How to choose a desktop PC
So, you’re in the market for a new computer but aren’t exactly sure what device you want or need? What follows in this guide will help you have a strong understanding of what pre-built desktop PCs can offer you, as well as the multiple variations of these products.
Prices and availability of products discussed were accurate at time of publication, but are subject to change.
Why a Desktop PC?
If you can live without the portability of a laptop or tablet, desktop PCs can provide you with more power as well as a different form of convenience. Compared to laptops, most pre-built PCs are more upgradable. Sure you can swap out hard drives, SSDs, and memory sticks on some laptops, but their CPUs and graphics are often soldered in, so your processing and graphics power will stay the same until your next purchase.
Depending on the manufacturer, pre-built PCs can swap out most, if not all, components, including the graphics card, motherboard, and CPU. You do need to make sure to check back on your specifications though, whenever you’re changing out components.
Another great thing about desktops? You don’t need to worry about charging a battery. Just plug it into a viable outlet and you’re good to go. Fortunately, since you’re going with a pre-built instead of do-it-yourself, you also don’t initially have to worry about compatibility issues or making sure your PSU can handle your components. Down the line when you do decide to upgrade, you can use Newegg’s power-supply calculator to ensure your system has the right amount of power.
Operating System
Without an operating system, desktop PCs would just be immense paperweights with limited computing functions. A computer’s operating system is the overarching software that connects physical hardware and software applications together.
Windows
Made by Microsoft, Windows is one of the world’s most popular operating systems with the most current version being Windows 10. If you’re a hardcore gamer, Windows should be your operating system of choice due to the fact that most of the latest PC games are only available on Windows.
Like the majority of their releases, Microsoft’s Windows 10 comes in a Pro and Home edition. The main difference between these versions is that Pro comes with enterprise business features such as group policy management, remote desktop and other IT-related business support. It’s best to use the latest version of the OS but, but as of writing, the Windows 7 operating system is the minimum requirement for games like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice or video-editing applications like Adobe Premiere.
Mac
The other major entry at the forefront of popular operating systems for desktop PCs is Apple’s macOS. As of writing the most current version of Apple’s flagship operating system is macOS Mojave. The Mac platform houses a fair amount of support for the latest games, but not enough to be useful to hardcore PC gamers. Whereas Windows can be considered an open environment when it comes to modding or developing components and software, Apple’s system is closed.
You have to abide by Apple’s rules, but the protection and privacy options you get with your Mac is top-notch. But this also means upgrades or self-repairs cannot be as easily executed on your Mac system. Nevertheless, millions of users love the features of macOS and Apple’s computers have become known as the machines of choice for artists and designers. Though prices may be high, the power and lifespan of the latest products generally match the initial investment.
Chrome OS
A fairly new competitor, Google’s Chrome OS is an operating system based off Linux. Similar to their Android-based mobile operating systems, the latest Chrome OS desktop PCs utilize the Google Play Store for getting apps like Microsoft Office programs or streaming services like Netflix or YouTube. Chrome OS desktop PCs can be highly cost-effective and useful for simple home entertainment, student work or small- to mid-sized businesses.
Linux
Though Newegg only caries a few Linux-powered systems, this free, open-source operating system is highly efficient and effective for those interested in running server or large mainframe systems. Currently, one of the most-used distributions (distros) of Linux is called Ubuntu, but the beautiful thing about Linux is that users can choose from a number of publicly shared distributions and decide whichever one best fits their purposes.
Form Factors
Desktops come in many shapes and sizes. Called form factors, the outer physical dimensions and properties of your desktop PC’s case (or chassis) can help determine its level of functionality.
Traditional Desktops
Let’s start by talking about the classic that received its name for its tendency to have itself and its users work on a desk. Traditional desktop PCs have evolved over the years to play different roles due to the evolution of form factors.
Towers
These are the forms most commonly seen out in the wild—whether at work or a friend’s house. From full-sized towers to micro-sized towers, the difference between these form factors lies within the amount of components that can be packed within as well as overall price of the system. These system sizes are most commonly used by gamers, graphic-design artists, video editors—basically anyone who needs high system performance.
Full Tower
Mid Tower
Micro/Mini Tower
Small/Slim Form Factors
For those looking to save on work-space and are not worried about having the latest, full-sized, high-powered components, these smaller form factor desktop PCs can provide effective ergonomics and functionality. Both large to small-sized businesses benefit from implementing a fleet of small/slim form factor desktops so long as they are able to run the necessary business applications like documents, spreadsheets and IT software.
