Not every employee wants or needs a laptop. Start with our buying guides and top picks if you’re looking to purchase desktop PCs for your business, whether you need to buy a handful or a whole fleet. We will help you get the most out of your PC purchase.
Does your company require innovative, affordable on-site computer solutions? Not having a laptop is not an issue: If they are not constantly coming and going from the office, almost everyone can operate a desktop computer. After evaluating hundreds of business computers, our analysts and editors consider design, functionality, connection, expandability, and—above all—total value in addition to performance. We use consistent, industry-standard benchmarks to combine objective benchmark testing of CPU and graphics performance with practical usage. As of right moment, our preferred compact business desktop (the most common form factor) is the ECS Liva Z5 Plus, which combines solid productivity with plenty of ports at a good price. Five other business PCs we endorse across a variety of use cases follow below. Read on for our detailed, test-vetted recommendations, plus a buying-advice guide and a helpful spec comparison chart.
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Last update on 2024-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Top 5 Best desktop computers for business In 2024
1.ECS Liva Z5 Plus
- 7th Gen Intel Core i5-7200U 2.70GHz Processor (upto 3.10 GHz 3MB Smart Cache 2-Cores) ; Intel HD 620 Integrated Graphics DDR4 SODIMM RAM; 65W Power Supply ; Black Color ; 802.11ac Wifi ,Bluetooth 4.0 Ethernet LAN (RJ-45) ; 3 USB 3.0,1 HDMI,1 mini Display Port USB 3.1 Type-C Gen1,Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack.
- {WARRANTY_INFO}(Length:1186){GLOBAL_DESC} ECS ELITEGROUP LIVA Z Plus ECSLIVAZ Black Color Everyday Value Desktop-Mini.
- Series: ECS LIVA Z Plus. Form/Style: Mini PC; Black. Model No: ECSLIV
Last update on 2024-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
In the last year, a threshold was crossed wherein Mini PC designs may now provide at least as much power as a desktop PC. Because of this, a lot of people and companies are selecting them over Mini Towers and other form factors.
The ECS EliteGroup Liva Z5 Plus, which uses Intel’s Raptor Lake-U mobile architecture to give a lot of speed in a package that uses a lot of power, is representative of the hardware we’ve seen since 2022. It can therefore be mounted on the back of a monitor for some discrete computing because it is compact and silent.
This design will be available from ECS in Intel Core i3, i5, and i7 variations, as well as with silicon that supports vPRO. There is a 3-year warranty and an MSRP. We checked out the all-rounder model, with Intel Core i5, 2x 8G RAM, 256G SSD, and Wi-Fi 6.
In particular, the evaluation system had an Intel Core i5 1335U with ten cores and twelve threads, 256GB of M.2 storage, and 16GB of Hynix DDR4 memory (2x8GB). There is an M.2 slot for user-implemented upgrades and memory slots that are accessible internally.
This computer can be upgraded if you’re willing to remove the pre-installed memory and storage, but it doesn’t offer any open slots or a SATA option.
This is a well-built system with the appropriate port selection to function as a firewall or to play media to many displays. We have examined a few of the best micro PCs. However, it doesn’t have the same visual impact as the most recent AMD Ryzen-powered computers.
The LIVA Z5 Plus offers the unique advantage of having a mainly metal case, depending on where they will be utilized. Only the top of the chassis is plastic; the sides and bottom are made entirely of metal, not thick metal that was cut from a single block.
Nevertheless, USB-C would be a substitute for one of the current display outputs because this machine’s Iris Xe GPU only supports three displays.
The performance of any external SSD is restricted to around 500MB/s, which makes the selection of all Gen 1 USB-A connections less than optimal. A USB 2.0 header is one more USB port that is concealed inside. However, it’s unclear what this is for and how you might use it.
Regarding the internals, opening the Z5 Plus and releasing the case floor requires unscrewing the capture bolts on the feet. This process is rather simple. When that cover is taken off, the memory and M.2 slots are accessible, making upgrades simple.
