Why on Earth would you want to buy a desktop PC or Mac in 2018?
Simply put, some computing tasks mobile devices like laptops and tablets
can't fulfill as well as the stalwart desktop. Here's what to consider
when deciding on your next desktop PC.
Desktop-class CPUs and graphics
processors are simply more powerful than their mobile counterparts for
the same money. They give you the power to finish whatever task you're
working on in less time. Your money goes further with desktop components
in general, too, so instead of buying a $500 laptop with a competent
Intel Core i3 processor, you can buy a $500 desktop with a powerful Intel Core i5 desktop CPU in it and maybe even a separate graphics card.
You can get desktops with screens that are already built in (see our guide to the best all-in-one PCs), or they can be connected externally to a monitor. In either case, you're almost guaranteed to have a bigger display than even the largest desktop-replacement laptop,
which tops out at about 18 inches in screen size. Another plus is that
expandable desktops can accommodate multiple graphics cards to support
more than two simultaneous displays.
For some sensitive situations, buying a desktop gives you physical
control of the computer and its use. Limiting access to desktop PCs lets
you control who sees confidential business data, and the combination of
a desktop PC and a large screen means that parents can monitor what
their children are doing online via a quick glance across the room.
Which OS? Windows? Mac? Other?
If you've used computers before, you might have developed an
operating system (OS) preference. The Mac vs. PC debate is one of the
oldest in modern technology, and we're not going to pick sides here. But
if you've managed to keep an open mind and are considering a switch,
here's a quick rundown of your choices. Windows 10$119.99 at Microsoft
is the latest iteration of Microsoft's operating system. Desktops that
use it and previous versions of the OS are what most people typically
use, so you'll be assured of the best compatibility and widest selection
of third-party software. This also applies to browser plug-ins, since
some only work with Windows.
The current version of Apple's operating system is macOS High Sierra.
It's an excellent choice if you're already in an Apple-centric
household, since it interfaces seamlessly with devices like iPads and
iPhones, with all your iTunes purchases and subscriptions, and lets you
receive iMessages on any device connected to your iCloud account.
Although it's less prevalent than Windows or macOS in desktop PCs,
Google also has its own PC operating system, called Chrome OS. Many apps
designed for Windows and macOS also have Chrome OS versions now,
including the popular Microsoft Office suite. Many Chrome OS-powered PCs
can also run any Android-based app available for download from the
Google Play store, which means the OS can now run millions of smartphone
apps. Laptops running Chrome OS, dubbed chromebooks,
are easy to come by, but desktops running the OS ("chromeboxes") are
less common. Most of them are tiny, inexpensive PCs with small amounts
of memory and storage.
While it has its fans, Linux is more of a do-it-yourself operating
system, where you'll have to rely on your own faculties for
installation, sourcing programs, and support. Chrome OS, macOS, and
Windows are certainly easier choices if you simply want to buy a desktop
and use it right away.
How Much Desktop Do You Need?
If all you need to do is surf the internet, write Word documents, or make simple spreadsheets, then an entry-level desktop
is the way to go. You will have to make some compromises in terms of
graphics, power, RAM, and storage compared with higher-end systems, but
then again, you won't be paying as much, as entry-level PCs typically
cost less than $600.
You'll find a wide selection of
Intel and AMD processors in this category, from the budget Intel Celeron
and Pentium CPUs, up to the slightly more expensive (and much more
powerful) Intel Core i3 or i5 and AMD Ryzen 3 or Ryzen 5 processors. You
should look for at least 4GB of RAM (almost all desktop-size machines
will have at least this much), though you might have to make do with 2GB
if you're limiting your search to very compact, extreme-budget sub-$300
machines. As for storage, a paltry 32GB of eMMC flash storage is found
on the least expensive desktops (these are all compact budget models,
usually far smaller than a laptop), but a 1TB hard drive is more
prevalent as a baseline for larger desktops and a better option for most
users.
Midrange desktops will stay functional longer, thanks to more CPU
power and speed, memory for multitasking, storage, or a larger built-in
screen. You will have to make some sacrifices, but even demanding users
will be able to find a midrange system that will last them at least five
years. Look for a capable Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor in
this category, along with 8GB to 16GB of memory, and a 1TB hard drive or
256GB solid-state-drive (SSD) storage.
High-end desktops offer top-of-the-line components, such as the
latest CPUs that will give you all the power you need for multimedia
projects, loads of storage (a 512GB SSD or a 1TB hard drive, but
typically 2TB or more, sometimes in an SSD-and-hard-drive combination),
3D graphics capability for gaming, or a combination of all three. These
high-performance machines typically start at $1,500, and can go up to
$5,000 and beyond for workstations or gaming rigs with customized paint
jobs and multiple GPUs.
While sticking to one of the three price ranges, we recommend that
you buy just a little more than you need for the tasks you do now, if
you can. That way, you future-proof your purchase and won't have to shop
for a replacement for a while.
General-purpose desktops, which
are the kind you typically see in retail stores, are well suited to
general office tasks, surfing the internet, video conferencing, and the
like. They're designed to be jacks-of-all-trades: good at most tasks,
but rarely great at specialized functions such as multimedia creation or
gaming.
