The market is saturated with a multitude of desktop computers to choose from. It can be challenging to find a PC best suited to your needs. Computer technology is booming, and has been for the last several years. Each year, a faster, smaller, sleeker computer is produced.
However, buying the newest, fastest computer on the market is not always the smartest move. With price tags in the thousands of dollars, it's important to make sure you're not spending money on features that you wont use or don't need.
Apple iMac 27-inch
This latest generation iMac all-in-one desktop computer is available at Apple for $1,999, but can be found elsewhere for almost one hundred dollars less. It was listed as one of CNET's top desktop computers of 2011. There are definitely less expensive computers on the market, but this iMac is packed with features, and definitely worth the cost. A huge draw to this PC, as with most Apple products, is the design. The computer is built into a beautiful 27-inch display screen and rests on a discrete stand.
The iMac isn't suited for everyone, but for professionals with high-performance needs, this PC is a great value. This computer is one of the fastest on the market, with a 3.1GHZ Intel Core i5 2400 CPU and contains a 1TB, 7,200rpm hard drive. The iMac comes with a 4GB 1,333MHz DDR3 SDRAM memory capacity and a 1GB AMD Radeon HD 6970M graphics card. The only case where this PC might not be worth the price, is for hard-core gamers, due to the limited Mac gaming catalog, and people who want to integrate other media components. The iMac is capable of working with other devices, but compatibility is limited without HDMI inputs, which are missing from this model.
Velocity Micro Edge Z40
The Velocity Micro Edge Z40 is one of the best values on the market today. The PC starts at $949, and includes some of the latest and fastest hardware available. The Velocity Micro Edge Z40 is a great value for just about any use, but it particularly stands out among other gaming PCs. In order for a computer to be considered a good gaming PC, it has to be able to handle the complex, high-resolution graphs of modern games.
Typically, in order for a PC to remain competitive in the gaming market, it has to include very expensive graphics and RAM technology. Somehow, the Velocity Micro Edge Z40 was able to offer high-tech equipment at lower prices than any of its competitors. This PC contains an Intel P67 motherboard chipset, a 4.0GHz Intel Core i5-2500K CPU with a 1TB 7,200rpm hard drive. The memory card is 4GB 1,333MHz DDR3 SDRAM with a 1GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 560Ti graphics card.
Digital Storm Ode Level 3
At a whopping $2,339, arguing that this computer is worth the price is a bit challenging. However, at this price range, the Digital Storm Ode Level 3 desktop PC is full of features and miles ahead of its competition. This system is perfect for any type of use, including media display and gaming. One of the biggest features of this PC is its clean design. Aside from an external wire blunder in the back, the tower is very sleek and aesthetically pleasing.
The tower also allows easy access to the internal components, with a pull-away side panel. The Digital Storm Ode Level 3 is an incredibly fast computer, which includes ample cooling features to keep the computer running smoothly. It includes a built-in cooling system as well as adjustable fan settings, which can be turned up to cool the system better or turned down to reduce noise.