Although laptops and tablets make up about 79% of the PC market, that still means one out of every five computers sold is a good old-fashioned desktop. And why not? For long hours of work, it’s tough to beat a desktop PC, and you can get more power and expandability than a laptop. Plus, if you already spend your day tethered to a big-screen monitor, a desktop PC makes a lot of sense. A desktop will generally be either a tower or an all-in-one (with an integrated screen), though smaller designs are available for tighter spaces. In addition to Windows PC and iMacs available for as little as $500 to $700, other Chrome and Linux fans options are also available.
The list for Best Desktop PC for 2022 starts with models we’ve tested and then moves to more generic configurations. Unless otherwise indicated, the desktops listed below don’t include a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or webcam. You’ll need to bring your own or buy them separately. We update this list regularly.
Desktop PCs: Our Recommendation
These are desktop computers that we can recommend based on our hands-on experience.
Dell XPS Desktop 8940
Dell’s XPS Desktop is compact and sufficient for a small workspace but can be loaded with an 11th-gen Core i9 processor, a GPU as high as Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070, up to 64GB of RAM, and 4TB of hard drive, and still, there’s room for more. And if you have modest requirements now but want the room to add in components in the future, this would be the best option for you. The base price for XPS starts at just under $640.
Apple M1 iMac
Apple fully redesigned the ultrathin iMac that could easily be confused with an iPad. Apple iMac 2022 is built on the same superfast M1 chip with a stunning 24-inch screen, 1080p webcam, a big upgrade from last year, and a rainbow of available colors.
M1 chip is far ahead of the Intel-powered Macs and is the most affordable Mac out there in terms of speed and performance (Apple has pledged to complete its transition away from Intel before the end of 2022). The Mini iMac also supports legacy ports like USB-A and HDMI. The 256GB and 512GB models will cost you only $699 and $899, respectively, at the Apple Store.
HP Envy 32
HP takes on the iMac design, and it shows in its specs: HP Envy 32 all-in-one, a 9th-gen Intel CPU, and a 256GB solid-state drive. Hp comes with a huge 32-inch 4K display powered by an integrated Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card in a good deal.
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
Microsoft’s Surface Studio 2 is a Windows-powered all-in-one that seals the deal for digital artists as they can tilt the 28-inch screen back like a drafting table. The previous model was underpowered, and the latest model still doesn’t deliver all. Still, we’d expect that this high price and its unique design may have you overlooking those flaws and reaching for it anyway.
Our General Configurations Recommended Desktop PCs
These general configurations should serve you well, especially if you shop around for regular deals.
PC Tower for Basic Gaming and Creative work
Do you want to do some gaming, or do you spend time editing photos or videos? You’ll want to level up the configuration with more RAM and better graphics options. Expect a price between $800 and $1,200 and even higher if you go for a more high-performing graphic card.
- GPU Nvidia GTX/RTX or AMD Radeon RX
- 16GB of RAM or more
- 350-watt (or more) power supply
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop TG01-1076z (Around $900)
This HP PC has an AMD Ryzen 5 CPU with Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive on top of the 512GB SSD, and a 400-watt power supply. The base price is around $900, but it can be lower on sale for as low as $750.
Dell G5 Gaming Tower (Around $800)
This G5 Dell model has nearly the same specifications as the HP Pavilion Gaming but comes with a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 instead of the AMD Ryzen processor. This PC was previously selling for as much as $1,050, but now it appears to be selling for closer to $750-$850.
Basic Windows All-in-One (Around $700)
All-in-ones generally cannot upgrade the graphics card, maybe even the storage or RAM, unlike the PC towers. However, the advantage is having fewer cables since everything is integrated into the body.
Recommended specs for an all-in-one are primarily similar to the basic tower above, with compromises because of space considerations. For instance, don’t expect an optical drive, and know that performance is often a step down from simple desktop models because some all-in-ones use laptop components to maximize available space better. If you want a large screen with good resolution, we’d suggest these options:
- 24 inches at 2K or 1080p
- 27 inches at 1440p
- 32 inches at 4K
Acer Aspire C27-962 AIO ($800)
While the screen on this model is big, 27 inches, the resolution is only 1080p or 2K, but that’s ok as far as the price is below $1,000. This model comes without a DVD drive and USB-C ports. A 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, onboard with Nvidia MX GPU, is not as good as a GTX or RTX series but better than average. With 512GB of SSD storage and a built-in webcam along with a keyboard and mouse.
Chromebox, Mini PCs, and other options
When it comes to desktop computers, towers and all-in-one (AIO Pcs) represent most of the market. There are also some alternatives that you can consider depending on your requirement, but in 2021 they only represent a narrow cut of the market.
Mini PCs:
If Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS operating systems are not your options. Then there’s a world of Linux operating systems out there, many of which are free. Linux can come as a preinstalled OS in new PCs, but the more affordable option is installing it or dual-booting on a Windows PC.
Chromeboxes:
If you’re looking for very basic computing, browsing the web, email, social media, and YouTube, the Chrome operating system is the most affordable option. This Google operating system is little more than the Chrome web browser. Multiple users can use it with only a Gmail address needed to log in, and because no heavy operating system or files beyond the browser, viruses aren’t an issue. These systems are known as “Chromeboxes” versus a “Chromebook” laptop, and these systems don’t have beefy CPUs, RAM, or storage requirements. The price is between $200 and $500 for a Chrome-based desktop.
Linux PCs:
If Windows, Mac, and ChromeOS operating systems are not your options. Then there’s a world of Linux operating systems out there, many of which are free. You can get PCs with Linux preinstalled, but the more affordable option is installing it or dual-booting on a Windows PC.
Similarly, if you are looking for different Processor options than Intel and AMD, you can check SolidRun’s new entrant, i.MX 8 that comes with Embedded Multimedia & AI Acceleration.
Raspberry Pi:
Have you seen a small computer that’s no bigger than a softcover book and can be bought for about $150? That’s the Raspberry Pi, and it’s very cool if you’re an amateur (we wouldn’t recommend it as a primary computer) looking to build your Lego-style computer and install your own custom Linux operating system.
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