Consider splashing out on one of the best PCs of 2017, handpicked by our computing experts.
How would you like to be the proud owner of the best PC in the world? While it’s a pipe dream for most, the title of “best PC” doesn’t have to equal “most expensive computer.” Rather, it’s our belief that the best PC on the market is determined by testing every model across all brands and reaching a conclusion based on value. That’s right, our rankings below have been decided on with both cost and performance in mind, not merely the latter.
Truthfully, the best PC for you isn’t that black and white either. There’s a gray area called personal preference that can be the difference between buying a towering desktop box that occupies much of your cabinet space and shelling out for an all-in-one computer featuring ample screen real-estate and the guts of the system built-in. Whereas some of our readers might lean towards the Alienware Aurora R6, others will find comfort in the Surface Studio.
That being the case, we’ve taking into consideration a wide range of differing attitudes towards computers as well as the vastly different budgets we recognize some of you might have. In doing so, we’ve concocted an engrossing list of the best computers we’ve managed to get our hands on this year. After comprehensive testing and critical reflection, you will find the best PCs 2017 has to offer in the following paragraphs.
Don’t be fooled, this mainstream machine is a gaming PC at heart
For lack of a better description, the Dell XPS Tower Special Edition is a master of disguise. Appearing as subtle as the PC your parents hid under the desk, don’t be deceived by this boring exterior. Inside, you’ll find your choice of one of the latest high-end graphics card solutions from AMD and Nvidia in addition to a powerful Kaby Lake processor paired with plenty of hard drive and/or SSD storage. While the Special Edition of this PC is only available in the US, our readers in Australia and the United Kingdom will still be able to pick up the regular Dell XPS Tower and configure a system to the top spec.
The art kid’s dream computer in a metallic nutshell
The Microsoft Surface Studio is one of the most glamorous PCs you can buy. It shakes up the all-in-one formula of putting all the components behind the screen, and instead moves everything to the base. The resulting device has one of the thinnest 28-inch PixelSense Displays that puts even most 4K screens to shame. What’s more, the fully-articulating stand makes it a versatile tool for work and play with Surface Pen support. All in all, the Surface Studio is an exceptional work of, and for, art.
A VR-ready micro-machine
The Zotac Magnus EN1060 is practically as small as the Apple Mac Mini, but it’s an exponentially more powerful gaming PC, potent enough to drive virtual reality experiences. Thanks to its small size and understated features, users can place this mini PC under an entertainment center and it won’t draw attention to itself. Keep in mind, though, this system doesn’t come with storage or RAM pre-installed, not to mention it lacks an operating system, so interested users will need buy these components and software separately.
Great gaming performance without breaking the bank
The Alienware Aurora R6 is an excellent gaming PC that offers brilliant performance in a conveniently compact body. The affordable price is pretty great as well, considering the power on offer and users itching for upgrades will have room to pick up a second graphics card, plus more RAM and storage.
A slimline console-sized mini PC for your living room
Positioned as a “console killer,” the MSI Trident 3 looks a lot like an Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, but it’s a far more powerful PC that feels just right in your living room. Complete with all the ports you could ever dream of, the MSI Trident 3’s advantages are clear. Still, in trying to be as thin and light as possible, the MSI Trident 3 comes equipped with a 330W external power supply brick, resembling some of the least attractive console designs.
A powerful, price-efficient (albeit old-hat) package
You wouldn’t see it coming based on the logo alone, but Apple’s latest iMac is neatly priced when compared to other all-in-one computers out there. In fact, the Surface Studio costs three times as much as the iMac to start. Despite lacking the fancy trimmings of its Microsoft-contrived competitor, e.g., a touchscreen and adjustable stand, the option for a 4K P3 wide color display and 7th-generation processor make the 21.5-inch iMac not only gorgeous, but up to date as well.
It’s a prettier, if less-beefy, Mac Pro
Though at first you might confuse it for a fabric-woven Mac Pro refresh, the HP Pavilion Wave is anything but. This compact Windows machine packs in 6th-generation Intel Core processors and optional discrete AMD graphics with a uniquely integrated Bang & Olufsen speaker. Wrapped in a handsome fabric exterior, this is the perfect PC to have on the desk, as it radiates crisp sound while you browse the web or watch movies.
The tiny computer that can
No, this isn’t a USB thumb drive you’re looking at. The Intel Core Compute Stick might look like something you would store a PowerPoint presentation on shortly before losing it, but it’s actually a palm-sized personal computer that plugs into any screen with an HDMI port. Configurations start at a lowly 1.33GHz Intel Atom processor running Linux, and at the highest end is a notebook-class Intel Core m5 processor.
