Buy Cheap Desktop Computer Online
Most budget desktops have adequate but not impressive horsepower. HP's Pavilion Desktop TP01-2060 stands apart with a potent eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 processor, tempting users who plan to do a bit of photo or video editing or other digital content creation in addition to routine productivity and online tasks, and its dual storage drives (a 256GB SSD plus 1TB hard drive) ensure you won't run out of room. Five USB 3.2 ports (four Type-A and one Type-C) are conveniently located up front.
buy cheap desktop computer online
We're big fans of all-in-one desktops, and the AIO 3i is an admirably affordable example. Its main shortcoming is an underwhelming Intel Pentium Gold processor, but its performance is suitable for an online kiosk or homework station. Its stand even has an indented niche to stash your mouse, phone, or keys.
For either type, though, web browsing, streaming video, displaying data, and working in simple documents is a snap. All of these models are far from pro workstations (you'll still want a more powerful and more expensive chip if you're planning on editing media or holding web conferences for business with multiple participants), so it's important to tailor your expectations to the specs. With the models that indeed use low-power laptop CPUs, you may save a bit of money and reduce noise and power consumption. These are demonstrably slower than entry-level desktop CPUs, but an okay fit for a child's computer or a basic streaming media server. Just be wary of these processors if you're shopping for your main productivity PC, as their speed may be lacking for everyday multitasking, depending on the level of chip. Compare benchmarks from our reviews in tests like PCMark 10 for a sense of relative productivity performance.
Moving on to memory, which will help move those tasks along smoothly, many really cheap desktops in the under-$400 range will come with 4GB, only enough for simple digital-signage installations or low-demand, single applications such as word processors. Up at $400 and above, 8GB is common, and some units even manage to include 12GB in under-$700 configurations. For a PC you'll rely on every day for productivity work, 8GB is really the minimum you should insist on under Windows 10 or 11.
Storage is an area you may have to set some firm expectations around, as capacities are seldom very high; these types of desktops are not meant to store huge amounts of files locally. In the cheapest, smallest desktops, you'll get as little as 32GB or 64GB of what's called eMMC flash storage, similar to what's offered in most Chromebooks. (It's roughly the equivalent of an internal flash drive or SD card.) Pay a bit more, though, and you can get 64GB or 128GB; give preference to models that call out their storage as solid-state drives (SSDs) versus eMMC; SSDs will feel snappier. Some of the full-size towers on our list include 256GB or even 512GB SSDs, at which point you're hardly compromising anymore. We strongly favor SSDs over hard drives, even in this price range.
It goes without saying that an enthusiast gamer should look elsewhere (check out our favorite cheap gaming laptops and gaming desktops), but you could still get away with some light gaming on these. Gaming models with dedicated graphics cards start at several hundred dollars higher than the $500 range, but a few are starting to creep in around budget pricing.
That said, keep your expectations in check. An eMMC boot drive won't itself be upgradable (it's made up of soldered-down chips), but in some unusual cases, you might be able to add a secondary SSD or hard drive alongside the eMMC drive as extra storage. The stick-style, super-compact PCs (like the Azulle Access4) are resolutely not upgradable. Also, in many compact, cheap desktops, the CPU and RAM are not socketed and removable but are part of the mainboard.
One big caveat to your cheap-desktop dreams, whether Windows-based, a Pi, or something else: You'll still need a monitor. To be fair, this is no different than buying a standard screenless tower PC, unless you were to buy an all-inclusive all-in-one desktop. In this instance, though, the added cost hurts extra given you're trying to be thrifty. Still, if you need to invest in a panel, don't fret. You can find good, serviceable 1080p (1,920-by-1,080-pixel) displays starting just under $100. That's for a just-fine, roomy 23-incher. Ideally, you may even have a monitor from a past system, and key peripherals such as a keyboard and mouse to go with it. (We have you covered if you want to shop for a keyboard or mouse, too, by the way.) Even better, many tower-style budget PCs include a basic keyboard and mouse in the box.
If you're replacing an older system that has become a bit too slow or worn out, or are setting up a new workspace and need something simple, a budget desktop may be in your future. Check out our recommendations list below for some of our favorites. If you'd like a more traditional tower and can swing the extra money, check out our overall top desktop picks or, alternately, our favorite cheap laptops.