Performance PCs, which include multimedia machines and workstations,
will give you more power for complex creative or math and scientific
projects. Faster processors with four, six, or even 18 cores make quick
work of your tasks. More memory (8GB to 64GB) is installed, so you can
keep larger images on screen while editing a video, rendering a 3D
model, or processing a humongous spreadsheet full of numbers you have to
graph. You'll also find extra storage in the form of large hard drives
and SSDs that will let you hold a multitude of work documents and
program library files. Workstations
are specialized machines made to do the heavy lifting of high-end media
creation, scientific calculations, and strenuous work tasks that have
razor-thin deadlines. You'll find multicore Intel Xeon processors and
ISV-certified graphics solutions from AMD and Nvidia in this category,
as well as enormous amounts of memory that exceeed 100GB. Business PCs
are typically utilitarian in appearance, but offer work-friendly
features such as easy serviceability and upgradability, extra security
in the form of biometric sensors and Trusted Platform Module (TPM)
support, software/hardware certification programs like Intel vPro, and
software support. Some come with on-site tech support. Gaming PCs
have even faster versions of the multicore processors found in the
performance PCs. Plus, they have dedicated graphics cards, so you can
smoothly view and interact with the virtual worlds that the game
developers create. Flashy design elements like automotive paint,
multiple graphics cards viewable through Plexiglas (or sometimes real
glass) case doors, and elaborate liquid cooling setups are available,
for a price. Upgradability is almost (but not quite) a must-have. The
most expensive gaming systems can cost upward of $10,000, but are
capable of giving you a better-than-real-life experience with multiple
1080p HD, 4K, or 5K displays, or when using a VR headset like the Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive Pro.
Size Does Matter
Desktops are no longer the uniform metal boxes they used to be. Even
the tiniest PCs have enough built-in components to rival
high-performance PCs of the past. Choosing one these days is a matter of
space constraints and purpose.
If you live or work in truly cramped quarters, then an
ultra-small-form-factor (USFF) or small-form-factor (SFF) desktop is
what you need. USFF (or mini) PCs take up the least amount of room, but
don't have much expandability, if any at all. Even so, they contain a
processor, memory, storage, and ports to hook up displays, keyboards, and mice.
They are usually the most economical to buy and run, since they use
power-saving components and processors. The total volume of one of these
systems is rarely larger than that of a small jewelry box.
Lately, we've seen PCs that are the size of USB flash drives, like the Intel Compute Stick.
These have the benefit of disappearing behind an HDMI-equipped monitor
or HDTV. You may be limited to one or two configurations and will have
to give up expandability and I/O port selection, but stick PCs and
similarly sized mini desktops are the most flexible way to play internet
streaming media and access cloud computing in your living room or
conference room.
SFF desktops have more internal space, allowing you to attach
additional hard drives and possibly even a gaming-grade graphics card.
You'll also find more powerful CPUs here, with their more strenuous
cooling requirements.
Traditional tower desktops,
including mini, midsize, and full-size towers, have the most internal
space, so you can install multiple hard drives, more RAM, or multiple
graphics cards, depending on your needs. They are the most flexible, but
also the bulkiest.
An all-in-one (AIO) desktop
will save you some space, since the display is built in. With a few
exceptions for business-oriented all-in-ones, you will give up
expandability compared with the traditional desktop. Screens come in
sizes from 18 to 34 inches, and support up to 5K (5,120-by-2,880-pixel)
resolution.
Which Desktop Is Best for You?
We review hundreds of PCs every year at PC Labs, evaluating their
features and testing their performance against peers in their respective
categories. That way you'll know which is best for gaming, which is our
favorite general-purpose all-in-one, and which is the best if all you
need is a small, powerful system you can get up and running quickly. We
pull from our full range of desktops reviews for the frequently updated
list below, and include top-rated models from as many categories as
possible. For the very latest reviews, check out our desktops product guide.
Bottom Line: The
Apple iMac Pro is a beautiful ode to creative professionals, combining
remarkable computing power with the same brilliant 5k display and sleek
design of the iMac.
Bottom Line: Design
unchanged, the latest 21.5-inch Apple iMac with 4K Retina display packs
an updated CPU, Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, VR-ready graphics, and a
brighter display. Despite these minor updates, it's the midrange
all-in-one to beat.
Bottom Line: The
configurable Dell Inspiron Gaming Desktop delivers 60fps 1080p gaming
and Core i7 pep at $999, making it an attractive bargain for gamers on a
budget.
Bottom Line: The
Dell XPS 27 All-in-One may be pricey, but it includes a stunning
display, heart-pounding audio, and excellent computing power in a single
package.
Bottom Line: Like
previous versions, the Dell XPS Special Edition (8930) is a compact and
upgradeable multipurpose desktop. But now it's faster than ever thanks
to Intel's latest Coffee Lake processor.
Bottom Line: The
HP EliteOne 1000 is not only stylish, but it has a trait found in few
all-in-one PCs: the ability to easily upgrade the internal components.
Bottom Line: The
Microsoft Surface Studio is a gorgeous desktop PC and a capable digital
creation tool in a single package. It brings innovation to a relatively
stagnant space and provides an elegant solution to multi-product work
for artists and designers.
Bottom Line: The
latest Alienware Area-51 runs on AMD's blistering Ryzen Threadripper
for the ultimate in CPU-intensive 4K gaming performance. But for most,
this expensive, flashy desktop PC is overkill.
As a hardware analyst, Tom tests and reviews laptops, peripherals, and
much more at PC Labs in New York City. He previously covered the
consumer tech beat as a news reporter for PCMag in San Francisco and
Silicon Valley, where he rode in several self-driving cars and witnessed
the rise and fall of many startups. Before that, he worked for PCMag's
s... See Full Bio
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An all-in-one (AIO) desktop
will save you some space, since the display is built in. With a few
exceptions for business-oriented all-in-ones, you will give up
expandability compared with the traditional desktop. Screens come in
sizes from 18 to 34 inches, and support up to 5K (5,120-by-2,880-pixel)
resolution.
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