Technologies
Best Desktop Computers for 2023: Apple, Dell, HP and More
Looking for a new desktop computer? Here are our expert opinions on the best desktops around from Dell, Apple, HP and more.

In this article:
- Desktop PCs: Tested and recommended
- Other recommended desktop PCs
- What about a Mac Pro?
- Chromebox, Mini PCs and other niche options
- How we test computers
Modern laptops and tablets may be great for those on the move, but you just can’t beat the power and efficiency of a desktop computer. Only one-fifth of computerssold these days are desktops, but once you see what the right desktop has to offer, you’ll realize they’re worth considering.
The best feature of most desktop PCs is their upgradability and longevity. Not only are desktops built more solidly, but they suffer far less wear and tear than a conventional laptop. You can often get a decent bit more power and expandability than you could from a laptop, including higher-end graphics cards and more storage options. That processor power and storage potential are particularly crucial if you’re planning to use your personal computer as a gaming PC or a graphics-editing powerhouse.
A desktop computer is generally going to come in the form of either a tower or an all-in-one (with an integrated screen), though there are smaller designs (sometimes called «small form factor PCs») like the Mac Mini for tighter spaces.
Though laptops still occupy the majority of our editors’ time and effort with CNET’s hands-on reviews, we’ve rounded up recent products to bring you our top desktop computer options, listed below. This list starts with models we’ve tested, and then moves on to more general configuration suggestions that we haven’t specifically tested, but the specs listed should deliver considerable value for the price, based on our experience with similarly configured PCs.
Unless otherwise indicated, the products listed below don’t include a monitor, keyboard, mouse or webcam. You’ll need to bring your own or buy them separately. We’ll update this best desktop computer list periodically.
Desktop PCs: Tested and recommended
These are the best desktop PC models that we’ve recently tested and can recommend based on our hands-on experience.
Lori Grunin/CNET
Now available in a new, more powerful version, the Mac Mini desktop is one of Apple’s longest-standing product lines, dating back to 2005 (in a pre-Intel version), a year before the first MacBook. All these years later, it retains the same basic shape and appeals to much of the same audience. Unlike Apple’s MacBook Pro and Air laptops, or the iMac desktop, the Mini is designed to work behind the scenes, fitting into small spaces and pairing with your choice of display and input devices.
At $599 (£649, AU$999) to start, the Mini remains the least expensive way to get a MacOS computer by a large margin. The relatively ancient M1 MacBook Air from 2020 is the closest competitor price-wise, at $999. The M2 Pro version of the Mac Mini starts at $1,299.
Joshua Goldman/CNET
While we like all-in-ones for their convenience, they’re not easy to upgrade, if they can be at all. Dell’s XPS Desktop is compact and quiet enough for a small workspace but can be loaded with a 12th-gen Core i9 processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti graphics card, up to 64GB of memory and 4TB of storage — and there’s still room inside for more. And if you have modest needs now, but want the room to add in components down the road, the base XPS starts at under $800. However, if you do plan to upgrade down the road, spend a little extra for its 750- or 1,000-watt power supply. Want to spend a bit less? Check out the more affordable desktop computer options recommended further down the page.
Read our Dell XPS Desktop 8950 review
Lori Grunin/CNET
Both Apple and Microsoft have discontinued their bigger-screen all-in-one desktops, so as one of the sole remaining premium big-screen options (as far as I can tell), the HP Envy 34 AIO is almost the best choice in that class by default.
It’s a fine system with a nice 34-inch display and some useful features, like a magnetically attachable webcam and Qi charging pad in the base, although you’re paying for pretty and not for performance (but it does have a laptop-version Nvidia 3060 GPU). We like the HP Envy 34 AIO, and it certainly feels like a nice home or traditional office system for people who need big screens in a small space.
