The Best Desktop Computers for 2020
Why, given the advanced state of laptops, would you want to buy a desktop PC or Mac nowadays? Simply put: sheer muscle and computing comfort. Mobile devices like laptops and tablets simply can’t fill some computing needs as well as the stalwart desktop.
Desktop-class CPUs and graphics processors are more powerful than their mobile counterparts for the same money. They give you the grunt 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 more powerful Intel Core i5 desktop CPU in it and maybe even squeeze in a dedicated graphics card.
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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’ll get 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 sky-high frame rates for competitive gaming or powering through the latest titles on super-fine 4K 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 10, macOS, or “Other”?
The Mac vs. PC debate is one of the oldest in modern technology, and we’re not going to pick a side here. But if you’re of an open mind, not wedded to one or the other by years of habit, and are considering a switch, here’s a quick rundown of your choices.
macOS is an excellent choice if you’re already in an Apple-centric household. 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.
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 many 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.
What Do You Need to Do?
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 RAM (16GB to 64GB) is installed, so you can keep larger images in memory for fast transformations while editing a video, rendering a 3D model, or processing a gigantic 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 the potential, in some cases, to install enormous amounts of special error-correcting (ECC) memory in excess of 64GB.
Business PCs are typically utilitarian in appearance, but they 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 such as Intel vPro, and software support. Some come with onsite 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 clear plastic or glass case doors, and elaborate liquid-cooling setups are available, for a price. In earlier years, these kinds of options were typically only available from boutique PC makers such as Digital Storm, Maingear, and Origin PC, but many have filtered down into configurations from the major makers.
Also, in gaming PCs, upgradability is almost (but not quite) a must-have. The most expensive gaming systems can cost upward of $10,000, capable of giving you the ultimate gaming experience possible on a PC with multiple 1080p HD or 4K displays, or when using a VR headset. That said, even midrange gaming systems today in the low $1,000s can deliver a very satisfactory gaming experience with a single 1080p monitor or a VR headset.
Sizing Up (or Down) the Chassis
Desktops are no longer the uniform metal boxes that they used to be. Even certain relatively tiny PCs today can have built-in components that rival high-performance PCs of years past. Choosing one these days is a matter of space constraints and purpose.
If you live or work in truly cramped quarters, 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.
In recent years, we’ve seen PCs not much larger than 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 slightly larger mini desktops, like those in the Intel Next Unit of Computing (NUC) series and their ilk, are the most flexible way to play internet streaming media and access cloud computing in your living room or conference room.
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, however. Most AIO screens come in sizes from 22 to 34 inches, and the top models support up to a 5K (5,120-by-2,880-pixel) native resolution. A 1,920-by-1,080-pixel screen is the mainstream-AIO norm, however, and some outliers have widescreen designs with resolutions that lie between 2,560 by 1,440 pixels and 4K (3,840 by 2,160).
Ready for Our Recommendations?
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 are best suited 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 desktop reviews for the frequently updated list below, and we include top-rated models from as many categories as possible. These are our current favorites, but for a full feed of all of our very latest desktop reviews, check out our desktops product guide.
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Pros: Gorgeous Retina display. Sleek styling and extreme attention to detail. Top-notch computing performance. Solid sound quality. Excellent software bundle.
Cons: Expensive as configured. Small storage capacity. No HDMI or dedicated DisplayPort output. Lacks height adjustment. No touch screen.
Bottom Line: With a newly available Intel Core i9 CPU and updated AMD Radeon Pro graphics, the 2019 reboot of the 27-inch Apple iMac all-in-one is now as powerful as it is beautiful.
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Pros: Deep connectivity for its size, including four Thunderbolt 3 ports. Memory is SO-DIMM, not soldered. Configurable up to six cores/12 threads. New storage (2TB) and RAM (64GB) ceilings. Top-notch pre-installed software.
Cons: RAM not technically a user upgrade. No option for a 2.5-inch hard drive as internal mass storage. Scanty SSD on base model.
