Desktops

Desktop PCs give you more for your money, since compact parts for laptops are more expensive to make. They’re also easy to upgrade and have better cooling tech. But laptops are more flexible since they’re portable.

There are loads of great brands making desktop PCs. Which one’s best depends on what you’re after and your budget. Apple Macs are perfect for creative projects, while Lenovo make excellent work desktops. HP make some top-notch all-in-one desktops that are great for your home office, while Acer’s range feature entry-level models all the way up to high-performing desktops. MSI and 3XS have PCs that are ideal for gaming.

Apple iMacs are ideal for a sleek look and lots of tech. Which one’s best for you is all down to how much processing power you need. If you’re after one that covers the essential, the standard iMac’s got it in the bag. But if you’re using a ton of demanding programs, the Mac mini M4 Pro is the best of the best.

An Apple iMac that’s 7 years old can still make a great everyday PC. However, it might be slower than it was new and may be more suited to basic tasks.

An iMac could last 20 years if it’s really well maintained. The normal lifespan of an Apple iMac is considered to be around 10 years, since models slow down when they can’t run the latest updates.

Apple has an “Assistive Access” feature that makes iPhones easier to use. This feature isn’t available for iMacs, but these computers are designed to be ergonomic and intuitive.

HP and Apple make some great all-in-one desktops. The iMac is well-suited to productivity and creative tasks, while HP make a range that varies between checking emails to running demanding programs. ASUS, Lenovo and Acer also make a range of all-in-ones that are worth browsing. The specs you’ll need depend entirely one what you need to be able to do with it.

If you want a home office without much clutter, but still need a powerful system, a mini PC could be the perfect solution. They’re compact and affordable, benefiting from low power use and less heat generation than their larger counterparts – great if your home office isn’t the largest room in the house.

There are loads of great brands making gaming PCs, but you’ll want to look at the specs first to make sure they’ll play your favourite games. We recommend an AMD Ryzen™ 5 or Intel® Core™ i5 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 10-range graphics card to begin with, but if you want to upgrade any of these features to make the most of your titles, then fire away.

The average lifespan of an all-in-one PC is around 3-8 years, depending on how you look after it. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions to keep things in tip-top shape for as long as possible.

If you’re picking up a new PC, the M4 chip is generally gaster and more efficient than an Intel® Core™ i7. If you’re comparing different PCs, it’ll depend on what you want to do.

If you’re looking for a gaming HP desktop, make sure you’re looking at gaming models with a graphics card. They’re optimised towards playing and will handle games better than a standard HP desktop.

Whether you’re running complex creativity software or just checking your emails, the Apple Mac mini M4 is designed to fast and efficient, so it’ll handle most tasks with ease.

HP computers tend to last around 3-8 years, depending on how well they’re taken care of. Check the manufacturer’s advice to get the most out of your PC.

An Alienware gaming PC should last 5-10 years, or even longer if you take really good care of it. Some components might need upgrading as technology progresses, so keep an eye on this if you want it to last longer.

In some cases, it’s cheaper to build your own gaming PC than to buy one ready-made. It gives you the flexibility to decide which specs to prioritise or upgrade, you can also buy parts second-hand. However, you’ll need technical knowledge to do this successfully and it’s quicker and easier to find a ready-built option.

The iMac Pro was discontinued in March 2021, but they’ve upgraded the standard iMac, so you can still get a great Apple desktop.

Mini PCs are compact and efficient, they make a cost-effective way to stay connected. However, if you need a powerhouse, you’d be better off looking at a full-sized desktop that can handle demanding tasks and software.