Desktop PC Buying Guide

When buying a new computer you may consider what you want to use your new desktop for and your budget. Are you an avid photographer looking for a speedy but cost-effective platform for editing high-resolution photos? Are you just a basic computer user, surfing the net and checking e-mails everyday and making some reports and presentation?  There are three major categories of desktop, each with its own range of price and performance: compact PCs, all-in-one PCs, and classic tower PCs (budget, mainstream, and performance). Each style of machine has different strengths and weaknesses, and choosing the one that’s best for you depends largely on how you plan to use it.

1. Compact PCs

As the smallest members of the desktop computer family, compact PCs often omit features to deliver computing power in a space-saving package. The combination of energy-efficient components, quiet operation, and small size makes compact PCs ideal for people who want a nonintrusive machine

2. All-in-One Desktops

All-in-One PCs are self-contained: components are mounted behind a display, with screen sizes ranging between 18- and 27-inches. With no cords to manage or peripherals to juggle, setting up your new all-in-one PC can be as simple as pulling the machine out of the box and plugging it in.

3. Budget PCs

A budget tower desktop carries standard desktop components, older hardware or inexpensive, low-end processors. Typically, these PCs are minitower systems, with fewer drive bays than a full tower has.

4. Mainstream PCs

Higher up in the desktop chain, you’ll find machines aimed at mainstream users and carry at least 500GB hard drives and about 4GB of RAM. Powered by dual-core and lower-end quad-core processors, they deliver better performance than budget desktops, without breaking the bank.

5. Performance PCs

Occupying the high end of the spectrum are performance desktops.  Most performance PCs are full tower systems, equipped with a slew of drive bays and expansion slots. Designed to tackle challenging tasks, they come equipped with the latest and greatest Intel and AMD dual- and quad-core processors, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, and at least one discrete graphics card.