PCMag has been testing and reviewing desktop computer systems since 1982, and our crew collectively represents over a century of expertise in that discipline. PC Labs was established not lengthy after, in 1984, and with it got here the standardization of our testing. We take a look at desktops and evaluate them to others with worth, options, design, and efficiency in thoughts. We consider efficiency with a set of benchmark checks in addition to real-world purposes and gaming in order that we are able to spotlight the strengths and weaknesses of every system, and in addition how well-suited they is perhaps to your wants and your funds.
Although the portability of a laptop computer is engaging, you’ll be able to’t beat the worth of a desktop laptop. For individuals who are extra fingers on, a desktop is endlessly customizable, permitting you to swap out components as your wants change, add extra storage, and even set up fancy RGB lighting. New fashions had been introduced at CES in January, so now we have our eyes on worth drops on final yr’s fashions. Listed here are the perfect offers we’ve discovered on desktops for gaming, productiveness, and every little thing in between.
Greatest House and Workplace Desktop Offers
Our present greatest worth choose is the HP Omnidesk, which is able to deal with every day computing like internet browsing and e mail drafting. Our greatest total advice is the Dell Tower ECT1250 with an Intel Extremely 7 CPU and an enormous 32GB of RAM.
Greatest Each day Driver
HP OmniDesk Desktop
Specs: Ryzen 7, 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM
$749.99
at HP
$959.99
Save $210.00
Our professional took a better have a look at the HP OmniDesk at CES in January of this yr. The distinction between the brand new entries within the line comes right down to “fashion touches and a give attention to a number of selections of AI efficiency,” and the grey wooden trim can actually be referred to as fashionable. This extra inexpensive mannequin doesn’t have AI processing {hardware}, however it does use the most recent AMD Ryzen processor, and it additionally features a wired mouse and keyboard.
Measuring 13.27 by 6.10 by 12.40 inches (WDH), this desktop will match into most desk setups, whether or not in your tabletop or below it. The $210 low cost makes this funds tower much more inexpensive.
Greatest for Creatives
Dell 24 All-in-One Contact Desktop
Specs: Intel 7, MX570A, 1TB SSD, 16GB RAM
$1,049.99
at Dell
$1,299.99
Save $250.00
An all-in-one laptop is a space-saving choice that mixes all of the parts from a doubtlessly clunky desktop tower setup right into a single monitor. It additionally saves you money and time since you don’t have to cost out a number of completely different parts throughout on-line retailers. This Dell 24 All-in-One combines an Intel 7 processor, a 1TB SSD, 16GB of RAM, and twin audio system with Dolby Atmos spatial sound right into a 1080p contact show.
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This desktop is an effective match for every day use, whether or not you’re internet looking or drafting an e mail. Because of the contact show, you even have further navigation choices like tapping and swiping, and the Nvidia GeForce MX570A graphics card offers inventive pursuits a lift. The Dell 24 All-in-One additionally features a wi-fi mouse and keyboard, making this an all-in-one buy, discounted by $250, that may see you up and operating as quickly as you unbox your new desktop.
Greatest House and Workplace Desktop Offers
*Offers are chosen by our commerce crew
Greatest Gaming Desktop Offers
One of the best worth gaming tower at present on sale is the Alienware Space-51, which features a potent CPU and graphics card. It will future-proof your gaming for years to come back, at the same time as titles change into extra demanding in your {hardware}.
Really useful by Our Editors
Editors’ Selection
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 10
Specs: Intel Extremely 7, RTX 5070, 2TB SSD, 32GB RAM
$1,979.99
at Lenovo
$2,729.99
Save $750.00
The 2024 Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Gen 8 was praised for its quiet operation and engaging chassis. The Gen 10 could look barely completely different, however the wonderful airflow stays, and the model has even added extra highly effective parts, which deal with the cons listed, together with a limiting 500-watt energy provide and gradual RAM speeds. Wi-Fi 6E connectivity ensures you’ll have a quick, steady connection if you hop on-line, and the Home windows 11 OS consists of Copilot AI instruments like doc summarization and picture technology to maximise productiveness. Additionally included is a mouse and keyboard, in addition to three months of Xbox PC Recreation Go, a $11.99/mo worth, on high of the deep $750 worth lower to actually drive house the financial savings.
