Five Top Desktop Computers You Can Get for Under $500

When personal computers first came onto the consumer market several decades ago, the only choice was to get a desktop, and the ones available were far from compact or sleek. The clunky PC was the norm, but no one minded back then because it was such a novel device. As the newness wore off, over time the PC evolved and made way for the laptop, and then came the tablet. Today growing numbers of people also use their smartphones to perform many of the tasks that used to be reserved for desktops.

The desktop PC is smaller than ever these days and takes up a minimal amount of space. While many on the go prefer laptops and tablets, desktop computers are still preferable for a number of uses. It’s ideal for school-aged kids, those who work at home, and some developers and designers prefer working at a desktop. These machines offer larger screens than either laptops or tablets, which is a definite advantage if you prefer not to squint at a small display. The best thing about desktops is you can find them fairly inexpensively these days.

Here are five desktop computers that you can buy for less than $500.

1. LG ChromeBase All-in-One Cloud Desktop, $299

The LG ChromeBase All-in-One Cloud Desktop is a really good deal for less than $300, especially when you consider how well it works and its attractive styling. The white color scheme looks nice, and the PC has a slim profile that’s not at all bulky. The 22 inch screen is large and clear, and it’s a nice display for watching multimedia and content from your favorite entertainment apps.

The monitor is app based, which is very user friendly and works well for kids who are learning to use computers. At its price point, owning this desktop PC just for your kids to do homework or safely browse online is definitely feasible. This PC contains a 1.4 GHz Intel Celeron processor, 2 GB of SDRAM, wireless LAN, 16 GB solid state drive, and plenty of cloud based apps.

2. Lenovo C20 All-in-One Desktop PC, $389

Lenovo’s C20 desktop PC looks great and performs even better. It comes with Intel HD graphics and a 19.5 inch FHD display. Integrated HDMI, Bluetooth, Wifi, speakers, slim DVD-RW, and a webcam add nice features that bring even more functionality to this computer. The Lenovo C20 is loaded with Windows 10 Home 64-bit and comes with a mouse and keyboard, which has a configuration that makes typing a breeze.

You can use this PC to watch videos up to 720p. Aside from its features that make this model perfect for catching entertainment, it’s capable of being a great work tool as well. It has a 1.6GHz Intel Celeron N3050 processor, 4 GB SDRAM with a maximum memory of 8 GB, 500 GB SATA hard drive, and a 6 in 1 card reader.

3. Lenovo ThinkCentre, $489

If you’re considering getting a desktop PC for business use or working from home, the Lenovo ThinkCentre is a top choice that comes in at under $500. It’s reliable and built for easy use, security, and productivity, plus it has many green and energy saving features. The ThinkCentre all in one has a minimal footprint, looks nice enough to have in a professional setting, and is configured to be clutter free. Its 19.5 inch display is spacious and easy to read, and the graphics are bright and clean.

To handle every work task thrown at it, the Lenovo ThinkCentre contains an Intel i3-4005U processor. It also has 4 GB of SDRAM, a 500 GB 7200 rpm solid state drive, and USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 ports. The PC comes with Windows 7 Professional and a mouse and keyboard that make computing quick and comfortable.

4. Acer Aspize Z All-in-One Desktop PC, $301

The Acer Aspire Z is a desktop that has good performance. It contains an integrated graphics co-processor that can manage different types of multimedia work at once while also handling power hungry programs and apps, making it a great choice for those who use their PCs to work or design. The 19.5 inch full HD screen provides vibrant graphics, and the screen is large enough to be used for watching movies, shows, and other media. The screen also has an LED backlit display.

Inside this Acer PC is an Intel Celeron quad core processor, 4 GB of memory that can be expanded up to 8 GB, and a 500 GB hard drive — that’s enough space to store well over 300,000 photos, 142,000 audio files and songs, or over 260 hours of HD video. It comes with a Windows 10 Home Edition operating system. Considering all its features and a low price of $301, the Acer Aspire Z is a nice bargain.

5. Dell Inspiron HD+ All In One Desktop Computer, $409

Dell has been making desktop computers for decades, and one of the newest models to be released is this PC with a 19.5 inch HD+ display. Those who use their computers for entertainment or whose work requires an excellent quality screen will appreciate the clear, crisp picture this desktop provides. The Inspiron 3052 has built in speakers, a built in widescreen HD webcam, and an all in one design that eliminates bulk and takes up less space.

The computer is rather thin, which makes it look attractive — you won’t mind having this desktop in view in your living room or office. It’s designed for wireless use and has an integrated high speed wireless LAN along with Bluetooth 4.0. This Dell PC is equipped with Windows 10 and has 4 GB of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive, and an Intel Celeron processor. Its RAM can be expanded up to 8 GB.