The 7 Best Desktop PCs of 2020

When you need an absolute powerhouse of a computer for gaming, graphic design, or video rendering, look no further than the Alienware Aurora R9. This desktop PC packs a ton of power into a small package. It features an Intel i9-9900K CPU that can be overclocked to run at 5GHz for superior processing speed. You can customize your Aurora R9 build to have up to two GeForce RTX 2080 Super 8GB video cards, a 2TB M.2 SSD, 2TB HDD, and up to 64GB of DDR4 HyperX Fury RAM. 

The heftiest configuration available can run your favorite games at up to 280 frames per second (fps) and is VR ready to help you take the leap into the next generation of gaming. The tower features tool-less expansion slots and a locking power supply swing arm to make upgrading and cleaning a breeze. The Aurora R9 is backed by a one-year hardware warranty and in-home service.

The Surface Studio is designed to be the ultimate solution for digital artists, architects, and other serious content creators who count on an all-purpose touch- or stylus-based display. It doesn’t aim to match the performance of gaming or workstation-level desktops, but the second generation of Microsoft’s unique machine does make many improvements to its inner workings. With an Intel Core i7 CPU on all models, improved Nvidia GTX graphics cards, and faster solid-state drives of 1TB or 2TB capacity, your creativity can flow through it at a quicker pace than ever.

What remains unchanged in this iteration is the Surface Studio’s position as the top digital drafting table out there. It all revolves around the gorgeous and massive (yet thin) 28-inch PixelSense display, with 4500 x 3000 pixels of resolution that now boast 38 percent more brightness and 22 percent higher contrast ratio. You can work with ten points of touch or the included Surface Pen stylus that attaches magnetically to the sides when not in use. Then there’s the Zero Gravity hinge, which lets you smoothly and effortlessly adjust the screen’s angle from vertical to flat to anywhere in between. 

If you take gaming seriously, you need the Dell G5 gaming desktop. This PC delivers top performance with all but the most demanding of games. You can customize your build to include an Intel i9-9900K CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 8GB video card, up to 64GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 1TB M.2 SSD. The G5 has additional slots available for adding more traditional hard drives and an extra M.2 SSD. 

The top-end build is VR ready to either kickstart or upgrade your virtual reality gaming experience. A 95-watt air cooler is available to help keep all your components running at optimal temperatures. The G5 utilizes Alienware's proprietary Command Center program to adjust system settings, cooling, and even to help set up custom gaming profiles for smoother play. The compact design is great for offices and game rooms that are short on space as well as for taking your PC to a friend's house or a LAN party. The G5 comes packaged with a wired optical mouse and mechanical keyboard.

The Lenovo Yoga A940 is a convertible all-in-one desktop that offers a touch screen you can tilt upward to act as your monitor. It includes a stylus, Precision Dial, full-size keyboard, and mouse to ensure you're ready to go as soon as you unpackaged the system. Its super-slim 27-inch IPS touch display panel features native 4K resolution, which looks fantastic whether you're sketching out design ideas or enjoying your favorite show or movie.

It comes packing an 8th-gen Intel Core i7-8700 hexa-core processor, 16GB of DDR-2666MHz RAM, dedicated AMD Radeon RX 560 graphics with 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM, and a 256GB Samsung PCIe M2 SSD as well as a 1TB Seagate HDD, delivering astounding performance and storage capabilities. Its flexibility, space-saving format, and various use cases make it a fantastic option for desktop users who want a little variety from their setups. 

We don’t often talk about portability when it comes to desktop computers, since laptops, tablets, and even laptop-tablet convertibles usually have that space covered. But the Aspire Z3 (model number AZ3-700-UR11) by Acer is an all-in-one desktop that’s designed to move. The 17.3-inch 1080p touchscreen is 0.61 inches thin and weighs 4.4 pounds. With battery life listed at five hours, you can carry it around the house like a large tablet. You can also lay it down flat or with a slight tilt and use the touchscreen or a passive stylus (not included). When you want it to serve as a traditional desktop, you can prop it up on its two rear kickstands and use the included wireless keyboard and mouse.

The downside to the unique build, though, is fairly limited hardware that can lead to some sluggish performance. Its 4GB of RAM is essentially the minimum for modern PCs—upgrading to 8GB may be a good idea. Even then, it probably doesn't have the right level of power for extensive gaming. The Aspire Z3, with its nice touchscreen and affordable price, is at its best when passed around among family members to watch movies and browse the web.