Dan Ackerman/CNET
Introduced in 2021, this fully redesigned iMac is still Apple’s current go-to all-in-one (note that the larger 27-inch iMac has been discontinued as of March 2022). It’s built on the same M1 chip found in many of Apple’s computers, with a gorgeous 24-inch screen replacing the previous 21.5-inch version. The 1080p webcam is a big upgrade, and the rainbow of available colors — hearkening back to the 1999 iMac G3 — is a welcome addition. Just be prepared to spend up for the myriad storage and accessory upgrades.
Read our 24-inch Apple iMac review
Origin PC
If you’re dissatisfied with the lack of configuration options available for prebuilt gaming desktops, going with a custom builder is the best way to sate your appetite. The $5,000-plus price of this custom-configured system fully decked out is too rich for, well, most people’s blood. And many people don’t need everything maxed out, even for gaming. But you can get reasonable configurations for about half the price of my evaluation unit.
Origin PC builds good, solid systems. Unless you’re looking for something dirt cheap, you’ll be able to put together something you like at a price you tolerate.
Richard Peterson/CNET
The Mac Pro has long been the top dog in Apple’s computer lineup, but the current version is an aging Intel model that starts at a whopping $5,000. By comparison, the new-for-2022 Mac Studio is powered by the latest, greatest Apple silicon chips — the M1 Max or M1 Ultra — and starts at less than half that price. It’s basically a Mac Mini on steroids, and — for anyone who doesn’t want to wait for the eventual Mac Pro revision — it’s your best bet for running creative-centric Mac apps, including animation, graphics, video-editing and audio-editing software.
Josh Goldman/CNET
Compact all-in-one desktops make good centralized family computers. The HP Chromebase takes it a step further by pairing one with the simple and secure Chrome OS — the same operating system found on the Chromebooks your kids are probably using at school. With a 21.5-inch touchscreen attached to a gray fabric-covered base, the desktop looks like a supersized version of Google’s own Nest Hub smart display (and with Google Assistant baked in, you can use it like one, too). Inside, though, is up to an Intel Core i3-10110U processor, up to 16GB of memory and up to a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD. The full-HD display even rotates vertically, perfect for viewing vertical videos, following recipes or scrolling your favorite sites.
Other recommended desktop PCs
We haven’t reviewed the specific models below, but we have reviewed systems using very similar hardware. These general configurations should serve you well, especially if you shop around for frequent deals.
Basic Windows PC tower (starting around $620)
The specs we’d suggest for a basic Windows 11 machine:
- Intel Core i5 (12th or 13th-gen) or AMD Ryzen 5 (3000 or 5000 series)
- Default integrated graphics (such as Intel UHD or Iris or baseline AMD Radeon)
- 512GB or larger NVMe SSD drive
- 16GB of RAM or more
- Four or more USB 3.1 or 3.2 ports with USB-C and USB-A formats (at least one or two on the front)
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless
- At least one PCI-E (x16) expansion slot (for adding a video card)
- Optional: DVD or Blu-ray optical drive (only if you need it for legacy software or media)
With those specs in mind, you should be able to find a good PC tower from brands like Dell, Acer, Asus or HP for between $500 and $600. Here are some that fit the bill, offering a great bang for the buck if you don’t need a laptop:
Acer Aspire TC-895-UA92 (under $650)
Aside from a slightly older 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, this configuration otherwise includes everything listed above, along with Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and a keyboard and mouse, too.
HP Pavilion Desktop TP01-2040 (under $700)
This system offers a capable AMD Ryzen 5 CPU, and HP throws in a mouse and keyboard.
PC tower for light gaming and creative duties (starting around $900)
Want to do some PC gaming, or do you spend time editing photos or video? You’ll want to level up the preceding configuration with more RAM and better graphics options. Expect price points to be between $800 and $1,200 — and even higher if you go for a more bleeding-edge video card.
- Nvidia GTX/RTX or AMD Radeon RX graphics card (GPU)
- 16GB of RAM or more
- 350-watt (or more) power supply
Looking for a gaming computer with more muscle? Check out our list of best gaming PCs.
