Ready-made budget desktop computers are the most straightforward option for picking up an affordable PC. Whether you're setting up an office area for working at home, building a creative space, or needing something for the whole family to share, I've found the best picks to fit a tighter spending limit. The Acer Aspire TC-1775 I reviewed comes in between $500 and $700, and it has the right stuff to be my top pick.
Depending on your existing knowledge, most of my options have the potential for manual upgrades if you eventually want to squeeze in some extra performance for light PC gaming. I've also included budget PCs for office use, tiny PCs to save space, and all-in-one models that don't require a separate monitor.
Recent updates
November 14, 2024: I checked all prices and retailer links to ensure you're getting the most up-to-date info. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday heading our way, I've also added some extra buying advice below my top picks. — Cale Hunt
The quick list
Acer's TC-1775 usually costs between $500 and $700 for a 14th Gen Intel Core i5 desktop CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and a 512GB SSD. It's a PC I personally tested, with a price well within the budget range for anyone who needs a system that can easily handle productivity, homework, web browsing, and streaming.
Dell's Inspiron 3030 Small is a tad more expensive than our top Acer pick, but Dell's range of configurations might make it easier to get exactly what you want. With frequent discounts, you can often get a 14th Gen Core i5-14400 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD for about $650.
Best all-in-one
The HP Envy Move is the ultimate family PC that's usually priced at about $650 to start. It has kickstand feet and a built-in handle for easy transportation, and the included keyboard even has a touchpad for wireless control. The 23.8-inch QHD touch display is joined by up to a Core i5 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD.
This tiny PC doesn't take up much space, but it offers strong AMD Ryzen 9 performance with lots of RAM and storage for less than $500. It's currently our favorite mini PC out of all that we've tested, receiving high marks in our review.
Lenovo offers a bunch of configuration options for its IdeaCentre Mini (Gen 8), and prices start at about $510 for a capable PC thanks to permanent discounts. It's a capable PC from a performance standpoint, it has lots of ports, and Lenovo even includes a little stand to prop it up vertically for extra space saving.
I've been building PCs for 20 years, and while I still prefer to put something together myself, I recognize the perks that come with a pre-built system. I've personally tested some of the PCs in this guide, with my colleagues picking up the other reviews.
My favorite budget PCs in 2024
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Best overall budget PC
Acer is a brand synonymous with budget PCs, and it doesn't just make laptops. Its Aspire lineup of desktop PCs has been through many revisions over the years, with the TC-1775 featured here being one of the more recent models. I favorably reviewed the Aspire TC-895 in 2021, and I still use it connected to my living room TV today. For a PC that only costs about $500, that's not bad at all in terms of durability.
I've now reviewed the TC-1775, which has been completely redesigned with a modified look. It might only have one USB-C port, but it otherwise has a good selection with six USB-A, dual HDMI, Ethernet, SD card reader, and more. In my review, I stated:
"The Aspire TC-1775 isn't the PC to buy if you're an enthusiast or if you're interested in upgrading it yourself in the future. I view it as the desktop equivalent of a cheap laptop; it's a PC that you set up once and let run until it dies."
The model I recommend for most users currently costs about $600 with a 12% discount at Amazon. It has a Core i5-14400 CPU, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD.
This combination will easily handle productivity tasks like homework, email, streaming, and web browsing. It even has Wi-Fi 6E for fast and reliable wireless internet. If you'd like to spend less, the last-gen Aspire TC-1770 with 13th Gen Core i5, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD costs about $549. There's not much of a performance difference in the CPUs, and the difference you'll likely notice is the lower amount of RAM when multitasking.
Acer throws in a mouse and keyboard with the package, but you might want to check out some of our favorite desktop PC accessories for some higher-quality peripherals. Unless you're really looking to save space or focus on gaming, the Acer Aspire TC-1775 should be a great budget PC for a lot of users.
