When researching desktop computers, it may strike you about how many choices there really are.
When researching desktop computers, it may strike you about how many choices there really are. Computer stores are filled with a wide range of new desktop computers and this article will help you decide which one is right for you.
The first thing to consider when buying a new computer is what you plan to use it for.
The vast majority of PC desktop computers run the Windows platform, but of course there is a growing choice of Apple desktop computers available – many people have their own preference, and over time the two platforms have begun to show similarities in their applications. As a rule of thumb however, Windows PCs are word processing or business desktop computers, while Macintosh desktop computers are more suited to multimedia work. You must bear in mind that not all programmes you may wish to use are compatible with both systems, although there are obviously many alternatives that work just as well.
If you plan to purchase a specialized PC, such as a gaming desktop computer or a business computer, consider looking at what hardware you may need to include in your search criteria. Do you need a large monitor, or an advanced graphics and sound card? If you are looking to simply buy a home desktop computer for family use or education, these options may seem less important, but should still be considered, especially with a growing number of impressive desktop computers deals.
After you have narrowed down your search, there are several things to consider, which apply to all computers. Ask yourself what you need the computer for, not just your present needs, but what you may wish to use it for in the future. How fast does the system need to be, and what sort of memory do you think you will need during the computer’s lifetime?
Remember that RAM determines how fast your computer can process information – computers with higher RAM are quicker at running programs. Hard Drive is the amount of storage space your desktop computer will have – more space means you are able to store more music, pictures, videos and files. Most PCs have around 320GB of hard drive.
Other considerations to make are the number of accessible ports available in your computer (USB etc.), modem, disk drives and screen size.
After you have decided which desktop computer you are most interested in, be sure to check out any media or software bundles offered with the system – you may be surprised at what extras you can get.
Finding the right desktop computer can be difficult, but considering these points will make your choice easier.
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HP Slate 21 |
HP Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 3 reviews – 22 news – 9 videos – 2 photos |
£50 to £156
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Dell Inspiron One 2330 |
Dell Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 3 reviews – 2 user opinions – 7 news – 7 videos – 23 photos
Dell Inspiron One 2330 review
Trusted Reviews —
05-2013
The Dell Inspiron One 2330 is good looking all-in-one PC with strong specs on paper. Does how does it perform in practice? Hide
Dell Inspiron One 2330 review | Read more
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£61 to £81
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HP Z1 |
HP Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 6 reviews – 10 user opinions – 20 news – 4 videos – 10 photos
HP Z1 review
Trusted Reviews —
08-2012
HP Z1 Desktop PC review: A height-adjustable 27in workstation all-in-one PC with a 2,560 x 1,440 IPS screen, features galore, and powerful, fully upgradeable internals. Hide
HP Z1 review | Read more
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£852 to £1,920
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HP TouchSmart 600 |
HP Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 9 reviews – 24 user opinions – 54 news – 4 videos – 24 photos
HP Touchsmart 600-1220 review
Dominic Fallows —
11/03/2011
HP shows it hasn’t lost touch with its ability to build some of the best touchscreen All in One (AiO) PCs on the market with its flagship Touchsmart 600. HP was the first outfit to craft a… Hide
HP Touchsmart 600-1220 review | Read more
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£902 to £2,079
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Dell Inspiron One 2320 |
Dell Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 4 reviews – 9 user opinions – 6 news – 10 videos – 9 photos
Dell Inspiron One 2320 review
IT Reviews —
13/02/2012
A capable All in One from Dell One group of computers that have never seemingly caught the public’s attention are the All-in-One PC’s. This is surprising, as all you have to do is find a home for the… Hide
Dell Inspiron One 2320 review | Read more
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£61 to £81
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HP Omni 27 |
HP Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 9 reviews – 22 user opinions – 14 news – 4 videos – 30 photos
HP Omni 27
DigitalVersus —
06-2012
With the standard specs reviewed here, the Omni 27 just looks like another 27″ TouchSmart that can’t compete with Asus’ and Apple’s models. Where the Omni 27 starts to get interesting is when you… Hide
HP Omni 27 | Read more
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£700
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Dell Optiplex GX520 |
Dell Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 1 review – 13 user opinions – 35 news – 1 video – 1 photo
Dell OptiPlex GX520 DT
PCPRO —
02-2006
Great design and build quality make the Dell stand out. If expansion isn’t important, the GX520 should be on your shortlist Hide
Dell OptiPlex GX520 DT | Read more
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£39
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Apple Mac mini Core 2 Duo 2GHz |
Apple Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 6 reviews – 7 user opinions – 2 news – 6 videos – 11 photos
Apple Mac mini – nVidia 9400M Edition review
Trusted Reviews —
03-2009
Apple Mac mini – nVidia 9400M Edition Desktop PC review: The Apple Mac mini has finally received a much-demanded update. Has the wait been worthwhile? Hide
Apple Mac mini – nVidia 9400M Edition review | Read more
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£399 to £1,049
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Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 |
Lenovo Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 1 review – 1 feedback – 55 news – 2 videos – 3 photos |
£230 to £800
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Dell Inspiron One 23 |
Dell Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 7 reviews – 4 user opinions – 19 news – 15 videos – 58 photos
Dell Inspiron One 23 hands-on
Pocket-lint —
26/11/2010
Touchscreen 23-inch all-in-one computer gets fondled Announced back in September, the Dell Inspiron One 23 is finally here and that means in the hands of Pocket-lint. For those who can’t tell from… Hide
Dell Inspiron One 23 hands-on | Read more
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£70 to £104
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Lenovo ThinkCentre M58 |
Lenovo Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 2 reviews – 17 user opinions – 12 news – 20 photos
Lenovo ThinkCentre M58 desktops
PCPRO —
01-2009
Solid engineering, a surprisingly fast specification and a reasonable price – Lenovo strikes gold with its latest business desktop. Hide
Lenovo ThinkCentre M58 desktops | Read more
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£87 to £98
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Dell XPS One |
Dell Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 12 reviews – 14 user opinions – 105 news – 13 videos – 48 photos
Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 All-In-One Desktop – Better Value Than iMac & Dell?
