No matter what your budget is, you can always find a desktop that fits your needs. Whether you are looking for a basic desktop, or a more advanced one, these 5 picks will get you there.
For those of us who don’t want to break the bank to get a new computer after building up a nice desktop over the years, the best way to upgrade is to buy a refurbished computer. In this article, we have highlighted the five best refurbished computers, which are all under $1500.
Best Desktops and Laptops Under $1500 (Updated Daily!) Often people ask what a person should buy for the desktop or laptop. Most of the time people ask me and I tell them, but because of the sheer volume of questions I get, I thought it would be nice to just write a post of what I think are the best desktops and laptops under $1500 for each category. For each laptop I will break down the best ones to buy for each category. (Best Laptop under $1000, $1500, $2000, $2500, $3000, $4000, $5000, and Best Desktop under $1500).
What are the finest desktop computers for less than $1500? Desktops may not be the best option for someone who travels a lot, but they do have their benefits.
The most essential being cost-effectiveness, since there is something for everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
The good news is that a budget of about $1500 will buy you some fantastic PCs with plenty of features and excellent specifications.
We chose to compile this list of the finest desktops in this price range since everyone of you has unique needs.
So here are 5 desktops with various form factors, operating systems, utilities, and features that you may choose from. It’s a perfect opportunity to add a new desktop to your workstation without blowing your whole bank account.
Every desktop in this list is good for a particular task, such as moderate to heavy computing, gaming, or office work, and only a handful of them can do it all.
To make sure you don’t run out of choices, there’s a buyer’s guide at the conclusion where we go over some fundamentals that will help you select additional options.
Price of the Best Desktops Under $1500
Acer Aspire TC-895-UR1 (Acer Aspire TC-895-UR1) (Acer Aspire2 Desktop, Intel Core i7-10700 8-Core Processor, 16GB 2666MHz Acer Aspire TC-895-UR12 Desktop, Acer Aspire TC-895-UR12 Desktop, Acer Aspire TC-895-UR12 Desktop, Acer Aspire TC-895
$1,189.99
3 new items starting at $1,189.99
as at 1:14 p.m. on August 14, 2023
Mac Mini (Apple) 2023 with Apple M1 Processor (8GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage)
$799.00
$899.00
4 brand new items starting at $799.00
From $734.55, 1 was utilized.
as at 1:14 p.m. on August 14, 2023
HP 24-inch Touchscreen Desktop Computer with AMD Ryzen 5 4500U Processor, 12 GB RAM, and 512 GB SSD
$829.99
14 new items starting at $829.99
From $690.65, 1 was utilized.
as at 1:14 p.m. on August 14, 2023
Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop – Ryzen 5 3600 3.6GHz, GTX 1660 6G, 500GB SSD, 8GB RAM, Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop – Ryzen 5 3600 3.6GHz, GTX 1660 6G, 500GB SSD, Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop
$1,099.99
3 new items starting at $1,099.99
From $1,044.99, 1 was utilized.
as at 1:14 p.m. on August 14, 2023
The information on this page was last updated at 1:14 p.m. on August 14, 2023.
Minimum & Recommended System Requirements for Desktops Under $1500
Even today, the price range between $1000 and $2000 is a good one. One is presented with a number of choices and must choose the appropriate specifications depending on the kind of use and program to be executed.
Now, with this price, you should strive for a Core i5 or Ryzen 5 CPU, as well as enough RAM and perhaps a nice GPU.
We can’t state anything definitive regarding storage and RAM specs since they differ from one manufacturer to the other. However, even if the storage space is limited, you must search for an SSD.
However, you might consider the following settings as a more specific recommendation.
Processor: Ryzen 5 4500U or higher; 8 GB or more RAM; Integrated AMD Graphics or better; 256 GB or larger SSD
Ryzen 5 3600 or higher CPU 16 GB RAM NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 GPU 500 GB SSD and potentially extra storage
The 5 Best Desktop Computers Under $1500:
Best Overall: Acer Aspire TC-895-UR12
Acer Aspire TC-895-UR1
Bottom Line: The Acer Aspire offers nearly all of the features that a typical user needs. It has all of the functionality of a tower PC, as well as enough of storage and excellent networking, for less than $1500.
Characteristics:
Pros
- Outstanding performance
- Good specifications
- The connectivity is excellent.
Cons
- Upgradability of the GPU is restricted.
- The chassis has a limited amount of room within it.
