A desktop is generally going to be either a tower or an all-in-one (with an integrated screen), though there are smaller designs for tighter spaces. Plus, you can get more power and expandability than a laptop. And when it comes to longevity, it's hard to beat a desktop PC. And why not? If you already spend your day tethered to a big-screen monitor, a desktop PC makes a lot of sense. GRAPH LEGEND iMac5K M395X 'late 2015' iMac Retina 5K 4.0GHz Quad-Core i7 Radeon R9 M395X GPU iMac 5K M295X 'late 2014' iMac Retina 5K 4.0GHz Quad-Core i7 Radeon R9 M295X GPUEven though laptops and tablets make up roughly 80% of the PC market, one out of every five computers sold is a good old-fashioned desktop. If you spend a lot of time playing games on the Mac under OS X, you must be curious as to which Mac 'plays' best.This list starts with models we've tested, and then moves on to more generic configurations. Official AMD PC drivers are not compatible with Mac versions of the graphics cards by default, leaving Boot Camp users stuck with dated and poorly optimized drivers that are not compatible with the latest games.While laptops still occupy the majority of our editors' time and effort with CNET's hands-on reviews, we've rounded up our favorite recent desktop products below. Thank youThis site was created in January 2016 to supply the newest AMD graphics drivers to Boot Camp users who run Windows on their Mac. I hope to find someone with a bit of passion able to support me to find the best options builds for my machine.Basic Windows PC tower (starting around $620)The specs we'd suggest for a basic Windows 10 machine: These general configurations should serve you well, especially if you shop around for frequent deals. Desktop PCs: Tested and recommendedThe best Mac games for 2021 By Jacob Roach and Gabe Gurwin ApAlthough Apple products aren’t exactly known for gaming, there’s a long list of excellent Mac games.These are the best desktop PC models that we've recently tested and can recommend based on our hands-on experience.$3,499 at Adorama Other recommended desktop PCsWe haven't reviewed the specific models below, but we have reviewed systems using very similar hardware. We update this list periodically. You'll need to bring your own or buy them separately. Unless otherwise indicated, the products listed below don't include a monitor, keyboard, mouse or webcam.
At least one PCI-E (x16) expansion slot (for adding a video card) Four or more USB 3.1 / 3.2 ports with USB-C and USB-A formats (at least one or two on the front) Default integrated graphics (such as Intel 630 or baseline AMD Radeon) Download lync for mac clientYou'll want a large screen with good resolution. Don't expect an optical drive, for instance, and know that performance is often a step down from "real" desktop models because some all-in-ones use laptop components to better maximize available space. The advantage is having fewer cables, however, since everything is integrated into the body.Recommended specs for an all-in-one are mostly similar to the basic tower above, albeit with compromises because of space considerations. Unlike the PC towers listed above, all-in-ones generally offer no ability to upgrade the graphics card, and maybe not even the storage or RAM. That means the PC "guts" are essentially built into a monitor or its base. Here are some that fit the bill, offering a great bang for the buck if you don't need a laptop:This 10th-gen Intel Core i5 configuration includes everything listed above, along with Wi-Fi 6 compatibility and a keyboard and mouse, too.Basic Windows All-in-One (starts around $800)An "all-in-one PC" (also known as AIO PC) is basically a Windows version of an iMac. That said, you get a 10th-gen Intel Core i5 CPU, on-board Nvidia MX graphics (not as good as a GTX or RTX card, but better than average), half a terabyte of SSD storage and a built-in webcam (along with a keyboard and mouse).The current iMacs still run Intel chips. This model also lacks a DVD drive and USB-C ports. The Surface Studio 2, HP Envy 32 (above) and Apple iMacs (below) are examples of high end all-in-one computers, but here's a more reasonably priced alternative.While the screen on this Acer Aspire model is a spacious 27 inches, resolution is only 1080p (also known as 2K) - but that's par for the course below the $1,000 price point. Expect to pay at least $800 at that latter size, especially if you want to avoid underpowered Intel Core i3 or AMD Athlon CPUs. 24 inches at 1,920x1,080 (aka 2K or 1080p)The 24-inchers are good for kids, but adults should probably go for 27 inches and up. Here, too, rumors of a "Mac Pro Mini" (Apple silicon CPU inside a smaller chassis with fewer, if any, internal expansion slots) mean that waiting is the prudent option here, as Apple has pledged to complete its transition away from Intel before the end of 2022.Chromebox, Mini PCs and other niche optionsWhen it comes to desktop PCs, towers and all-in-ones represent the vast majority of the market. Meanwhile, the hardware - which debuted in late 2019 - runs on an Intel platform, which Apple is now moving away from with its aforementioned Apple silicon chips. The iMac Pro was recently discontinued by Apple, and the 27-inch (non-Pro) iMac has yet to get its Apple silicon upgrade, so it remains available with older Intel chips.As for the Mac Pro: It offers serious workstation-level performance, but with an entry price point of $6,000, it's effectively for pro users only. And now that the 24-inch iMac has gotten a fresh overhaul, complete with the M1 chip, that's a great starting point (see above).Looking for other Mac desktop options? That's a bigger challenge. This Google operating system effectively is little more than the Chrome web browser. See more bare-bones Mini PCs at Newegg.Chromeboxes: If you're looking for very basic computing - browsing the web, email, social media, YouTube and the like - the Chrome operating system is the most affordable route for home computing. Outside of specialty vendors like Beelink, the best choices in this mini PC size are probably the Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing), most of which are sold as hobbyist options, requiring some BYO additions like user-supplied storage, RAM and other components - including the operating system. In the wake of likable small models like the Acer Revo One and HP Pavilion Mini, we even saw (woefully underpowered) " PC on a stick" offerings starting in 2015, but interest seems to have ebbed since then. The Mac is the only one that's been recently updated.Mini PCs: Following the debut of the Mac Mini in 2005, Windows PC makers experimented with similarly tiny designs. Best Gaming 2015 Software Beyond BrowserBut the closer you get to that $500 price point, the more you should consider stepping up to a Chromebook laptop or a basic Windows tower (see above) for just a bit more. Expect to pay between $200 and $500 for a Chrome-based desktop. That said, if you need any software beyond browser-based web apps, or if you don't have excellent broadband, you'll want to stick with Windows or Mac options above. Colloquially known as "Chromeboxes" (versus a "Chromebook" laptop), these systems don't have beefy CPUs, RAM or storage requirements. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorPam ArchivesCategories |