10 Best Desktops for Tackling Enterprise Workloads

Desktops might not be the most fashionable PC model these days, but they still hold significant value for corporate users. Desktops, which can include towers and all-in-one PCs, typically deliver a bit more processing power than notebooks. They usually require a monitor, keyboard, mouse and other accessories, but come in a variety of prices to fit into any corporate budget. Better yet, they’re available from an army of manufacturers—large and small—that typically deliver solid customer service. However, with so many available models shelves, it’s sometimes difficult to determine which desktop might be best. This slideshow will provide a brief description of 10 of the best models to help corporate users find suitable desktops for their businesses.

HP Inc. EliteOne 800 is an all-in-one desktop featuring a 23.8-inch full-HD display. The computer has an Intel HD graphics chip, though users can opt for the AMD Radeon discrete graphics chip. HP’s EliteOne 800 comes with several security features, including hardware-enforced multi-factor authentication, allowing users to sign on with an infrared camera, fingerprint sensor, or smart card reader. It also has a self-healing BIOS. The computer starts at $997.

Companies looking for a smaller desktop should consider the HP EliteDesk 800 Desktop Mini. The computer, which is just about 7 inches wide and 7 inches deep, runs on Intel’s 7th generation Core processors. Users can also opt for Intel Optane memory and access HP’s enterprise services, including Sure Start and Security Suite. And since it’s designed to be mobile, it has military-grade protection around its chassis to reduce chances of it malfunctioning due to user damage. The EliteDesk 800 Desktop Mini starts at $704.65.

Dell’s Precision Tower 5000 is the midrange of its Precision desktops, offering a nice balance of power and affordability. The computer, which starts at $1,199, runs on the Intel Xeon processors and can be configured with up to two graphics cards and four hard drives. Companies will find 8GB of RAM in the base model, though that can be boosted up to 32GB. Users can choose between Nvidia or AMD graphics cards when configuring the Precision Tower 5000.

Those who want a computer that is aesthetically more pleasing but also comes with some nice features should consider the Dell XPS Tower. The computer, which comes with Intel Optane memory, starts at $1,199. For that price, users will find a machine that runs either the Intel Core i5 or Intel Core i7 processor and up to an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 graphics chip. It’s even compatible with corporate virtual-reality experiences.

The ThinkCentre M910 is a nicely affordable desktop at $584.10. It comes with Intel Core i3, Core i5, or Core i7 processors and supports solid-state drives for better performance. On the security front, it allows users to physical remove their hard drives, and there’s a lockable bay on the front, so others can’t steal such a drive. The Lenovo M910 even comes with TPM 2.0 support for additional layers of protection. There’s a handle at the top of the ThinkCentre M910 to make it easier to carry around.

The ThinkCentre M710 Tiny is one of the smallest desktops in this roundup at just 7 inches wide. Still, it can be configured to be a powerful box, with up to the Intel Core i7 processor and 32GB of memory. Users can opt for up to 512GB of storage on a solid-state drive, and will find Intel HD on the graphics side. It also comes configured with 801.11ac WiFi connectivity to appeal to mobile users. The ThinkCentre M710 Tiny costs $404.10 to start.

Not everyone is looking for a big brand for their next computer. And that’s where a company like Velocity Micro comes in. The boutique PC vendor offers a workstation PC called the ProMagix HD60 that comes with a host of appealing features, including seventh-generation Intel Core chips, Nvidia graphics, and multiple hard drive bays. Best of all, Velocity Micro’s ProMagix HD60 eschews bloatware. However, all that comes at a price: a base model costs $1,269.

Unlike most of the other computers in this roundup, the iMac doesn’t run on Windows. Instead, it’s available with Apple’s own operating system macOS. On the hardware side, the all-in-one comes with a 21.5-inch display and up to a 3.6GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 processor. The iMac can be configured with up to 32GB of memory, and it can come with 1TB of solid-state drive storage. Apple offers up to the AMD Radeon Pro 560 graphics chip. Apple’s iMac starts at $1,099.

The Acer Veriton X is a bit lower-powered computer, offering the Intel Core i3 processor and the HD Graphics 630. Users will also find 8GB of memory and a 1TB hard drive in the lightweight computer. It’s also important to note that the Veriton X can be configured with either Windows 7 or Windows 10. Other configurations are also available, including a processor boost to the 3.4GHz Intel Core i7. Ultimately, customers buy the Veriton X for its affordability: the computer starts at $400.

Acer’s second nod in this roundup comes in the form of the Chrome OS-based Acer Chromebox. The computer is small in a box no larger than a typical network router and runs Google’s operating system. It offers an Intel Celeron processor and Intel HD graphics. Users can choose between 2GB or 4GB of memory, through they’re limited to 16GB of onboard storage. The Chromebox retails for $180 to start.