The Best Computers
Between work and play, we use computers for just about everything these days. But because computers are so ingrained in our daily lives, the market is flooded with different options. It's a great undertaking to compare all the specs and prices, so we decided to make the shopping experience easier by listing the best of the best. Read on for our reviews of our favorite computers.
What to Look For
We know not everyone has the time or money to build their own computer, so we wanted to find the best prebuilt options on the market. We used four guiding questions: Is it powerful enough for work, streaming, or games? Is the price fair for the quality? Are the specs good enough? Does it include any other hardware, like a keyboard and mouse? With these questions in mind, we were most impressed by the HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop, which comes with a powerful graphics card and several other components that will stand the test of time. But the price is a bit on the expensive side, so we recommend checking out the HP EliteDesk 800 G1 SFF if your budget is tight. There’s a lot to unpack, so let’s dive into the reviews.
HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop
The HP Pavilion Gaming Desktop is our standard for excellence. It isn’t cheap, but considering what you get for the price, it offers the best bang for your buck. With a GTX 1650 SUPER graphics card and 8GB of DDR4 RAM, this baby can run tons of popular video game titles on high and ultra settings. Add to that the 256GB SSD storage, and you have a machine that’s fast, responsive, and versatile. Even if you’re not a gamer, it’s an excellent choice for everything from work to media streaming.
Pros:
- Capable graphics card
- Excellent value for the price
- Includes a quality mouse and keyboard
- Beautiful case with efficient ventilation
Cons:
- If you intend to use it for gaming, you may have to factor in a small additional cost for upgrading the RAM
Acer Aspire XC-1660G-UW94 Desktop with Full HD Monitor
No more piece by piece
Finding a quality computer bundle is tough since so many options have at least one Achilles’ heel that makes the whole thing come crashing down. But the Acer Aspire XC-1660G-UW94 has no such weakness. With a 1080p monitor, an Intel i3 processor, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a super-fast 256GB SSD hard drive, this baby can handle almost anything you throw at it. Indeed, all the components meet our standards, including the mouse and keyboard. Best of all, it comes at an accessible price point.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Fast processing
- Slim, space-efficient design
- Great for streaming shows and movies
- Ideal for offices and working from home
Cons:
- The slim case may limit certain upgrade possibilities
Dell OptiPlex 9020-SFF, Renewed
Low price, high value
You’d be hard-pressed to find a quality computer at this incredible price, but the Dell OptiPlex 9020-SFF is like one out of a million. It has an incredible processor, the Intel Core i5, a whopping 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD hard drive. Seriously, these specs were hard to believe at first. The only reason for the wickedly low price is that it’s been “renewed” (essentially refurbished). Fortunately, the Amazon Renewed Store offers a generous refund policy for peace of mind, so make sure to read the details before you buy.
Pros:
- Excellent processor
- Extremely affordable
- Sleek and slim design
- Includes basic mouse and keyboard
- Capable of running many popular video games
Cons:
- No HDMI output, though it does have DisplayPort
HP All-in-One PC Desk Computer
Simplicity at its finest
All-in-one desktops are a great way to reduce clutter and enjoy a jumbo display. Indeed, this 21.5-inch screen offers full HD that’s can display multiple windows side-by-side, making it ideal for work and streaming. Plus, with the built-in wifi receiver, it can really eliminate unnecessary cables and wires from getting in the way of your day-to-day tasks. In fact, this option has everything you need to set up a complete computer station and get to work, so you don’t need to hunt for other hardware.
Pros:
- Easy to set up
- Great value for the price
- Beautiful minimalistic design
- Built-in speakers are clear and can reach high volumes
- 8GB of SDRAM and 256SSD are good for mid-level gaming
Cons:
- Upgrading the components may be tricky with the all-in-one chassis
Apple MacBook Air Laptop M1 Chip
What list of great computers would be complete without a nod to Apple? The MacBook Air is a premium machine that delivers a gorgeous display, a lightweight and portable build, and enough processing power to run editing programs and video games smoothly. It’s the perfect pick for students and remote workers. If you want to be mobile, the MacBook Air is your best bet.
Pros:
- Compatible with tons of great games
- The mighty M1 processor is wicked fast
- The battery can last 18 hours on a single charge
- The 13.3-inch Retina display is beautiful and colorful
Cons:
- Upgrading specific components is nearly impossible without professional support
Frequently Asked Questions
How much RAM should my computer have?
Most common tasks, like using an internet browser and working on spreadsheets, require only about 4GB of RAM. However, if you want to use your computer for playing games, you should have 8GB of RAM at the bare minimum. Fortunately, many computers come with extra RAM slots, so installing more RAM is easy with a little help from an online guide.
What specs are important for playing video games?
Running video games on high graphics settings will usually require a powerful graphics card, a fast processor, and at least 8GB of RAM. There are plenty of excellent resources online that compare these components’ specs. All you have to do is search the web to find out if your computer of choice is up to the demands of your favorite games.
About the Author
Why Trust Us
With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.