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop (under $1,000)
This HP rig boasts an 11th-generation and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 GPU and 16GB of RAM.
Basic Windows All-in-One (starts around $800)
An «all-in-one PC» (also known as AIO PC) is basically a Windows version of an iMac. That means the PC «guts» are essentially built into a monitor or its base. Unlike the PC towers listed above, all-in-ones generally offer no ability to upgrade the graphics card, and maybe not even the storage or RAM. The advantage is having fewer cables, however, since everything is integrated into the body.
Recommended specs for an all-in-one are mostly similar to the basic tower above, albeit with compromises because of space considerations. Don’t expect an optical drive, for instance, and know that performance is often a step down from «real» desktop models because some all-in-ones use laptop components to better maximize available space. You’ll want a large screen with good resolution. The sweet spots we’d suggest are:
- 24 inches at 1,920×1,080 pixels (aka 2K or 1080p)
- 27 inches at 2,560×1,440 pixels (aka 1440p)
- 32 inches at 3,840×2,160 pixels (aka 4K)
The 24-inchers are good for kids, but adults should probably go for 27 inches and up. Expect to pay at least $800 at that latter size, especially if you want to avoid underpowered Intel Core i3 or AMD Athlon CPUs. The HP Envy 32/34 and Apple iMacs are examples of high end all-in-one computers, but here’s a more reasonably priced alternative.
Acer Aspire C27-962-UA91 (starts around $600; low stock)
While the screen on this Acer Aspire model is a spacious 27 inches, resolution is only 1080p (also known as full HD) — but that’s par for the course below $1,000. This model also lacks a DVD drive and USB-C ports. That said, you get a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, on-board Nvidia MX graphics (not as good as a GTX or RTX card, but better than average), 512GB of SSD storage and a built-in webcam (along with a keyboard and mouse).
HP All-in-ones (recommended models starting at $800)
Back in early 2020, we reviewed the HP Envy 32, a Windows take on the basic iMac design. At that time, it had somewhat dated specs: a ninth-gen Intel CPU and a spinning hard drive backing up the 256GB solid-state drive. The 32-inch model appears to have been discontinued, but HP maintains a stable of current models in 22- to 27-inch screen sizes, with a new $2,000 34-inch HP Envy 34 now living at the top of the line.
What about a Mac Pro?


While you’re paying a big premium for the Apple name, an iMac is generally a great option for Apple fans who want an all-in-one computer with a superior display. And now that the 24-inch iMac has gotten a nice overhaul, complete with the M1 chip, that’s a great starting point. And while the 27-inch iMac is no more, the new Mac Studio starts at $2,000, and offers some serious power, especially if you ramp up to the M1 Ultra chipset.
Need even more power? While Apple has a Mac Pro living at the top of its desktop line, the current model is an aging Intel design, which the company has already pledged to replace with an Apple Silicon version. If the Mac Studio can’t handle your high-end Apple needs, we’d strongly recommend steering clear of the Mac Pro until that new version hits.
Chromebox, Mini PCs and other niche options
When it comes to desktop PCs, towers and all-in-ones represent the vast majority of the market. There are alternatives, but in the 2020s, they generally represent increasingly narrow slices of that market.


Left to right: The HP Mini, Acer Revo, Intel Compute Stick and Apple Mac Mini. The Mac is the only one that’s been recently updated.
Sarah Tew/CNETMini PCs: Following the debut of the Mac Mini in 2005, Windows PC makers experimented with similarly tiny designs. In the wake of likable small models like the Acer Revo One and HP Pavilion Mini, we even saw (woefully underpowered) «PC on a stick» offerings starting in 2015, but interest seems to have ebbed since then. Outside of specialty vendors like Beelink, the best choices in this mini PC size are probably the Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing), most of which are sold as hobbyist options, requiring some BYO additions like user-supplied storage, RAM and other components — including the operating system. See more bare-bones Mini PCs at Newegg.