After passing over the motherboard and through the sides, air is pulled in and then expelled through a slot that crosses the back above the I/O section.
Three USB 3.2 Gen 2×1 ports and one USB-C port, which ECS claims to be USB 4.0 2×2, are located on the front face. Most users will utilize the 3.5mm universal audio connection on the front, which is located in addition to the power button, to connect headphones.
Unlikely, there are no USB connections on the back at all. Instead, the space is divided between three video ports (two HDMI and one DisplayPort) and dual 2.5GbE LAN ports. The specs of these video ports are HDMI 2.0b and DP1.4, and in theory, it is possible to get another display from the USB-C port using Alt DP mode.
Pros
- Broad port selection
- Super compact and VESA-mountable
Cons
- Audible cooling fan
2.HP EliteOne 870 G9
- All-in-One Computer offers maximum productivity with added dependability
- Windows 11 Pro OS makes you more productive and creative
- The 27″ diagonal display with 2560 x 1440 resolution allows you to work on your PC with convenience
Last update on 2024-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Users of home offices and businesses will find the HP EliteOne 870 G9 to be rather admirable. With its 27-inch screen, outstanding performance, and plenty of security features, this all-in-one desktop is the perfect workspace. With its excellent speakers, integrated wireless charging pad, and crisp webcam, HP also goes above and beyond. Although its screen isn’t the brightest, it nevertheless serves the purpose for which this desktop was designed. In the category of business all-in-one desktops, the EliteOne 870 G9 justly wins the Editors’ Choice award.
The silver EliteOne 870 G9 has a flawless angle, radiates sophistication, and brightens up any workstation. Its metal base platform, which allows for tilt, swivel, and height adjustment, is a marvel of engineering. When I suddenly bumped into my desk, it barely flinched, proving to me that it’s really stable.Measuring 9.72 by 24.17 by 23.6 inches (HWD), this EliteOne is large and weighs around 30 pounds when the base stand is included. HP provides an optional mounting option with a VESA bracket.The EliteOne’s screen is, of course, what makes it so attractive. The picture is well-saturated and vividly renders office apps and the odd movie, even though its brightness didn’t particularly wow me. It is simple to dock two windows side by side on its 2,560-by-1,440 pixel screen.
One USB Type-A port (10Gbps) and one USB Type-C connector (20Gbps) are the physical connections on the right edge. On the other end is an audio jack that you can use.Reaching under the lower right corner will reveal the power button, which is located adjacent to menu buttons that regulate color, contrast, brightness, and other aspects of the display as is customary. In the middle are a media card reader and a biometric fingerprint reader.
One USB-C port (10Gbps), four USB-A ports (two 5Gbps and two 10Gbps), the power cord, an Ethernet socket, and a DisplayPort 1.4 video output are located on the back. Additionally, the EliteOne has an HDMI 1.4 video port, which allows you to utilize it as an external display by connecting your laptop or other device. HP includes a plastic cable management guide that attaches to the base stand to avoid dangling cables. Wireless connectivity comes from an Intel AX211 networking card with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Pros
- Classy design
- Sharp webcam
Cons
- Screen could be brighter
3.Apple Mac mini (2023, M2 Pro)
- SUPERCHARGED BY M2 — Get more done faster with a next-generation chip. From rich presentations to immersive gaming, M2 flies through work and play. M2 has 8 CPU cores, 10 GPU cores, and up to 24GB unified memory. exceptional speed and performance
- CONNECT WHAT YOU WANT — Mac mini with the M2 chip has two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Gigabit Ethernet, and a headphone jack. And if you want faster networking speeds, you can configure Mac mini with 10Gb Ethernet for up to 10 times the throughout.
- SIMPLY COMPATIBLE — All your go-to apps run lightning fast on your Mac mini desktop, from Microsoft 365 to Adobe Creative Cloud to Zoom. And over 15,000 apps and plug-ins are optimized for M2.
Last update on 2024-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
The most remarkable thing about the Mac mini, which has been redesigned for 2023 with M2 and M2 Pro processor and graphics, might be how little its appearance has changed. When I evaluated the first one back in 2012, we were talking about how it was just the same as the prior model.
