A quality pre-built desktop PC is a great alternative to a laptop, sacrificing mobility for outright performance at a cheaper price. They're perfect for the home or office, providing plenty of power and ports for any task.
Pre-built PCs range in price, design, and power. There are budget models ideal for homework, email, and web browsing, mid-range and compact models for offices or retail locations, and high-end gaming PCs that can be customized to run your favorite games. Out of all the PCs we've tested at Windows Central, Dell's XPS Desktop (8960) is the best for most people, starting at $900. There are plenty more to check out.
February 7, 2025: I've added the iBuyPower Slate 8 Mesh as a top custom pre-built gaming PC option. — Cale Hunt
The quick list
Best for most users
The XPS Desktop (8960) is a well-rounded pre-built PC that should be ideal for most users. It features an understated design loaded with ports, and a wide range of performance hardware is available inside to handle a variety of tasks.
Affordable pick
Acer's Aspire desktop PCs are very affordable and more reliable than you might think; I've been using one for years connected to my living room TV. There are a few configuration options available with modest performance, but the real attraction here is the budget pricing.
Best All-in-One
HP's Envy Move has moved the All-in-One design forward with a portable design, built-in battery, fold-out feet, and carrying handle on the back. It has a 24-inch QHD touch display, and it's available with 13th Gen Intel Core U-series CPUs with integrated graphics.
Best gaming
Lenovo's Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) is one of the best gaming options if you aren't looking to get into boutique builds. It has a stylized case with lots of room for proper cooling, and you can customize quite a few pieces. Watch for big sales at Lenovo to get the best price possible.
Best custom gaming
iBuyPower's Slate 8 Mesh isn't perfect, but as far as pre-built gaming PCs go, it delivers high-end performance, clean cable management, and solid support. Plenty of models are available to let you get exactly what you need.
Best mini PC
The Beelink EQR6 is an outstanding desktop PC that doesn't need much space to operate. It's powerful with AMD Ryzen hardware, it has lots of ports (including dual LAN), and it can be upgraded after purchase. It's also quite affordable, ideal for budget shoppers.
I have 20+ years of experience building custom PCs and testing pre-built PCs. I understand where compromises need to be made in the name of convenience, and with the help of our in-depth reviews, I can confidently recommend the right pre-built PC to a wide range of users.
My favorite desktop PCs in 2025
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Best desktop PC
Dell's XPS Desktop (8960) will appeal to a lot of people thanks to its wide variety of configuration options, understated design, and generous selection of ports. Unless you want a PC that focuses primarily on gaming or has a screen built-in (as is the case with the HP Envy Move), the XPS Desktop should be your first consideration.
Even the most affordable units will handle life as the family computer, with homework, productivity, and streaming in mind. In their Dell XPS Desktop (8960) review, Windows Central's Zachary Boddy remarked:
"The Dell XPS Desktop (8960) is a phenomenal machine, full stop. It excels at productivity, creation, at gaming, and everything else you can throw at it. There are more impressive computers in a variety of aspects, especially hardware design, but the XPS Desktop isn't out to be the flashiest tower PC out there — it's a tool, albeit a very powerful and expensive one, and it's meant to do its job."
Prices start at a modest $900 for a model with a 14th Gen Intel Core i7-14700 processor (CPU), integrated UHD graphics, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. Thanks to the generous configuration options, you can add up to an Intel Core i9-14900K CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4090 graphics card (GPU), 64GB of RAM, and 8TB of storage split up between two 4TB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSDs.
Most people aren't going to need this level of hardware, but it's there. I'd recommend checking out one of the gaming PCs listed here if you want that high level of performance, as they'll have superior cooling and power hardware. They'll also do a much better job of allowing for future upgrades, as the XPS Desktop uses a funky internal layout with lots of proprietary parts. It's not a big deal for your average user who just wants to hit the power button and get to work.
👀 Read our full Dell XPS Desktop (8960) review
Best budget PC
Acer's Aspire TC-1775 is a refreshed version of a long-running series of PCs, one of which I still use to this day as my living room PC for TV control. Prices usually sit at about $680 with frequent discounts driving them lower.