Chromeboxes: If you’re looking for very basic computing — browsing the web, email, social media, YouTube and the like — the Chrome operating system is the most affordable route for home computing. This Google operating system effectively is little more than the Chrome web browser. That makes it easy for multiple users (only a Gmail address is needed to log in), and — because there’s no heavy operating system beyond the browser — viruses aren’t really an issue. Colloquially known as «Chromeboxes» (versus a «Chromebook» laptop), these systems don’t have beefy CPUs, RAM or storage requirements. That said, if you need any software beyond browser-based web apps, or if you don’t have excellent broadband, you’ll want to stick with Windows or Mac options above. Now, before you spend any money, you should check out the free version of the operating system known as ChromeOS Flex, which you can install on most old PCs (including running it from an attached USB drive). But if that’s not an option and you want to buy new, expect to pay between $200 and $500 for a Chrome-based desktop. However, the closer you get to that $500 price point, the more you should consider stepping up to a Chromebook laptop or a basic Windows tower (see above) for just a bit more. See Chromebox options at Newegg.
Linux PCs: No, Windows, Mac and ChromeOS are not your only operating system options. There’s a wide world of Linux operating systems out there, many of which are effectively free. You can get PCs with Linux preinstalled, but the better, more affordable option is probably installing it (or dual-booting) on a used Windows PC. See Linux PC options at Newegg.
Raspberry Pi: You may have heard of a small computer that’s no bigger than a paperback book, and can be had for about $150. That’s the Raspberry Pi, and it’s 100% real and very cool — if you’re a hobbyist looking to build your own Lego-style computer and install your own custom Linux operating systems. We just wouldn’t recommend it as a primary computer if you’re looking to run mainstream software. See the Raspberry Pi 4 kit at Amazon.
Best laptops in every category
- Best Laptop for 2023
- Best Windows Laptops
- Best Laptop for College
- Best Laptop for High School Students
- Best Budget Laptop
- Best Dell Laptops
- Best 15-Inch Work and Gaming Laptops
- Best 2-in-1 Laptop
- Best HP Laptops
- Best Gaming Laptop
- Best Cheap Gaming Laptop Under $1,000
- Best Chromebook: 8 Chromebooks Starting at Under $300
How we test computers
The review process for laptops, desktops, tablets and other computer-like devices consists of two parts: performance testing under controlled conditions in the CNET Labs and extensive hands-on use by our expert reviewers. This includes evaluating a device’s aesthetics, ergonomics and features. A final review verdict is a combination of both those objective and subjective judgments.
The list of benchmarking software we use changes over time as the devices we test evolve. The most important core tests we’re currently running on every compatible computer include: Primate Labs Geekbench 5, Cinebench R23, PCMark 10 and 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra.
A more detailed description of each benchmark and how we use it can be found in our How We Test Computers page.
Technologies
These Noise-Canceling Earbuds Do Everything I Need, and They’re Less Than Half the Price of Apple’s AirPods 4
The Earfun Air Pro 4’s passive noise cancellation helps me read in my noisy house, and they’re 20% off their already discounted price.

I enjoy reading books on my Kindle, and my favorite place to do so is stretched out on a couch in my living room. But like most busy households, my living room can get pretty loud. And since I don’t really want to yell at everyone to keep it down so Daddy can enjoy his stories, the best solution I’ve found is to wear noise-canceling earbuds while reading. I’ll wear them in combination with playing white noise or nature sounds — my current favorite playlist is 10 hours of Thunderstorm Sounds on shuffle — to maximize the effect.
I like using my over-ear Sony headphones for work, but they’re bulky, so I started looking for an affordable pair of earbuds that offer decent noise cancellation. That’s how I ended up buying the Earfun Air Pro 4s, CNET’s 2024 Editors’ Choice for affordable in-ear headphones. In short, they’re great, and the black ones cost just $64 on Amazon right now when you apply the 20% discount at checkout. (All of the other colors are down to $77 when you apply a 15% discount, which is still a good price.)
Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.
How these earbuds silence the noise around you
I prefer in-ear headphones because they offer active, electronic and passive noise canceling. Passive noise cancellation basically consists of plugging your ears with the rubbery tips included with the earbuds. The Earfuns fit well for me when I use the second-largest of the five swappable ear tip sizes, and they stay sealed and comfortable for hours. Sometimes I have to reseal one after I yawn or something, but that’s the case with other in-ear headphones too.
For reading, I prefer Earfun’s «Strong ANC» noise-canceling mode, which makes a big difference when blocking out the noise around you, but there are a bunch of other noise-cancellation options. The Ambient Sound function is good for when I want to pay attention to my surroundings. Overall I found the app easier to use than Sony’s and just as capable. The main difference is that Sony’s app has a variable slider for ambient sound.
The Earfun app also includes a white noise section in the app. Normally I prefer Spotify for white noise (and I download my favorite playlists for offline listening) but this feature is useful for people who don’t have another music service. It includes birdsong, waves and rainfall, all of which are short clips that repeat automatically.
Why I chose these earbuds over AirPods
These headphones have every other feature I’d expect, including the ability to connect to two devices simultaneously and programmable touch-sensitive controls on the buds. Plus, battery life has been more than ample for me even after a marathon reading session.
There’s also a finder function if you misplace either earbud (unlike Apple FindMy, however, they have to be connected and in Bluetooth range). For actual music and voice calling quality, they sound fine, albeit not as good as my big Sonys.
I have an iPhone and briefly thought about buying Apple AirPods, but I didn’t want to spend the money. The AirPods 4 with noise cancellation cost $115 more than these Earfuns and have an open-ear design, so they rely entirely on the electronic (not passive) method. The AirPods Pro 2 are in-ear and superb, but I didn’t want to spend $250 on a pair of secondary headphones.
Yes, I could probably save some money on an even less expensive pair of in-ear noise-canceling headphones, but I’m not sure I’d be as happy with their fit, long-term comfort, battery life and noise-cancellation performance. The Earfun Pro 4 buds help me relax and concentrate on my book, and for me that’s priceless.
For more savings, we’ve rounded up all the the best deals on headphones we’ve found. And if you’re getting a head-start on gift shopping for a new grad or Mother’s Day, check out our list of the best graduation gifts and best gifts for Mom.
Technologies
Why Are Switch 2 Games So Expensive? Trump’s Tariffs May Not Be Sole Factor
It still comes down to money.

Wednesday’s reveal of the Switch 2 had a lot of buzz from Nintendo surrounding its successor to the Switch. One shocking bit, though, was the high price of its games. There’s a lot of confusion, especially with news of President Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on many trading partners, including Japan.
After the Switch 2 Direct, Nintendo released the full details of the upcoming console and games on its website. The price of Mario Kart World shocked gamers and led to some disdain, as the $80 MSRP was $10 more than what most new games cost today. This led many to wonder if this would be a new normal for game prices due to Trump’s tariffs or if Nintendo was just being greedy. The answer, however, might be something completely different.
Are Nintendo Switch 2 game prices hiking?
To start, some details need to be cleared up. Some people have posted on social media that the price of Nintendo’s Switch 2 games, at least in the US, will be $90. That is incorrect, as of right now.
One X user posted Switch 2 EU prices for Mario Kart World, which start at 80 euros for a digital version and 90 euros for the physical copy. Typically, US and EU games match in price, which caused some to assume that this pricing would be the case for the US.
Nintendo Switch 2 games will be more expensive physically than digitally.
Mario Kart World will be 90 freaking euros phisically. pic.twitter.com/iXuRwzlFqH— Centro LEAKS (@CentroLeaks) April 2, 2025
US retailers, however, already posted their Switch 2 game prices, and Nintendo-published games are listed at $80.