However, Apple is by no means producing a stale version of a copy. Rather, the corporation focused all of its efforts on what really counts: a machine’s capabilities, not just how it appears. Based on that criterion, the 2023 Mac mini models are astounding since they offer more power than previous iterations while maintaining a more affordable starting point. Keep the samey from seeming foolish.This isn’t 2012’s—or even 2020’s—Mac mini. This is a fury in a minimalist chassis. It’s a little dynamo-in-waiting.
Apple is hesitant to alter once it discovers a design that works, particularly if it complements the clean, minimalist look that has always characterized Mac products. It’s about maintaining a brand identity and keeping to what works, but it’s also about perfecting product designs to the Platonic ideal. Additionally, the style of the Mac mini—a sleek, metal slab with rounded corners and that polished Apple logo—might already exist.
With dimensions of 1.4 by 7.7 by 7.7 inches (HWD), the machined aluminum chassis is small in size. That’s quite standard for a tiny PC, but the design is so consistent that the new one should fit exactly where your old one was stored, regardless of whether that’s on your desk, in a home theater setup, slotted into a server, or used for digital signage.
The most recent models differ slightly in weight—the M2 Pro model weighs 2.8 pounds, while the base model with the standard Apple M2 chip weighs just 2.6 pounds—but both are still compact and light enough to fit in a large coat pocket or a bag.
One could easily confuse the most recent Mac mini for the six models that came before it, thanks to features like the mirrored logo, satin finish, and black plastic foot that serves as an internal access panel (albeit presumably only accessible by authorized Apple technicians). The only substantial differences between models one generation and the next are found inside and on the inside. Previous models have attempted to set themselves apart slightly with anodized coatings and differing levels of access to the internals.
But this time, there are some significant adjustments taking place. Even though they are concealed below the mysterious aluminum slab, they are quite important.There is a black rear panel with ports, vents, and a power button on the back of the Mac mini. The connectivity loadout on the base model is the same as it was on the variant with an M1 engine. However, we’re testing the more powerful M2 Pro variant, and this is one of the few obvious distinctions between this Mac mini and earlier models.
In addition to the two Thunderbolt 4 ports seen on the 2021 model and the 2023 basic M2 model, our review unit has four Thunderbolt 4 ports, a Gigabit Ethernet connector, a full-size HDMI output, and dual USB Type-A ports.
Pros
- Extra Thunderbolt ports with M2 Pro model
- Classic Mac mini design
Cons
- True value pricing only on lowest-end model
4.HP Z2 Tower G9
- Intel Core i7 2.10 GHz processor offers lightning fast speed and peak performance even for the toughest tasks and processing intensive games
- Windows 11 Pro OS with all the creative and productive tools you need
- 512 GB SSD capacity provides you with enough space to store large files, digital content, documents and other data
Last update on 2024-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Every design or engineering expert can find something to suit their needs with HP’s Z2 entry-level desktop workstations. Consider the Z2 Small Form Factor G9, which is small enough to fit behind a monitor, or the Z2 Mini G9, which is both small and capable of supporting full-size graphics cards. However, today’s review subject, the Z2 Tower G9 , offers the greatest power and expansion room. Almost any workstation duty, from office finance to 3D modeling, may be handled by this largest Z2 desktop. It is inexpensive, has a three-year warranty, is easy to upgrade, and has independent software vendor (ISV) certifications for demanding apps. To put it briefly, it fulfills nearly all of the requirements for a budget workstation and is our Editors’ Choice choice in this class.
A business workstation should seem professional, and the Z2 Tower G9 does just that. At 14 by 6.7 by 15.2 inches (HWD), it comfortably resides in mid-tower area.
With the exception of the front panel, the tower is primarily made of steel. In our test configuration, the system weighs roughly 16 pounds. In the unusual event that you need to move it from one location to another, a rear handgrip recess comes in handy.
