7 Best Budget Desktops in 2024

By Robin Owens 22 days ago, Hardware

What is the best budget desktop to buy this year?

best budget desktop

Many people are looking for cheap desktop computers and knowing this tendency manufacturers produce more and more machines belonging to this category. Actually, nowadays it is possible to find a good PC without going bankrupt.

The models described in this review cost less than 600 dollars and offer all the must-have features you expect to get when buying a computer. There are 7 budget PCs that are worth buying in 2024.

Top 7 Best Budget Desktops

  1. Acer Aspire - The best budget desktop
  2. Acer Aspire Desktop - Fast SSD storage
  3. Dell Inspiron - Portable
  4. HP Pavilion - Reliable construction
  5. HP Pavilion All-in-One - Solid performance
  6. ASUS AiO - ASUS AiO
  7. HP Slim Desktop - Capacious storage

The variety of computers is truly impressive and finding the best budget desktop is no easy task. Relying solely on your preferences may result in disappointing experience as there are certain criteria that you need to consider while making a purchase. Learn more about them in this article.

1. Acer Aspire

The best budget desktop
best budget desktop

CPU: Intel Core i5 | GPU: Intel | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB | Weight: 3.53 ounces

  • ✚ Reasonable price
  • ✚ Solid performance
  • ✚ Thin construction
  • ✚ Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and optical drive
  • A bit cramped interior
Rating

This budget PC tops our list because of a variety of handy features and a really agile performance that are available at a reasonable cost. It is bound to show remarkable results regardless of the tasks you throw at it.

Fitted with the 9th Gen Intel Core processor, it can fully satisfy regular computing needs and multimedia entertainment, while a sleek black chassis can easily complement any interior. All in all, if you choose this budget desktop computer, you get a performant and speedy machine.

2. Acer Aspire Desktop

Fast SSD storage
cheap desktop computers

CPU: Intel Core i5 | GPU: Intel | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 512GB | Weight: 17.51 pounds

  • ✚ Robust 9th Gen, 6-core processor
  • ✚ Integrated mic for Amazon Alexa
  • ✚ Great kit keyboard and mouse
  • ✚ Fast SSD storage
  • Lacks discrete graphics option
  • Made of plastic
Rating

This is a well-made budget desktop computer that appeals to buyers with remarkable capabilities ensured by the 9th Gen 6-core processor, lots of SSD storage and high-performance memory.

The absence of a graphics card may be a serious issue for game-oriented users, but if you are looking for a PC to handle basic tasks, e.g. preparing and editing documents, making presentations, you can fully rely on this system.

3. Dell Inspiron

Portable
budget desktop

CPU: Intel Core i5 | GPU: Intel | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 128GB | Weight: 9.58 pounds

  • ✚ Small-form-factor tower
  • ✚ Comes with a boot SSD & spacious 1TB hard drive
  • ✚ Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and optical drive
  • Core i3 CPU and 8GB of RAM are mediocre parameters
  • Cramped interior
Rating

Advertised as one of the lowest cost computers, Dell Inspiron has many positive things to brag about. First off, it is a small-sized machine, so if your working space is limited, you can take advantage of this computer.

Frankly speaking, it has the smallest tower among all the models described in this review. Besides, it pleases with more digital space thanks to a larger hard drive, which is a rare case among affordable desktop computers. In a nutshell, if you have a limited workspace or a small budget, or experience problems with both, you should opt for Dell Inspiron.

4. HP Pavilion

Reliable construction
budget pc

CPU: AMD Ryzen(TM) 5 3400G | GPU: MD Radeon(TM) RX Vega 11 graphics | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 512GB | Weight: 15.37 pounds

  • ✚ Slim chassis
  • ✚ Reliable construction
  • ✚ Good selection of USB Type-A ports
  • ✚ Optical drive
  • Disappointing computing capabilities
  • Skimpy 180-watt power supply
Rating

HP Pavilion is known as an affordable personal computer with features that are typically presented in more expensive machines. It has a robust construction, an attractive chassis, many USB ports, the latest SSD and an old-school optical drive.

AMD Radeon RX Vega 5th Gen GC architecture ensures smooth and efficient operation while playing VR and advanced AAA games. It can fully assist you with your basic tasks and accept future challenges if you upgrade the storage and memory when your budget allows.

