Desktop computers have come a long way since the bulky beige boxes of yesteryear. While sleek, portable laptops now dominate the mainstream computing market, desktops still remain a strong choice today for those looking for the optimal combination of performance, customizability, and value.
Let‘s explore why desktop PCs can be the smarter buy in 2023 and highlight some of the top-rated models worth considering for your next purchase.
A Brief History of Desktop Computers
It‘s easy to forget just how far desktop computers have evolved over the decades. The earliest commercial desktops emerged in the late 1970s and early 1980s from companies like Apple, Tandy Radio Shack, and IBM.
These primitive machines were suited mainly for hobbyists and lacked even basic functionality like a graphical user interface (GUI) that we take for granted today. However, pioneering desktops like the Apple II in 1977 and the IBM 5150 in 1981 laid the groundwork for an entire mass consumer industry.
By the mid-1990s, the familiar desktop tower designpaired with a separate monitorhad become standard. This allowed for easier upgrades as component technology rapidly advanced. Other form factors like streamlined all-in-one PCs also grew in popularity over the decades.
Now in 2023, while laptops account for over 60% of new computer sales, there are still over 150 million active desktops in use worldwide. Their balance of computing power, flexibility, and affordability continues to offer tangible benefits for many.
7 Key Reasons to Buy a Desktop in 2023
So why might buying a desktop be a wiser choice today than splurging on a shiny new laptop? Here are some of the most compelling benefits:
1. More Processing Power for Less
For equivalent specs and computing muscle, desktop PCs still provide much better value than laptops. You can get higher wattage processors, dedicated graphics cards, cutting-edge RAM, expansive storage, and more for significantly cheaper.
If peak performance is your priority for gaming, video editing, 3D modeling, development workloads, etc., a high-end desktop build gives you much more power for your dollar. Expect at least 20-50% cost savings over an equal-tier laptop.
2. Easy to Upgrade and Expand
One major limitation of laptops is that you‘re largely stuck with fixed hardware constrained by size and thermals. Desktops offer almost endless room for growth whether you build your own or buy a pre-built tower.
As your needs change, you can continue upgrading components like the CPU, GPU, RAM, storage drives, power supply, and more. This makes a desktop a long-term investment that can stay relevant 4-5 years longer than the average laptop before requiring a full replacement purchase.
3. Customizable to Your Exact Specs
On a related note, buying or building a desktop lets you hand-pick components to create your perfect PC aligned with priorities like budget, performance, specs, aesthetics, etc.
You aren‘t nearly as restricted compared to the integrated nature of laptops. This DIY approach also allows advanced users to optimize spending on pricier niche parts that are must-haves versus components that can cheap out on.
4. No Battery Life Concerns
Running out of juice is a constant headache for laptop owners. Even premium models today max out at around 20 hours of realistic battery runtime. And capacity continues gradually declining over time from repeated charge cycles.
With a desktop PC, you have unlimited untethered access as long as the power outlet flows. Forfeiting mobility means never fretting over your machine dying mid-task. This peace of mind can be a liberating perk for many.
5. Superior Gaming Performance
If PC gaming is a priority, than a desktop is by far the best fit to maximize frame rates and graphical fidelity. The scope for cutting-edge components like NVDIA RTX 4000 series GPUspaired with CPUs boasting 5GHz+ boost speedsis unmatched in laptops where thermal throttling often rears its head.
Expect at least 30-50% better speeds on demanding AAA titles with a desktop build sporting a high wattage GPU and latest gen processor. Cooling is also much more robust to avoid performance bottlenecks during marathon gaming sessions.
6. Built for Demanding Creative Software
Similarly, if your work or hobbies revolve around taxing creative applications like video editing suites, 3D animation programs, CAD software etc., then a muscular desktop allows you to fly through complex tasks faster.
