We’ve tested dozens of desktop computers in 2024, but these are the only 12 you should pay attention to when you go to buy.
There are hundreds of desktop PCs you can buy from brands like HP, Dell, Apple, and Lenovo, but only a select few make it on our list of the best desktops. We’ve reviewed dozens of desktop PCs across both Windows and macOS, and these 12 stand out from the pack.
The Dell XPS Desktop 8960 remains the best desktop PC you can buy in 2024. However, we have several other options depending on your budget and needs, including desktops for gaming, remote work, and more. We’ll provide a quick overview here, but make sure to read our write-up on how we review desktops for a deeper look at our evaluation process.Quick overview
Dell XPS Desktop 8960: A highly flexible desktop that can accommodate almost any budget and purpose, from home office work to high-end gaming.
Starforge Navigator: An attractive and performant gaming desktop with the right mix of value and flair.
Apple iMac 24-inch: Apple’s iMac 24-inch model is only better now with the M3 chip at the helm.
Apple Mac Mini M2: A supercharged version of Apple’s storied Mac Mini that’s as portable as it is powerful.
Falcon Northwest Talon: A flexible midtower that defines the outer limits of premium.
Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i: One of the most powerful all-in-one PCs you can buy thanks to with a stunning set of features.
Corsair One i500: A tiny desktop PC that’s very powerful for gaming and content creation.
Apple Mac Studio: A tiny PC that packs some of the most powerful hardware on the market.
HP Envy Move: The perfect desktop for a hybrid working style.
Lenovo ThinkStation P620: A powerful workstation that can handle the most demanding tasks.
Ayaneo AM01: A quaint mini PC that packs a surprising amount of power for a low price.
Asus ROG NUC 970: A tiny gaming PC that packs a punch with the NUC brand. Why you should trust us
We’ve reviewed hundreds of desktop PCs for years, looking for machines that stand out for gaming, home office use, photo and video editing, and so much more. From miniature PCs that can fit on a bookshelf to behemoth desktops with custom liquid cooling, we’ve seen literally everything, and we know what stands out and what doesn’t.Key considerations when selecting the best desktop
There are a few key areas we focus on when looking a desktop computer.Performance
Performance is king when it comes to a desktop computer, but it’s not an equal bar for every PC. Some machines, like the Mac Mini, are offering power in a portable package, while a desktop like the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i goes all-out for gaming prowess. We meet desktops where they’re at, evaluating what they’re trying to accomplish, and at what price.Build quality
A desktop may look nice, but it’s built of cheap plastics and throwaway components, it won’t last for long. Our review process includes a teardown of every desktop to understand what the internal components look like. In addition, we look at fan placement, ventilation, and cooling to ensure the desktops will stay quiet during operation without overheating.Support
Things go wrong with PCs, so it’s important to have a robust support system in place. A one-year warranty is standard on most electronics, so we look for companies that go above and beyond what’s required with multi-year warranties and around-the-clock support.Upgradability
One of the main benefits of a desktop PC is that you can upgrade it in the future, but some brands have missed that memo. We keep an eye out for proprietary components and try to focus on desktops that provide some upgrade paths for users. This isn’t possible for all machines, though, such as Apple’s iMac, where upgrades are tricky for end users due to the form factor.
Dell XPS 8960The best desktop computer
The best overall desktop PC is the one that will work for the most people, and that’s the Dell XPS 8960. It’s understated in all the right ways, reasonably priced considering the power you can pack inside, and comes in a variety of configurations to suit work, gaming, or both. Choosing the highest-rated PC isn’t easy, but the Dell XPS 8960 gets rid of that issue.
Regardless of what configuration you choose, you’ll find something that matches your needs. That’s because Dell builds them custom ordered, which is the best feature of the XPS 8960. The options are nearly endless, with prices ranging from $750 to over $3,000 depending on the parts you choose. Some of the desktops come without a discrete graphics card, meaning they’re more suited for work than games. However, you can get one of the more expensive ones that include a discrete graphics card.
