How do you choose a desktop?
Choose desktop
To choose a desktop that suits your usage situation best, it's important to keep a few things in mind. Think of the following points:
- What are you going to use the PC for?
- What type of desktop do you want?
- What kind of operating system do you want to use?
- How powerful does the PC have to be?
Usage situation: what are you doing to use the PC for?
First, it's important to think of what you're going to use the desktop for. Do you mainly use the PC to browse the internet, do you want to edit photos, or do you want to play your favorite games? We recommend different minimum specifications for every situation. Keep this in mind when you make your choice, because nobody likes a slow computer.
Form factor: which type do you want?
Secondly, it's important to choose a form factor. Generally speaking, there are 3 types. There's the standard desktop PC, a mini PC, and an all-in-one. Every type has advantages and disadvantages. A standard desktop is the most powerful, but also the largest. A mini PC is small, but is has less power than a regular desktop. An all-in-one is a monitor and computer in 1, so you save space. An all-in-one isn't suitable for gaming.
Operating system: which types are there?
A third important aspect is the operating system. Many people are familiar with Windows 10, which many computers run on. If you're used to Apple, you probably know macOS. The Chrome OS is less famous, which is an operating system that looks like the Google Chrome browser. Each operating system has advantages and disadvantages. For example, Windows offers the most choice of programs and macOS is known for its user-friendliness. Chrome OS is a light operating system for which you don't need a powerful computer.
The processor: which do you need?
The processor is the heart of the computer. In addition, the processor is the component that affects the speed of the PC most. The 2 brands that are most well-known are Intel and AMD. The better the processor, the faster the computer. And the more demanding the programs you use are, the more powerful the processor has to be as well. That's why we recommend to always buy a better processor than what's recommended for your situation.
Video card: do you need one?
Do you want to use your PC to play games? A video card is essential. The video card provides the graphic power that a desktop need to show the games on your screen. A gaming PC with a single processor isn't enough. The more demanding your games are and the nicer they should look, the better your video card generally need to be. The RTX 3070 and RTX 3080 are some of the best current video cards.
RAM: how much is enough?
The RAM of your desktop determines how many tasks you can perform at the same time without your PC slowing down. How much RAM is recommended differs per situation, but the more you have is generally better. A good minimum is 8GB, but 16GB is recommended to be more future-proof.
Storage: what's the recommended minimum?
How much storage you need differs per person. If you like to store a lot of data on a drive, you need more storage space than when you use cloud storage. A good middle way is at least 512GB storage, so you have enough space for the operating system and programs you use often. If you choose an SSD, your files load faster and your desktop boots quickly. An HDD offer relatively more capacity, but it's slower.
