Today’s desktops come in various forms such as classic towers, modern all-in-ones, and compact mini PCs, offering improved designs and more value. Check out our top picks from thorough reviews and get all the necessary information for your next purchase.

The design of laptops has been continuously evolving and becoming more innovative. Meanwhile, smartphones have become widely available and highly capable. As a result, many people perceive desktop computers, which were popular in the 80s, as outdated. Despite this, desktops are still being sold and are undergoing innovation, particularly in terms of small-form-factor and all-in-one models. However, many consumers still choose to purchase laptops instead of desktops.

This does not necessarily mean it is the best option. Desktops are not going extinct and are constantly evolving. For both individuals and companies, they remain the most cost-efficient and customizable computers available, as demonstrated by our top picks based on recent reviews. Take a look at them and continue reading to discover everything you need to know about choosing the best desktop for your needs.

The Dell Inspiron Desktop 3891 is a budget-friendly Windows 11 PC that offers strong performance for its price. It comes equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor, Wi-Fi 6, and a DVD burner, making it a standout compared to many economy models that rely on less powerful Intel Pentium, Celeron, or AMD Athlon processors. Although its mini-tower case doesn’t have a lot of room for expansion, it can handle most mainstream tasks efficiently, except for gaming, due to its limited integrated graphics.

The Inspiron 3891 offers just the basics, which is perfectly adequate. Both families and small business owners will find it to be a useful device for productivity and online communication, with a cost that makes purchasing two units a viable option.

The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i is a budget-friendly gaming desktop that can compete with the bigger and more expensive options. Despite its lower price point, it still boasts a see-through side panel that displays three lighting zones, and its front even includes a fourth, the Lenovo logo. This desktop provides an enjoyable 1080p gaming experience with its six-core Intel Core i5 processor and 6GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super graphics card, surpassing others that have only quad-core processors and 4GB GPUs.

The Legion Tower 5i is an excellent gaming option for budget-conscious mid-level players. The only criticisms are the lack of a front-mounted USB-C port and the need to upgrade its 8GB of standard RAM to 12GB or 16GB. Despite these minor drawbacks, it’s a fantastic gaming bargain.

top priority and cost is not an issue. This flagship mid-tower PC is custom built to order with premium components from AMD, Intel, and Nvidia, with every detail designed for premium performance. From the magnetically latching side panels to the custom liquid CPU cooler and subtle lighting, this is the epitome of high-end gaming desktops. Our unit came equipped with an AMD Ryzen 9 7950X processor, a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Founders Edition graphics card, 64GB of DDR5-5600 memory, and a 2TB SSD, delivering unbeatable performance and setting new standards in the cost-no-object gaming desktop category.

The Falcon Northwest Talon is not within reach for everyone, but for those who can afford it, this is the top-notch gaming desktops. If cost is not a concern and you value quality, customization, engineering, and design, the Talon should be at the top of your list.

The Alienware Aurora R13, from Dell’s subsidiary, is a standout in the ultra-high-end gaming market and rivals Falcon Northwest. Although the curvaceous tower is not small, measuring 20 by 8 by 23 inches, its design is stunning and deserves to be displayed on your desk, featuring a honeycomb front panel and a windowed side to showcase the impressive lighting and flawless assembly. The starting price is reasonable, but you can opt for the ultimate performance with a 12th Generation Intel Core i9 and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090.

The Aurora R13 is Alienware’s top-of-the-line gaming laptop designed primarily for gamers who are willing to spend without limits. However, a lower-priced configuration is also available and still provides the same stylish design. While its plastic exterior may not be as refined as metal alternatives and its cooling fans can become loud when under heavy load, it is still considered a great success.

Velocity Micro, Virginia’s leading boutique vendor, has achieved a masterpiece with the Raptor Z55. Although the conservative design of its tower case may not appeal to all hardcore gamers, the Raptor Z55 delivers exceptional performance in both gaming and ultra-high-end productivity or content creation. If you need to process massive datasets or perform intense 3D rendering during the day, but also enjoy playing demanding games in your leisure time, the Raptor Z55 is the ideal solution.