That said, while tax holidays can be an advantageous time for students and adults to buy a desktop or laptop, there are sometimes limits on how much the computer can cost to avoid sales tax. You may get a sales tax holiday on a $1,000 laptop but not a $3,000 desktop, for instance.
For much of the early 2020s, the best time to buy a desktop computer, laptop or whatever electronic device you wanted was immediately. If you were in need, and you found one with a good price, you were advised to get it, then and there.
When shopping for a new computer, prioritize what you're looking for: Do you want the best price or the newest product? While you can find discounts for desktop and laptop computers during the holidays for all brands, you may want to buy an Apple computer at a different time if the goal is to get the lowest price. In other words, if a new Apple product comes out, you'll want to look at what the new desktop or laptop replaced. You may want to buy an older version, which is likely to be offered at a steep discount.
Brown says that used Apple computers and desktops are often a great deal. "Like comparably priced PCs, Apple hardware is high-end and has a long life. For this reason, refurbs from the Apple store site can be a great option," she says.
Features. If you buy a cheap computer that doesn't work for you, you'll end up wasting a lot of money. If you're a serious gamer or are running a business, you might want to opt for buying a computer from a company that builds computers on demand.
Tim Lynch, owner of Psychsoftpc, an artisanal computer hardware manufacturer based out of Quincy, Massachusetts, says that while "many folks will be satisfied with a cheap machine" at big-box stores and office supply stores, you're taking a risk. "They will perform OK for internet browsing, word processing, email and the occasional non-complex spreadsheet, but will struggle to handle gaming, video streaming and will find virtual reality an impossibility," Lynch says. He says that with 64-bit operating systems, even the cheap machines should have at least 8 gigabytes of RAM.
Both Lynch and Gudema say that if you see a computer with 4 gigabytes, it's extremely cheap, and you should steer clear. Brown agrees that 8 gigabytes should be your minimum. "If you tend to keep lots of programs open at the same time, or lots of web browser windows, more memory will reduce the amount of time you spend waiting to switch between them or load new ones," she says.
Students need desktops for many educational tasks: to stream online classes, research homework assignments, prepare presentations and papers, create spreadsheets to analyze data, and collaborate with other students. Intel processor-based desktops provide fast, agile performance to power education wherever it occurs, helping students maintain focus on learning and outcomes.
With the right preparation and instruction, anyone can build their own PC. In fact, building your own PC is the best way to ensure that your machine will meet all your needs and preferences. Here\u2019s a full explanation of how it\u2019s done.\r\n"}},"@type":"Question","name":"Can desktop computers use Wi-Fi?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"The short answer is yes. Learn about Intel Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) enabled PCs here.\r\n","@type":"Question","name":"Where can I buy an Intel-powered PC?","acceptedAnswer":"@type":"Answer","text":"You can begin your search for the ideal PC right here.\r\n"],"type":"FAQPage","@context":"https:\/\/schema.org"} Key Resources
If you can give up the portability of a laptop and have a spot that you can devote to work, school, or just browsing online, you should consider a desktop PC. Desktops typically last longer, and are easier to repair and upgrade, than laptops. A standard tower is also cheaper and easier to upgrade than a mini PC or an all-in-one computer. You need a monitor and a webcam (and in some cases, a keyboard and a mouse) to go with your desktop, but those separate accessories will be better than what you can get from most all-in-ones.
Ready-made budget desktop computers are the most straightforward option for picking up an affordable PC. Whether you're setting up an office area for working at home, building a creative space, or needing something for the whole family to share, I've found the best picks to fit a tighter spending limit.
Intel Core i3-1215U 8GB DDR4-3200 512GB PCIe SSD (opens in new tab)HP provides everything you need for a desktop computer right out of the box with this 21.5" FHD panel containing all the components. Save on desk space by skipping a tower altogether.
All-in-one computers are a fantastic solution to picking up a straightforward budget desktop with minimal fuss since everything is built directly into the screen. HP offers a 21.5" panel with very similar specifications to our picks of PC towers, including a 12th Gen Intel Core processor and a high-speed SSD for storage. Throw in an 88-degree FHD webcam with a beautiful wide-angle shutter alongside a mouse and keyboard, and there's nothing else you'll immediately need. 041b061a72