Alienware Aurora ACT1250
Specs: Intel Extremely 7, RTX 5070 Ti, 1TB SSD, 32GB RAM
$1,924.99
at Dell
$2,299.99
Save $375.00
The Aurora ACT1250 is the refreshed model of the Aurora R16 tower that features the Intel Extremely sequence of processors and an choice for the brand new RTX 50 sequence graphics. As configured with an RTX 5070 graphics card and 32GB of RAM, this rig will play any of the video games in your library, from Genshin Influence to Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii. Our consultants haven’t gotten their fingers on this precise mannequin simply but, however in our overview of the 2024 Aurora R16 mannequin, our professional, Charles Jefferies, applauded the refreshed design, which permits for larger airflow and higher efficiency. Plentiful ports, together with USB-A, USB-C, a 2.5Gbps Killer E3100 Ethernet jack, an audio combo jack, and extra, are a welcome characteristic for any gamer with gaming peripherals like mics and a a number of monitor setup. This $375 low cost helps you get your fingers on a rig able to gaming, recording, and enhancing your exploits, and extra. Contemplate it an funding in your gaming future.
Greatest Gaming Desktop Offers
Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Intel Extremely 7 RTX 5070 2TB…
—
$1,979.99
($2,729.99)
Save $750.00Alienware Space-51 Intel Extremely 9 RTX 5090 2TB SSD 3…
—
$4,799.99
($5,499.99)
Save $700.00Alienware Aurora Intel Extremely 7 RTX 5070 Ti 1TB SSD…
—
$1,924.99
($2,299.99)
Save $375.00Alienware Aurora Intel Extremely 7 RTX 5070 1TB SSD 32…
—
$1,749.99
($2,049.99)
Save $300.00Alienware Space-51 Intel Extremely 7 RTX 5080 1TB SSD 3…
—
$3,699.99
($3,899.99)
Save $200.00Alienware Aurora Intel Extremely 9 RTX 5080 2TB SSD 64…
—
$3,024.99
($3,399.99)
Save $375.00
*Offers are chosen by our commerce crew
FAQ
How A lot Ought to I Pay for a Desktop Pc?
Your cash goes additional with desktop PCs and their parts than with laptops. Yow will discover full mini PCs for lower than $400 and completely serviceable small towers for $500 to $600. Gaming desktops with devoted graphics playing cards begin at round $700. You may also discover all-in-one (AIO) desktops, with the show and all the computing parts constructed right into a single system, beginning at round $600. The sky is the restrict when you get into high-end gaming PCs and business-workstation energy desktops, however the costs above are in the best vary for many mainstream patrons.
Is It Higher to Get an All-In-One Pc or a Desktop?
Conventional tower desktops supply essentially the most improve and energy flexibility, at the price of bulk. Most towers have beneficiant inside area and full-size motherboards, so you’ll be able to set up a number of (generally many extra) secondary storage drives, extra RAM in empty slots on the motherboard, and a video card (if the PC does not include one). PC avid gamers will wish to follow a standard tower.
An all-in-one desktop’s large enchantment is saving you numerous area for the reason that PC is constructed proper in with the monitor, with the parts residing behind the show. It comes right down to how a lot you care concerning the desk space your PC makes use of up and whether or not you occur to be purchasing for a desktop monitor on the identical time. Finances AIOs with primary characteristic units are widespread, however spending extra can acquire you some mixture of a touch-enabled display screen, a panel with a excessive native decision, roomier storage, and a extra muscular processor. Larger-end AIO desktops are likely to cater, although, to content material creators and productivity-app energy customers, not avid gamers.
Is It Cheaper to Purchase a Desktop Than a Laptop computer?
Desktops are normally a greater worth than laptops as a result of your cash goes additional with desktop parts in lieu of a display screen, keyboard, and mouse. Constructing your personal PC will usually be the most affordable choice, however for many who don’t have the know-how, even a pre-built PC tends to value lower than a laptop computer equal.
Is It Cheaper to Construct a PC or Purchase One Proper Now?
It relies upon largely on the sort of desktop you need to purchase or construct. On the low finish, economies of scale for the parts, plus the price of single Home windows 10 or 11 licenses, are likely to make shopping for a prebuilt PC a greater deal. It is if you get into the $1,000-and-up zone that constructing your personal begins to make extra sense, particularly should you can reuse components from an current PC construct. It will all probably stay the case as we’re in a market burdened by substantial transport tariffs on the time of writing, although constructing PCs would possibly lose its worth luster as particular person part gross sales get taxed as nicely.