- Bloatware may be aggravating.
The last choice on our list is an Acer desktop, which is a strong competitor to any other desktop in this category.
The Acer Aspire TC-895-UR12 is available in a variety of configurations, but this is one of the finest.
The desktop’s performance is promising, thanks to a 10th generation Intel Core i7 CPU. The clock rate varies from 2.9 to 4.8 GHz, giving you a performance boost anytime you want one.
This computer has 16 GB of RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and a 1 TB hard disk.
You don’t receive a dedicated GPU with the desktop; instead, you get integrated graphics.
However, since there are PCIe slots for video cards, you may install one later. This would need upgrading the PSU as well, and a smaller video card would be preferable.
Other features of this Acer PC include USB Type-C port and WIFI 6 connection.
Despite its excellent specifications and small size, the company has managed to keep its price around $1000, making it a viable choice for you.
Runner-up: Apple Mac Mini
Sale
Apple Mac Mini
After the release of the M1 Mac Mini, Apple has completely altered the game in the market. While the iMac is still more costly, one of these Mac Minis is a fantastic option for you.
Characteristics:
- Apple Silicon M1 SoC processor
- Apple’s GPU has eight cores.
- Big Sur is a Mac OS based operating system.
- 8 GB RAM
- 512 GB SSD storage
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Support for Thunderbolt
- Overall connection is good.
Cons
- Internal expansion is almost non-existent.
- Issues with software compatibility
- More ports were available on older models.
Apple has offered fresh computing possibilities with the introduction of the latest versions of the Mac Mini.
As a result, it would be remiss of us not to include one of them on our list today.
These are tiny, yet they can compete in terms of performance with even some higher mid-range tower PCs.
The Mac Mini comes in a compact 7.7-inch square form factor with its latest octa-core M1 SoC.
The most significant aspect of it is its performance, which puts all other small PCs, including its predecessors, to shame.
With the introduction of the new 8 core GPU, this device’s GPU performance is greater than that of previous Mac Minis.
While we can’t discover precise numbers for the GPU or CPU, Apple’s promises of improved performance have been somewhat validated by its newer line of devices.
There’s also 8 GB of RAM on the same processor, as well as compatibility for up to 2 TB of SSD storage. The model we have today has 512 GB of storage capacity, however there is also a 256 GB model that costs considerably less than $1000.
The M1 Mac Mini has twin USB 4.0/Thunderbolt ports, as well as WIFI 6, which no previous Mini predecessor has.
With improved machine learning capabilities and a slew of other improvements, it seems that smooth gaming is the one general activity that Macs don’t currently handle. Check out our review of the Apple Mac Mini Desktop.
3. AIO HP 24 DP0160 – Excellent Value
HP 24 DP0160 AIO
Bottom Line: This 24-inch AIO packs a lot of functionality for a desktop that costs less than $1500. It may be quite helpful to you, whether it’s because of the sleek design, excellent performance, or a touchscreen.
Characteristics:
- AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor
- Radeon Vega graphics from AMD
- Windows 10 Home is the operating system.
- 12 GB RAM
- 512 GB SSD storage
Pros
- Excellent specifications
- Can be beneficial to a wide range of users
- It’s really easy to operate because to the touch screen display.
Cons
- Upgradability is limited.
- There is no USB Type-C port available.
- Hyperthreading is not supported by the CPU.
A touch screen AIO from HP is the first desktop that can serve many functions. It features a 24″ display that sits on a stand, and the entire design is elegant.
It also comes with extras, making it a full package that costs considerably less than $1000.
The Ryzen 5 4500U desktop is built on the 7nm Zen 2 architecture and comes with the AIO.
As a result, it uses extremely little power while maintaining excellent performance. You have 6 cores to deal with, but the processor does not enable hyperthreading.
As a Ryzen APU, it has AMD’s Radeon Vega graphics, which outperform Intel’s integrated graphics, such as the Integrated 620 or Iris Plus.
The AIO also has 12 GB of RAM, which, when coupled with the other specifications, makes it suitable for casual gaming.
You won’t need to add additional storage since the 512 GB SSD offers ample capacity to save games, movies, and data.
The specifications are therefore adequate, but there are certain disadvantages. A USB Type-C port could not be detected, despite the presence of numerous USB 3.2 Gen 1 connectors.
There isn’t an HDMI input either, but you may use the HDMI output connection on the rear to connect to another monitor.
