Best desktop computers of 2023

Are you in the market for a new desktop? Then you are in the right place. With so many options out there, it’s hard to know which one to choose. That’s why I did the homework for you, and below is a breakdown of my top picks by type of usage.

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Unlike laptops that are usually purchased for their portability, desktop computers are usually a fixture in your home or office. Given their larger size, there is a wider range of options with modern desktops and one for every type of use.

It’s also more customizable than purchasing a laptop because you can buy bundles, separate towers, or monitors.

Best Bargain

Due to their size, desktop computer components tend to be cheaper overall than their thinner, lighter counterparts: laptops. If you are anything like me, a bigger screen found with a desktop is so much easier to work with than a small display on laptops.

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Below are desktops that give you the most ‘bang’ for your buck (please note, product availability may fluctuate).

Acer Aspire XC-830-UA91 Desktop

Pros:

A great value priced under $500 ($435.85 at time of publication)A total package as this bundle includes a monitor, tower, keyboard, and mouse, so you are ready to go (no need for separate purchases)Monitor included in bundle is a standard 21.5″ Full HD ISP Ultra-thin Zero Frame to maximize the screen ‘real estate’Basic RAM size (8 GB)Includes a DVD-Writer drive so you can watch and create DVDs & CDsMany ways to connect, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and ethernet

Cons:

Comes installed with older operating system (Windows 10 Home)Mediocre Hard drive Storage (256 GB SSD)Refresh rate is 75 hertz, so not ideal for heavy graphics or gamingDoesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6Not as many ports as other desktops with 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the front and 4 USB 2.0 ports in the backNo webcam

At the time of publishing, this product had over 450+ global ratings with 71% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the Acer Aspire XC-830-UA91 Desktop

HP 22″ All-in-One Desktop

Pros:

A great value priced under $500 ($463.86 at time of publication)A total package as this bundle includes monitor, which houses the internal components of the computer, keyboard and mouse so you are ready to go (no need for separate purchases)Comes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)Monitor included in bundle is a standard 21.5″ Full HD ISP with a thin bezel so you can maximize the screen ‘real estate’Because the components – normally in a tower – is in the display, there is a small footprintMany ways to connect, including WiFi, Bluetooth, and ethernetWebcam can be pulled up or pushed down for privacy when not in useIncludes a DVD-Writer drive so you can watch and create DVDs & CDs

Cons:

Low Storage (256 GB SSD)Decent Processor good for daily tasks (AMD Athlon Silver 3050U Mobile processor)Low RAM (4 GB is less RAM than in most base models, yet sufficient for basic use)Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: WiFi 6

At the time of publishing, this product had over 380+ global ratings with 78% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the HP 22″ All-in-One Desktop

Best Overall

Rarely is there a desktop that meets most everyone’s needs as well as comes at a great price. However, this All-in-One by HP really checks most people’s boxes.

HP 27″ All-in-One Desktop PC

Pros:

Great price for what you get ($999.99 at time of publication)Ready right out of the box because this bundle includes display, keyboard and mouse with a beautiful, minimalist design throughputDisplay is large at 27″ for maximum screen ‘real estate’ for multitasking multiple windows or replacing your tv for a comparable streaming experienceNot only is the display large, but it is also Full HD IPS display for clarity and crisp images and micro-edge, anti-glare finishComes with latest, higher-level operating system (Windows 11 Pro)Excellent storage with a 256GB SSD and a traditional HDD with 1 TBGood RAM (12 GB means you can run some heavier-duty programs without your workflow screeching to a halt)Excellent processor (AMD Ryzen 7)

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Cons:

Webcam is only 720P resolutionMore ports are always preferred (comes with 2 Superspeed USB-A, 2 USB ports), one HDMI out) yet the tradeoff is that your entire system is housed in the display

At the time of publishing, this product had over 230+ global ratings with 84% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the HP 27″ All-in-One Desktop PC

Best for simple computing

For those of you that don’t need extra bells and whistles yet want a desktop for web browsing, light office work, and core programs, the options below will fit those needs:

MeLE Quieter2Q Fanless Mini PC

Pros:

Lightweight & super portable: Weighs only .5 lbs and measures at 6.5 x 4.2 x 2.5 inches!Very affordable (less than $300 at the time of publication)Lots of connections options with ethernet port, WiFi enabled, and Bluetooth 4.2 enabledComes with latest, higher-level operating system (Windows 11 Pro)Comes with the base level of RAM expected with most desktops (8 GB)Supports LinuxBase level processor: Intel Celeron J4125 (2GHz to 2.7GHz) Quad Core ProcessorHas a micro-SD storage slot to expand storage (up to 1 TB)Fanless design means a super quiet device, yet passive cooling technology means good thermal dissipation and dust-free performanceHas 2 HDMI 2.0 ports that support higher-resolution streamingLots of ports: 4 UB 3.0 Ports

Cons:

Smaller Storage (128 GB SSD but can be upgraded up to 4 TB)Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6It does not include a display

