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Desktops:
Best budget desktops
(Updated January 1, 2013 11:10 PM PST)
Rich Brown
Senior editor
Want to buy a new PC without having to take out a second mortgage? These budget PCs strike a balance between performance and cost, covering the basics at affordable prices. Good for home office use, sending e-mail, and surfing the Net, a budget PC gives you the features that you need and none that you don't.
If you don't see a budget desktop that catches your eye below, see our complete list of budget desktop reviews.
If you don't see a budget desktop that catches your eye below, see our complete list of budget desktop reviews.
Gateway SX Series SX2870-UR10P
Budget desktops might not be all that exciting, but the Gateway SX2870-UR10P slim tower shows you can still find a worthwhile day-to-day PC for under $500.
MSRP: $499.99
4 stars Read full review
Acer Revo 100 RL100-U1002
Not everyone wants a living-room computer, but the Acer Revo 100 is one of the better low-cost HTPCs we've seen thanks to a wisely chosen feature set, its attractive design, and a mostly well-conceived input device.
Price: $562.30 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review
Samsung Chromebox Series 3
Best non-Windows PC under $500
The attractive, fairly priced Samsung Chromebox desktop turns Google's Web-based Chrome OS into a not entirely unreasonable option for certain low-cost PC shoppers.
Price: $473.70 - $529.00 (check prices)
4 stars Read full review