Dell is offering this new XPS desktop with Intel Raptor Lake and DDR5 RAM for those who are in search of the best gaming PC. You can add up to an RTX 4090 graphics card as well, which is a serious amount of power considering the size of the machine. Powerful hardware means more heat, but the XPS 8960 gets rid of it well with optional liquid cooling and a case with plenty of room for airflow.
Starforge NavigatorThe best desktop PC for gaming
PC builders are a dime a dozen these days, but Starforge Systems still manages to stand out. Instead of endless customization, Starforge offers a concise lineup of prebuilt gaming PCs that use off-the-shelf parts. Even better, they’re configured in a way that makes them look and perform like a custom PC.
We’re recommending the Navigator, which is a $1,900 build that comes packed with an Nvidia RTX 4070 and an AMD Ryzen 5 7600X. The CPU is a bit weak for the price, but you’re getting an excellent GPU, along with an attractive XPG case and a flashy liquid cooler.
Glitz is one thing, but the Navigator performs as good as it looks. In our testing, it was able to match a custom PC with an RTX 4070 without resorting to crazy temperatures. On top of that, Starforge adds extras like cable combs into the build, keeping the interior looking as clean as the PC performs.
Apple iMac 24-inchThe best desktop for photo editing
Apple’s iMac 24-inch hasn’t seen a lot of love, but that all changed with the introduction of the M3 chip. Sporting the same stunning design and beautiful screen we fell in love with a few years ago, the iMac Apple is selling today truly is the same, but better.
That all comes down to the M3 chip. Compared to its M1 predecessor, the new model is at least 20% faster, and often much more. The graphics processor, in particular, is impressive. It even manages to beat some of Apple’s older Pro series chips, going as far as to have playable performance in games like Lies of P.
Apple didn’t change much else about the iMac, but it didn’t need to. The 4.5K Retina display is still stunning with a high pixel density, and the speakers are second to none. The upgraded webcam is exceptional, too, offering up a 1080p resolution for crisp video calls. If you’re looking for an all-in-one that just works in 2024, the iMac M3 is for you.
Apple Mac mini M2The best desktop computer for home
We rarely give products a perfect score, but that’s exactly what Apple’s Mac mini M2 earned in our full review. The updated mini PC features the same compact footprint that Apple has used for over a decade, but now with a major update under the hood.
The base M2 model is a big upgrade over 2020’s Mac mini M1, but the updated desktop really shines with the M2 Pro chip. That takes the Mac mini from being a MacBook without a screen to a full-fledged creator machine capable of tackling the most demanding tasks you can throw at a computer today.
The only problem is the base configuration, which comes with a much slower SSD. We wholeheartedly recommend the Mac mini M2, but make sure to read our Mac mini M2 buying guide to pick the right configuration.
Lenovo Yoga AIO 9iThe best desktop computer for work
It’s really hard recommending an all-in-one over Apple’s iMac, but the Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i is certainly a contender. It’s a 4K desktop that impresses with great performance, a solid price, and one of the best integrated displays we’ve seen, as well as some unique features.
The machine is powered by Intel’s Core i9-13900H, which is one of the most powerful mobile CPUs you can buy. It’s more than enough to handle work applications, and it can even step up for some photo or video editing. More impressive, you can configure the machine with a mobile RTX 4050 graphics card, giving you a little gaming grunt if you need it.
The Yoga AIO 9i makes this list due to its screen and features, however. The 32-inch 4K display is stunning with its glossy finish, and it comes with great color accuracy out of the box. It has some tricks in the base, as well, including a wireless charging pad for your phone.
Corsair One i500The best mini gaming PC
The Corsair One i500 is a monster, and you can tell that just from the spec sheet. It comes with an RTX 4090 and a Core i9-14900K, so you’re getting the most powerful hardware money can buy. What’s surprising is that Corsair manages to fit such powerful components in a tiny case, and with plenty of good looks in tow.
How does Corsair pull it off? Liquid cooling. Corsair includes liquid coolers for both the CPU and GPU inside the One i500, which not only keeps temperatures in check, but also helps the machine stay quiet under load. Even with such a tiny a footprint, the Corsair One i500 barely sacrifices any performance. It’s within a few percentage points of a custom desktop with an elaborate cooling scheme.
