Despite the popularity of laptops, there are still many reasons to choose a desktop over a laptop. What you sacrifice in portability with a desktop, you get in other areas, including better performance and value, as well as more ability to upgrade. Desktops come in all shapes and sizes, from small-form-factor (SFF) and all-in-one PCs to full-tower, high-powered gaming rigs.
At CNET, we test and review all types of desktop computers and have been doing so for decades. Here are the best desktop PCs you can buy right now, from Apple’s excellent iMac to our favorite gaming PCs in three budget classes.
Which is the best desktop computer overall
The best desktop for most people is Apple’s new M4-based iMac. It integrates the display and offers everything you want in an all-in-one. At a reasonable price, the iMac offers a stunning design centered on a high-resolution, 24-inch display powered by Apple’s new M4 processor.
The performance of Apple’s latest silicon is, without a doubt, impressive on all counts. If you need more screen space than a laptop can offer, the 24-inch iMac gives you extra room to work and play. Still, with its compact design and power cable that magnetically fits into place, the iMac is easy to move from room to room. The computer is also available in seven fun colors, with accessories to match.
If you’re looking for a traditional tower desktop or small-form-factor PC rather than an all-in-one like the iMac, keep reading because we have suggestions for those, too. We like a pair of Lenovo Legion Towers as low-priced gaming PCs and an HP Omen system at the higher-end. HP is also our favorite Windows-based all-in-one PC and two other Macs made the list.
The Best Desktop Computers of 2025
The iMac starts at $1,299, with an M4 chip with an eight-core CPU and eight-core GPU, plus a 16-core Neural Engine for running Apple Intelligence, the company’s suite of AI features. It also includes Apple’s Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse, which are now USB-C. An upgraded M4 chip with two more CPU cores and two more GPU cores is available, and you can also choose to expand the memory and SSD capacity.
Why We Like It
With the recent update to Apple’s M4 processor, the iMac is a more capable machine, especially with its new minimum of 16GB of RAM. It also offers a better center stage webcam. And if you plan on keeping it in a bright and sunny room, there’s an optional nano-textured glass option that reduces glare and reflections.
Who it’s best for
The 24-inch iMac is small enough to be a family computer or if you want something other than a laptop that can be easily carried from room to room. It fits easily in small spaces like a kitchen corner, but is big enough to get your work done, sit back and stream movies, or do some casual gaming.
The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Generation 8 is a simple and affordable entry point with the right mix of components, reasonable price, and a great exterior to get gamers into gaming without any hassle.
Why we like it
At a base price of $1,149, the Lenovo Legion Tower 5i Generation 8 is already a good deal. For this price, you get a system that’s ready to handle 1080p games with ease.
Who it’s best for
The Legion Tower 5i Generation 8 is a good starting point for those looking for an entry point into PC gaming. The base configuration is absolutely respectable for 1080p gaming. The Intel Core i5-14400F is no powerhouse, but it packs enough weight to keep frame rates fast in games that demand more from the CPU and the RTX 4060 proved more than adequate.
While we love all-in-ones for their convenience, they’re not easy to upgrade, if they can be at all. Gamers and other power users need traditional tower PCs for the ability to upgrade. And while building your own PC can often be the most cost-effective way to get a powerful gaming PC, it also comes with its own share of hurdles.
Why we like it
Lenovo’s Legion Tower 7i Gen 8 is a prebuilt system that offers a respectable array of powerful hardware all packaged, wired, and cooled at just a small premium over what you’d pay if you tried to DIY.
Who it’s best for
Gamers without an unlimited budget looking for a great machine with style and substance.