Desktops

Apple iMac (27-inch, unibody, 2009)

With a 3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, the 27-inch iMac that we reviewed doesn't offer a huge improvement in performance compared to previous models. But it's still a worthwhile upgrade, offering improved specs and features, including an LED-backlit display and 'unibody' construction, at a similar price point

ViewSonic VPC100

If you're looking for a cheap second PC, ViewSonic's VPC100 nettop is worth considering. It lacks a touchscreen and its performance isn't anything to get wildly excited about, but its wireless capabilities are good and it sports a relatively large 18.5-inch display

Dell Studio One 19

The 18.5-inch Studio One 19 brings some good ideas to the all-in-one-PC table, including an optional touchscreen. We're not massive fans of its appearance, but, if you're looking for a desktop PC that takes up relatively little space, is easy to set up and reduces cable clutter, it's well worth a look

User rating 8.0

Dell Studio XPS 435

Sporting Dell's strongest chassis design in years, our Studio XPS 435 review sample overcame our bias against jack-of-all-trades desktops. It's missing a few features, such as a second graphics card slot, but its decent performance means it's a good machine overall

Acer AspireRevo R3600

The AspireRevo R3600 is the best nettop we've seen so far, thanks to an Nvidia ION chipset that means it can play games, run 1080p movies and be taken seriously as a media centre. Also sporting a cool design, it's great value for anyone who needs a cheap second PC

Advent AIO-101

It's not as pant-wettingly sexy as an Apple iMac, but the AIO-101 is an attractive and versatile all-in-one PC nonetheless. With a built-in hybrid TV tuner, highly adjustable 18.4-inch display, and decent, but not outstanding, performance, it's a good option for those seeking a space-saving PC

Shuttle X Vision X50

Sporting a touchscreen, dual-core Intel Atom 330 CPU, attractive design and good connectivity, the 15.6-inch X Vision X50 all-in-one desktop PC looks, on paper, to have plenty going for it. But is it enough to knock the market-leading Asus Eee Top off its perch?

Sony Vaio VGC-JS2E

In terms of design, the gorgeous 20.1-inch Vaio VGC-JS2E all-in-one desktop PC gives Apple's iMac a serious run for its money. It's a real shame that it lacks a Blu-ray drive and TV tuner, but, if you can overlook that, you'll get good performance and a beautiful screen

Apple Mac Pro (eight-core, 2009 edition)

The updated eight-core Mac Pro looks similar to previous models on the outside, but makes a number of internal changes that improve its digital-media and multitasking performance. Design professionals will welcome this new tool in their arsenal, although gamers might be slightly disappointed

Asus Eee Box B206

The Eee Box B206 is a tiny media-centre PC that can be easily bolted onto the back of a display, turning a TV or monitor into an all-in-one-style PC. Its performance with high-definition video isn't great, but undemanding users seeking a simple box to view media and surf the Web on their TV should check it out

Apple Mac mini (2009 edition)

The latest Mac mini is an impressively energy-efficient machine that continues to pack plenty of features into a compact, space-saving chassis. Updated internal components means it's also a good multitasking machine that would be well-suited to a light-duty work role

Apple iMac (24-inch, 2009 edition)

Little has changed cosmetically with the updated 24-inch iMac all-in-one, but the internal hardware has had a fairly extensive overhaul, ensuring that it's an outstanding multitasker and capable gaming system. Those who want a straightforward desktop computer from their all-in-one should check it out

User rating 9.0

HP TouchSmart IQ810

Like its predecessors, the HP TouchSmart IQ810's major selling points are its touch-sensitive display, small footprint and strong multimedia capability. The IQ810 stands out, however, thanks to even faster components and a comparatively large 25.5-inch screen

Alienware Area-51 X58

The Alienware Area-51 X58 has a name and a look that implies it's out of this world, and we would have to agree. With Intel's latest high-end processor and a pair of dual-chip ATI Radeon HD 4870 X2 cards inside this desktop is a gamer's paradise. While the price may seem steep, compared to similarly specced models it's a bargain

Dell Studio Hybrid

While there are a plethora of nettops on the market that offer -- at a basic level -- the same sort of package performance as the Dell Studio Hybrid, they are not as customiseable. You can alter the Studio Hybrid both internally and externally according to your personal preferences. The icing on the cake? It is eco-friendly

Shuttle x27D

The X27D is the fastest nettop-style machine we've ever tested. Its dual-core Atom 330 CPU makes it a far more robust solution than PCs such as the Eee Box. It's a little too noisy for our liking, but it's affordable, attractive and perfect for lightweight computing tasks like surfing the Web or watching digital movies

Eee Top

The Eee Top is a strange departure from traditional Eee-branded products. This low-power, low-cost, all-in-one desktop PC features a touch-sensitive display, setting it apart from its rivals. Though Asus ships the Eee Top with Windows XP, it's conveniently put it in Large Fonts mode, making the touchscreen easier to use

Advent Eco PC

With petrol prices skyrocketing, there's no question: the cost of powering your electrical goods is getting higher and higher, too. Advent has released its Eco PC, a desktop computer that uses just 25W when idle. It comes in recycled packaging and has a few other features to help it run more efficiently, but it isn't cheap

Asus Eee Box

Asus has performed a minor miracle in the laptop market with its Eee PC, so it stands to reason that it would try the same trick in the desktop arena. The Eee Box is tiny, attractive, requires little power to run, and most importantly it costs just £199

User rating 9.0

HP TouchSmart IQ500

We didn't think the original TouchSmart IQ770 was that ugly, but compared to HP's brand-new IQ500 series it's a total dog. The IQ500 has a bigger screen -- 22 inches instead of 19 -- has a better spec, and sports the same touch-sensitive panel that intrigued us about the original