There are lots of different kinds of computers out there, from palm-sized productivity machines to desktop towers. While we do a lot of stuff on a laptop, there’s no substitute for a full-bore PC with all of the trimmings, and major manufacturers build and release numerous different models every year. If you’re shopping for one, it’s a tough time for prices, but deals are out there if you know where to look—and we do.
At PCMag, we review desktops more thoroughly than anywhere else, and with over 40 years in the business, our system can’t be topped. We evaluate desktops using a transparent system of metrics, factoring in price, features, design, and performance for work and play. We compare capabilities with ever-evolving benchmark tests, as well as run real-world applications and games, to determine the real value of each system and how the deals compare.
Best Home and Office Desktop Deals
These desktop towers prioritize reliability and value over high-octane gaming performance. Major brands like Dell, HP, and Lenovo specialize in these PCs, which usually cost around $1,000 for worthwhile models.
If you have nostalgia for the glory days of wood-paneled computer rooms and the AOL dial-up noise, HP’s OmniDesk towers combine vintage aesthetics with current-gen performance in an affordable package. We have a CES preview of this line, where we noted that the wood-grain front panel conceals surprisingly effective cooling fans and tons of ports. The footprint is also relatively small, but a ton of tech is packed inside, so it’s not lightweight enough to be considered portable. Inside the case, you get a capable Intel Core Ultra 7 processor that easily tackles everyday productivity and entertainment. RAM and storage are light, but the price is right, as Best Buy has a nice discount on this configuration right now.
For a slightly slimmer profile with solid performance, Lenovo’s IdeaCentre tower PCs have always been a good option. We don’t have a full review of this model, but we were impressed by its 2023 iteration, with top features including a compact chassis, good connectivity, and an install refreshingly free of bloatware. This loadout ships with an Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor, coupled with 16GB of RAM for smooth operation on most major productivity apps. Port selection is another strong point, with seven USB ports and an HDMI 2.1 output for your monitor of choice. While the integrated Intel UHD graphics aren’t cutting-edge, it even works for casual gaming.
Best All-In-One Desktop Deals
All-in-one desktops pack all of the computing components inside the monitor housing for easier setup and less cable management, and what they lose in customization, they make up for in convenience. We have discounts on a few solid Windows all-in-ones for work and play.
We gave an Editors’ Choice award to the latest iteration of Dell’s all-in-one desktop in our review, commenting that it hit all the marks we expect for a general-purpose home desktop with ease, starting with a cutting-edge Intel Core Ultra Series 3 processor and following it up with plenty of RAM and storage for everyday productivity. The 27-inch FHD screen is touch-enabled, bright, and crisp, with surprisingly assertive stereo speakers. Connectivity is also terrific, with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6 along with plenty of ports, although we wish more of them were on the front edge of the screen. The included wireless mouse and keyboard are high quality, and it comes with Windows 11 Pro installed.
For a Windows alternative, Lenovo’s IdeaCentre has a bigger screen and more onboard storage than the iMac above. We had a mixed but ultimately positive time reviewing this all-in-one. Our reviewer noted that it was well-constructed with lots of ports on multiple sides, and the included wireless keyboard and mouse were comfortable. The 10-core Intel Core i7-13620H processor is suited for everyday productivity, as well as streaming video and surfing the web. Although the FHD screen isn’t the highest resolution, it’s pleasurable to use for long stretches thanks to an antiglare coating and hardware-based blue light reduction. Snagging this one for under $900 is a fantastic bargain.
Best Mini PC Deals
Squeezed for space? A mini PC might be the answer. They pack tons of power into cases around the size of a stack of CDs, and are surprisingly capable. We have a Dell compact that’s designed for businesses, as well as a creative powerhouse from Kamrui.
More mainstream companies also make compact PCs, and this Dell OptiPlex is a solid choice for most productivity-oriented applications. It tackles spreadsheets and presentations with ease, and a plethora of ports let you connect up to four individual monitors in up to 4K resolution (not all at once, of course). It comes with Windows 11 Pro installed and virtually no manufacturer bloatware, so you can have it up and running in minutes. The 14th-generation Intel i3 processor isn’t the most impressive chip on the market, but it’s capable enough for most everyday office use.
