LPGuard’s Best Desktop Computers In 2021

Get more computing power and a lot more features with our list of the best desktop computers this year. 

Whether you’re planning on making a big upgrade or buying your first desktop computer, it’s important to know the best choices for your unique computing needs. For this reason, we scooped the best desktop computers available in the market today.

Make no mistake; these computers will give you more value for your money, more computing power, and a whole lot of features that are beneficial in today’s computing needs. They’re not just powerful, but they offer more flexibility for future use. While there are pros and cons depending on the demand of your work or business, there are key advantages when using a desktop computer. 

So, are you planning on making a purchase? We’ll help you get the best desktop computer for your work, business, and budget. 

Microsoft Surface Studio 2

A solid choice for image-based computing

Microsoft’s Surface Studio 2 remains a very good choice for digital artists and visual-based content professionals. It features a bright display, high contrast ratio, PCIe SSD, and significant improvements. 

If you’re into digital drafting, the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is one of the best desktop choices for you. It’s also important to note that this computer wasn’t intended to compete with other computers. However, the performance upgrades are still doing their intended purpose with remarkable results. 

HP Z2 Tower G4

The next generation workstation

HP aims to make the Z2 Tower G4 accessible for beginner and amateur creators using CAD, Engineering labs, and Maya. But don’t be fooled by its smaller size. Thanks to its graphic package options, it offers users at least 60% more power compared to the older Z240. 

HP also offers other off-shelf workstations options. This includes an 8th Gen Intel Processor, Xeon, and Pentium. It also includes hard drives such as HP Z Turbo G2 PCIe NVMe SSD. With this, you can rest assured of an ideal computing workhorse that can handle heavy applications with more versatility and power. 

Acer Aspire TC-895-UA91

Best for budget-conscious users 

The Aspire TC-895 is an affordable, compact, and powerful computer. Packed in a basic mini-tower, it features a 10th Gen Intel Core i3 processor, 512GB SSD, and USB Type-C, and other essential features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD cards, etc. 

This computer is all about the basics. Of course, it’s just pretty normal for its price. Likewise, the basic design speaks well of its hassle-free operation. It has a harmless look that blends well whether you’re placing it in the office or your bedroom. 

Dell Precision 7920 Tower (2020)

A power-driven workstation

The Dell Precision 7920 is a self-proclaimed “world’s most powerful workstation.” Which actually holds some truth in it. In fact, it’s designed to handle the most demanding and complex applications. This is pretty obvious if you think about its broad range of customization options and configurations. 

For this reason, a lot of businesses, no matter the size, will be able to create their own system that works for them. In perspective, these configurations include memory options ranging from 16GB up to 3TB. That’s a really big leap that befits a computer called by its maker as the most powerful workstation in the world.

Apple Mac Mini 2018

The most iconic desktop computer from Apple

The Mac Mini 2018 is beautifully designed and packed with powerful features. It has neat tricks that only the Apple company can pull. Although it has a higher price, with Apple’s competitive advantage, the Mac Mini 2018 remains a very good desktop choice in 2021. 

This desktop computer from Apple features an 8th Gen Intel Coffee Lake processor in either quad or hexa-core models. According to the company, the processor offers at least five times more power compared to its predecessor. In addition, this computer is very capable of more demanding tasks and other multi-tasking jobs. 

HP Pavilion 24 All-in-One

The most versatile but user-friendly desktop computer 

The HP Pavilion All-in-One desktop is a good investment. It offers above and beyond features and performance. According to the company, this desktop computer can handle some of the most demanding tasks. Likewise, its elegant design blends well with any room or office. 

The Pavilion 24 All-in-One features a touchscreen, webcam, sounds, and connectivity ports. Probably one of the best traits of this desktop computer lies with its easy setup and a clean and uncluttered workspace. With performance, it’s significantly fast, a nice screen, and solid audio performance. 

Apple iMac 27-inch, 5K Retina Display (2019)

The best large-screen all-in-one desktop computer 

The 27-inch Apple iMac features a 1080p webcam, faster CPU, higher GPU, and a new elegant matte-finish. This desktop computer from apple is a great option for work-from-home users. Likewise, it features significant improvements such as a 10-core Intel Core i9 processor, AMD Radeon Pro graphics, an enhanced 1080p camera. 

Moreover, the iMac will cost more if you choose to configure it. However, it delivers solid performance for your daily content-creation tasks. One of the most notable upgrades is the 1080p full HD video. This is especially important for videoconferencing and working from home. 

Intel NUC 9 Extreme (Ghost Canyon)

The small but powerful desktop computer 

The Intel NUC 9 Extreme is a striking desktop computer that is amazingly small. But its small size should not be taken lightly. That’s because it offers many configuration options. This desktop computer offers an 8th core, 16 thread Core i9-9980HK processor, an Asus Dual RTX 2070 8GB Mini graphics card, 16GB RAM, 380GB Intel Optane 905p SSD, or up to 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD, and a Windows 10 OS. 

While it’s relatively pricey, this PC has fairly good specs. Unfortunately, these specs are not that amazing since you can buy a standard desktop computer with a comparable performance for a lower price. The only advantage of this computer so far is its small size. 

Apple Mac mini (M1, 2020)

The most polished and powerful desktop computer with a great upgrade 

Apple’s newly developed M1 chip makes their new machines extra powerful. With that being said, this makes the new Mac mini one of the most flexible desktop computers in the market today. Likewise, this desktop computer features an eight-core CPU, eight-core GPU, 256GB SSD storage, and up to 8GB of RAM. 

The new Mac Mini M1 delivers an amazingly fast performance, efficient running on the M1 chip,  competitive pricing, and a new Wi-Fi 6. Unfortunately, it has fewer USB-C ports compared to its Intel counterparts, no external GPU support, and a not-so-satisfying speaker. 

HP Envy 32 All-in-One

The best iMac alternative for Windows users 

The HP Envy 32 AiO is a stylish, powerful, and feature-packed Windows-powered desktop computer. With that said, it’s an excellent all-in-one iMac alternative. It’s attractive, delivers solid performance, bright display, and loud sound.

The Envy 32 is a powerful all-in-one desktop computer that can handle demanding apps and lets you play games. Even more so, it has a stylish chassis with solid-powerful components. This includes RTX graphics, a wide variety of features, and a gorgeous 4K display. Likewise, it’s an excellent computer for content creators.