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Best HP Desktop Computers

Updated January 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
HP Omen 45L Gaming Desktop
HP
Omen 45L Gaming Desktop
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Great for Gaming
Bottom Line

Performance is the word with this high-powered PC for gaming, which encourages future tool-less upgrades and comes equipped with powerful hardware.

Pros

The Intel Core i7 processor with RGB Liquid Cooler allows for gaming without the fear of overheating. HDMI Display connectors for additional devices. The OMEN gaming hub improves your experience on the inside and out. Transparent side panel lets you see the computer in action.

Cons

There are several complaints of flimsy packaging bending the computer itself.

Best Bang for the Buck
HP Slim Desktop
HP
Slim Desktop
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Space Saver
Bottom Line

This compact desktop might not be as powerful as the others, but those who want an affordable Windows PC for basic functions will appreciate its simplicity.

Pros

This PC comes equipped with 8GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive, and 256GB of SSD storage. The i3 processor with an Intel UHD Graphics card gives you incredible picture and primary performance. It comes equipped with Windows 11. This option is great for students

Cons

The optical drive is not included. Not much RAM.

HP Pavilion Gaming Dekstop
HP
Envy AiO w/ 34" screen, i5 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX, 512 GB SSD
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Clear Picture
Bottom Line

A comprehensive all-in-one desktop computer with a 34" monitor that creatives will love and tech-unsavvy buyers will easily set up and figure out.

Pros

The 21:9 high-res screen lets every detail shine in ways that artists, videographers, and movie lovers appreciate. There's a detachable magnetic camera with 5 possible shooting positions. Toolless design lets you upgrade without hassle. The wireless charger adds a convenient way to keep your devices charged.

Cons

Some issues with the wireless charger arose.

HP Pavilion Tower w/ AMD Ryzen 3, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 1TB HDD
HP
Pavilion Tower w/ AMD Ryzen 3, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, 1TB HDD
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Best for Business
Bottom Line

Need something powerful and practical? This tower of power comes equipped with a disk drive and plenty of hardware to keep your business or e-business running.

Pros

This heavy-duty Pavilion PC performs amazingly and protects your valuable work and documents along the way. There's lots of storage and 8GB RAM inside that keeps your computer running well while you're busy. It's not just for businesses, it's a great shared family PC, too.

Cons

Not ideal for gamers. No monitor included.

HP Pavilion AiO PC w/ 27" touchscreen monitor, Intel Core i7 Processor,16 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD
HP
Pavilion AiO PC w/ 27" touchscreen monitor, Intel Core i7 Processor,16 GB RAM, 1 TB HDD
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All In One
Bottom Line

An all-in-one addition to the brand's beloved Pavilion line offers a beautiful picture and crisp performance in an easy-to-setup PC

Pros

This model gives you a great audio and video experience with a low blue light filter to keep your eyes from straining. Great for videos, work, and basic PC functions. The large screen remains visible from several feet away. It's a great upgrade from a laptop that keeps the convenient all-in-1 design.

Cons

Not great for gaming and high-power tasks.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

35
Models
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65
Consumers
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16
Hours
Researched
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Buying guide for Best HP desktop computers

While they’ve been steadily losing market share over the years to their more mobile laptop and handheld brethren, desktop computers still have a sizable following. With their larger screens, increased power, and enhanced storage capabilities, desktops are a must for those into gaming, those who work with multimedia, or those just searching for a stable computer system they can set up in their home or office.

You can’t go wrong with a desktop computer from Hewlett-Packard (HP), one of tech’s original giants. However, like the majority of computers, HP computers are expensive, so you should pay close attention to what you’re paying for.

This guide will walk you through the different types of HP desktops, in addition to some of the features and specifications to consider. We’ll also give you an idea of how much you should pay for an HP desktop. For our five favorite HP desktop computers, check out the matrix.

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Dual monitors can be a great work aid. If this is something you’re interested in, be sure that your HP desktop computer is equipped with a video card or ports that can support two monitors.

Key considerations

Types of desktop computers

Some desktop computers are all-in-one systems. These computing systems feature a monitor and computer rolled into one unit. They should also ship with a mouse and keyboard to provide you with everything you need to be quickly up and running. All-in-ones feature fewer wires and less clutter than other systems, and they are easier to fit into tight spaces. However, because they are closer to laptops in terms of construction, they can also be limited in terms of expansion options.

Tower systems are the traditional boxy computers you are probably familiar with. They have the space to include more powerful components and are often used for gaming and multimedia tasks like editing video. They do take up more space, may or may not ship with a monitor, and are often more expensive than other desktop types.

Mini systems are small tower systems. Their compact size is a plus where space is an issue, but that size also means they are less powerful and harder to expand. These models are generally best for less intensive, day-to-day computing.

What is bundled with the desktop?

For all-in-one systems, you are set to go. For other desktops, know what you are buying. Does the computer ship with a monitor or will you need to supply one yourself?

All desktop bundles should include peripherals, such as a mouse and keyboard, but know what you are buying. Are they wired or wireless? Is the mouse wheeled or optical? Is the keyboard standard-size and what is the quality like? Make sure you know exactly what is bundled with an HP desktop computer before buying.

Setup

HP computers use the Windows operating system. By design, the majority of Windows computing systems are pretty easy to set up. You simply plug in the computer, attach the wires, and push the power button. With fewer wires, all-in-one systems are even easier to start up right out of the box.

