Find The Right Desktops

HP TouchSmart IQ816

No other all-in-one PC can offer touch-based input or an LCD screen as large as that of the HP TouchSmart IQ816. It's hard to deny that those features make this a compelling desktop for families with a place to put it. Weak performance hinders its suitability for work, and it's not the best digital entertainment center, but we recommend this system to anyone looking to get in early on the touch-computing experiment.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 (2.1 GHz), 2.1 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GS, EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Silver, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Dell XPS One 24 (PRODUCT) RED

The (PRODUCT) RED version of Dell's XPS One 24 is the most fully featured of Dell's all-in-ones and would serve as a fine PC to anyone in search of a Windows-based all-in-one for basic digital entertainment and productivity tasks. A few more innovations or forward-thinking options would earn a warmer recommendation.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 750 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate Service Pack 1

Sony Vaio LV180J

Sony's Vaio LV180J updates its digital-media-oriented all-in-one with a larger LCD, more powerful hardware, and an exceedingly smart method for switching between the Windows desktop and other components connected via the unique HDMI input. No other all-in-one can make as strong a claim as this one as a command center for your digital media.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 (3 GHz), 3 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS, RoHS, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition, Media center

eMachines EL1200-05w

Although the eMachines EL1200-05w's price tag is tempting, an extra $100 will land you a competitive desktop that can handle a wider variety of applications and even leaves room for future expansion opportunities.

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 2650e (1.6 GHz), 1.6 GHz, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer

Alienware Area-51 X58

Even if we have a few reservations about this system, we can't deny that Alienware has an outstanding deal on its hands, with the Area 51 X58. It offers the same core hardware and twice the storage capacity as PCs that cost $1,500 more. High-end bargain hunters, assuming they exist, will find an amazing deal in this PC.

Specs: Intel Core i7 965 (3.20 GHz), 3.20 GHz, 12 GB DDR3 SDRAM, Solid state

Averatec All-in-One (18.4-inch)

Averatec's 18.4-inch All-in-One PC is a good-looking little Nettop, but you must make huge sacrifices in performance. Most users would be better off buying a cheap laptop or low-end desktop, depending on one's needs.

Specs: Intel Atom N270 (1.6 GHz), 1.6 GHz, 1 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 160 GB Standard, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, Personal computer

Dell Studio XPS

You can find flashier PCs than Dell's $1,299 Studio XPS, but few have as much power where it counts. We don't recommend its small, pared-down case for upgraders, but this PC will satisfy anyone who needs a loaded, powerful PC for gaming and consumer-level digital media editing.

Specs: Intel, 6 GB, GB, ATI Radeon HD 4850, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit

Gateway FX6800-01e

With lots of useful features (some cleverly hidden), Gateway's FX6800-01e stands out from the boring mainstream pack. It also uses Intel's new CPU and motherboard combination to provide speed and upgradeability. You can find faster PCs for a similar price, but few with this much promise.

Specs: Intel Core i7 920 (2.6 GHz), 2.6 GHz, 3 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 750 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Service Pack 1 64 Bit

Velocity Micro Edge Z-55 (Intel Core i7-920)

Velocity Micro's Edge Z55 provides a powerful example of the leap ahead in performance afforded by Intel's new Core i7 CPUs. Velocity Micro's own overclocking efforts don't hurt either. Any PC gamer would love to make this upper midrange desktop their own.

Falcon Northwest Mach V (Intel Core i7-965 Extreme Edition)

Falcon Northwest's latest Mach V provides a model for the coming trends in high-end computing. From the latest Intel CPU, to solid-state storage, to copious amounts of memory, there's lot to admire about his PC. You will also have to pay for it, which unfortunately will thwart all but the most well-off gamers and enthusiasts.

Specs: Intel Core i7 965, 12 GB DDR3 SDRAM, 1 TB, ATi Radeon HD 4870, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition

HP Pavilion A6620f

The HP Pavilion a6620f makes a decent case for its budget price. We like the design and the built-in digital-audio ports, and if you're on an unbreakable budget, the a6620f will get you through a variety of processes, but we recommend saving up for a system that will give you a more powerful set of components for a negligible price difference.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.5 GHz), 2.5 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 500 GB Standard, Intel GMA 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Gateway DX 4720-03 - Pentium Dual Core E5200 2.5 GHz

The Gateway DX4720-03 performs admirably and actually holds its own against triple-core computers thanks to its impressive list of features. It also has plenty of room for internal expansion, so we recommend this budget system if you need the speed but don't crave a ton of CPU power.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200 (2.5 GHz), 2.5 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 7100, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

HP Pavilion Elite m9402f

HP's Pavilion Elite m9402f continues to frustrate us in its core design. This off-the-shelf Best Buy system is also overpriced compared with faster, more feature-rich PCs from its competition. With little to recommend this desktop, we suggest you keep shopping.

Specs: AMD Phenom X4 9650 (2.3 GHz), 2.3 GHz, 7 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Asus Essentio

The Asus Essentio is perhaps the best conceived of the recent round of living-room-friendly slim tower desktops. It's just powerful enough, and it comes with the right mix of features to allow it to do what living room PCs do best, without overreaching.

Dell Studio MT

This off-the-shelf version of the Dell Studio Desktop reminds us of a classic Dell computer. This system is faster and better equipped than its competition, and at a better price. You can certainly get away with a cheaper everyday PC, but this one is a bargain among lower midrange desktops.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Quad Q8200 (2.33 GHz), 2.33 GHz, 6 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 750 GB Standard, ATI Radeon HD 3450, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition SP1, 64-Bit, Personal computer

HP Compaq Presario SR5610f

The HP Compaq Presario SR5610f stirs together a mix of mediocre parts in a cookie-cutter chassis, brewing up an altogether yawn-worthy computer. The price tag falls in line with other budget systems that feature similar components, but we recommend spending $50 more on the Acer x3200, a well designed compact PC that can carry more weight across a wider variety of applications.

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4800+ (2.5 GHz), 2.5 GHz, 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 6150 SE, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Personal computer

eMachines ET1161-03

The eMachines ET1161-03 delivers fewer features than its competition at the same price. Stretch your dollar further and you'll find a desktop with significantly better components for only $50 more.

Specs: AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ (2.3 GHz), 2.3 GHz, 3 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, nVidia GeForce 6150, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron 530-115B

This Best Buy-version of the Dell Inspiron may look unremarkable, but thanks to its fast Intel CPU it's also the best performing desktop PC in its sub-$600 price class. Other budget PCs might have fancier bells and whistles, but we like this desktop for its cheap speed.

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 (2.66 GHz), 2.66 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 640 GB Standard, Intel GMA 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Acer Aspire AX3200-U3600A

As much as Acer's Aspire X3200 surpasses other pricier PCs with its wide array of useful inputs and outputs, you'll have a hard time choosing between it and its otherwise identical dual-core Acer linemate of the same price. If you're a multitasker on a budget, you'll likely prefer this model's triple-core CPU.

Specs: AMD Phenom X3 8400 (2.1 GHz), 2.1 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, NVIDIA GeForce 8400, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer

Dell Inspiron I530S-114B

On certain tests, Dell's off-the-shelf Inspiron 530s comes out ahead of its slim-tower competition, but its situational performance edge isn't dramatic enough to overcome its underwhelming features. You can find cheaper systems that might be a tick slower on certain tasks, but on balance they'll let you do more.

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E2200 (2.2 GHz), 2.2 GHz, 4 GB DDR2 SDRAM, 320 GB Standard, Intel GMA 3100, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, Personal computer