![]() An important note, however: Mini PCs, and even some small mini-tower-style models, may use mobile-grade processors instead of desktop ones. A handful of these models (usually, mini-towers) actually include an Intel Core i5 desktop-strength processor, in some cases even a legitimately quick six-core/six-thread chip. All modern budget systems will have at least a dual-core CPU (some have quad- or even six-core chips), and most take just a few seconds to boot up. But you'll need to select carefully.ĬPU advancements mean that the floor is higher than it used to be. It should come as no shock that you'll find lower-power processors in these less-expensive desktops, but you may be surprised at how capable some of them are for the size and price. What Components Should You Look for in a Budget PC? The larger towers, of course, provide a more comprehensive complement of ports, including some up-to-the-minute options like USB-C ports. If you need to connect displays and peripherals or add storage, there's an option here for you. The best of these boxes offer plenty of physical connectivity and expansion options, which make them versatile depending on the deployment. If you want to just plug one in out of sight behind a monitor or HDTV, you'll hardly know it's there.ĭespite their compact sizes, our favorite small models still offer a respectable number of ports. With their small size and dialed-down power, they save you not just money, but space, which can be crucial in certain usage situations. The smallest of these systems measure just a couple of inches tall and only a few more across, while several of our top picks are mini boxes just a few inches tall and wide-and it's hard not to marvel at these systems running full Windows 11. You'll also see an assortment of (impressively) small boxes, bare boards, micro towers, and even some stick-shaped PCs to choose from. These remain some of our favorites for the money, as time-tested solutions to home computing. This allows traditional small- and midsize-tower PCs to thrive in this price range. Modern components have made the PC performance baseline very solid, even on a $500 tower, versus what it used to be. What's immediately obvious about most of these budget PCs? How they look. Budget PC Form Factors: What Size Do You Need? You'll find plenty of crossover between the two, but not every tiny PC is inexpensive. If you're interested specifically in tiny PCs but budget is less of a factor, also check out favorite mini PCs overall. Read on to see what to look for in these systems, and what kind of components you can find inside. Apple has one, as well: the Apple Mac mini sits toward the top of budget pricing (starting at $599), but is undeniably appealing. Compact-system specialists such as Azulle, ECS, Shuttle, and Zotac focus on this area, and some broader PC players such as Asus have offerings in this category, too. ![]() Intel is a big player, but not the only one when it comes to small, inexpensive desktops. These machines can be bought as fully configured systems, or, for the more DIY-minded, as barebones kits that enable you to install components of your choice. Intel's Next Unit of Computing (NUC) mini-PC line is among the most configurable, with plenty of variation among its models. If you're looking at a very small system, mini PCs tend to come in a limited set of models to choose among, tightly designed to do what they do well. Shopping for a budget desktop isn't too different from standard desktop-buying considerations, but there are some key things to know. The closer-to-full-size towers, meanwhile, can do just about everything you expect from a modern home PC. They come in a few different shapes and sizes, most tending to the small. They can even run web-based games, should you have the desire. These PCs are certainly able to surf the web, stream videos to a monitor or big TV, operate a public display, or allow you to work on simple documents and other everyday productivity tasks. Now, a handful of our chosen picks above may not be what you normally picture when imagining a desktop, but you'd be surprised at the capability of some of these small boxes. Below, we've listed the best budget desktops for 2023 that we've run through our full gauntlet of testing, followed by a detailed buying guide that'll answer your most common questions before making a purchase.
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