Budget gamers also benefit from the small/slim form factor that house just the right size and power of components that can run low to medium settings on the latest games, all while saving space for their gaming battlestations and being as mobile as a desktop PC can be.
Small Form Factor
Slim Form Factor
Mini Form Factor
All-in-One Desktops
We’ll go into more detail later but, the majority of desktop PCs need a monitor or other display to work properly. The exception to this rule? An all-in-one desktop PC. As the name implies, all-in-one desktops house every necessary computer component into a single chassis that includes an integrated display screen in front.
From iMacs to Windows all-in-ones, component power and screen size determine the product’s final price. The bigger the screen and the newer the components, the higher the price. Because of this variation, all-in-one desktop PCs can be used at a variety of levels from simple browsing machines to high-powered graphics workstations.
Computer/Compute Sticks
Technically, these aren’t your everyday desktop PCs that come to mind, but they certainly deserve a shout out for their impressive functionality in such a small size. You’re not going to get a gaming powerhouse with these sticks, but if you just need something to stream videos or browse the Internet, these products get the job done and are virtually non-existent in your work or home-entertainment space.
Components to Consider
Now, what’s actually inside a desktop PC is what you should be looking out for. Knowing the hardware specifications of any desktop computer will help determine the product’s final price. The latest and greatest components will cost you a pretty penny, but will provide you with the best power and computing capabilities on the market. On the other hand, being cost-effective will save you money but may limit what you can get done with your machine.
The brains of the entire operation, central processing units (otherwise known as CPUs or processors) carry out the instructions needed to properly run a computer, as well as the input commands a user (you) provides. The desktop-processor brands you’ll see in the market come down to two main companies, Intel and AMD.
When it comes to processors, what you should first be looking out for is the amount of cores. Cores in a CPU determine the amount of processes that can be run at the same time.
Twelve cores on the latest AMD Ryzen Threadripper? You get a system that can efficiently run twelve separate processes.
A dual-core 6th Gen Intel Core i3? Two separate simultaneous processes.
CPU clock speeds can also be important to look at before your purchase, but can ultimately be altered down the line if you decide to overclock.
Intel have long been known for their highly efficient and immensely powerful processors that come at a bit of a higher cost. Considering high ROI (return on investment), Intel fans have been content to pay the price for these processors’ long-term efficiency and functionality. In recent years though, Intel have expanded their lineup in the desktop PC market to include more budget-friendly processors without sacrificing too much on power.
Over the years, generations of Intel Core processors continue to be released, but it’s easy to note the hierarchy of power from the starter-class i3 to the super-powered i9 series
Higher-end Intel-powered desktops are well-equipped to run intensive programs such as games like Respawn Entertainment’s Apex Legends or video-editing software such as Adobe Premiere. As, we’ll cover later, the power of your graphics card is also an important factor in determining if you can run these software programs. Fortunately, buying a pre-built desktop above can guarantee your graphics card will be at the same level as the CPU that’s included.
For years, AMD have been known as the manufacturer that provides effective processors at a lower price than their competitor Intel. At times, this meant that the computing power of these processors came as second-best, but with the introduction of their Ryzen series processors, AMD have raised the bar, changing how they’re seen in the CPU market’s landscape.
Before releasing Ryzen, AMD marked their CPU-power and generational differences within the thousands. For example, certain AMD FX processors split their 4-, 6- and 8-core processor classes with the naming convention of FX-4120, FX-6120 and FX-8120 respectively. Following that, the upgraded generation of these processors were named: FX-4300, FX-6300 and FX-8300. As of writing things are a bit clearer, as we are currently in the 2nd generation of Ryzen processors.
Higher-end AMD Ryzen and FX-powered desktops will be generally be capable of running your games and productivity software of choice. As we said before, the power of your graphics card will also determine what software you can run, but pre-built systems generally include GPUs that are around the same performance tier as the included CPUs.
Integrated Graphics & Graphics Cards
Now that we’ve covered the most important component in a desktop PC, it’s time to move on to the next important unit: GPUs (graphics processing units)! Similar to CPUs, GPUs are components dedicated to accelerating the manipulation and creation of computer graphics and visual images.
Before we get into desktop systems that use a dedicated graphics card, we’ll look at PCs that utilize integrated graphics. Integrated graphics refer to GPUs that exist on the CPU and allow for video output when no graphics card is installed. Intel started it off with Intel HD and Iris graphics, while AMD coined the term APU (accelerated processing unit) to market their CPUs that came loaded with integrated graphics.