Will Trump’s tariffs cause the Switch 2 to cost more?
As for Trump’s tariffs, that is unlikely to be a driver of this price bump. Tariffs are not applied to digital goods, and when the prices were published, there were no tariffs on Japan. Plus, games are similarly expensive in other countries like Canada and the UK.
With that cleared up, why are Nintendo games on the Switch 2 so expensive? One likely reason is game storage.
Read More: All the Nintendo Games You Can Update to Switch 2 for Free
The Switch 2 uses what Nintendo calls game-key cards, which are Switch 2 cartridges that don’t have all the game data on the cartridge itself. This helps save on production costs as storage is expensive. The original Switch cartridges went up to 32GB of storage, which doesn’t seem like a lot these days, with some games taking up 100GB or more of storage, but this is for the original Switch. Only a few games, like The Witcher 3, went above 32GB because the graphics for the Switch weren’t on the high end like with a PC, PS5 or Xbox Series console, where a Witcher 3 install size starts at 50GB.
Switch 2 games are going to be bigger in size — there is little doubt about it. CD Projekt Red confirmed it would put its Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition on one 64GB cartridge, and there will likely be other games to surpass that 64GB. With the max size of the cartridge doubling in size, it adds to the price of the physical card, as not only does storage have to be bigger, but they will need to transfer data faster. That can get more expensive for physical copies, unlike optical discs, which are still the same price whether it has 20GB or 100GB on the disc.
What does all this mean for gamers?
This leads to a dilemma for publishers: Put the entire game on the physical card and sell it at a loss, increase the price of the physical copy with the full game on it or use the game-key card to have a card with minimal storage, requiring gamers to download the entire game.
Read More: The 17 Best Nintendo Switch Games Right Now
It appears that Nintendo went with door No. 2. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, knowing the company. Anyone who wants to save money on games knows that Nintendo will seldom bring the price down of its own games. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, for example, is 8 years old and is still full price on Nintendo’s website.
According to an industry analysis from Niko Partners, this new pricing could become the new normal in a couple of years when it comes to physical cartridges.
«While there has been some sticker shock regarding the price of games increasing from $60 to $70 or $80, these price points are set to become industry standard over the next two years, especially so for Nintendo first-party games,» Niko Partners said in a statement Wednesday. «One reason for the higher price is the increased cost of the new and faster Game Cards themselves, with higher capacities being more expensive to manufacture than a PS5 Blu-ray disc.»
Nintendo didn’t respond to a request for comment about the higher price of its games.
That said, this doesn’t explain the lower price of Donkey Kong Bananza, which comes out in July; that’s listed on Nintendo’s site for $70. This could mean the game isn’t using a larger storage card, but that can’t be said for sure until the game comes out. It’s unclear how things will change in the future.
Technologies
Nintendo Switch 2 Pre-orders in US Delayed Due to Trump’s Tariffs
The Switch 2 launch is still happening on June 5, and preorders outside the US seem unchanged.

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders in the US were to start April 9, but it appears those plans have changed due to the new tariffs imposed this week by President Donald Trump. It’s unclear if this means Nintendo will also have to increase the price of the Switch successor, which currently starts at $450.
Nintendo said Friday that it’s delaying Switch 2 preorders in the US, but its June release date is unaffected.
«Pre-orders for Nintendo Switch 2 in the U.S. will not start April 9, 2025 in order to assess the potential impact of tariffs and evolving market conditions,» the company said in a statement. «Nintendo will update timing at a later date. The launch date of June 5, 2025 is unchanged.»
Nintendo didn’t indicate if preorder dates outside the US would change, but Eurogamer reports that preorders are live at various retailers in the UK.
A tariff of 24% has been applied by the US to goods from Japan. Were that rate to be applied directly to the Switch 2’s announced price, it would rise to $558, but it would be up to Nintendo how much of the tariff it will pass on to consumers.
This is a developing story.
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