As the price suggests, you shouldn't expect a premium system; however, in my experience, these PCs hold up well. The case is relatively compact; it has lots of ports on the front and back, and there's even an optical drive for your legacy media.
The PC is equipped with a 14th Gen Intel Core i5-14400 CPU and integrated Intel UHD graphics, with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. That's more than enough to handle productivity work, email, homework, and other tasks around the house, making it a great option for the family PC. In my Acer Aspire TC-1775 review, I said:
"It's great for casual use, including streaming, homework, email, web browsing, and Microsoft Office tasks. It'll even handle some of my favorite light games like Minecraft, Stardew Valley, and Terraria. Just don't expect the "desktop" performance you'd get from a PC with a discrete graphics card (GPU) inside."
Wireless connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, and there's also an RJ45 Ethernet port on the back for a wired hookup. A mouse and keyboard are included, but they're not the best quality. It's understandable at this price. I'd recommend checking out some of the best desktop PC accessories to pick up some peripherals that you'll actually enjoy using.
👀 See our full Acer Aspire TC-1775 review
Best All-in-One PC
HP's Envy Move reinvented the All-in-One (AiO) genre, creating something that lives between a laptop and a desktop. At first glance, it's a classic AiO with a built-in display. However, it also has a built-in battery, carrying handle, and feet that rotate in and out.
These features allow you to use the Envy Move practically anywhere, and you can expect to get about four to five hours of battery life on a charge. In his HP Envy Move review, Senior Editor Ben Wilson said:
"The Envy Move doesn't need the most cutting-edge components to achieve its goal, and that much was proven during my testing. It never advertises itself as a dedicated gaming machine, but you can play on the cloud. Similarly, it doesn't pretend to be a creator-focused machine, but it's ideal for kids to fingerpaint doodles on the touchscreen and type up their homework. It knows exactly what it is and triumphs with a 4.5-hour battery that opens up a world of possibilities that a shared laptop can't compete with."
The 23.8-inch touch display has a crisp 1440p resolution and a 75Hz refresh rate, with plenty of brightness and accurate sRGB color reproduction. You can control the PC here or with the wireless keyboard/touchpad accessory included.
HP offers up to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-1355U CPU, integrated Iris Xe graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, and up to 1TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage, but even lesser configs will be able to keep up with productivity work and streaming.
The Envy Move is almost always discounted even outside of Black Friday season. A Core i3 model starts at about $630 at HP, and you can upgrade plenty of parts within the discounted section.
👀 Read our full HP Envy Move review
Best gaming PC
Windows Central's Zachary Boddy was so impressed when reviewing the Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) that they pinned it with a Best Award and said:
"Want to play all the best PC games? Have a burning desire to crank every setting to its highest? Planning on enjoying those games on a crisp, high-resolution gaming monitor or TV? If you answered yes to all these questions and are looking for a gaming PC to accommodate you, the Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) may just be the best mainstream, pre-built gaming PC you can buy right now."
Enthusiasts will still likely lean into a boutique custom build like that offered by Maingear, but the Legion Tower 7i remains a truly powerful option with a competitive price.
The PC can be configured with up to a 14th Gen Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, 32GB of DDR5-5200MHz RAM, and 2TB of M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD storage, but there are lots of options for a more affordable build. Air and liquid cooling options are available, there's plenty of customizable RGB lighting, and it's all packed into a monster 34L case.
At the time of my most recent update, a model with an Intel Core i9-14900KF CPU, NVIDIA RTX 4080 SUPER, 32GB of RAM, and 2TB of storage costs about $2,350. Considering the RTX 5000 launch has led a lot of shoppers to turn to the RTX 4080 SUPER, driving up prices, that's a decent price.
There is the potential for DIY upgrades in the future, though Lenovo does use some proprietary parts in the build that might get in the way. The case also lacks USB-C on the front, which is an odd omission for such a high-end build. If you can live with these shortcomings and love the Legion design, you're going to have a great time gaming on this PC.
👀 Read our full Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) review
Best custom gaming PC
Pre-built custom gaming PCs are often a touchy subject. On one side, you can almost always build your own similar PC for less money if you have the time and patience to gather all the individual parts. It's a great hobby, and knowing how everything fits together makes it easier to perform upgrades and repairs.
