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Desktop Computer Reviews

Consumers shopping for a desktop computer will encounter many models with similar features and relatively low prices. We zeroed in on those that have undergone expert scrutiny and emerged with positive reviews.

Computer experts devote much of their attention to expensive models with the latest and greatest hardware, so that limits the pool of desktop computer reviews that assess models in our price range.

Naturally, even the best low-cost PCs don't boast the same level of performance as high-end desktops, especially when it comes to games or other programs that place heavy demands on the hardware. Nonetheless, desktop computer reviews indicate that both experts and consumers expect good performance when it comes to the basics: Web browsing, emailing, photo editing, listening to music, watching YouTube videos, and so on. For the most part, entry-level desktops seem to meet those expectations -- some better than others. Many users actually appear impressed with how well certain inexpensive systems perform.

Desktop Computer Processors.

The central processing unit, or CPU, is often referred to as the brain of a computer and plays a key role in its performance. Most desktop computers these days have processors with multiple cores for carrying out multiple tasks at once.

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Among the budget desktops we researched, CPUs made by Intel were more common than processors made by AMD. The top Intel-based desktops in our budget price range, including the Dell Inspiron 660 (starting at $480, Amazon), often have Intel Core i3 CPUs. These are less expensive than Intel's high-end Core i5 and i7 processors but still powerful enough to handle most tasks with ease. The Dell Inspiron 660 delivers solid performance for a budget PC, according to desktop computer reviews. An expert at About.com says it generally outperforms cheap AMD PCs.

That's not to say consumers can't find a good AMD-based system on a budget. On the contrary: The Gateway SX2370-UR10P (starting at $480, Amazon), which has a quad-core AMD A8 processor, earns somewhat better reviews than a similar Gateway model with a dual-core Intel Core i3 CPU. To put the AMD processor in perspective, the About.com expert says the SX2370-UR10P isn't as fast as a computer with a quad-core Intel Core i5 processor but runs about as well as a computer with a dual-core Intel Core i3 CPU. Users posting desktop computer reviews on Amazon have found that the SX2370-UR10P has plenty of pep.

Cheap, minimalist nettops use less powerful CPUs. The Lenovo IdeaCentre Q180 (starting at $299, Amazon) has an Intel Atom processor, which isn't nearly as fast as the processors in our top picks. It can manage basic tasks such as Web surfing, but an expert from Digital Trends points out that the CPU simply can't compete with AMD A-series or Intel Core i3 processors. At PC World, a desktop computer review reports that the Lenovo Q180 fared poorly in the site's performance tests and occasionally dropped frames when playing 1080p video. The Samsung Series 3 Chromebox (starting at $330, Amazon), which is also a nettop, uses an Intel Celeron CPU. Expert reviewers deem that processor sufficient given the way the Chromebox is designed (more on that on the following pages).

Review continues below

by Michael Sweet (Google+ Profile)

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Best Cheap Desktops

Dell Inspiron 660

 Read why »
Where to buy

Gateway SX2370-UR10P

 Read why »
Where to buy

Good Cheap Desktops

Samsung Series 3 Chromebox

 Read why »
Where to buy
 
 
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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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