👀 Read our full Acer Aspire TC-1775 review
Best alternative budget PC
If you don't mind spending a bit more compared to our top pick, Dell's Inspiron 3030 Small offers a wider range of configuration options in a slim case. The front of the PC includes an SD card reader, three USB-A, USB-C, and a 3.5mm audio jack, while the back adds four more USB-A, DisplayPort 1.4, RJ45 Ethernet, HDMI 1.4b, and 3.5mm audio. Despite the smaller size, you shouldn't be short of ports.
Dell offers 14th Gen Intel Core CPUs, starting with the Core i3-14100. With 8GB of RAM and a 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, you're looking at about $650. However, Dell often discounts the Core i5-14400 model to the same price, allowing you to boost performance at no extra cost. It's also worth noting that Dell only charges $50 for the upgrade from Windows 11 Home to Windows 11 Pro when it's discounted.
You can jump to a Core i7-14700 CPU, though this does automatically configure 16GB of RAM. Dell also offers up to a 1TB SSD if you need more storage from the factory. Unless you're using the PC for truly light duties, I'd recommend sticking with the Core i5 chip over the Core i3 chip. For most people, the Core i7 chip will be overkill.
Best budget All-in-One
The HP Envy Move is our favorite AIO PC on the market today, all thanks to a capable mix of mobility, display, and performance. In our HP Envy Move review, Windows Central Editor Ben Wilson said:
"I'd never have anticipated that a portable all-in-one PC designed for family use would be one of the most fascinating computers to land on my desk this year, but HP has thoroughly impressed me with the Envy Move."
It's a sleek all-in-one with a 23.8-inch touch IPS display with 99% sRGB color and up to 361 nits brightness, as tested. The 2560x1440 (QHD) is plenty crisp at this size. Above the display is a 5MP webcam with IR for facial recognition through Windows Hello, and below are quality dual integrated speakers with 5W output each.
The PC's feet can swivel in and out, and there's a carrying handle on the back. With about four hours of battery life from the built-in battery, you can use the Envy Move practically anywhere.
HP has a bunch of configuration options available, with prices normally starting at about $900. However, frequent discounts at the official retailer have dropped it as low as about $650. Best Buy also has a model that's discounted by $200 at the time of writing. It has an Intel Core i5-1335U CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD.
The Core i5 model is great if you often multitask or want to enjoy some lighter gaming on the integrated graphics. Considering this is the full package, monitor included, the price is very competitive compared to budget tower PCs.
👀 Read our full HP Envy Move review
Best budget mini PC
Beelink's EQR6 is a recent addition to this list, and it's perfect for anyone who wants strong desktop performance in a case that can easily go unnoticed on your desk. It's currently our favorite mini PC. Windows Central Senior Editor Zac Bowden reviewed the Beelink EQR6, stating:
"Overall, the Beelink EQR6 is an excellent all-rounder mini PC that's very capable when it comes to productivity workflows and light video and photo editing. It features a clean design and is small and quiet enough to fit on pretty much any desk in any environment and not be an ear or eyesore."
It might only have one USB-C port, but it otherwise has dual LAN, dual HDMI (with support for multiple external monitors), four USB-A, and a 3.5mm audio jack. It has a built-in PSU to keep the back of your desk from getting crowded, and it keeps its cool thanks to a beefy cooling unit.
A model with an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, 24GB of DDR5 RAM, 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD, and integrated Radeon 680M graphics usually costs about $500. That's a lot of PC for the cost, and you can always upgrade the RAM and storage after purchase.
👀 Read our full Beelink EQR6 review
Best office mini PC
Lenovo's IdeaCentre Mini (Gen 8) is a sleek little mini PC with a steel frame and plastic top. Lenovo throws in a stand to prop the PC up vertically, further reducing the space it takes up on your desk. Ports are rather plentiful with Thunderbolt 4, USB-C 3.2 (Gen 2), four USB-A, HDMI 2.1, 2.5GbE LAN, DisplayPort 1.4b, and a 3.5mm audio jack, allowing you to achieve a multi-monitor setup without additional hubs or dongles.
The most affordable configuration is usually discounted to about $510; it has a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13500H CPU, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD. As Editor Ben Wilson mentions in his IdeaCentre Mini (Gen 8) review:
"The power supply and air cooler are connected via small cables, but if you remove both, you can access the SODIMM memory modules and M.2 2280 solid-state drive hidden underneath."
