The 2024 Top Desktop Computer Picks

The 2024 Top Desktop Computer Picks. New iMacs from Apple, built on the M3 architecture, are the greatest desktops for most users. With its built-in screen and comprehensive features, it’s the perfect all-in-one. The iMac offers an excellent design with Apple’s latest M3 processor and a high-resolution 24-inch display for a fair price. No one can dispute the remarkable performance of Apple’s newest silicon. The 24-inch iMac provides more real estate for your work and games than you’d get on a laptop. However, you can quickly move the iMac from one area to another thanks to its small size and power cord that magnetically snaps into place. The PC and its accessories are available in seven vibrant colours.

We also offer suggestions for smaller form factor PCs and classic tower desktops if you’d rather not have an all-in-one like the iMac. Our favourite all-in-ones also run on Google ChromeOS or Microsoft Windows.

While most of the time, our editors review laptops for CNET, desktop computers make an appearance in the lab from time to time. Our current desktop recommendations heavily rely on our testing and evaluation of earlier versions. While we haven’t tried each proposal, we have some broad recommendations based on our experience with PCs similar to yours. These rules should assist if you want to get the most bang for your buck when you have a PC built to order. From time to time, we will revise our list of the top desktop computers.

Best Desktop Computers of 2024

Apple iMac M3 (2024)

If you’re looking for a desktop computer that you can take with you instead of a portable laptop, the 24-inch iMac is a great choice. It’s compact enough to fit in a kitchen nook but roomy enough to accommodate your workstation, media player, and casual gaming needs. The most current version of Apple’s M3 processor significantly improves the iMac’s content creation and gaming performance.

With an M3 chip, a 16-core Neural Engine, an eight-core GPU, and a configuration that includes four performance cores and four efficiency cores, the starting price of the iMac is $1,299 for the base model. In addition to 8 GB of RAM, 256 GB of SSD, and two Thunderbolt USB-C connectors, this entry-level model also has these specs. The Magic Mouse and Keyboard from Apple are also a part of it. You can increase the memory and SSD capacity and upgrade to an M3 chip with two additional GPU cores.

Best Cheap Desktop Alternative to a MacBook or iMac

Apple Mac Mini (2024)

Established in 2005 (in a pre-Intel form), one year before the debut of the MacBook, the Mac Mini desktop is among Apple’s most enduring product lines. Even after all this time, its fundamental form and popularity remain unchanged. In contrast to the iMac desktop, MacBook Pro, and Air laptops, the Mini is more of a workhorse, taking up less room yet allowing you to use whichever display and input devices you choose.

Among MacOS computers, the M2 Mac Mini is still the most affordable option, starting at $599 (£649, AU$999). You can find sales on it frequently on Amazon and other online retailers. At $999, the most comparable rival is the comparatively old M1 MacBook Air from 2020. Starting at $1,299, you can have the Mac Mini M2 Pro.

Best Mainstream Desktop for Gaming

Dell XPS 8960 Desktop

The ease of all-in-ones is undeniable, but upgrading one is a real pain, assuming it’s even possible. Small and silent enough for a home office, the XPS 8960 Desktop from Dell can fit up to 32 GB of RAM, 3 TB of storage (with extra space inside), an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics card, and a 13th-generation Core i9 processor. Starting at $1,550 with RTX graphics, the base XPS 8960 is often reduced and is a good option for those with moderate current demands who want the option to add components later on. Invest a bit more for a 750- or 1,000-watt power supply if you intend to upgrade.

Best Highly Customizable Gaming PC

Origin PC 5000T

Using a custom builder is the way to go if you’re unhappy with the limited customization choices offered by prebuilt gaming PCs. For PC users, the price of a fully customized machine could be too steep. Most users won’t need the most potent configuration even for gaming, but you can buy decent setups for around $2,000 less than the $5,000+ PC we tested.

Sound and sturdy systems are what Origin PC builds. You can probably find what you need at a price you can live with unless you desperately need a bargain. The Neuron series from Origin starts at about $2,000, while the high-end Genesis line begins at about twice that. For instance, a pre-configured Orgin Genesis 5000T with 64 GB of RAM, a Core i9-13900K, and GeForce RTX 4090 graphics is available for $5,796.

Best Mainstream Mac Desktop

Apple Mac Studio (2024)

Despite its astronomical starting price of $6,999, the Mac Pro has maintained its position as Apple’s top machine. The famous Mac Studio, however, starts at a more reasonable $1,999. The entry-level configuration comes with 32 GB of RAM, 512 GB of SSD, and Apple’s M2 Max CPU. You get twice as much RAM and an SSD in the $3,999 variant, in addition to the more powerful M2 Ultra CPU. If you’re looking for a powerful Mac for creative tasks like video editing, audio editing, animation, and graphics but don’t want to spend a fortune on a Mac Pro, either of these models is a good bet.

Best Big-screen Desktop

HP Envy 34 All-in-One PC

Since larger-screen all-in-one computers from Apple and Microsoft are no longer available, the HP Envy 34 AIO is almost the only premium alternative with a big screen.

Although you pay for aesthetics rather than performance, the system is exemplary. It has a 34-inch screen and a few helpful extras like a webcam you can connect magnetically and a Qi charging pad in the base. Last year, we looked at an earlier version of the HP Envy 34 AIO, and it seems like an excellent system for those who need large screens in a compact environment, whether at home or in a typical workplace. Both models come with Intel’s 12th-generation Core i5 or i7 processors, one generation behind the company’s current 13th-generation chips. For light to medium gaming and creative tasks, the former provides mobile GTX graphics, while the latter offers a more powerful but still portable RTX 3060 GPU. The MSRP of the 12th generation model is $2,000; however, you may get it for hundreds cheaper during sales.

Best All-in-one Desktop for Tight Budgets

HP Chromebase AiO 22

Small all-in-one PCs are great for the family’s main computer. Going further, the HP Chromebase integrates with the straightforward and safe Chrome OS, the same software your children likely use on their school Chromebooks. It resembles a larger version of Google’s intelligent Hub Nest display—and with Google Assistant built-in, it can be used like one—with a 21.5-inch touchscreen linked to a grey fabric-covered base. It can hold a 256 GB solid-state drive (SSD), up to 16 GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i3-10110U CPU. You can watch vertical movies, follow recipes, or scroll through your favourite websites quickly on the full HD screen, which also rotates vertically.