The best computers are better now than ever before. They’ve evolved to the point of utilizing eight core processors and super high-end graphics cards that can handle real time ray tracing, among others – things that would have been impossible only 10 years ago.
If you want to stay on the cutting edge in 2019, you’re going to want one of these best PCs, even if all you do is go on Facebook and shop online.
Fortunately, the best computers are also more affordable than ever. These days, you can easily find a solid PC or even an all-in-one desktop for around $500 (about £TK, AU$TK). What’s even better is that any of them will last a lifetime, because the best computers are upgradeable, so it’s easy to keep them up to date by fitting in new and improved PC components, like fast SSDs, more RAM or maybe even the best graphics card.
Still, with so many options, choosing the computer most ideal for you and your needs can be hard work. So, we gathered all the best computers on the market, paying close attention to those that hit that sweet spot between price and performance.
Here are our top picks for the best computers 2019 has to offer.
The Dell XPS Tower is stealthy. That is, it looks quite similar to the type of PC that your parents tucked underneath the desk when you were a kid. But, its plain exterior hides an exciting array of components. One of the best computers on the market right now, the Dell XPS Tower conceals up to a GTX 1080 graphics card, an 8th-generation Intel Core processor, and a spacious hard drive and/or SSD. This excellent special edition PC is only available in the US. However, UK and Australian readers can pick up the regular Dell XPS Tower and simply beef it up to the same level through Dell’s configuration page – only with a different chassis.
Read the full review: Dell XPS Tower Special Edition
The Microsoft Surface Studio rose to fame as one of the best computers for artists when it was first released, so it’s no surprise that its sequel has followed in its footsteps. In fact, packed with a Kaby Lake mobile processor and Nvidia Pascal graphics, the Surface Studio 2 is a lot more powerful than the original, and can handle everything you throw at it for the next few years, at the very least. Of course, it’s inherited that gorgeous PixelSense display with Surface Pen support, allowing it to retain the privilege of being one of the best PCs for artists, not to mention the best all-in-one on this list.
Read the full review: Surface Studio 2
- See more like this: the best all-in-one PCs
If you’re in the market for an excellent desktop experience, but you don’t have a ton of space on your desk, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC should be at the top of your list. This tiny bare-bones PC has an insanely fast 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and discrete-class AMD Radeon graphics. Throw some RAM and storage into the mix, and you’ll be able to triumph over the best PC games without hassle. It won’t stand up against a full-sized desktop, but when you’re short on space – or you’d rather have a PC that looks like a set-top box – this is one of the best computers to consider.
Read the full review: Intel Hades Canyon NUC
The Alienware Aurora R7 isn’t just one of the greatest gaming PCs, but it’s also among the best computers money can buy. It boasts mind-blowing performance with its 8th-generation Intel Core processor and GTX 10-series graphics, and all that power is conveniently stored away in its appealing and sleek chassis. It’s surprisingly affordable as well, considering the power on offer, not to mention that this PC is easily upgradeable, despite the unique form-factor. With the Aurora R7, Alienware continues its journey back to the top of the best computers, especially for gaming.
Read the full review: Alienware Aurora R7
- See more like this: the best gaming PCs
If you’re on the market for one of the best computers with an absolutely unbelievable amount of power and a design that will look good in your living room, then the Corsair One i160 might be your new best friend. Packed with a Coffee Lake Refresh processor and Nvidia Turing graphics – not to mention a whopping 32GB of RAM, this computer is an absolute beast, and will chew through any game you throw at it, even on that nice 4K TV you just bought. Just prepare yourself as that high price tag might send you reeling.
Read the full review: Corsair One i160
It’s easy to associate Apple with inflated pricing, but your piggy bank will be spared if you get on the Mac mini bandwagon. The Mac mini 2018 isn’t just an attractive small form-factor PC, but it’s also packed with high-end desktop parts, all for a much cheaper price than any other Mac. That makes it a sound investment for anyone who already has a slew of Mac-ready peripherals. Plus, as opposed to Apple’s recent products, you can upgrade the Mac mini… well, just the memory, but you can kit it out with up to 64GB of RAM.
Read the full review: Apple Mac mini
- See more like this: the best Macs 2019
Don’t confuse the HP Pavilion Wave for a fabric-woven Mac Pro refresh, because it is anything but. This compact Windows machine trims its 6th-generation Intel Core processors and optional discrete AMD graphics with a uniquely integrated Bang & Olufsen speaker. Wrapped in an urbane fabric exterior, this is one of the best computers to have on the desk, as it radiates crisp sound as you browse the web or watch movies.
Read the first look: HP Pavilion Wave
Some people have problems with desktop PCs, as they tend to take up a lot of space, so the Intel Core Compute Stick has essentially made that a non-issue. Looking more like a thumb drive than an actual PC, this tiny renegade can connect to any display with an HDMI input. It starts out with a lowly 1.33GHz Intel Atom processor running Linux, but you can configure it with up to an Intel Core m5 processor, making this one of the best computers to take with you, if you need to get some work done on the go or while travelling. It is, after all, a computer that fits in your pocket.
Specifications (as reviewed)
| Product | Dell XPS Tower Special Edition | Microsoft Surface Studio 2 | Intel Hades Canyon NUC | Alienware Aurora R7 | Corsair One i160 | Apple Mac mini (Late 2018) | HP Pavilion Wave | Intel Compute Stick |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i7-8700 | Intel Core i7-7820HQ | Intel Core i7-8809G | Intel Core i7-8700K | Intel Core i9-9900K | Intel Core i3-8100 | Intel Core i5-7400T | Intel Atom x5-Z8500 |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 | Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | Intel UHD Graphics 630 | AMD Radeon R9 M470 | N/A |
| RAM | 16GB DDR4 | 32GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR4 | 32GB DDR4 | 32GB DDR4 | 8GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR3 | 2GB LPDDR3 |
| Storage | 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD, 1TB HDD (7,200 rpm) | 1TB PCIe SSD | 118GB Intel Optane SSD 800P Series (NVMe), 512GB Intel SSD 545s Series (M.2 SATA) | 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, 2TB HDD | 480GB M.2 NVMe SSD, 2TB HDD | 128GB PCIe SSD | 1TB HDD | 32GB |
Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article
Image Credits: TechRadar
- While you’re at it, we’ve also found the best gaming desktop PC you can buy
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