Top Desktop Computers in the UK
If you’re buying a desktop computer in the UK — or thinking about ordering one from overseas — it helps to know what to look for so you end up with something that suits your needs (and doesn’t feel painfully slow in a few years). Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you choose a desktop PC the right way. I also include a few real-world example PCs to show what “good enough” might look like in different cases.
Desktop computers in the UK offer strong performance for budgets under £800, spanning towers, all-in-ones, and mini PCs ideal for home offices and light gaming.
1. Acer Aspire Desktop, 10th Gen Intel Core i3
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
This tower features an Intel Core i5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and expandable chassis for under £600.
It handles productivity, streaming, and basic multitasking efficiently.
Best for: Everyday home office work and value seekers.
2. Acer Aspire C27-1800 All-in-One
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
Priced affordably, it includes Intel Core i5-12450H, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage, and a 27-inch Full HD display with integrated graphics.
Comes with Windows 11 and wireless peripherals for easy setup.
Best for: Space-saving family use and media consumption.
3. Dell OptiPlex 7020 SFF (Renewed)
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
Around £300-£400 renewed, equipped with Intel i7-4770, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro plus WiFi.
Compact small form factor suits tight spaces with reliable performance.
Best for: Budget upgrades and small business tasks.
4. Dell Inspiron 24 AIO (5430)
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
This all-in-one has a 24-inch display, solid Intel processing, ample RAM, and versatile ports for under £700.
Integrated design reduces cable clutter effectively.
Best for: Home setups needing clean aesthetics and productivity.
5. GEEKOM A6 Mini PC Windows 11 Pro
4.7 out of 5 Ratings
Compact mini desktop with Intel N150, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, dual 4K display support, and Windows 11 Pro for about £250.
Supports VESA mounting and dual WiFi for flexible placement.
Best for: Portable office or media center builds.
6. HP 24 Touchscreen All-in-One Desktop
4.5 out of 5 Ratings
Portable all-in-one with efficient specs, touch display, and battery-like mobility under £600.
Includes strong connectivity for dynamic use cases.
Best for: Versatile home or mobile productivity.
Final Thoughts
These selections balance cost, expandability, and reliability for UK buyers, with renewed Dell options maximizing value and all-in-ones like Acer minimizing desk space. Prioritize RAM and SSD capacity for future-proofing in budget picks.
Some UK-Buying Tips & What to Avoid
- If buying prebuilt from UK retailers (or shops shipping to UK), check the CPU launch date and model — avoid very old CPUs or unknown “economy” chips with vague specs.
- Prioritise SSD storage over HDD or slow drives — the speed difference affects boot time and overall responsiveness.
- For most users: aim for 16 GB RAM as a baseline; choose 32 GB+ if you do editing / creative work or want longer-term smoothness.
- Try to get a PC with a modern CPU + upgrade-friendly motherboard / PSU if you want ability to upgrade down the line.
Key PC components and what to look for
Here are the main parts you should check — they determine performance, responsiveness, and usefulness of your PC.
| Component | What to check / Why it matters |
|---|---|
| CPU (Processor) | The “brain” of your PC. Look at model (e.g. Intel i5/i7, AMD Ryzen 5/7), number of cores/threads, clock speed. For anything besides basic tasks, a modern mid-range or better CPU is recommended. |
| RAM (Memory) | Allows your PC to run multiple tasks smoothly. For simple tasks, 8 GB can suffice. For heavier tasks, multitasking or gaming — aim for 16 GB or more. For editing, 3D work or future-proofing, 32 GB+ is ideal. |
| Storage (SSD vs HDD) | SSDs (especially M.2 NVMe) offer much faster boot and load times than older HDDs or SATA SSDs. If you can, get an SSD for OS and apps. If you need lots of storage for media/files, 1TB+ is a good sweet spot. |
| GPU (Graphics Card) / Integrated Graphics | If you only do office tasks or browsing — built-in graphics is fine. For gaming, video editing, design, 3D, etc. — you’ll want a dedicated GPU. |
| Ports / Extensibility / Upgrade Path | Make sure the PC has enough ports (USB, HDMI/DisplayPort, etc.) for your peripherals. If you plan to upgrade later (RAM, GPU, drives), make sure the motherboard and PSU allow it. |
Also — avoid desktops with very low specs (e.g. 4 GB RAM, very old CPUs, weak integrated graphics) unless you know you only need them for basic tasks