Desktop Computers

Updated: 16-05-2012 04:20
Brand
alaScore
Price
Type
CPU
Graphics Card
#1
Alienware X51
alaScore 100

Alienware X51

For £899 at the top of the range, the Alienware X51 is packed to the gunnels with power and a...

14 expert reviews | 7 user reviews

#2
Apple iMac MC812/813/814/309( Mid 2011)
alaScore 99

Apple iMac MC812/813/814/309( Mid 2011)

We’ve a few relatively minor complaints about the new iMac. Mac Pros aside, the Mac range seems...

35 expert reviews | 398 user reviews

#3
Asus  ET2700INTS
alaScore 98

Asus ET2700INTS

Powerful, well equipped (even a bit too much so if you don’t like touchscreens), with good audio...

4 expert reviews | 3 user reviews

#4
Dell Inspiron ONE 23
alaScore 98

Dell Inspiron ONE 23

This compact all-in-one from Dell is surprisingly powerful, although rivals offer a higher spec...

21 expert reviews | 24 user reviews

#5
Zotac Zbox nano XS AD11 Plus
alaScore 97

Zotac Zbox nano XS AD11 Plus

Smaller than a Mac Mini and with a better graphics processor, too, Zotac's Zbox nano XS AD11 Plus...

5 expert reviews

#6
HP Touchsmart 610-1000UK XT124EA
alaScore 97

HP Touchsmart 610-1000UK XT124EA

This all-in-one PC has an outstanding range of features, but an unusually high price makes it a...

21 expert reviews | 167 user reviews

#7
Lenovo Thinkcentre EDGE 91Z 7075B5G
alaScore 97

Lenovo Thinkcentre EDGE 91Z 7075B5G

The ThinkCentre Edge 91z performs well, although a discrete GPU option would be welcome for...

11 expert reviews | 1 user reviews

#8
ASUS ET2700 ALL in ONE
alaScore 96

ASUS ET2700 ALL in ONE

In all honesty, it was hard to find much wrong with the Asus ET2700. Once you see it, you'll fall...

2 expert reviews

#9
HP Z1
alaScore 96

HP Z1

The HP Z1 Workstation is gorgeous and powerful, but it's definitely not perfect. My biggest issue...

2 expert reviews

#10
Toshiba Qosmio DX730-100
alaScore 96

Toshiba Qosmio DX730-100

Toshiba enters the all-in-one PC market with a versatile 23in machine.

6 expert reviews | 2 user reviews

#11
HP Touchsmart 520-1085UK LN733EA
alaScore 96

HP Touchsmart 520-1085UK LN733EA

Not the most exciting all-in-one, but it’s a well-made and reasonably priced living room PC

9 expert reviews | 43 user reviews

#12
HP TouchSmart 520
alaScore 95

HP TouchSmart 520

Despite the slightly blue, dim screen, we recommend the TouchSmart 520. It's decently priced - at...

6 expert reviews

#13
Lenovo Ideacentre B520
alaScore 95

Lenovo Ideacentre B520

This impressive all-in-one entertainment PC can handle everything from games to 3D movies

5 expert reviews | 40 user reviews

#14
Asus Essentio CM6870
alaScore 95

Asus Essentio CM6870

With its new-for-2012 Intel Ivy Bridge processor, this Essentio tower is a powerhouse...

2 expert reviews

#15
HP Pavilion p7-1030
alaScore 95

HP Pavilion p7-1030

The HP Pavilion p7-1030 is a mid-range desktop that gives you an Intel Core i3 processor with 8GB...

8 expert reviews | 53 user reviews

#16
Popbox V8
alaScore 95

Popbox V8

An excellent media centre that gives easy access to your content but which lacks certain features...

6 expert reviews | 4 user reviews

#17
Maingear Shift Super Stock
alaScore 94

Maingear Shift Super Stock

Price isn't a factor in our reviews, and it becomes especially superfluous when reviewing built...

4 expert reviews

#18
HP TouchSmart
alaScore 94

HP TouchSmart

By all rights, I ought to be singing my adoration of this updated HP TouchSmart. It is clearly an...