Bottom Line: Apple’s iconic Mac mini compact desktop delivers more core-processing, storage, and memory potential than ever, in a polished box brimming with cutting-edge connectivity.
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Pros: Solidly built with massive room for expansion. ISV certified. Server-style drive and power supply swapping. Runs quietly. Three-year on-site warranty.
Cons: Low-end configurations aren’t the best value. No removable dust filters.
Bottom Line: With its enterprise-class features, Dell’s titanic Precision 5820 tower blurs the line between workstations and servers. It’s an excellent performer that can be configured for almost any budget and workflow.
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Pros: Spacious 32-inch 4K display. Intel Core i7-9700 CPU is snappy on all fronts. Gaming-ready GeForce RTX 2060 graphics. Booming sound bar also works as smartphone-controlled Bluetooth speaker. Wireless charging pad on base.
Cons: No touch-screen option. Screen tilts but doesn’t pivot. Big power brick.
Bottom Line: The HP Envy 32 is an excellent all-in-one desktop thanks to its large 4K display, robust built-in sound bar, and potent components that are ready to power through work and play.
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Pros: Powerful performance for the money, as tested. Highly configurable. Compact for a mid-tower. Quiet cooling fans. Removable dust filters. Standard three-year warranty.
Cons: Unlocked CPU in test config (Core i9-9900K) isn’t overclockable.
Bottom Line: HP’s Z2 Tower G4 measures up to the workstation competition and then some. As tested with an Intel Core i9 CPU and an Nvidia Quadro RTX 5000 GPU, it offers solid performance per dollar and quiet operation, not to mention excellent expansion potential.
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Pros: Elegant all-in-one digital creation solution. Snappy performance. Super-thin, spectacular display that reclines. Accurate touch input for art/design work. USB-C support. Bundled Surface Pen.
Cons: Expensive. CPU could be beefier, considering separated base. Video out via USB-C, not a dedicated port.
Bottom Line: Microsoft’s Surface Studio 2 is a beautiful, pricey all-in-one desktop for artists, content creators, and professionals wedded to pen input. It packs components peppier than the original’s, and a downright stunning screen.
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Pros: AMD Ryzen 9 3950X processor in our unit delivers blistering performance. Ready for high-refresh 1440p and 60fps 40K gaming. Bold, modern case design. Toolless access to efficient internal layout. Huge array of configuration options when ordering.
Cons: Expensive as configured. Pricey 3950X not better for gaming than less expensive high-end chips. No-frills motherboard and internal layout. Not everyone may love the design.
Bottom Line: The visually striking Alienware Aurora R10 can be configured in a variety of ways, but our Ryzen 9 3950X-equipped model is a performance monster. We just suggest ordering a more cost-effective configuration unless you’re a true power user.
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Pros: Outstanding performance from Intel X299 platform. Whisper-quiet operation. Classy looks. Compact design with customizable lighting. Front ports for VR-headset connectivity.
Cons: No Xeon CPU or professional GPU options. No ISV certification. Limited upgrade potential.
Bottom Line: Incredibly powerful for content creation and gaming, Corsair’s One Pro i200 delivers 14-core Intel Core i9 muscle in a stylish design that’s a fraction the size of a traditional workstation tower.
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Pros: Delivers reliable full HD 60fps gaming. Fast processor. Impressively compact case with LED-lit side window. Highly configurable. Good value.
Cons: Not everyone may like the geometric front panel. Test configuration’s 512GB of storage is a little thin.
Bottom Line: The Dell G5 Gaming Desktop is a no-fuss entry-level system with a super-compact design, capable gaming performance, and an affordable price tag.
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Pros: Tons of at-purchase configuration options. Includes security features for businesses. Chassis is compact, rugged, and easily serviced. Plenty of ports. Runs quietly.
Cons: Minimal room for internal expansion, beyond 2.5-inch bay. Bundled keyboard and mouse are wired and subpar.
Bottom Line: Lenovo’s ThinkCentre M720q Tiny is a well-rounded, capable SFF PC suitable for cramped offices or other space-constrained work environs. Just nail the configuration you need up front-upgradability is limited.