In a world where major security concerns and privacy matters abound, youre going to want to make up for any lost resources when someone hijacks your PC.
However, in 2018 having one of the best PCs is essential for the average user.
Because any website can slow down your machine just for using ad-blocking software, youre going to want the fastest PC around just to get around their malignant methods.
In a lot of ways, then, the best computers are superior to smartphones and even the best 2-in-1 laptops some would have you believe replaced them.For starters, the displays can be much larger than those on any mobile device, and secondly, they perform way better.
Most of the best computers that weve found are also easily upgradable beyond a simple RAM swap.
And, with the wide array of low-power CPUs Intel recently announced, you can have the power benefits that smaller PCs offer.
And, as a bonus, all eight of the PCs weve included here will work with all the latest and greatest components.However, determining the best computer isnt as straightforward as proclaiming the most powerful computer or the most expensive computer.
When we created this list, we did so acknowledging that the best computers strike a balance between value and performance.
With that, weve comprehensively tested or reviewed and subsequently ranked every single PC we could get our hands on in order to find the best computer you can get your hands on in 2018.Best PC: Dell XPS Tower Special EditionDont be fooled, this mainstream machine is a gaming PC at heartCPU: : Intel Core i5 Core i7 | Graphics: : AMD Radeon RX 580 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 | RAM: 8GB 16GB | Storage: 256GB SSD; 1TB HDD 512GB SSD; 2TB HDDCompact, minimalist designFull online customer supportStarting memory isn't ideal for VRLower graphical performance compared to rivalsFor lack of a better word, the Dell XPS Tower Edition is stealthy.
Looking quite similar to that old computer that your parents had hidden beneath the desk, this boring exterior belies an exciting array of components.
Inside youll find your choice of the latest in GPU tech, in addition to a blazing-fast 7th generation Intel CPU and a spacious hard drive and/or SSD.
Now, the Special Edition is only available in the US, but our readers in the UK and Australia will still be able to buy the regular Dell XPS Tower and beef it up to the same level through Dells configuration page.Read the full review: Dell XPS Tower Special EditionBest all-in-one PC: Microsoft Surface StudioThe art kids dream computer in a metallic nutshellCPU: : Intel Core i5 i7 | Graphics: : Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M 980M | RAM: : 8GB 32GB | Storage: : 64GB SSD; 1TB HDD 128GB SSD; 2TB HDDThe best digital drawing boardImpeccable build qualityAll rearward portsPricey proposition for mostThe Microsoft Surface Studio is one of the most glamorous PCs you can buy.
It shakes up the all-in-one formula of putting all the components behind the screen, and instead moves everything to the base.
The resulting device has one of the thinnest 28-inch PixelSense Displays that puts even most 4K screens to shame.
Whats more, the fully-articulating stand makes it a versatile tool for work and play with Surface Pen support.
All in all, the Surface Studio is an exceptional work of, and for, art.Read the full review: Surface StudioSee more like this: The best all-in-one PCsBest mini PC: Intel Hades Canyon NUCDont let its size fool youCPU: Intel Core i7-8809G | Graphics: Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics (4GB HBM2 VRAM), Intel UHD Graphics 630 | RAM: N/A | Storage: N/ALots of portsEasy to upgradeExpensiveIf youre looking for a sublime desktop experience but dont have a lot of space, look no further than the Intel Hades Canyon NUC.
In this tiny bare-bones PC, you have an insanely powerful 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, and discrete-class Radeon graphics once you throw in some RAM and storage, youll be able to conquer the best PC games, no problem.
Sure, it cant really stand up against a full-sized desktop, but when space is short, or youd just rather have a PC that looks like a set-top box its worth it.Read the full review:Intel Hades Canyon NUCBest gaming PC: Alienware Aurora R6Great gaming performance without breaking the bankCPU: Intel Core i5 i7 | Graphics: AMD Radeon RX 560 Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti | RAM: 8GB 64GB | Storage: 1TB 2TB HDD, 256GB - 1TB M.2 PCIe SSD, 2TB HDDEasy to upgradeDistinct case designPartially obstructed coolingThe Alienware Aurora R6 is an excellent gaming PC that offers brilliant performance in a conveniently compact body.
The affordable price is pretty great as well, considering the power on offer and users itching for upgrades will have room to pick up a second graphics card, plus more RAM and storage.Read the full review: Alienware Aurora R6See more like this: The best gaming PCsBest living room PC: MSI Trident 3A slimline console-sized mini PC for your living roomCPU: Intel Core i5-7400 i7-7700 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti 1060 | RAM: 8GB 32GB DDR4 (2,400MHz) | Storage: 2TB HDD; 120GB SSD 2TB HDD; 1TB SSDCompact sizeSilent and cool runningExternal 330W power brickPositioned as a console killer, the MSI Trident 3 looks a lot like anXbox One X andPS4 Pro, but its a far more powerful PC that feels just right in your living room.
Complete with all the ports you could ever dream of, the MSI Trident 3s advantages are clear.
Still, in trying to be as thin and light as possible, the MSI Trident 3 comes equipped with a 330W external power supply brick, resembling some of the least attractive console designs.Read the full review:MSI Trident 3Best Mac: Apple iMac (2017)A powerful, price-efficient (albeit old-hat) packageCPU: Intel Core i5 i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 AMD Radeon Pro 560 | RAM: 8GB 32GB | Storage: 1TB HDD 1TB SSDGorgeous 4K, P3 color displayExcellent valuePoor audio performanceBaffling mouse charging methodYou wouldnt see it coming based on the logo alone, but Apples latest iMac is neatly priced when compared to other all-in-one computers out there.
In fact, the Surface Studio costs three times as much as the iMac to start.
Despite lacking the fancy trimmings of its Microsoft-contrived competitor, e.g., a touchscreen and adjustable stand, the option for a 4K P3 wide color display and 7th-generation processor make the 21.5-inch iMac not only gorgeous, but up to date as well.Read the full review: Apple iMac (2017)See more like this: The best MacsBest budget PC: HP Pavilion WaveIt's a prettier, if less-beefy, Mac ProCPU: Intel Core i3 Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 530 AMD Radeon R9 M470 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 1TB HDDUnique, stylish cylindrical form factorClever and effective audio solutionNo optical audio portUnflattering specsThough at first you might confuse it for a fabric-wovenMac Pro refresh, the HP Pavilion Wave is anything but.
This compact Windows machine packs in 6th-generation Intel Core processors and optional discrete AMD graphics with a uniquely integrated Bang Olufsen speaker.
Wrapped in a handsome fabric exterior, this is the perfect PC to have on the desk, as it radiates crisp sound while you browse the web or watch movies.Read the first look: HP Pavilion WaveBest stick PC: Intel Compute StickThe tiny computer that can CPU: Intel Atom Intel Core m5 | Graphics: : Intel HD Graphics Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 1GB 4GB | Storage: 8GB-64GB eMMCWide CPU choicesExtremely portable designLimited fan coolingLimited RAM and storageNo, this isnt a USB thumb drive youre looking at.
The Intel Core Compute Stick might look like something you would store a PowerPoint presentation on shortly before losing it, but its actually a palm-sized personal computer that plugs into any screen with an HDMI port.
Configurations start at a lowly 1.33GHz Intel Atom processor running Linux, and at the highest end is a notebook-class Intel Core m5 processor.Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article56400e97e5563e059084036e41356f3c.jpg#