Chinese company Kamrui produces a wide range of mini desktop loadouts, and they’re impressive from a value proposition, with high-quality components and sturdy design. Amazon has a 19% price cut on the Hyper H2 Mini, which is targeted toward content creators with 32GB of RAM and a full 1TB SSD, along with multi-monitor 4K support thanks to HDMI, USB-C, and DisplayPort outputs. The cooling system is up to the task as well, with centrifugal fans, twin copper heat pipes, and two fin-stack cooling modules. See where it clocks in on our rundown of the best Windows mini PCs.
Recommended by Our Editors
Finally, here’s a nicely-priced MSI mini that really gets the job done. You can read our extensive review of the Cubi NUC to see how it performed in our benchmarking tests, but the short version is that it’s got a speedy 14-core processor with integrated neural processing unit for Copilot AI, and solid design to work in tight spaces with peak efficiency. Port selection is diverse, with plenty of USB connections on the front and Thunderbolt, HDMI, and a pair of 2.5G Ethernet ports on the back. It even has a corded power button so you can mount it on a wall or in a hard-to-reach spot and still turn it on and off easily. For the money, this is one of the better mini PCs on the market.
Best Home and Office Desktop Deals
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HP OmniDesk Intel Ultra 7 2TB SSD 16GB RAM Desktop
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$1,374.99 With Code “JULY4PC25” -
HP OmniDesk Ryzen 7 RTX 3050 2TB SSD 16GB RAM Desktop
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$649.99
($1,969.99)
Save $1,320.00 -
Dell Tower Plus Intel Ultra 7 RTX 5060 1TB SSD 16G…
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$1,579.99
($2,129.99)
Save $550.00 -
Dell Tower Intel Ultra 7 1TB SSD 16GB RAM Desktop
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$1,249.99
($1,449.99)
Save $200.00 -
HP All-in-One 27 Ryzen AI 7 512GB SSD 16GB RAM Desktop
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$799.99
($1,349.99)
Save $550.00 -
Dell 24 All-in-One Intel i5 512GB SSD 16GB RAM Desktop
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$1,049.99
($1,249.99)
Save $200.00 -
Dell 27 All-in-One Intel 5 512GB SSD 16GB RAM Desktop
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$949.99
($1,149.99)
Save $200.00
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
Best Gaming Desktop Deals
Gaming desktops need high-capability components to be worthwhile, including dedicated GPUs, lots of onboard RAM, and powerful fans to keep it all cool. We’ve got a few good gaming tower offers right now, notably a pair of battlestations from iBuyPower and HP.
HP might not be the first name you think of when it comes to gaming hardware, but its Omen line consistently tests well in the midrange space, with cost-effective builds perfect for 1440p play. We gave an Editors’ Choice award to the Omen 35L desktop in our review, noting that it had an ultra-efficient cooling system that kept it running silently even under heavy load, and the easy-access case and industry-standard part selection made it a great pick for upgrading and customizing. The Blackwell-series GeForce 5060 is tuned for medium-resolution performance at fast frame rates, and a full 1TB SSD is beefy enough for your save files. It looks cool, too, with a ceramic white metal case and tempered glass side panels.
For an AMD-powered gaming machine that pushes the envelope at a reasonable price, this prebuilt from iBuyPower is worth a look, especially with a $300 price drop from Walmart. We gave the RX 9070XT graphics card an Editors’ Choice award in our review, noting that it combined vastly improved ray-tracing performance with great cooling and a reasonable price, competing very capably with Nvidia’s current-generation cards. The rest of the silicon loadout is solid for the price, including a speedy Ryzen 9 processor and 32GB of DDR5 RAM for seamless multitasking and content creation. The liquid CPU cooling system and RGB fans keep the whole enterprise stable under pressure.
Walmart is really bringing the smoke this week with gaming desktop deals, and snagging a potent performer like MSI’s Codex Z2 with the new RTX 5070 Ti at a $500 price drop is worth the final spot on our list. Running off of the Ryzen 7 8700F processor, it’s absolutely fast enough to handle all of today’s latest games, and the GPU and RAM combination will give you fast framerates at 1440p and even stretch into 4K for aspirational resolution hounds looking to overclock a bit. The chassis is a cool piece of tech as well, with attractive RGB lighting and well-designed airflow, although the fans can run a bit loud.