However, these are minor flaws that may be ignored in light of the device’s low price and other benefits.
4. SkyTech Archangel ST ARCH 3600 Gaming Desktop – Affordably priced gaming rig
Characteristics:
- AMD Ryzen 5 3600 processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 graphics
- Windows 10 is the operating system.
- 8 GB RAM
- 500 GB SSD storage
Pros
- Excellent performance
- Value-for-money
- There is no bloatware in it.
Cons
- An update to the GPU need a more powerful power supply.
- Some versions lack a USB Type-C connector.
- After-sales service isn’t the greatest.
The next item on the list is a full-fledged gaming PC, which offers excellent value in this price range.
One such desktop is the Skytech Archangel, which would be an excellent partner for mid-range gaming and creative work.
This was the only PC with a dedicated GPU in the room, so it had to be excellent. What could be better than a GTX 1660, despite its age, one of NVIDIA’s cheap options?
The CPU utilized is the Ryzen 5 3600, which has 6 cores and a maximum clock rate of 4.2 GHz, allowing you to fully use the GPU’s capabilities.
The desktop also has a 500 GB SSD and 8 GB of RAM, which is plenty for any program that the CPU or GPU supports.
Yes, the addition of RGB flair makes it much more appealing as a gaming setup.
While there are several excellent choices, this is the most worthwhile of these PCs, which all cost about $1000.
Furthermore, you may update the hardware, making it ready for future use if you so choose.
Without dropping below the playable frame rates, you can comfortably play games at 1080p and even 1440p.
Video editing and other similar tasks can be done in real time, but don’t anticipate the same on 4K.
As a result, the Archangel offers you enough of power for most activities and can tackle even somewhat difficult ones with ease.
Just make sure you’re aware of a fantastic offer or discount to get the greatest deal.
5. Dell Optiplex 5080 Business Desktop – The Best Small Factor of Form Business Desktop
Desktop Dell Optiplex 5080
Bottom Line: If you’re searching for the best desktop under $1500 for corporate use, go no further than the Dell OptiPlex 5080. This small desktop is built on performance and dependability.
Characteristics:
- Intel Core i7-10700 processor
- Graphics: Intel UHD 630 integrated graphics
- Windows 10 Professional (OS)
- 16 GB RAM
- 256 GB SSD storage
Pros
- a small frame
- Ample RAM and the ability to add additional modules
- Excellent performance
Cons
- Out-of-the-box Integrated Graphics
- Upgradability is limited in certain ways.
- The newest WIFI and Bluetooth standards are not available.
This is something that would be more appropriate in a professional setting, such as your office desk or a place of business.
We said we’d have a variety of sizes here, so here’s the Dell Optiplex 5080 desktop in a little package that costs around $1500.
Because it is a small form factor computer, it can be readily stored. You may keep it on or beneath your desk, but the performance will remain constant.
This is made possible by the motherboard’s 10th generation Core i7 CPU, which has 8 cores and a turbo clock of 4.8 GHz.
The memory and storage needs are handled by 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD, respectively.
With specifications like these, the desktop is likely to provide a good performance to the user. You’d also have a number of additional options to select from.
The graphics in the Optiplex 5080 are Intel integrated solutions, thus graphics aren’t one of the Optiplex 5080’s selling features from the start.
You can install a GPU later, but it won’t be that powerful.
With a USB Type-C connector on the front and different ports split across the front and back sides, this has excellent connection.
The only gripes are the lack of audio connectors and the lack of modern wireless connection.
Best Desktops Under $1500 Buyer’s Guide
Depending on what you purchase with a thousand dollars, it may be both a large and little sum.
Fortunately, there is a decent pricing range for both prebuilt choices and those you construct yourself for PCs.
The latter is more cost-effective, but with the proper choices, even a prebuilt desktop may be well worth the money.
There are certain choices you’ll have to make since a budget of $1500 or less will give you a lot of alternatives, which may make things even more complicated.
You can simply navigate your way out of them if you have your requirements addressed and a little assistance from us.
There are several exceptions to this rule, such as choosing a CPU with at least six cores, 2-4 GB dedicated graphics, and more than eight GB of RAM.
We go through this in more detail in our article, which will make things a lot easier for you when it comes time to buy.
OS
After you’ve determined your budget, the first step is to choose the operating system that will power your desktop computer.
We mentioned Chrome OS as an alternative in other articles focused on even more budget-friendly PCs. But we’ll leave it up to you to decide whether or not you need it.
