. For something more affordable that tin can still tackle the heavy-duty tasks that a desktop PC performs, we recommend the ASUS ROG G10CE.

What to Look for in a Desktop PC

Graphics

While some people can get by with a more than basic PC for web browsing and elementary productivity tasks, if you do anything like video editing or play the latest games, yous're going to desire a dedicated graphics card (GPU). Nvidia makes the best GPUs now, and most people volition discover that any of their latest 30-series GPUs provide fantabulous performance. If you're on a tight budget, information technology's fine to settle for an older, less powerful GPU.

RAM

Information technology's important to have enough Random Access Retentivity (RAM) on your PC. Typically, you lot want to take at least 8GB unless you're considering a low-power Chrome Os device. If you're going to do more multitasking, content creation, or gaming, then y'all want a minimum of 16GB.

Storage

Make sure you become a PC with enough storage space to hold everything yous want to store on it. Most people will want at to the lowest degree 512GB. Ensure the primary storage is solid-state (SSD) rather than a hard drive (HDD), as an SSD is much faster than an HDD. Yous tin e'er add together more internal drives if your PC has the space for them, and if not, then external hard drives or Network Attached Storage (NAS) is an option. However, be aware that external storage is much slower.

FAQ

Do desktop PCs come with a monitor, mouse, and keyboard?

Except for all-in-ones and some bundle deals you might occasionally detect at retailers, desktop PCs usually don't include a monitor. They do, however, almost always come with a mouse and keyboard. However, these accessories are typically low quality; you'll probably desire to invest in upgraded peripherals for a better feel.
Should you build your own PC?

Building your ain PC can be a rewarding and cost-saving experience. You go to choice out components, and a PC's associates isn't as daunting a job as you might think. However, it is time-consuming, and if you're doing information technology for the first fourth dimension, information technology can be scary, and there is some risk of damaging expensive components. If you don't want to invest the time into role sourcing, installation, and troubleshooting, you might be better off buying a pre-built system.
What should y'all do with your old PC?

In that location are several ways you lot tin can recycle your old PC. Some people utilise older PCs as a media server to shop and stream videos. Some people install Chrome Os or Linux onto older PCs since they often run well on lower specifications. You can as well see if your local school district takes donations or if in that location'due south a computer recycling center nearby. If y'all go that route, exist sure to scrub all of your personal data off the calculator first.

About Our Trusted Experts

Andy Zahn has written extensively about computers and other tech for Digital Trends, Lifewire, The Residue, and Investopedia, among other publications. He has reviewed numerous laptops and PCs, and has been building gaming PCs of his own since 2013. Andy utilizes his habitation-built desktop PC to edit videos for his Youtube Channel.

Adam Doud has been writing in the technology space for almost a decade. When he'southward not hosting the Benefit of the Doud podcast, he'southward playing with the latest phones, tablets, and laptops. When non working, he's a cyclist, geocacher, and spends as much time exterior as he can.

Jeremy Laukkonen's obsession with engineering tempted him away from the automotive industry to become a full-time ghostwriter for several major tech merchandise publications and a production tester for Lifewire. He tested the MacBook Air with the M1 bit, praising its splendid functioning and long-lasting battery.

Erika Rawes has written for Digital Trends, United states of america Today, Cheatsheet.com, and more. She tested the Alienware Aurora R11 and particularly liked its clean, elegant design.