Best computer 2018: the best PCs we've tested

The technology behind the best PCs continues to advance at the speed of sound – Computex 2018 was just proof of this. But, if you’re going to stay ahead of the curve in 2018, having one of the best PCs is absolutely essential. Even if all you do is browse the internet, you can get slowed down by dealing with too many advertisements. That’s why the best computers are better than smartphones and, arguably, the best 2-in-1 laptops some would have you believe replaced them.

The best computers will also be easy to upgrade beyond a simple RAM swap – so you can easily keep them up to date. With the wide range of low-power processors like the ones announced by Intel recently, you can have the power benefits that the best laptops offer. And, as a bonus, all eight of these computers will work with all the latest and greatest components – feel free to slap one of the best graphics cards in there if you want one of the best gaming PCs.

However, determining the best computer isn’t as straightforward as proclaiming ‘the most powerful computer’ or ‘the most expensive computer.’ When we created this list, we did so acknowledging that the best computers strike a balance between value and performance. With that, we’ve comprehensively tested or reviewed and subsequently ranked every single PC we could get our hands on in order to find the best computer you can get your hands on in 2018.

Dell Inspiron 3000

For lack of a better word, the Dell XPS Tower Edition is stealthy. Looking quite similar to that old computer that your parents had hidden beneath the desk, this boring exterior belies an exciting array of components. Inside you’ll find your choice of the latest in GPU tech, in addition to a blazing-fast 7th generation Intel CPU and a spacious hard drive and/or SSD. Now, the Special Edition is only available in the US, but our readers in the UK and Australia will still be able to buy the regular Dell XPS Tower and beef it up to the same level through Dell’s configuration page.

Read the full review: Dell XPS Tower Special Edition

The Microsoft Surface Studio is one of the most glamorous PCs you can buy. It shakes up the all-in-one formula of putting all the components behind the screen, and instead moves everything to the base. The resulting device has one of the thinnest 28-inch PixelSense Displays that puts even most 4K screens to shame. What’s more, the fully-articulating stand makes it a versatile tool for work and play with Surface Pen support. All in all, the Surface Studio is an exceptional work of, and for, art.

Read the full review: Surface Studio

See more like this: The best all-in-one PCs

If you’re looking for a sublime desktop experience but don’t have a lot of space, look no further than the Intel Hades Canyon NUC. In this tiny bare-bones PC, you have an insanely powerful 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, and discrete-class Radeon graphics – once you throw in some RAM and storage, you’ll be able to conquer the best PC games, no problem. Sure, it can’t really stand up against a full-sized desktop, but when space is short, or you’d just rather have a PC that looks like a set-top box – it’s worth it.

Read the full review: Intel Hades Canyon NUC

The Alienware Aurora R6 is an excellent gaming PC that offers brilliant performance in a conveniently compact body. The affordable price is pretty great as well, considering the power on offer and users itching for upgrades will have room to pick up a second graphics card, plus more RAM and storage.

Read the full review: Alienware Aurora R6

See more like this: The best gaming PCs

Positioned as a “console killer,” the MSI Trident 3 looks a lot like an Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, but it’s a far more powerful PC that feels just right in your living room. Complete with all the ports you could ever dream of, the MSI Trident 3’s advantages are clear. Still, in trying to be as thin and light as possible, the MSI Trident 3 comes equipped with a 330W external power supply brick, resembling some of the least attractive console designs.

Read the full review: MSI Trident 3

Apple iMac

You may not believe it coming from Apple, but the iMac is the best all-in-one computer for the money. In fact, the Surface Studio costs three times as much as the iMac to start. And, while the 2017 Apple iMac doesn’t feature a touchscreen or an adjustable stand, the option for a 4K P3 wide color display and a still-good 7th-generation CPU make the 21.5-inch iMac not only gorgeous, but timely as well.

Read the full review: Apple iMac (2017)

See more like this: The best Macs

HP Pavilion Mini

Though at first you might confuse it for a fabric-woven Mac Pro refresh, the HP Pavilion Wave is anything but. This compact Windows machine packs in 6th-generation Intel Core processors and optional discrete AMD graphics with a uniquely integrated Bang & Olufsen speaker. Wrapped in a handsome fabric exterior, this is the perfect PC to have on the desk, as it radiates crisp sound while you browse the web or watch movies.

Read the first look: HP Pavilion Wave

HP 260 G1

It may look like a thumb drive at first glance, but the Intel Core Compute Stick has more than meets the eye. It’s actually a palm-sized PC that can plug into any screen with an HDMI input. It starts out with a lowly 1.33GHz Intel Atom cpu running Linux, but it is configurable up to an Intel Core m5 processor – which makes this one of the best PCs if you need to get some work done on the go, without having to haul around a laptop.

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article