Shop for desktops

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.9 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 6 reviews

The Bottom Line: Gateway's SX2840-01 remains the budget PC to beat. Its combination of small size, fast performance, and living room competence makes it one of the most flexible desktops on the market. That it has room to upgrade makes the deal that much sweeter. We recommend this desktop to anyone looking for a powerful, versatile low-cost computer. Read review

Specs: Intel Core i3 530 / 2.93 GHz, 6 GB / 8 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.2 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: In the right configuration, Dell's Inspiron Zino HD will fit seamlessly into your living room as a PC-based video source. Due to its uneven handling of even standard-def video, this $468 build isn't quite up to the task. Fortunately, Dell offers the right upgrades to get you to the hallowed ground of PC-based video content--just be prepared to spend a little bit more to get there. Read review

Specs: AMD Athlon 2650E / 1.6 GHz, 2 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1, 32-Bit

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.2 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: Acer's Aspire Revo 1600 might be the first Nettop we don't actively dislike. We'd rather have an Xbox 360 in the living room, but the Aspire Revo 1600 would be suitable as a PC for young kids or as a low-profile cloud kiosk. Thanks to its $199 price tag, you won't feel too much remorse if it breaks or you outgrow it. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom N230 / 1.6 GHz, 1 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, None., nVidia Ion, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 reviews

The Bottom Line: The lower-cost Mac Mini offers respectable budget performance and Apple's usual compelling design, but a puny hard drive and a lack of HDMI hurt this system's value and overall potential. It's actually more versatile next to its budget-priced Windows competition than the higher-end Mac Mini, but this entry-level Mac is still best left to Apple loyalists. Read review

Specs: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.26 GHz, 2 GB / 4 GB (max), Apple MacOS X 10.6, None. - TFT active matrix, nVidia GeForce 9 series, EPEAT Gold, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.5 stars Very good

  Overall score: 7.4 (3.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Don't expect the world from HP's low-cost Pavilion All-in-One MS2255, but as a basic day-to-day PC for light-duty productivity or Web and media accessibility in the kitchen, it's a very good deal. You'd be wise to look here before considering an Atom-based Nettop. Read review

Specs: AMD Athlon II X2 250 / 1.6 GHz, 4 GB / 4 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, LCD display - TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel CORE I5 750 / 2.66 GHz, 3 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English, ATi Radeon HD 4300 series

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.6 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 22 reviews

The Bottom Line: If you're considering all of the computers in the $700 to $1,000 price range, the Dell Studio Hybrid is not very compelling. However, if you limit yourself to the very specific niche of small PCs, you'll appreciate this system's clever design and its relatively powerful hardware. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core T4300 / 2.1 GHz, 2 GB / 4 GB (max), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic Service Pack 1, None., EPA Energy Star, EPEAT Gold

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.5 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: We're fond of the Gateway DX4300-11's clever design, but halfhearted performance scores mar its overall worth. The TV tuner and 1TB hard drive may tempt you to stick it in your living room as a media center PC, but your money is better spent on the Asus Essentio CG5270-BP004. Read review

Specs: AMD Phenom II X4 805 / 2.5 GHz, 8 GB / 8 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, None., ATi Radeon HD 3200 series

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel CORE I3 530 / 2.93 GHz, 4 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: Be prepared for full-powered entertainment with the slimline HP Pavilion s5000 series home desktop PC.

Specs: AMD Athlon II X2 250 / 3 GHz, 4 GB / 4 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, None., nVidia GeForce 6 series

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.5 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 20 reviews

The Bottom Line: The Dimension C521 is significant because it's one of the first Dell PCs to include an AMD processor, and Dell uses it to good effect. Unfortunately, that doesn't save this system from Dell's failure to incorporate any of the virtues of a modern space-saving PC. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium Dual Core E5400 / 2.7 GHz, 4 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.5 stars Average

  Overall score: 5.4 (2.5 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Extra performance by way of a low-wattage AMD chip helps Averatec's D1133 All-In-One stand out from its dismal Nettop competition, but it remains a below-average deal in the grand scheme of budget desktops. We see the appeal of Netbooks, but the benefits of Nettops like this Averatec continue to elude us. Read review

