Best desktops of 2016

Desktop PCs come in many shapes and sizes, from huge gaming towers to tiny Stick...

by Dan Ackerman Updated July 25, 2016

CNET's Rating

8 Design
9 Features
8 Performance

Best 4K desktop on a budget

Apple iMac with 4K Retina display (21.5-inch, 2015)

Apple now includes a 4K display in the 21.5-inch iMac, making it a very sharp-looking family computer. New wireless accessories, including a new mouse, trackpad and keyboard, are a big part of the update.

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$1,379.00 See all prices

See at Amazon.com

CNET's Rating

8 Design
8 Features
9 Performance

Best for building VR experiences

Falcon Northwest Tiki

Virtual reality developers, including Oculus, use fleets of Tiki desktops to build VR experiences. This flexible and powerful system is pricey, but doesn't take up a ton of room.

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CNET's Rating

8 Design
8 Features
8 Performance

Best affordable Mac

Apple Mac Mini (2014)

If you want Apple's OS X experience, but don't want to pend thousands, the Mac Mini gives you a great desktop experience for under $500 to start. Add your own monitor and keyboard/mouse for a desktop that works at home, at work, or in the living room.

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$449.00 See all prices

See at Adorama

CNET's Rating

9 Design
8 Features
8 Performance

Best for the living room VR

Origin PC Chronos

With clever magnetic feet that move from the top to the side, you can position this VR-ready small desktop horizontally or vertically to fit anywhere.

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