Best Gaming Desktop Deals
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HP Omen 35L Intel Ultra 9 RTX 5080 2TB SSD 64GB RAM Desktop
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$4,699.99
($6,499.99)
Save $1,800.00 -
HP Omen 45L Intel Ultra 7 RTX 5070 1TB SSD Desktop
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$2,699.99
($3,599.99)
Save $900.00 -
Alienware Aurora Intel Ultra 7 RTX 5060 Ti 1TB SSD…
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$2,149.99
($2,459.99)
Save $310.00 -
Alienware Area-51 Intel Ultra 7 RTX 5080 1TB SSD 3…
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$3,899.99
($4,299.99)
Save $400.00 -
Alienware Area-51 Intel Ultra 9 RTX 5090 2TB SSD 3…
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$5,999.99
($6,199.99)
Save $200.00 -
HP Omen 16L Ryzen 7 RTX 5060 1TB SSD 16GB RAM Desktop
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$1,012.49 With Code “BACK2SCHOOL25”
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
How Much Should I Pay for a Desktop Computer?
Your money goes further with desktop PCs and their components than with laptops. You can find complete mini PCs for less than $400 and perfectly serviceable small towers for $500 to $600. Gaming desktops with dedicated graphics cards start at around $700. You can also find all-in-one (AIO) desktops, with the display and all of the computing components built into a single device, starting at around $600. The sky’s the limit once you get into high-end gaming PCs and business-workstation power desktops, but the prices above are in the right range for most mainstream buyers.
How Much Does a Good Budget PC Cost?
Expect to pay at least $500 for a basic, competent small tower for day-in/day-out productivity and web work. You’ll find plenty of models for less than $500, especially in the mini PC class, but you should insist on at least 8GB of system memory for any PC, with 16GB required at minimum for AI tasks. For anything beyond basic productivity work, look for an Intel Core i5 (or Ultra 5) or AMD Ryzen 5 processor at least.
Which Brands Offer the Best Desktop Discounts?
Some brands post deals and discounts on their products more often than others, particularly Acer. Dell, HP, and Lenovo also do this, but you should always double-check exactly what you’re getting and whether you can buy it for less at other retailers. Brands like Lenovo adjust their prices frequently, making assessing the raw value of deals you see there difficult. Notably, Apple has improved its image as a value-focused brand, permanently dropping prices on some of its laptops and often hosting limited deals on shopping holidays.
What Is the Best Desktop Under $800?
Our experts have named the Acer Aspire TC-1775-UR11 their top budget pick for, “packing a 14th Gen Core i7 processor, Wi-Fi 6E, USB-C, and a compact design that tucks under your desk.” We’ve seen this model go for as low as $557 on Amazon. For more budget options, check out our top picks for the best cheap desktop PCs.
What Is the Best Gaming Desktop Under $1,000?
Finding a really good model under a grand is a big ask. Your best bet is going to be the Asus TUF Gaming T500, which pairs a mobile processor with a discrete graphics card inside a small-footprint desktop. Our experts said, “This cute, efficient rig excels for 1080p gaming, but its CPU, motherboard, power supply, and cooling scheme limit its future upgradability.” Right now it’s going for around $959.99 at Best Buy.
About Our Experts
K. Thor Jensen
Contributing Writer
Experience
K. Thor Jensen is a writer and cartoonist living in the Pacific Northwest. He has contributed to dozens of prestigious outlets, including PCMag, Tested, Clickhole, and Newsweek. His second graphic novel, Cloud Stories, was released in 2017.
Joe Osborne
Deputy Managing Editor, Hardware
Experience
After starting my career at PCMag as an intern more than a decade ago, I’m back as one of its editors, focused on managing laptops, desktops, and components coverage. With 15 years of experience, I have been on staff and published in technology review publications, including PCMag (of course!), Laptop Magazine, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and IGN. Along the way, I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops and helped develop testing protocols. I have expertise in testing all forms of laptops and desktops using the latest tools. I’m also well-versed in video game hardware and software coverage.
Jade Chung-Lee
Merchandising Associate
Experience
When she isn’t perusing online stores for deals, Jade enjoys playing video games (mostly JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board game components neatly into containers, and building Gundam models. Her love of electronics has persisted through her youth and has resulted in a collection of gaming peripherals including keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and art work. Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, and two chinchillas—as well as a host of houseplants.
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