Digitpedia Tech Blog —
05/01/2009
Back in October last year I posted about the Dell XPS One and how much I loved it, I also love the Apple iMac. I am a big fan of All-In-One desktops so I always have a cheeky grin when a new one is… Hide
Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 All-In-One Desktop – Better Value Than iMac & Dell? | Read more
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£40 to £56
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Acer Aspire Z5610 |
Acer Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 3 reviews – 25 user opinions – 28 news – 11 videos – 9 photos
Acer Aspire Z5610 Multitouch All-in-One Desktop
Geeky-Gadgets —
15/10/2009
Acer had added a new all-ine-one desktop PC to its range with the launch of the Acer Aspire Z5610. The Acer Aspire Z5610 features a 23 inch multitouch display, which has a resolution of 1920 x 1080… Hide
Acer Aspire Z5610 Multitouch All-in-One Desktop | Read more
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£62
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Alienware Area-51 ALX |
Alienware Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 2 reviews – 3 user opinions – 30 news – 27 photos |
£35 to £108
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HP TouchSmart 310 |
HP Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 2 reviews – 6 user opinions – 53 news – 4 videos – 8 photos
HP TouchSmart 310-1125f Desktop Review
Top electronicsreview & Deals —
26/03/2011
Buy new HP TouchSmart 310-1125f Desktop the latest TouchSmart technology and a suite of apps, simply touch the screen to surf the web, watch movies, play music, flip through photos.The 310-1125f PC… Hide
HP TouchSmart 310-1125f Desktop Review | Read more
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£70 to £368
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Apple iMac 21.5" Intel Core i3 3.2GHz |
Apple Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 2 reviews – 5 user opinions – 1 news – 11 videos – 11 photos
Apple iMac 21.5in (2010) review
Trusted Reviews —
09-2010
Apple iMac 21.5in (2010) Desktop PC review: Another year, another relatively minor update. Is the iMac still the best all-in one money can buy? Hide
Apple iMac 21.5in (2010) review | Read more
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£165 to £438
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Apple iMac 27" Intel Core i3 3.2GHz |
Apple Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 2 reviews – 10 user opinions – 7 videos – 11 photos
Apple iMac 27in desktops
PCPRO —
08-2010
Powerful, beautifully designed and with a magnificent screen, so we can forgive the few niggles Hide
Apple iMac 27in desktops | Read more
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£1,355
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Averatec All-In-One |
Averatec Desktop Computers | |||
![]() 1 review – 43 news – 1 video – 1 photo
Averatec D1005 All in One PC
Geeky-Gadgets —
17/07/2009
Averatec has added a new all in one PC to their range with the launch of the D1005 All in One PC. The Averatec D1005 All in One PC comes with a 22 inch WXGA LCD display, and Intel Core 2 Duo… Hide
Averatec D1005 All in One PC | Read more
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£24 to £305
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Dell Inspiron One 2310 |
Dell Desktop Computers | |||
![]() 1 review – 1 feedback – 8 news – 6 videos – 3 photos
The one where we review a Dell Inspiron One 2310
Who’s the Mummy? —
02/03/2011
According to research reported in the news this week, three quarters of children aged 5 use the Internet every day. Flea, as ever, is the exception. When she was younger, my iMac was in the office at… Hide
The one where we review a Dell Inspiron One 2310 | Read more
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£410 to £2,702
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Dell Optiplex 745 |
Dell Desktop Computers | ||
![]() 1 review – 92 user opinions – 25 news – 106 photos
Dell OptiPlex 745
PCPRO —
11-2006
A good take on the vPro concept but, ultimately, too expensive for most offices Hide
Dell OptiPlex 745 | Read more
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£90 to £147
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