Lenovo offers up to a Core i7-13700H CPU, but we recommend sticking with the Core i5 to reduce the chances of thermal throttling. It's still going to tackle productivity work and streaming with ease. If you're worried about memory, the jump to 16GB only adds about $30 to the cost from the factory.
👀 Read our full Lenovo IdeaCentre Mini (Gen 8) review
I've been writing about PCs at Windows Central since 2016, with countless hours of testing and reviewing done on myriad systems. My decades of experience building PCs on the side, as well as the in-depth reviews by the Windows Central team, contribute to the buying advice here.
How to choose the best budget PC for you
A tight budget can make finding a desktop computer that isn't a potential dud particularly difficult, especially if you don't know where to look for the best options.
Pre-built desktop PCs generally contain standard parts, all of which appear in various computers we test individually. If you're confident in upgrading parts manually, most towers can have their components swapped out for more storage, memory, and more. The only downside to the top picks is the lack of a monitor, something the HP Envy Move all-in-one PC solves by keeping everything built into its screen.
Acer's Aspire TC-1775 won't blow you away with its build quality, but it's perfectly capable of handling home and office work as long as you aren't getting into any specialized areas. I've been using a predecessor for years to great effect, and it's yet to let me down despite the budget pricing.
If you're interested in maximizing performance, something like Beelink's EQR6 offers some impressive hardware for the asking price. It's a truly compact PC with a ton of ports, and it's easy to recommend to anyone who isn't looking for a full-size tower.
Should I wait for Black Friday or Cyber Monday to buy a pre-built PC?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are usually the last major shopping event of the year, with huge discounts on a lot of our favorite tech. That includes pre-built desktop PCs of all prices, makes, and configurations. I've been covering Black Friday and Cyber Monday since 2016, and there's never been a year where I didn't spot at least a couple of jaw-drop desktop PC prices.
My top pick, the Acer Aspire TC-1775, is a PC that I tested and reviewed personally. It's nothing flashy, but it's inexpensive and gets the job done. It's already discounted by $80 at Amazon at the time of writing, and I'm expecting to see a further price drop as we get closer to November 29. In previous years, I've seen predecessor models discounted by hundreds of dollars, and I'm hoping it happens again.
If you don't mind using slightly older hardware (still perfectly relevant), the TC-1770 might offer the better deal. It's currently $549 at full price at Amazon, but I've seen it go as low as $440 in the past.
Dell's Inspiron Small 3030 was discounted by $100 last month, but it's since returned to full price. Dell always goes big on Black Friday/Cyber Monday, and there's a good chance this PC will return to an attractive sale price. You can keep an eye on Dell's official site for current Black Friday deals.
HP and Lenovo are in the same category as Dell when it comes to hosting sales events at their respective websites. The HP Envy Move is almost always discounted by $250, and while it might drop lower, this is a great price on a great PC. Keep an eye on HP's Black Friday sales for up-to-date info. Lenovo's IdeaCentre Mini is up to 27% off at the time of writing, and I expect to see sales continue through November. Have a look at Lenovo's Black Friday sales for more info.
Beelink's EQR6 is extremely popular thanks to stellar performance, small form factor, and attractive everyday pricing. It usually sits at a $499 price at Amazon, but it has dropped as low as $419 this year. I suggest waiting for another deal to pop up closer to Black Friday or Cyber Monday before buying.
What about budget gaming PCs?
The best pre-built desktop gaming PCs don't come cheap, at least not the ones we're comfortable recommending. You can easily spend more than $1,000 even on an entry-level gaming PC, which is a lot more than most people want to drop.
If you're interested in gaming on the cheap, we recommend a great gaming handheld. While handhelds are not PCs in the traditional sense, they do have all the right components and can even run Windows 11.
The ASUS ROG Ally we reviewed is our current favorite handheld thanks to its strong gaming performance, killer display, and Windows 11 OS, and it starts at about $500. The ROG Ally X successor is also on the way with some notable improvements, though it costs more.