At the time of publishing, this product had over 520+ global ratings with 73% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the MeLE Quieter2Q Fanless Mini PC (J4125)

Apple iMac (21.5-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage)

Pros:

Affordable (under $1000 at the time of publication)Storage is SSD technology for faster responseBase level RAM (8 GB), which is sufficient for basic useAll-inclusive: includes display, keyboard, and mouseDisplay is 21.5″, which is sufficient for daily use, and high resolution looks clear 1080PGood processor with Intel Core i5Good connectivity with ethernet, WiFi and Bluetooth, headphone jack, 4 USB-A ports, & 2 USB-C ports

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Cons:

Older model that does not have the newer Apple silicon chip technologyOn the lower end of the storage size (256 GB)Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6Weighs considerably more than the newer iMac model

At the time of publishing, this product had over 870+ global ratings with 78% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the Apple iMac

Acer Aspire TC-1760-UA92

Pros:

Affordable (Under $600 at the time of publication)Decent Storage (512 GB SSD)Wi-Fi 6 for latest WiFi technologyBluetooth 5.2 is latest Bluetooth technologyAmple RAM (12 GB)Processor can handle basic and multimedia entertainment (12th gen Intel Core i5 processor)Includes a DVD-Writer drive so you can watch and create DVDs & CDsComes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)

Cons:

Even though it comes with a keyboard and mouse, the display is sold separatelyLarger and traditional tower design does take up a lot of space

At the time of publishing, this product had over 450+ global ratings with 71% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the Acer Aspire TC-1760-UA92

Best for Creatives

Individuals who work on processor-intensive programs like photo editing, video editing, or design programs, need desktops that have excellent displays with rich color and high resolutions. Additionally, the desktops must have enough storage, memory, and processor speed to handle the intensity of these workload-heavy applications.

HP Envy 34″ All-in-One Desktop

Pros:

Massively large display clocking in at 34″ that’s WUHD IPS (5120×2160 resolution, 5K) which means you can comfortably see more of your screenA 3-sided micro-edge means you get to utilize most of the 34″, which comes with a convenient anti-reflectionComes with a magnetic camera that has 16 MP binning IR privacy that can be moved and attached to various parts of your display for freedom of movementHP enhanced lighting & AI noise removal to eliminate background noise for enhanced video chatExcellent RAM (32 GB) to handle large and intense programsExcellent Processor (2.5 GHz Intel Core i7)Excellent graphics (NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics with 6 GB GDDR6X dedicated memory and NVIDIA Max-Q technology, which delivers enhanced Ray Tracing Cores and Tensor Cores, new streaming multiprocessors, and high-speed G6 memory

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Cons:

Expensive (Priced at $2,399 at the time of publication)Not the largest storage size for creatives with 1 TB SSDComes with Windows 11 Home installed; Windows 11 Pro would be more fitting for a graphics-intensive userDoesn’t have latest WiFi 6 tech for fastest connection

At the time of publishing, this product had over 20+ global ratings with 91% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the HP Envy 34″ All-in-One Desktop

Apple 2021 iMac All-in-one Desktop

Pros:

Beautiful 24″ Retina 4.5K display for a gorgeous view from 1 billion colors and 500 nits brightnessMany color options: 7 colors to choose from with matching mouse and keyboardAll-inclusive with magic keyboard and mouse and compact as internal components are housed in a thin display and lightweight at 9.83 lbsLatest wireless features WiFi 6 & Bluetooth 5.0 technologyM1 Apple silicon chip offers great performance with 8-core CPU1080P FaceTime HD camera with studio-quality three-mic, six-speaker sound system with spatial audio creates the optimal video chat environmentHas biometric entry with TouchID, which makes your system safe and easy to access

Cons:

Introduced midyear 2021, it’s nearing the end of its product cycle where a new iMac version is likely to be introduced soonDecent storage (512 GB SSD) but not large enough for most creatives as file sizes, as well as programs, tend to be largeSmall RAM (8 GB RAM) – many more intensive programs require 16 GB RAM to run comfortablyCould use SD or microSD slots to give users easier access to external drives and SD cards, which is commonly utilized in the creative community

At the time of publishing, this product had over 1,820+ global ratings with 88% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the Apple 2021 iMac All-in-one Desktop

Best for Gamers

Gaming is a popular past time for people of all ages. However, it requires a certain amount of processing speed and storage space to handle the intensity of graphics and program complexities. Below are the top picks for gaming:

Alienware Aurora R14

Pros:

Excellent storage: No longer do you have to choose between faster HD vs. bigger with 1 TB SSD for faster retrieval and 2 TB HDD for a large storageExcellent RAM (32 GB) with DDR4 memory, which means you can manage large gamesFast Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 with 12-core processorOptimized Airflow: With internal layout reorganized to allow for less obstruction, thus more airflow and quieter acousticsAttractive design and color with a unique curved towerNew Legend 2.0 design means 50% more internal volumeLots of ports: 4 USB 2.0 and 7 USB 3.0 Ports