The Velocity Micro presents a stunning custom build and remarkable U.S.-based support, featuring the latest Intel 12th Gen “Alder Lake” CPUs and Nvidia’s fastest graphics cards. Designed specifically for well-heeled professionals who prefer a sophisticated aesthetic in both their work and entertainment.

The Lenovo ThinkStation P620, equipped with an impressive 64-core AMD Threadripper Pro CPU, outperforms even dual CPU workstations like the previously top-picked Dell Precision 7920 Tower. Despite its $16,905 price (as tested), it provides a lot of value, including the 64-core Threadripper Pro 5995WX, two professional graphics cards, five 3.5-inch storage drives, and a maximum of 1TB of RAM. This workstation is built for demanding tasks, such as data science, 3D rendering, and simulation modeling, and can handle even the most complex applications with ease. Compared to the eye-watering $23,289 cost of the Dell Precision, the ThinkStation offers a more cost-effective option for those in need of high-performance computing.

Ordinary workstations such as the Dell Precision, HP Z, or Lenovo ThinkStation desktops can effectively handle the majority of creative, architectural, and data analysis tasks. However, many software applications, including performance benchmarks, are unable to fully utilize the immense power of the Lenovo ThinkStation P620. Nevertheless, this powerhouse is ideal for scientists and engineers who demand the ultimate performance for demanding data science, 3D rendering, and simulation modeling tasks.

The HP Z2 Mini G9, part of HP’s Z series desktop workstations, packs substantial computing power into a compact design that surpasses even the Mac mini. Measuring just 8.3 by 8.6 inches, the HP Z2 Mini G9 can easily fit on a desk or be mounted to the back of a monitor or underneath a desk using the optional VESA mount. It features the latest Intel 12th Generation “Alder Lake” processor (up to a high-performance Core i9), a swappable graphics card, and ample memory (up to 64GB) and storage (up to 8TB).

For a Z2 Mini G9 as fully equipped as the one reviewed, you can expect to pay around $3,000. But if you require genuine workstation power in a small footprint, this machine is a gift from heaven. While architects, graphic designers, and engineers may get faster performance and greater expandability from larger workstations, if you prioritize space over value, this is the ideal workstation for you.

The iMac from Apple is a 24-inch all-in-one desktop that starts at $1,299. An alternative is the MSI Modern AM241P 11M, starting at $849.99, featuring a fast Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD, full HD display, numerous ports, and a wireless keyboard and mouse. MSI includes a 1080p USB webcam that can be placed on the top bezel.

The MSI is not suitable for gaming or audiophile-level music due to its integrated graphics and subpar speakers. However, it is suitable for basic tasks such as homework, browsing, and email, especially in a family setting. Although an upgrade in screen quality, RAM and storage would be desirable, the MSI still offers excellent value for its price.

The HP Envy 34 all-in-one has a large 34-inch diagonal 5K display with a resolution of 5,120 x 2,160 pixels, a 16-megapixel webcam that can be easily attached to the top or sides of the screen, a discrete Nvidia GeForce GPU for mid-level gaming performance, ample memory and storage, as well as a Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

The absence of the 27-inch Retina Display iMac from the market has created a shortage of top-notch all-in-one PCs, and the Envy 34 is a great option to fill the gap. Although not budget-friendly, it is still reasonably priced and its 21:9 widescreen aspect ratio provides the same level of efficiency as a dual-monitor setup for optimal productivity by allowing multiple app windows to be arranged side by side.

The latest Intel NUC is a mini PC that uses laptop components to provide a compact desktop experience. It is highly recommended for a range of applications such as media streaming, professional work, and hobby projects. It comes in either preconfigured or bare-bone kit options, but is not recommended for gaming or heavy media editing. It has a lot of ports and is designed to be easily customizable.

The mini PC is a flexible and capable device that can meet professional standards. Its compact size and NUC form factor make it suitable for use in small offices and hybrid workplaces, and it can be used as a daily driver, signage or point-of-sale device.