The combination of an expansive monitor, top-shelf multi-core processor, pro-grade graphics card, copious amounts of RAM, andscratch disk SSDsorRAID arraysmakes short work of everything from rendering 8K video timelines to physics simulations. Desktops provide creators unbridled power.
7. Enhanced Longevity and Durability
Finally, the stationary nature and easily replaceable parts of desktop PCs translate to longer lifecycles on average. With modest upgrades to aging components periodically, you can stretch the viability of a good desktop build to over 5+ years.
Laptops tend to plateau in performance much quicker due to thermal constraints and irreparable integrated hardware. Not to mention their portable design poses higher risks of early failure whether from accidental damage or wear and tear. A meticulously maintained desktop at a desk is less prone to premature obsolescence.
Best Desktops to Buy in 2023
Now that we‘ve covered the many benefits of buying a desktop PC today, let‘s look at some of highest rated models that deliver a superb blend of quality and value across common usage scenarios:
#1 Pick: Apple iMac 24" (M1 Chip)
The stunning all-in-one 2022 Apple iMac leveraging their game-changing M1 system-on-a-chip is arguably the best for creative pros embedded in the Apple ecosystem.
Key Specs:
- Apple M1 8-core CPU
- Up to 16GB Unified RAM
- 512GB SSD standard
- 24” 4.5K Retina display
Blazing fast Apple Silicon performance combined with their signature sleek, color accurate industrial design makes this perfect for design, video, and photography workloads. MacOS also features robust optimization for creative software suites.
The 24” iMac nails that sweet spot blending power, beauty, and seamless ecosystem integration. Plus the base model starts at just $1,299 making it reasonably accessible.
#2 Pick: Lenovo IdeaCentre Gaming 5i Desktop
If you‘re seeking awesome 1080p gaming speeds on a budget, Lenovo‘s IdeaCentre Gaming 5i desktop checks all the boxes with its 12th Gen Intel Core power and RTX 3060 GPU muscle.
Key Specs:
- Intel Core i7-12700F
- NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
- 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD storage
Priced under $1,500, you‘d be hard pressed finding better cost per frame rates than what Lenovo delivers for buttery smooth high FPS gaming. The clean aesthetic and internal layout also makes upgrading down the line a breeze.
#3 Pick: HP M01 All-in-One Desktop
Those with basic home or office needs will find HP‘s affordable M01 all-in-one model a perfect jack-of-all-trades solution, from web browsing and Office docs to video calls and managing household smart devices.
Key Specs:
- 11th Gen Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor
- 12GB DDR4 RAM
- 256GB PCIe NVME M.2 SSD
- 23.8” Full HD display
Its recent 11th Gen Intel Core i3 chip provides plenty of pep for everyday tasks. And ample included RAM plus fast SSD storage lets you multitask without hiccups across dozens of Edge or Chrome tabs. A great family shared PC for under $700 bucks.
#4 Pick: Alienware Aurora R15 Gaming Desktop
At the extreme cutting edge lies Alienware‘s beastly Aurora R15 gaming desktop outfitted with Intel‘s 13th Gen Core i9 CPU plus NVIDIA‘s brand new RTX 4090 graphics card for unmatched 8K and 4K gaming performance.
Key Specs:
- 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13900K
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 24GB GPU
- 32GB Dual Channel DDR5 RAM
- 2TB M.2 PCIe SSD + 2TB SATA HDD
If money is no object and you demand the absolute highest frame rates to leverage that slick 4K 144Hz monitor, then this pre-built powerhouse crushes everything in its path. Cooling and tool-less upgrades are also perfect for future expansion down the line.
Bottom Line
While laptops excel in portability, desktop PCsstill shine today across critical areas like raw performance, value, customizability, upgradeability, and durability.
If a blend of these factors sound aligned with your needs and budget, then 2023 remains a great time to invest in a modern desktop rig to maximize productivity and enjoyment for years to come. Just make sure to weigh the options covered here against any laptops you may also be considering.