So, in essence, the typical customer has two choices: Windows or Mac. Keep in mind that a Mac here refers to a Mini, since Apple’s AIOs and towers are more expensive than $1500.
With the release of the newest versions, you can now select between M1 microprocessors and earlier Intel Core choices.
Each of these versions has advantages and disadvantages over the other, but both provide the Mac OS’s general smooth and efficient experience.
The price tags are also not that different, so it’s a matter of personal preference.
The amount of Windows choices, on the other hand, is as usual very enormous. Mini PCs, AIOs, towers, SFFs, and more types of computers are available.
There are a number of specifications to select from, making them extremely easy to purchase for the majority of people. All you need is understanding of what you need.
When it comes to Apple products in this price range, the operating system you choose narrows your options to just a handful.
I’m afraid you’ll need a little more help with Windows PCs.
Form Factor
The next step is to choose a form factor, which is mainly determined by one’s use habits.
Mini PCs, for example, are the ideal choice when you require the least amount of upgradeability while conserving the most space.
While SFFs have a small advantage in terms of upgradeability, most mid towers are superior in this regard, but they take up more room.
Another consideration is the overall performance requirement.
A tiny PC may be able to offer you with a decent CPU, but it will almost certainly restrict you in terms of graphics. As a result, the regions where the desktop works best are reduced.
If you’re a heavy user who need both CPU and GPU speed, or if you plan to update your computer often, a full or mid-sized tower costing around $1000 is the way to go.
However, if you’re looking for a PC for business or IT purposes, an SFF desktop at this price range would suffice.
Processor
The CPU or processor on the desktop makes the greatest impact in performance for the majority of tasks, thus selecting one is critical.
The choices you make will determine the limits of your desktop, so be sure you don’t make any errors.
The number of cores in the CPU and their frequency are the most important factors to consider. There are many additional characteristics of a CPU, although they aren’t as essential in this case.
A high frequency ensures that your desktop completes each job quickly, and more cores imply better workload distribution.
When performing tasks like video editing or rendering, you need as many cores on the CPU as feasible without losing frequency.
The good news is that if you have $1500 to invest, you can get a fast, Hexa, or octa-core CPU from any of the two companies.
Both Intel’s Core i5 and Core i7 processors, as well as AMD’s Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 series, provide compelling choices for a wide range of customers.
Intel’s 9th and 10th generation CPUs are great choices, and they’re easily accessible on a wide range of popular PCs.
Any kind of processing you perform on them will be a seamless experience because to the high frequency and accessible cores.
If you’re thinking about constructing a desktop, the newest Ryzen 5000 series CPUs are the ones to go for.
These provide much greater performance than their Ryzen counterparts for a little price difference that shouldn’t have an impact on your budget.
Graphics
The next step is graphics, and your requirements will decide the amount of video RAM and whether or not you need a dedicated GPU.
Assume you deal with graphics in some capacity, such as gaming, editing, or even 2D or 3D modeling. In these situations, a dedicated GPU, and a decent one at that, is required.
However, not everyone needs excellent graphics, and you may have noticed that our under $1500 list only includes one PC with a dedicated GPU.
All of the others use Integrated Graphics, which has proved to be an excellent low-end graphics solution. It will never match the performance of a dedicated GPU, but it will suffice.
The discrete GPU you choose will have a significant impact on the pricing and performance of your PC.
When purchasing a PC directly, your options are limited, but modifications are available if you choose the components or construct the PC yourself.
If you need a dedicated GPU, the cost enables you to include extremely powerful alternatives capable of handling demanding graphics.
You can easily obtain a 4-6 GB GPU in this price range, such as the NVIDIA GTX 1650 Super or GTX 1660.
RAM
The next component is RAM, which is also a critical component for ensuring smooth operation on your desktop.
We’ll assume average requirements, and even then, your PC should have at least 8 GB of RAM.
The optimum memory range begins here and extends all the way to 32 GB. There is minimal advantage in going above 16 GB of RAM when the specifications available within $1000 are considered.
For most types of users and demanding programs, 8-16 GB of RAM should enough.
If you pay attention to the performance statistics, the RAM frequency counts a little as well.
However, since high-frequency RAM modules are more costly, it’s best to stick to the medium range here.
Any regular DDR4 module from a reputable manufacturer should suffice.
