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Cheap Computers, Best Cheap PCs

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In this review:
  1. Cheap Computers, Best Cheap PCs
  2. Desktop Computer Reviews
  3. Computer Features
  4. Nettop Computers
  5. Desktop Deals
  6. Discount Desktops Features Comparison Table
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Cheap Computers Buying Guide

As you consider purchasing a cheap desktop computer, it's important to understand what you're getting. Cheap computers are simple systems designed to carry out basic, everyday tasks.

They're not ideal for more intensive, graphics-heavy activities such as video editing or 3D gaming. Still, the best cheap PCs can do much more than handle email and surf the Web. We sought out sub-$500 systems with the hardware for multitasking and multimedia. We found contenders from major manufacturers including Dell, Gateway, Acer, Asus, and Lenovo.

Our top picks are the Dell Inspiron 660 (starting at $480, Amazon) and the Gateway SX2370-UR10P (starting at $480, Amazon). The price of the Lenovo IdeaCentre Q180-31102VU (starting at $299, Amazon) is certainly intriguing, but this cheap computer is not a conventional desktop. Rather, it's a low-powered nettop (the desktop equivalent of a netbook) designed to bring Web browsing, online video, and PC gaming to a TV. For a bit more money, you can buy a traditional desktop tower whose hardware and performance will dwarf those of this little Lenovo box. If your target price point is closer to $300 than $500 and you spend most of your time on the Web, a better nettop to try is the speedy Samsung Series 3 Chromebox (starting at $330, Amazon), which is built for Google's online apps and services.

Consumers who confine their search for a cheap computer to traditional desktops, as opposed to nettops, will find more powerful processors, far more storage for their files, and CD/DVD burners as standard equipment (Blu-ray drives still haven't trickled down to the budget ranks). The cheap desktops we researched have processors from Intel and AMD, both of which make solid options. Look for a cheap computer with at least 4 gigabytes of RAM -- the more, the better. Even cheap desktops generally have pretty sizeable hard drives. Most of our picks have a 1 terabyte hard disk drive (the equivalent of about 1,000 GB), which is a generous size for home users. What these cheap computers don't have is a monitor included at the base price. The Samsung Chromebox also lacks a keyboard and mouse, so be sure to factor in the cost of those peripherals if you don't already have them. Consumers seeking the new Windows 8 operating system from Microsoft can find it on cheap computers including the Dell Inspiron 660, one of the best cheap PCs on our list. Other models come with the more familiar Windows 7 but can be upgraded.

Review continues below

Many cheap desktops have nearly the same hardware, so we leaned on expert reviews and, to a lesser extent, user reviews to choose the best cheap PCs. In general, reviews indicate that our picks can easily handle most tasks, including Web surfing, email, word processing, photo editing, and playing video clips. Like other cheap computers, they're not designed for intense 3D games, but users can certainly play simpler games, such as Bookworm and Bejeweled. What else separates cheap computers from the big boys? More expensive PCs have faster, more powerful processors, many more gigabytes of memory, and massive hard drives. Some pricier systems also include a Blu-ray drive. Consumers can drop a couple thousand dollars on a high-end PC without much difficulty.

Although some computer users will no doubt be tempted to choose a sleek, sexy laptop PC over a boxy, mundane desktop, it's worth taking some time to weigh the pros and cons of each. The simple fact is you get more bang for your limited buck from a cheap desktop than from a laptop. A desktop might seem so-last-century, but it's easier to repair and upgrade and delivers more power per dollar. With a laptop, the manufacturer must fit the same hardware into a smaller package and add a hefty battery, both of which increase the cost of the end product. If you're looking for value and portability isn't a priority, a desktop is the better deal.

by Michael Sweet (Google+ Profile)

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Best Cheap Desktops

Dell Inspiron 660
Gold Medal

Dell Inspiron 660

The Dell Inspiron 660 delivers solid performance and comes with the new Windows 8 operating system. This computer boasts all the fundamental features consumers can expect from a budget desktop: an Intel Core i3 processor, a 1TB hard drive, and 6GB of RAM, plus four USB 3.0 ports where most competitors have two.

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Gateway SX2370-UR10P
Gold Medal

Gateway SX2370-UR10P

The Gateway SX2370-UR10P stands out in a sea of Intel-based budget systems for its quad-core AMD processor. Reviewers say its graphics performance, while not suited to intense 3D gaming, is still better than that of other cheap desktops. Its features measure up favorably as well.

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Good Cheap Desktops

Samsung Series 3 Chromebox
Gold Medal

Samsung Series 3 Chromebox

This nettop computer is an inexpensive alternative to a traditional desktop. The Chromebox is an extremely speedy machine that revolves entirely around Google's online universe of apps and services. Supporters see it as a secure, low-maintenance system that won't get bogged down with malware, but it offers a paltry 16GB of local storage and won't suit users looking to run powerful software.

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Don't Bother Cheap Desktops

Lenovo IdeaCentre Q180

The Lenovo Q180 is a cheap nettop computer that's marketed as a home-theater PC. The idea is to set up this little box in your entertainment center in order to watch online video or even surf the web on a TV. As an everyday desktop, however, this model falls flat due to its limited Intel Atom CPU and graphics power.

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