Specs: AMD Athlon X2 3250e / 1.5 GHz, 2 GB / 4 GB (max), Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium, LCD display - TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel Atom 330 / 1.6 GHz, 2 GB / 4 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, None., nVidia Ion, EPA Energy Star

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.3 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 4.0 stars out of 1 review

The Bottom Line: If you must buy a Nettop, the eMachines EZ1601-01's large screen and category-competitive components make a decent argument for its value among other systems like it. One look at a true budget desktop, or even a Netbook, and the appeal of this system diminishes quickly. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom N270 / 1.6 GHz, 1 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, LCD display - TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Specs: AMD Sempron LE1300 / 2.3 GHz, 2 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic SP1, 32-Bit

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The Compaq Presario CQ5300 Desktop PC series is perfect for those in search of simplicity, reliability and value-for-money in a stylish-looking desktop PC.

Specs: AMD Athlon II X2 240 / 2.8 GHz, 3 GB / 4 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, None., nVidia GeForce 6 series

• CNET Editor rating:
  4.0 stars Excellent

  Overall score: 8.0 (4.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 2.5 stars out of 2 reviews

The Bottom Line: By tweaking its internal components to achieve maximum 3D performance, Velocity Micro has made its $999 Edge Z5 one of the most impressive lower-end gaming desktops we've ever seen. As long as you don't mind sacrificing a bit of productivity speed to get it, we recommend this system to any PC gamer on a budget. Read review

Specs: Intel Quad-Core Q9400 / 2.66 GHz, 4 GB / 8 GB (max), Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 5.0 stars out of 1 review

Manufacturer description: The eMachines EL1331 desktop is as space-saving and affordable as ever with reliable AMD Athlon processing, rich graphics performance and plenty of storage space for your media and files.

Specs: AMD Athlon 2850e / 1.8 GHz, 2 GB / 4 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, None., nVidia GeForce 6 series

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Manufacturer description: The Aspire X1301 is the essential home PC to handle all your home computing needs. First-class applications and components deliver great performance in a stylish design. The Aspire X1301 makes ... Read more

Specs: AMD Athlon II X2 215 / 2.7 GHz, 4 GB / 4 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, None., nVidia GeForce 9 series

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.1 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Nvidia's Ion graphics chip gives the Asus Eee Top ET2002 better-than-average video performance for a Nettop, but that does little to spare this system from its weak overall performance and the variety of competitive, more well-rounded alternatives for low-cost video and gaming. Nettops might be competitive someday, but for now this category as a whole is a disappointment. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom 330 / 1.6 GHz, 2 GB, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium / Microsoft Windows 7 Upgrade Option, LCD display - TFT active matrix, nVidia Ion

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel CORE I5 650 / 3.20 GHz, 3 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64Bit, English

• CNET Editor rating:
  3.0 stars Good

  Overall score: 6.4 (3.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: Despite its quirky case design, Acer's Aspire M3800-U3802A is an affordable, feature-competitive midtower that you might find appealing if you're in the market for a cost-effective desktop to use for upgrading. If you want the best PC for your dollar, you can spend just a bit more on another system and get much faster performance. Read review

Specs: Intel Pentium E5200 / 2.5 GHz, 4 GB / 8 GB (max), Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition, None.

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel Core i3 I3-530 / 2.93 GHz, 6 GB / 16 GB (max), Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit Edition, None.

• CNET Editor rating:
  2.0 stars Mediocre

  Overall score: 4.6 (2.0 stars)
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

The Bottom Line: The Averatec D1130's wimpy processor and paltry features give consumers little incentive to choose this Nettop over a faster budget PC or the mobility of a Netbook. If you're dead-set on a Nettop, the Lenovo C300 is a less terrible decision, but you can stretch your dollar much further with a budget slim tower system like the Gateway SX2800-01. Read review

Specs: Intel Atom 1.6 GHz, 1 GB, Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, LCD display - TFT active matrix

• CNET Editor rating:
  Not yet rated
• Average user rating: 0 stars No reviews, write one!

Specs: Intel CORE I3 540 / 3.06 GHz, 4 GB, Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium, 64bit, English