When shopping for systems with integrated graphics, you’ll notice that these systems are a bit more affordable than the systems that come with dedicated graphics cards. Of course, a less expensive system usually means fewer high-tier games/applications you can run.
Systems with graphics cards
Alright, now we can move on to the heavy hitters: pre-built desktops that come with dedicated graphics cards. Just like the CPU market, graphics processing units are designed by two dominant forces: NVIDIA and AMD.
If you see GeForce in your desktop’s product title or specs chart, the graphics are from NVIDIA .
in your desktop’s product title or specs chart, the graphics are from . If you see Radeon on your item’s page, you’ve got yourself AMD-powered graphics.
Though there are many series of graphics cards, we can generally break it down to two categories: desktop GPUs vs. workstation GPUs. Both types of cards can be found in either a traditional or all-in-one desktop-PC chassis. The main difference between these two categories of graphics cards is their function. Desktop GPUs are generally used for gaming, video/photo editing, and streaming, while workstation GPUs are used for running professional high-level programs like 3D-modeling and computer-graphic image creation and manipulation.
Simply put, a gamer will use a desktop GPU, while the game developer that makes the game they’re playing will utilize a workstation GPU to create and edit assets like in-game 3D character models.
RAM
Random-access memory (otherwise known as RAM or desktop memory) helps speed up your computing experience by storing system info for in-the-moment and follow-up functions you request. As software like games and applications become more advanced, the need for larger-sized desktop memory is needed in order to efficiently run your PC. As of writing, you’ll need at least 8GB of memory to run video-editing software like Adobe Premiere. The latest games currently vary from a 2GB-8GB RAM minimum, but the safest current bet is to go with 8GB. Of course, if you’re just trying to run Microsoft Office programs, 2GB will work just fine.
For most manufacturers’ pre-built desktop PCs, desktop memory is one of the components that can easily be changed out down the line. But you have to be wary of maintaining both type and speed.
Type refers to the data-rate standard of each module. Following DDR3, today’s current standard is DDR4 (double data rate 4). Desktop-memory speed, similar to a CPU’s clock speed, is measured in megahertz (MHz) and works within the parameters of a clock cycle and CAS (column access strobe) latency to determine how quickly systems instructions can be carried out.
Systems with DDR4 are the right choice if you’re interested in future-proofing your home system. If you’re running older programs and games, or just want to stream entertainment media, going with DDR3 may be a more cost-efficient option.
Storage
Main storage for pre-built desktop PCs comes down to internal hard-disk drives (HDD) and the newer format of internal solid-state drives (SSD). Following standards that determine product price and efficiency, the current way most users utilize desktop-PC storage goes as follows:
Use a large-capacity HDD to store your large collection of media files such as movies, music, pictures, important documents, etc.
Use a small to medium-sized SSD to house your operating system (OS) and essential programs.
This common, useful configuration involves both an SSD and an HDD in a single system, though options with only HDDs or only SSDs are both available as well, depending on your needs.
The amount of storage you want for your SSD is between 120GB-240GB. This gives you plenty of space to store your key operating-system files as well as ample room to keep your other most-used files and/or applications. Because HDDs are becoming more and more affordable every day, the standard size you’ll be looking at getting should be between 500GB-2TB.
Ports
Internal storage devices aren’t the only way to store or access files. Like any computer, desktop PCs come with a plethora of ports that provide you with plenty of expansive options, including external storage.
USB
Having been the standard since 1996, USB (universal serial bus) ports power the majority of connected devices that use wires. To name a few products, desktop-PC USB slots can power printers, external hard drives, keyboards, mice and webcams—all from virtually every brand.
Back in the day, computer users would have to use the included CD in their specific product box that contained drivers (code that helps the computer recognize physical input commands) to have their systems recognize and properly utilize their device. Granted, many manufacturers still provide a driver CD, but if you’re running the latest operating system like Windows 10 or macOS Mojave, all you have to do is plug in your USB device and the computer system will find and install the best driver for the job.
Of course, like any technology, the USB protocol has evolved over time. As of writing, USB 4 has just been announced and will be released before the end of 2019. What this means for you? Nothing, unless you’re looking to re-vamp your current line of devices (smartphones, audio cards, etc.) Desktop PCs come standard with USB 3.1 and USB 2.0 Type-A ports (the larger rectangular slot-shape) and both are backwards compatible, giving users ultimate compatibility for using newer as well as legacy peripherals.