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Cons:

Expensive (At the time of publishing, it costs $2,499.99)Display sold separately, although it does come with a keyboard and mouse

At the time of publishing, this product had over 415+ global ratings with 71% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the Alienware Aurora R14

iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N

Pros:

Comes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)Decent processor (Intel Core i5)Great RAM (16 GB)Beautiful display (16 color RGB lighting case)Warranty: 1 year parts & labor + Free lifetime tech supportHard Drive is an SSD for faster retrievalReasonable priced (Under $1000 at the time of publication)Easier access to ports at top of tower

Cons:

Decent amount of storage (500 GB)Display sold separately although it does come with a keyboard and mouseports (6 USB 3.1 ports)Doesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: Wi-Fi 6

At the time of publishing, this product had over 2,390+ global ratings with 73% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the iBUYPOWER SlateHako AD420N

Skytech Archangel Gaming PC Desktop (Arch 4)

Pros:

Moderately priced (Under $1K at the time of publication with $200 off coupon)Good RAM (16 GB) with Heat Spreader (dissipates heat better while operating at full tilt)Beautiful design (Skytech Archangel Gaming Case with Tempered Glass)Good Storage (1 TB SSD)Comes with latest operating system (Windows 11 Home)Great airflow to manage heat with 4 RGB RING fansEasier access to ports at top of tower1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor Assembled in the USA

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Cons:

Display sold separately, although it does come with a keyboard and mouseBrands for processors and certain components can vary depending on what is in stockMore ports would be helpful for peripherals for a complete gaming experienceDoesn’t have latest wi-fi tech for fastest connection: WiFi 6

At the time of publishing, this product had over 400+ global ratings with 74% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the Skytech Archangel Gaming PC Desktop (Arch 4)

Best Space Saver

While you may or may not already have a laptop at home, you might consider a space-saving desktop to complement or replace your aging laptop. Or perhaps you are working from home and need the ability to move around your living space to get work done. Or maybe you need a device that has more computing capabilities, such as a desktop, yet is not as bulky? Below are some top picks of space-saving desktops:

HP All-in-One PC, 23.8″ FHD

Pros:

Immersive experience with a micro-edge 23.8″ Full HD display and dual speakersDisplay also comes with an anti-glare panelDisplay is a Full HD ISP touchscreenComes with latest operating system Windows 11 HomeFast Processor 2.3 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5625U ProcessorGood RAM 12 GB; more than a typical base modelPlenty of ports: 4 USB 2.0 Ports and 2 USB 3.0 PortsHP True Vision 720P HD camera for clear video chat, which can be pulled up or pushed down for privacy when not in useClear sound with 2 microphones and advanced reduction softwareWeighs a mere 17.61 lbs with no bulky towerSleek, cohesive design from mouse, keyboard

Cons:

Average Storage 512 GB SSDSome users have complained that because you must manually pull up or push down the camera, it can be a bit cumbersome and awkwardNo optical drive DVD-Writer

At the time of publishing, this product had over 650+ global ratings with 83% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon

Get the HP All-in-One PC, 23.8″ FHD

Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip

Pros:

Inexpensive for a MacIncredibly small footprint & lightweight for the amount of power (1.41″ x 7.75″ x 7.75″)lightweight for the amount of power 2.6 lbs10Gb Ethernet for up to 10 times the throughputM2 Apple silicon chip has exceptional speed & performance with 8 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores, and up to 24GB unified memoryFastest WiFi 6E technology

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Cons:

Low storage size 256 GB SSD before optional larger sizesInstalled standard RAM size is average or small at 8 GBNo color optionsDoes not include a display, which is sold separately

At the time of publishing, this product had over 5+ global ratings with 54% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon. Only a few reviews since it was released on January 17, 2023

Get the Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip

Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3i – 2022

Pros:

Affordable ($519.99 at time of publishing)Plenty of connectivity options: 2 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Ports, Power DC Jack, HDMI-out, microphone/headphone combination and 1000 LAN ethernet portBiometric access: Facial login with the built-in webcamWebcam is moveable and HDBeautiful display included (Full HD with thin bezel for maximum screen real estate)Great sound with a Harman Kardon-certified audio systemMost recent OS (Windows 11 installed)Includes mouse and keyboard

Cons:

Low Storage 256 GBBase level RAM 8 GBBase level processor Intel Core i3

At the time of publishing, this product had over 440+ global ratings with 76% giving the product 5 stars on Amazon.

Get the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3i – 2022

Whether you’re giving it away, donating, or recycling your old desktop or laptop, don’t forget to check out our article on how to safely get rid of your old laptop. If you’re building a setup for the new year, you might want to also check out my article on the best monitors by typing in cyberguy.com and tapping the search glass to search “best displays”.

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Are you thinking about replacing an old laptop or desktop? Is there a model you love that we didn’t review above? Comment below.

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