How A lot Does a Good Finances PC Price?
Count on to pay a minimum of $500 for a primary, competent small tower for day-in/day-out productiveness and internet work. You may discover loads of fashions for lower than $500, particularly within the mini PC class, however you need to insist on a minimum of 8GB of system reminiscence for any PC, with 16GB required at minimal for AI duties. For something past primary productiveness work, search for an Intel Core i5 (or Extremely 5) or AMD Ryzen 5 processor a minimum of.
When Is the Greatest Time to Purchase a Desktop on Sale?
Black Friday is usually the perfect time to purchase electronics (computer systems included). You may also store across the back-to-school season, which begins in July and normally options worth drops on configurations geared towards productiveness. Nevertheless, should you want a deal outdoors of these procuring rushes, do extra analysis on the product traces you are seeking to choose from. Decide the merchandise which have most lately obtained annual updates with new processors and different components. Then, discover the earlier, outgoing editions of these merchandise. By the point the most recent fashions can be found, retailers are already clearing inventory of these outgoing ones with appreciable reductions.
Do Desktops Get Main Reductions Throughout Black Friday or Prime Days?
Sure! We see substantial PC worth cuts on each Black Friday and Prime Days. This consists of much more attainable funds fashions and high-end techniques discounted right down to extra approachable figures. All advised these are the 2 greatest days of the yr (Cyber Monday, too) to purchase a brand new desktop on-line should you’re in want.
Who Has the Greatest Offers on Refurbished Desktops?
Dell Outlet is a superb supply of licensed refurbished desktops in numerous circumstances. Greatest Purchase Outlet additionally offers in professional refurbished computer systems, however in addition they supply open-box choices which can be like new and might prevent some critical money.
Which Manufacturers Provide the Greatest Desktop Reductions?
Some manufacturers put up offers and reductions on their merchandise extra usually than others, significantly Acer. Dell, HP, and Lenovo additionally do that, however you need to all the time double-check precisely what you are getting and whether or not you should buy it for much less at different retailers. Manufacturers like Lenovo regulate their costs ceaselessly, making assessing the uncooked worth of offers you see there troublesome. Notably, Apple has improved its picture as a value-focused model, completely dropping costs on a few of its laptops and infrequently internet hosting restricted offers on procuring holidays.
What Is the Greatest Desktop Underneath $800?
Our consultants have named the Acer Aspire TC-1780-UA92 their high funds choose for its first rate efficiency and Wi-Fi 6E assist—all for round $600 (although it was simply $479.99 as examined). For extra funds choices, take a look at our high picks for the greatest low-cost desktop PCs.
What Is the Greatest Gaming Desktop Underneath $1,000?
Whereas it was simply $979.99 after we examined it, the brand new $1,049 MSI Codex R2 is the PC we have examined that’s closest to that mark and value recommending. The Codex R2 earned our Editors’ Selection award for its 1080p gaming efficiency and well-made, upgradable construct. You would possibly nonetheless discover base fashions just below $1,000 (relying on the day), packing an Intel Core i5 14th Gen CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card.
What Are Good Web sites to Discover Pc Offers?
Why, proper right here on PCMag! We’ve devoted offers articles and complete lists of configurations suited to completely different customers.
About Joe Osborne
Deputy Managing Editor, {Hardware}
After beginning my profession at PCMag as an intern greater than a decade in the past, I’m again as one in every of its editors, centered on managing laptops, desktops, and parts protection. With 15 years of expertise, I’ve been on employees and revealed in expertise overview publications, together with PCMag (in fact!), Laptop computer Magazine, Tom’s Information, TechRadar, and IGN. Alongside the best way, I’ve examined and reviewed a whole bunch of laptops and helped develop testing protocols. I’ve experience in testing all types of laptops and desktops utilizing the most recent instruments. I’m additionally well-versed in online game {hardware} and software program protection.
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About Jade Chung-Lee
Merchandising Affiliate
When she is not perusing on-line shops for offers, Jade enjoys enjoying video video games (principally JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board sport parts neatly into containers, and constructing Gundam fashions. Her love of electronics has persevered by means of her youth and has resulted in a group of gaming peripherals together with keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and artwork work. Jade lives in blissful concord along with her spouse, cat, and two chinchillas—in addition to a number of houseplants.
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