Apple iMac with Retina display

Recommended desktop computers, by Consumer Reports

“Many people have moved away from desktops in favour of slim, portable laptops,” says Consumer Reports. “However, there’s still a lot to recommend desktops for many users. First, desktops deliver more performance for the money than laptops and are less costly to repair. They allow for a more ergonomically correct work environment, let you work on a larger screen, and typically come with better speakers. Finally, desktops are available in various styles and configurations, all designed to appeal to different tastes and uses.”

Here is the Consumer Reports’ selection of recommended desktop computers. The maximum overall score is 100, and “Best Buy” models offer more value.


Full-size desktops

Dell XPS 8900

Overall score: 90

Dell XPS 8700 (Win 10)

Overall score: 86

HP ENVY Phoenix 850qe

Overall score: 81

Lenovo Erazer X315

Overall score: 81

HP ENVY 750-114

Overall score: 81

Lenovo H50 - 90B70019US

Overall score: 74
“Best Buy”

Asus M32BF-B05

Overall score: 66

HP 251-xt

Overall score: 65

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Compact desktops

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All-in-one desktops

HP ENVY 34-a010

Overall score: 77

HP ENVY 27-p014

Overall score: 75

HP Pavilion 23se-Touch

Overall score: 74
“Best Buy”

Acer Aspire AZ3-710-UR55

Overall score: 70
“Best Buy”

HP Pavilion 23m-Touch

Overall score: 69
“Best Buy”

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Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly since 1936. It features reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research centre. The magazine accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests, and, as a not-for-profit organisation, has no shareholders. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides. (Wikipedia.)

Source: Consumer Reports
Last checked on: 1 April 2016
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