5. HP Pavilion All-in-One

Solid performance
budget desktop computer

CPU: Intel Core i5 | GPU: Intel | RAM: 12GB | Storage: 512GB | Weight: 19.67 pounds

  • ✚ Bright 24-inch IPS touch display
  • ✚ Intel Core i5-9400T is agile in most situations
  • ✚ Awesome built-in O&B audio
  • ✚ Many ports
  • Mouse and keyboard could be better
  • All-in-one capabilities are disappointing
Rating

This is a wonderful budget PC for students and average users shopping for an all-in-one computer. It is fitted with a bright Full HD IPS display with touch support and allows for further configurations. This refers to a processor, discrete graphics, RAM, and storage.

However, mind that all adjustments are done at the moment of purchase, so you need to foresee your future needs. Unfortunately, there is no possibility to extend RAM or add a graphics card after the PC ships.

6. ASUS AiO

Antireflective display
lowest cost computers

CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3250U | GPU: Intel | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 512GB | Weight: 11.2 pounds

  • ✚ Thin body
  • ✚ Antireflective display
  • ✚ Good value for money
  • Unreliable
Rating

This budget desktop computer deserves many complimentary words and that is for the reason. First of all, the manufacturer worked a lot on its design, so you get a stylish machine with an aluminum stand and black bezels.

The variety of USB ports, flawless 2D performance, and presence of SSD are other arguments in favor of this model. Besides, Asus AiO comes with a high-end 1,920x1,080 display with anti-reflective coating, so you can work for many hours in a row without tiring your eyes.

7. HP Slim Desktop

Capacious storage
budget desktop

CPU: AMD Athlon Gold 3150U | GPU: Intel | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Weight: 10.38 pound

  • ✚ Small form-factor
  • ✚ DVD-writer
  • ✚ Capacious storage
  • ✚ Affordable
  • Unreliable
Rating

Not only looks this budget desktop computer eye-pleasing, but it also amazes with the latest technologies packed in a compact body. It is fast, powerful, delivers smooth and vibrant graphics, and can easily handle most computing tasks. Actually, it offers 10x faster performance than a traditional hard drive delivers.

The roomy storage allows you to save everything you want, and chances are high that there will still be more space left. You can watch and burn DVDs using a built-in optical drive, connect multiple devices, including a second monitor and a 5.1 surround sound system.

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
best budget desktop
Acer Aspire
Our Choice
  • CPU: Intel Core i5
  • GPU: Intel
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 512GB
CHECK PRICE
cheap desktop computers
Acer Aspire Desktop
Slim
  • CPU: Intel Core i5
  • GPU: Intel
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 512GB
CHECK PRICE
budget desktop
Dell Inspiron
Small
  • CPU: Intel Core i5
  • GPU: Intel
  • RAM: 12GB
  • Storage: 128GB
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Best Budget Desktop?

best budget desktop

RAM

The smallest amount of RAM you can agree to is 4GB. However, even such a minimum is sufficient for handling only basic tasks. Nowadays, you need to invest in a computer with more RAM to enjoy a fast and smooth performance. Frankly speaking, 16GB is a great indicator of modern PCs.

Hard Drive vs. SSD

Though SSDs cost more than hard drives, they offer quicker loading and top-notch overall performance. If you can afford it, you’d better select a computer equipped with both a hard drive and an SSD. If there are certain budget limits, try to find a computer with the highest capacity hard drive in that price category. Choose a device with at least 750GB.

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

Even the lowest cost computers are fitted with dual-core CPUs that allow running several programs simultaneously. The performance of your PC directly depends on the number of cores, so if you want something more powerful, you need to invest in a model with more cores. This is a really reasonable decision especially if you plan to work in CPU-demanding programs.

Monitor

When it comes to monitors, consider screen resolution, response time, size, and weight. Fast response times mean quicker displaying of moving images without blurring issues automatically fixed. Monitors with high screen resolutions are a must for people dealing with graphics, photo and video editing. The size of your desk space defines how large and weighty PC you can buy.

GPU

cheap desktop computers

If you are an avid gamer then you need to be very mindful about the GPU embedded in a PC. This component hugely affects the gaming capabilities of a device. Average PC users shouldn’t consider GPU as a decisive point.

FAQ

  • • What is better – a desktop computer or a laptop?

If you are searching for a powerful system and don’t mind its large dimensions, you can opt for a PC. Desktop computers usually give you a better price-to-performance ratio.

  • • Should I choose Dell or HP?

Our tests showed that Dell desktops powered by the Intel Core processors overmatched analog HP products.

  • • Is it cheaper to change a hard drive or buy a new PC?

In most cases, it is cheaper to repair a computer than buy a new one.

  • • Do desktop computers work longer than laptops?

The lifespan of desktops can be from 5 to 8 years, while laptops last 2-3 years.

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