Every HP computer will run you through a setup program, which will provide you with a personalized base to start from. It is then recommended that you run Windows Update so that you will have all the latest patches for your operating system in place before you use your computer.

Features

Monitor

If your HP desktop system doesn’t include a monitor, you are going to need to provide one yourself. Monitors exist in a wide array of sizes and configurations. A larger screen will allow you to work with more windows open at a time. A higher resolution is best for working with video and graphics. Some monitors also offer a touchscreen option, so you can work with the screen much like you would the screen of a tablet or smartphone.

Processor

A faster processor – particularly one with multiple cores – will allow you to smoothly run more programs. This is a big plus for multimedia or if you need to run a variety of programs simultaneously.

Memory

RAM (random access memory) can also affect computing speed. The more RAM you have, the faster your computer will be. On the other hand, low RAM can result in sluggish speeds, particularly if you are running a computing-intensive program or several programs at once.

Hard drive

The hard drive is where your files and programs are stored. The larger it is, the more you can store on your computer. This is a particularly big factor if you do a fair amount with video, photos, or graphics.

Graphics card

If you are into gaming or work with multimedia, you should have a graphics card, and the more advanced, the better. This is particularly important for gaming, which usually does poorly with a computer’s integrated graphics capabilities.

Media drives

Does the HP desktop computer include a DVD-RW or DVD writer? Can you use memory cards like SD, SDHC, or SDXC with it? These drives are important for everything from backing up files to moving them around more easily.

Ports

Ports allow you to expand your computer and plug in everything from your TV to printer to headphones. These vary greatly from computer to computer, but some ports you should look for include:

  • USB
  • HDMI
  • VGA
  • 10/100/1000 Ethernet
  • Headphone/microphone
  • DisplayPort
  • Wireless LAN/Bluetooth

Speakers

Does the HP desktop computer you’re considering have internal speakers, and what is their quality like?

"HP is one of the worldwide leaders in desktop computers, nearly tying with Lenovo for the top spot."
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HP desktop computer prices

Desktop computers vary greatly in price due to the nearly endless ways they can be configured and upgraded. The pricing for HP desktop computers ranges from around $600 to over $1,000.

At a higher price point, you can expect a faster processor, larger hard drive, more RAM, and other advanced features. A more expensive system is also more likely to be bundled with a monitor.

Conversely, a cheaper desktop may suddenly seem like less of a bargain when you find out you need to purchase a monitor for it.

You should also verify what kind of warranty is included with the HP desktop computer.

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Did you know?
Card readers generally support multiple formats, such as SD, SDHC, and SDXC. These formats have different storage capabilities.
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Tips

  • While a wireless mouse and keyboard will cut down on cord clutter in your workspace, downsides include increased interference, slower speeds, and the cost of replacing batteries.
  • If you are in the market for a computer even more compact than a mini system, consider a stick PC. While you will give up a lot in terms of storage and power, these flash drive-size PCs are super compact and effective for cloud computing and media streaming.
  • Easy to crack open and gain access to, tower desktop systems are made to be expandable and repairable.
  • Like laptops, all-in-one systems with their built-in monitors also usually include a built-in webcam.
  • If you aren’t planning on using your computer for extensive gaming or 3D graphics, then the computer’s integrated graphics – as opposed to a dedicated graphics card – should suffice.
  • If you want a fast computer capable of smooth multitasking, search for a processor with both a high speed and multiple cores.
  • If you are searching for both speed and a large amount of storage, consider going with dual hard drives. These systems often combine a fast SSD drive for booting with a larger hard drive dedicated to file storage.
  • Decide if you really need a CD/DVD/Blu-ray optical drive. Once standard on every desktop and laptop, more and more computers are now opting to omit them due to the popularity of streaming and USB-based storage devices and card readers.
  • Any HP computer you are considering should have the latest version of Windows to ensure that you have all the latest operating system features and capabilities.
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Dollar for dollar, most users realize more computing power and speed with a desktop than a laptop.

FAQ

Q. If I’m into gaming, what computer system elements should I concentrate on?
A.
Serious gaming computers are a breed apart, but you can still pull together a decent system by upgrading certain aspects of standard HP desktop tower systems. You should go with the fastest processor you can find, as much RAM as you can install, and a large hard drive. It is also vital to invest in a superior dedicated graphics card. Upgrading your system fans to keep the system from overheating is also recommended. Finally, a high-resolution monitor and fast internet connection are also advisable.

Q. What is the difference between a USB 2.0, a USB 3.0, and a USB 3.1 port?
A.
These are different standards for USB ports that are largely based on transfer speed. Roughly speaking, USB 3.0 is 10 times faster than USB 2.0, while USB 3.1 is twice as fast as USB 3.0. These are theoretical speeds as you still need devices capable of using USB 3.0 to realize this speed. They are also backward compatible, so you can use a USB 3.0 device in a USB 2.0 port, although it will be bottlenecked down to the port’s speed.

Q. What are the benefits of an optical mouse over a standard mouse?
A.
An optical mouse uses light instead of a wheel, which provides a number of benefits. There are no moving parts in an optical mouse, so there are fewer parts to wear out. No moving parts also lead to a smoother response. And since the optical mouse is sealed, there is no way for dirt and other debris to collect inside it.