Audio In/Out
If you’re using wired headphones or headsets with microphones, these 8mm jacks found on the front and/or back of your desktop PC are what you need to plug into. Usually the front I/O panel has these 8mm jacks differentiated by a microphone icon (audio in/mic in) and headphones icon (audio out/headphone jack)
Video (VGA, DVI, HDMI and DP)
On the back side of your desktop PC case is where you’ll find the standard video connections: VGA, DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort (DP). As to which is better…well, it’s not as easy as saying “this is better than the others.” VGA is indeed older and can have trouble converting its analog signal to digital signal, but DVI, HDMI and DisplayPort generally come down to what ports are on the back or side panel of your output source (TV or monitor). For gaming use, both HDMI and DisplayPort have their advantages, and the right choice for you depends on your graphics card, monitor, and other aspects of your setup.
When connecting a display to your desktop PC, you will need to take note of whether or not your system has a dedicated graphics card or is running off your CPU’s integrated graphics. Knowing this will help you determine whether you need to plug into the motherboard (the larger panel, that usually stands vertical) or if you need to plug into the graphics card (a horizontal panel that just has the aforementioned video ports).
PS/2
Like VGA, the PS/2 ports on your desktop’s motherboard panel can now be considered a legacy port. Since 1987, the light-green port has been used for computer mice while the light-purple port is for keyboards. Nowadays, the port has been split in half, allowing for only one or the other. Nevertheless, unless you’re somehow stuck with an older keyboard or mouse, you’ll be using a USB or Bluetooth-compatible input device.
Ethernet/RJ45
Using the RJ45 (otherwise known as Ethernet) port is the fastest and most reliable way to connect to the Internet. As long as you have a router or range extender that works properly and has an Ethernet port, all you have to do is plug both ends of an Ethernet cable from the network device to the back of your desktop PC. It does need to be noted that not every Ethernet cable is built the same though. Wired Internet speed can depend on the category (for example, Cat 5 versus Cat 6) as well as the physical length of your cable (shorter = faster).
Networking
Continuing from the previous section, networking for a desktop PC can come in the form of a physical Ethernet-cable connection. So, the question arises, what about wireless WiFi networking? Unless it’s an all-in-one desktop computer, the majority of pre-built desktop systems do not come with integrated WiFi connectivity. Fear not though, adding a WiFi card can be as easy as connecting two Lego pieces, by connecting it to the expandable PCI-E slot inside of your desktop PC.
Peripherals/Accessories to Consider
Monitors are the standard output video source for desktop PCs. Whether you’re gaming, working on graphic design, or need multiple monitors for running an efficient multi-tasking workload, you should note not all monitors are built the same. Generally speaking, if you’re looking to do some high-end gaming, you’ll need a monitor that has a high refresh rate (for example, 240Hz) and a low response time (1ms). Graphic designers will need a monitor that shoots for a 99% sRGB color-reproduction value to ensure their works look great across any other monitor.
As mentioned before, the standard ports on your pre-built desktop computers that connect to the latest monitors are DVI, DisplayPort and HDMI (unless you have an older monitor that only uses a VGA port).
Similar to needing a monitor, you’ll probably find it difficult to use your desktop computer without a keyboard and mouse. Going wired is easy: just plug in your keyboard and mouse then you’re ready to compute. If you want to utilize a wireless keyboard and mouse, you’ll need to check whether it’s RF (radio frequency) or Bluetooth-enabled.
RF keyboards and mice come with a USB dongle that plugs into your desktop PC and provides a signal that’s specific to the keyboard and/or mouse, giving your devices wireless functionality.
Getting Bluetooth devices to function on your desktop PC is similar to using an RF dongle in that you will have a PCI-E Bluetooth card or USB Bluetooth adapter plugged in to your system. The benefit of getting a PCI-E card or USB Bluetooth dongle set up is that you can use any of your Bluetooth-compatible devices with it—as compared to the RF receiver that’s only compatible with the devices it came packaged with.
Any Bluetooth or RF audio devices will need to be set up as described in the previous section. If you have a wired headset or headphones, simply plug them in to their respective ports on the front or back of your desktop computer. The front panel will have relatable icons for your mic or headphones while the back panel may have a pink-colored 8mm jack for microphones and a lime-green jack for headphones.
If you want to raise the bar, internal and external sound cards may be the route to take. Providing higher-quality sound and physical controls for volume as well ¼” input/output-jack options, sound cards can be what you need to get professional-sounding quality. Similar to the devices we mentioned before, sound cards can either be installed externally via USB or internally via PCI-E.