Four USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports—one of which may charge a mobile device—and an audio jack make up the front interface. Although there isn’t much choice, the tower can be ordered with an SD card slot and a front-mounted USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C connector for a small additional fee.
Six USB Type-A ports (two version 3.2 Gen 2, one 3.2 Gen 1, and three legacy 2.0), Gigabit Ethernet, and audio-in and -out are available on the motherboard’s backplane. The integrated graphics solution of the Intel CPU is utilized via the two DisplayPort ports.
An additional “flex port,” which can hold another USB-A port or another visual output (DisplayPort, HDMI, or VGA), is located in the cutout directly above the USB ports. For increased connectivity, HP provides a range of add-in cards, including as Ethernet cards with a maximum speed of 25 Gbps, Wi-Fi 6E with Bluetooth 5.2, and Thunderbolt. The Nvidia RTX A4000 professional graphics card in our device, meanwhile, has the four DisplayPort ports that are standard. Dual graphics cards are supported and available for purchase with the Z2 Tower G9.
Pros
- Easy to service
- Versatile performance
Cons
- Doesn’t offer liquid CPU cooling
5.Falcon Northwest Talon (2024, Threadripper Pro)
- Features 24 cores for demanding professional software applications with support for high memory capacity and 128 PCIe 4.0 lanes
- 24 Cores and 48 processing threads, based on AMD “Zen 3” architecture
- 4.5 GHz Max Boost, 140 MB cache, DDR4-3200 support
Last update on 2024-08-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon.
Although we’ve examined Falcon Northwest’s Talon as a gaming desktop, you can also set one up as a workstation for a business. This Talon, which retails for and tested for almost, is a powerful device similar to everything else from the Oregon-based PC boutique. It has a 64-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro processor and 256GB of RAM. Falcon’s hand-built, custom-machined chassis, which demonstrates the fastidious attention to detail the brand is known for, fits everything nicely. Editors’ Choice for high-end workstations goes to this year’s Talon, which is one of the best-performing workstations we’ve ever tested and costs less than many options from large retailers.
Falcon Northwest’s largest and most customizable desktop is the Talon. With a 64-core AMD Ryzen Threadripper Pro 7895WX CPU—which we’re reviewing as a genuine workstation—it may also be bought with Threadripper HEDT, Ryzen 7000 series, or 14th generation Intel Core CPUs. For data centers, it is even available as a 4U rackmount option.
Even the most ardent critic will be impressed by the Talon’s build quality because Falcon Northwest is well known for it. Nothing else like the Talon, which is created and manufactured in-house like all the desktops in the boutique. With dimensions of 19 by 8.8 by 17 inches (HWD), the case is both notably smaller than the HP Z8 Fury G5 (17.5 by 8.5 by 21.7 inches) and comparable in size to the HP Z6 G5 A (17.5 by 6.7 by 18.3 inches).
The metal shell of the Talon has the feel of being able to stop a bullet. Even with the greatest pressure applied, none of the panels flex or produce a sound. You won’t find much to see on these workstation devices anyhow, but our model, with its solid aluminum side panels, doesn’t visually impress like the gaming machines we’ve seen with tinted sides. The Falcon logo on the front panel is static, and the pro-grade motherboard does not allow RGB lighting.
Pros
- Highly customizable
- Blazing performance
Cons
- Price scales quickly with upgrades
Computers for Business in 2024
Business PCs typically have multicore processors, especially from the Intel Core i3, Core i5, and Core i7 families. An earlier, low-end model is indicated by a Celeron or Pentium CPU; we would seek towards the higher-spec Core chips instead of these.
If you want to extend the useful life of your system, think about investing in a more powerful processor. Today’s multitasking, fast-moving PC users demand faster CPUs. Users who are concerned about PC speed, such as visual designers, die-hard mathematicians, and other gearheads, should consider Core i7, Core i9, or Intel’s workstation-oriented Xeon CPUs.
Desktops based on AMD’s Ryzen, Ryzen Pro, and Threadripper CPUs are far less widespread among business computers, but they are still good choices; Threadripper Pro chips are used in some of our top workstation picks.