On the other hand, having a company like iBuyPower assemble everything for you saves time and keeps pricing competitive. iBuyPower's Slate 8 Mesh is one of the more recent pre-built gaming PCs I tested, and I came away with a favorable impression. In my Slate 8 Mesh review, I remarked:
"iBuyPower's Slate 8 Mesh gets a lot right. The build has clean cable management and came assembled with no issues. The parts used in the build are mostly pieces you can buy on your own, save for the PSU and CPU cooler, which can be replaced after purchase. There's no bloatware installed, allowing you to choose exactly what sort of RGB software you want to use."
While iBuyPower has an in-depth customization system where you can pick everything that goes into your PC, you can also find assembled models for sale at Best Buy, Newegg, Walmart, and Amazon.
For a model with an Intel Core i7-14700F, NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, expect to pay about $1,150 before any discounts.
👀 Read our full iBuyPower Slate 8 Mesh review
Best mini PC
Quality desktop PCs don't have to come in a big tower, proven by the awesome Beelink EQR6. It's powered by a range of AMD Ryzen CPUs, up to a Ryzen 9 6900HX with integrated Radeon 680M graphics. Its DDR5 RAM and PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD can both be upgraded after purchase, but you can configure up to 32GB and 1TB from the factory.
Windows Central Senior Editor Zac Bowden reviewed the Beelink EQR6, stating:
"Overall, the Beelink EQR6 is an excellent all-rounder mini PC that's very capable when it comes to productivity workflows and light video and photo editing. It features a clean design and is small and quiet enough to fit on pretty much any desk in any environment and not be an ear or eyesore."
It would be nice to have more than one USB-C port, but the PC otherwise has a generous selection of ports. You're looking at three USB-A, two HDMI, and dual LAN on the back, with USB-A, USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack on the front.
Prices start at a very reasonable $269 at Amazon for a model with Ryzen 5 6600H CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 500GB SSD. For more power, a bump up to a Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, 24GB of RAM, and 1TB SSD costs about $389.
👀 Read our full Beelink EQR6 review
How to choose the best desktop PC for you
While you can usually build your own PC for less money, pre-built models have been narrowing the price gap, and you can find a quality device that's relatively affordable considering the hardware inside.
The desktop PC market is massive, and choosing one device to use for the foreseeable future isn't always easy. Choosing the right PC will ultimately come down to your budget, how you plan on using the PC, and what sort of form factor you desire.
For most people, the Dell XPS Desktop (8960) will have the right combination of competitive pricing and configuration options. Models start well below $1,000, and you can configure something well beyond regular expectations. I'd still recommend going with a dedicated gaming PC if you want ultra-performance, but there are plenty of stops along the way that might work well for you.
If you're looking for a full setup right off the bat, HP's Envy Move AiO includes a built-in touch display and a battery that allows you to use it anywhere. It's fine for full-time use on a desk, but the additional versatility might come in handy one day. If you are searching for ultimate mobility, our favorite laptops might have something preferable.
For those with limited space, something like the Beelink EQR6 won't take up much room. It nevertheless provides a wide selection of ports, respectable performance (including an option for an AMD Ryzen 9 HX 370 AI chip), and a competitive price.
If you want to shop on the cheap and prefer a full-size PC, Acer's Aspire TC-1775 remains a great option that I've personally used for years.
Choosing the right desktop PC for gaming
As mentioned, something like the XPS Desktop (8960) can be configured with up to an Intel Core i9 CPU and NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU. That might signal to some that it's a good PC for gaming, but I'd be wary of putting that much hardware into a PC that's traditionally designed for productivity use.
Gaming PCs built specifically for gaming mainly feature improved cooling abilities and a more standard internal layout, which makes it easier to upgrade in the future. Buying something like the XPS Desktop for gaming will likely result in frustration when your hardware can't keep itself cool or you want to move different parts in and out.
If you'd like a high-end gaming PC, Lenovo's Legion Tower 7i (Gen 8) is a great mainstream option with enough power to run any game at a high resolution. The iBuyPower Slate 8 Mesh remains a solid pick for enthusiasts who want granular customization and a build that uses standard parts for easy DIY upgrades in the future.
Be sure to check out our favorite gaming laptops if you'd rather keep your fun mobile at all times.