Video Tech
From simple webcams to high-quality video-capturing tools, your processor and graphics card will help determine the type of device you can utilize along with the editing software you need to complement your work. Simply put, if you’re running a system that was made in the last five years, you can just plug your new video device to your computer’s USB port.
For streamers though, the standards and setup needs can be a bit different. If you’re only looking to capture your gameplay for later edits to upload to sites like YouTube, a capture card can serve you well. Alternatively, if you want to livestream your gameplay along with a live cam of yourself, a two-PC setup may best suit your needs.
Like it sounds, a two-PC streaming setup works as follows:
One desktop computer is the gaming computer that is stocked with components that will run your game at your preferred settings.
The other desktop PC houses video-editing friendly components and any peripherals needed for livestreaming and capturing the gameplay from the gaming PC.
Choose the system that’s right for you
Technology is always advancing, so make sure to check back frequently for the latest updates on pre-built desktop PCs. As you can see, there are a variety of flavors when it comes to these systems, so if you need a little push in determining what kind of system you need, you can start by browsing three main categories: gaming desktops, business desktops, and student desktops.
Desktop Buying Guide
Also known as random access memory (RAM), memory is the foundation for helping your processor run programs. Desktop PCs allow for an easy upgrade of the included memory. While sold separately, this means that at a later point in time, you can purchase additional memory to enhance the power of your desktop.
Below are the types of memory with their corresponding speeds and transfer rates:
How to choose a computer
If your existing PC is so slow it can barely run Windows Solitaire, let alone video editing software, don’t fret. There’s some good news for computer users facing the inevitable upgrade: There’s never been a better time to buy a new PC.
Prices are at an all-time low, while at the same time, computers are becoming incredibly powerful and full of convenient features. But choosing the right computer to match your needs and budget can be an overwhelming task — especially for tech-shy folks intimidated by geeky terminology and pushy salespeople.
Here’s how to choose a computer that’s just right for you.
Laptop or desktop
If you require portability, then a laptop (also referred to as a “notebook”) PC is for you. But if you want the flexibility of adding a larger display or upgrading other components (such as adding a bigger hard drive or better video card), then perhaps a desktop PC is the way to go.
If you buy a desktop computer, you will also need a display to plug into it to see anything, unless you buy an all-in-one computer such as Dell All-in-One or an Apple iMac, which have the display built directly into the unit. If you’ve decided on a laptop, you’ll need to consider portability like weight and size. A larger screen is nice, but do you want to deal with the added size and weight? The bigger the screen (e.g. 17 inches as opposed to 12 inches), the bigger and heavier the laptop will be.
While laptops are becoming more powerful, a desktop is still better suited for graphic-intensive applications such as computer gaming, video editing, or animation rendering. But if portability is a priority, then laptops are the only way to go.
Other things to keep in mind when deciding between a laptop and a desktop computer include upfront costs, noise and cooling, and peripherals. You should expect a laptop to cost a bit more than a desktop of similar specifications, as you’re buying the display and input mechanisms at the same time, as well as paying for a battery — though there are great budget laptops out there.
Laptops are also often very compact, which means they are more likely to be noisier when the fans ramp up to keep the computer cool. While desktops can also get noisy when under heavy load like gaming or video editing, they tend to still be quieter than laptops under the same load due to the improved airflow in the case — and you can always modify the cooling to improve it. That’s not so easy with laptops.
As for peripherals, desktops tend to have more ports than laptops, meaning if you need to connect a bunch of peripherals (e.g. printers, external storage, speakers, microphone, etc.) then a desktop may be a better choice. The latest port standards include USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, which are excellent connections to look for.
Mac or Windows
Personal preference and experience dictate the operating system of choice more than anything, making it hard to recommend one over the other. The best way to tell which one is ideal for you is to try both out to see which one feels more intuitive for you to work on, and which one will work with your favorite programs. Mac computers are generally more expensive than Windows-based PCs, though they tend to be a little more secure. With fewer MacOS PCs out there, hackers are less interested in making viruses for them. The closed-ecosystem approach Apple employs for its products also makes it harder to distribute malware — though not impossible.
Windows PCs have a much more robust gaming ecosystem to enjoy and are definitely better for gamers.
Outside of that niche, the app ecosystem for both MacOS and Windows is very good — there are so many apps for both platforms so no matter what you need to do, you’ll likely be able to find an app to accomplish the task. Ultimately, you need to make the call for yourself, but definitely keep in mind that today’s Mac computers can also run the Windows operating system through programs such as Boot Camp, Parallels, or VMWare Fusion.