11 expert reviews | 72 user reviews

#19
DELL Precision 470
alaScore 94

DELL Precision 470

A neat design, but the X51 could do with a more powerful graphics card

4 expert reviews | 1 user reviews

#20
Polywell Ignition X7900i-3960
alaScore 94

Polywell Ignition X7900i-3960

The Polywell Ignition X7900i-3960 comes packed with every performance PC lover's dream parts, but...

2 expert reviews

#21
Packard Bell Onetwo L
alaScore 93

Packard Bell Onetwo L

With its 23in touchscreen and speedy Core i5-2400S processor, Packard Bell’s oneTwo LI5871 is a...

3 expert reviews | 13 user reviews

#22
Apple iMac Core 2 Duo (Late 2009)
alaScore 93

Apple iMac Core 2 Duo (Late 2009)

Can this impress enough to be the gateway to your digital world?

94 expert reviews | 1434 user reviews

#23
Apple iMac (Mid 2010)
alaScore 93

Apple iMac (Mid 2010)

For the average user who wants to indulge in a little multimedia consumption and get on with a...

40 expert reviews | 294 user reviews

#24
Zotac ZBOX NANO AD10
alaScore 93

Zotac ZBOX NANO AD10

With all the connectivity and (nearly) all the features youcould want in a nettop or media PC...

12 expert reviews | 13 user reviews

#25
Acer REVO RL100
alaScore 93

Acer REVO RL100

The Acer Revo 100 looks good, solves the problem of a boring keyboard and mouse in your living room

26 expert reviews | 73 user reviews

Buying Guide

Buying Guide - Desktop Computers

Desktop computers - Desktop computers offer power, stability, and expansive screen displays that enable graphic designers, engineers, architects, small business owners and everyone in between to effectively complete all necessary tasks. Unlike a laptop, a desktop computer is built as a kind of hub for a central base of operations, and can offer much higher degrees of functionality and storage space than any other commercial form of computer.

Memory - Because of their stationary nature, desktop computers can possesses enormous amounts of both traditional hard drive memory and RAM. Additionally, other stand-alone processors can be added to increase the total computing power. The processing speed of a desktop computer, which is normally measured in gigahertz, can be increased beyond the speed of the highest end laptops to create a remarkably responsive computing experience. This is particularly important for individuals who plan to run numerous calculation-heavy applications at the same time.

Branding - Several companies, including Apple and HP, have manufactured desktop computers for decades. Choosing a desktop computer based on brand alone will not necessarily provide the best computing experience. Mac’s intuitive software and graphically agile interface will be more useful for some applications and professions, while HP’s mathematically oriented interface will generally be a better fit for intensive spreadsheet business applications. However, each computer is engineered to provide speed and adaptability. While PC’s tend to attract more viruses because of their ubiquity, it can occasionally be a challenge to find suitable software for a Mac because it is too specialized.

Monitors - If you are purchasing a desktop computer instead of a laptop, you should choose a suitably generous monitor with an ample display. A large monitor with a high resolution reduces eye strain and allows you to clearly display numerous documents and applications at one time, which is particularly beneficial if you are trying to run a small business and must multi-task on a regular basis.

Other Accessories - Because of its size and stability, a powerful desktop computer can also double as an entertainment venue. Purchasing a set of exterior speakers will enhance this experience. Additionally, spending time finding the ideal mouse will also dramatically impact how easy it is to use the computer. A mouse should be sized to fit easily within the palm, and have a laser beam instead of a physical roller ball that enables it to track. A mouse with both a left and right hand click button option and central scrolling ball is ideal.

Popular products

Desktop Computers on alaTest

alaTest.co.uk has collected and analyzed millions of reviews from 2225 sources to help you choose the best Desktop Computer from top brands like Hewlett-packard, Dell, Acer, Gateway, Sony and more.

Buying Guide

Desktop computers offer power, stability, and expansive screen displays that enable graphic designers, engineers, architects, small business owners and everyone in between to effectively complete all necessary tasks.... Read more