The number of RAM slots available is determined on the form factor of the desktop and the motherboard, but you should have at least two of them.
In a dual-channel or quad-channel setup, for example, filling all available slots improves performance.
Storage
Then there’s storage, and although a $1500 budget gives you some leeway in terms of component selection, storage is one of the areas where you may have to make sacrifices.
That is, instead of using a big SSD, you should use a tiny one. SSD storage is quick, but it’s also costly, which may throw off the budget allocation you’ve established for individual components.
Even though it’s tiny, an SSD may make a significant difference in your day-to-day computing.
The ideal option here is to utilize both a hard disk and an SSD, with the latter holding more critical data that may benefit from faster access.
However, you should never rely entirely on a hard disk. You may as well save money on other components of the PC in order to install an SSD, even if it’s just a tiny one.
You shouldn’t have to, however, if the other components were chosen correctly.
Connectivity
After you’ve decided on the key specifications, all you need now is the appropriate connection to complete your search for a new desktop.
This desktop will only be functional if it can connect to the other devices you need to utilize as well as the internet.
A $1500 desktop computer may be utilized for a number of tasks, but it must have the appropriate USB connections.
Some extra components of such ports may come in handy at any time, whether it’s for adding peripherals, storage drives, or other purposes. At the very least, seek for USB 3.0 ports; USB 3.1 ports would be much better.
Two of the ports on the Mac Mini we mentioned enable Thunderbolt, which can offer even more bandwidth and real-time speeds.
Then you’ll need wireless connection, which mainly consists of Bluetooth and WIFI.
The desktop you select should have adapters for these already installed, but if it doesn’t, make sure there are open slots for future additions.
Aside from that, you just need to be concerned about an Ethernet connector for wired internet.
Upgradability
This has nothing to do with the performance of the gear you’ve selected, although upgradeability may influence your decision.
If you spend $1500 on a PC, you should be able to update it.
These may range from the most basic kinds of upgradeability, such as adding storage or RAM modules, to the more significant forms, such as CPU or GPU upgrades.
PCIe slots may be used to install NvME storage as well as a GPU, so make sure your computer has them.
In general, as the size of the desktop shrinks, so does the breadth of the upgrade, although this is not always the case.
Some individuals require additional upgrade options for their desktop, therefore they’ll need at least a mid-tower case and a mini ATX motherboard.
Others may be more flexible with their selections if they already have the specifications they need to last them for the foreseeable future or if they will never require any significant updates.
However, regardless of one’s requirements, some basic upgradeability would be preferable.
Accessories
The accessories, if you don’t already have them, are clearly required.
For a $1500 PC, it’s preferable to invest in long-lasting accessories as well, so you won’t have to replace them for at least a few years.
If you want to build a gaming or editing setup, you’ll need RGB equipment, which means you’ll need RGB peripherals as well.
As a result, a mouse or keyboard that displays various colors while gaming or working is a good complement to the setup.
The next component is a monitor, and gamers and content producers must consider which models offer higher resolutions, refresh rates, and other features.
If your PC has an additional video connection, as it should, you may wish to buy two monitors for live streaming or any other productive activity.
Speakers, a camera, and other equipment may be required in addition. However, they may be purchased at a later date if necessary, or you can continue to utilize those that you currently have.
However, purchasing an AIO does not need the purchase of some of these devices individually.
Putting the finishing touches on
You may purchase the new desktop with confidence now that you know what’s essential and what’s not. $1500 is a great pricing point, and you can anticipate some fantastic results.
Simply make sure you understand the purpose(s) for which you want to utilize the PC, and you should be OK.
You know your computer has become more important than ever when you cant live without it. And you probably just spent a lot of money on it. All of these expensive computers have different features, but all of them share one thing in common: a screen that is just too big for the body. Before you buy a new computer, consider the options below. Theyre all powerful, but they all come in under the $1500 mark. They may not have the latest technology, but they are still able to handle some of the most demanding tasks and applications.. Read more about best gaming pc under $1500 pre-built and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best PC build 2023?
The best PC build for 2023 is a computer with an Intel Core i7-8700K processor, 16GB of RAM, and a GTX 1070 graphics card.
How much is a good PC in 2023?
A good PC in 2023 will cost about $1,000.
What is the best budget PC 2023?
The best budget PC 2023 is a computer that has an Intel Celeron G3900 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive.
Related Tags
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- best gaming pc under $1500 pre-built
- best pre built under $1500
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