Power and performance
Performance is arguably the most important metric of any PC, and the CPU is the heart of that. You want at the very least a dual core CPU with simultaneous multithreading/hyperthreading, but a quad core will make a big difference to your everday PC performance. Intel’s Core i3 and AMD’s Ryzen 3 CPUs are fantastic in this respect, though especially the latter.
If you need a bit more power for any kind of photo or video editing or are planning to play the latest games, then ideally you will want to look for a computer that sports a six-core (or better) processor such as an Intel i5 or i7 or an AMD Ryzen 5 or Ryzen 7.
For more in-depth CPU buying information, check out our guide on how to choose a CPU.
When it comes to system memory, or RAM, you want to make sure you have enough, and not too much more. A capacity of 8GB to 16GB is the sweet spot for most users, including heavy gamers; 32GB and beyond is only really recommended if you’re doing a lot of heavy video editing, and will very much depend on the particular software you want to use.
A graphics card can be the most expensive part of a PC and is only necessary if you’re looking to play games. If you are, buy a GPU that fits your needs and budget. There’s no point in buying a $1,000 graphics card if all you want to play is Minecraft, but you’ll be disappointed if you try to play the latest AAA games on a budget GPU. Check out the specifications of the games you want to play to help decide which graphics card is right for you, or check out our list of the best GPUs you can buy.
Want to game on the go? Check out our list of the best gaming laptops available.
Storage
The size of a hard drive (or solid state drive) determines how many programs and files you can fit on it before running out of space. Unless you’re buying something like a Chromebook where cloud storage is a big feature, a computer with at least 500GB of space is a good starting point. If you have a lot of games or movies that you want to store, then you’ll want to consider a secondary drive with a terabyte or two of additional space.
Today, most computers have at least one SSD, or solid state drive, for storage. SSDs are much faster than older HDDs (hard disk drives with moving, magnetic parts), which means you can open and find files faster. SSDs are your best bet for a boot drive, with traditional hard drives best suited as additional storage space and secondary drives.
If you’re concerned about running out of space on your drive, don’t be. There are so many options to expand your storage for either a laptop or desktop with an inexpensive external hard drive or even cloud storage. External drives (you can find both external hard drives and external SSDs) are great, and these days, depending on which one you buy, can be just as fast as your internal drive thanks to new technologies such as Thunderbolt 3.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
If you’re shopping for a laptop, chances are it’ll have integrated wireless networking features. This means you can log on to the internet at broadband speeds when in range of a Wi-Fi network, be it at home, work, school, or one of many thousand “hotspots” around the world, including cafés, hotels, airport lounges, and so on. The latest laptops have 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) technology — which offers a 30% to 60% speed boost over the older 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) technology and is a safer bet if you want to prepare for future devices.
Bluetooth is another common wireless feature that most laptops (and some desktops) have, which can make phone syncing easier (read: cable-free) and even add support for headsets and headphones, allowing you to roam freely while on a voice call or listening to music. Any desktop you choose should also offer Wi-Fi 5 or 6 wireless networking capability (offered via a built-in or optional attachment), or come with an integrated Ethernet port, which enables connection to the internet via an Ethernet cable.
Going Chromebook
While Windows and Mac are the common choices for operating systems, there is an alternative for new users — a Chromebook. Chromebooks run on Chrome OS, a lightweight operating system designed for ultra-portable laptops.
Chromebooks are a give and take proposition: They tend to be very affordable, very easy to use, and ideal choices for more casual users, students, and those who want to save money while still getting a laptop. They also have growing compatibility with Android apps. On the other hand, they typically have limited power, very little storage (depending on cloud storage for many activities), and limited capability to run more demanding software or applications without Chrome OS compatibility.
If you’re interested in a laptop with a light footprint, we suggest you check out our guide to Chromebooks, and our current list of favorite Chromebooks on the market.
Build your own computer
If you’re feeling a little adventurous and are looking to do something a bit different, there’s always the option to build your own computer. It’s quite a lot of fun too, plus these days it’s easier than ever to find and buy all the parts you will need, and all the advice above still applies.
If you’re interested in building your own computer, the best place to start compiling a parts list is PCPartPicker. At PCPartPicker you can compile a list of parts from various retail websites including Newegg and Amazon. What’s even nicer is if you pick parts that aren’t compatible, PCPartPicker will let you know.
Once you pick your parts, we have a number of helpful guides to help you put it all together.
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