Sponsored Links
Page: 6 of 6
In this report

See Also

Desktop Computers: Ratings of Sources

Total of 21 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. PCMag.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktops
by Editors of PCMag.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com is among the best sources for reviews of desktop computers. Editors test lots of desktop computers each month, and the computers are rated on a 5-point scale. The best desktops earn an Editors' Choice award. PCMag's analysis is nicely balanced, and it does one of the best jobs of comparing desktops to each other within individual reviews. Several computers earn Editors' Choice awards in their category, including the Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150, Acer Revo RL100-UR20P and Mac mini.
2. Computer Shopper
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Reviews
by Editors of ComputerShopper.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentComputerShopper.com also reviews lots of desktop computers and its detailed reports are worth a read. Reviews are backed by testing and provide some comparisons among models. All desktops are rated on a 10-point scale, and the very best are distinguished with an Editor's Choice award. Though more expensive computers are more likely to get Editors' Choice recognition, several budget desktops and nettops garner mostly positive reviews.
3. CNET
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Reviews
by Editors of CNET
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentCNET is another prolific reviewer of desktop computers. Reviews are based on testing, and its analysis includes benchmark results and some comparisons among models. Editors show no reluctance in pointing out negatives as well as positives. Ratings are provided, and the very best computers earn Editors' Choice awards. The website also maintains lists of the best products in several desktop categories. With exception of some more expensive options, no current desktops currently receive an Editors' Choice award or higher than a 3.5-star rating, however.
4. ConsumerReports.org
Not Dated
Desktop Computer Ratings
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEditors of ConsumerReports.org test and rank full-size, compact and all-in-one computers. Desktop computers are rated on performance, ergonomics, versatility and gaming, as well as the speakers and display, if available. ConsumerReports.org has good testing, but there's very little analysis to accompany the ratings, which makes this source less valuable than ones we rank higher.
5. ConsumerReports.org
Not Dated
Desktop Computers Reliability
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org conducts an annual product-reliability survey for desktop computers. The latest version includes more than 20,000 responses from readers who purchased a computer between 2008 and 2011. Most brands have similar instances of repairs or serious problems, but one that does better than the norm, and one that does worse, can be spotted. The editors note that some models offered by a brand might do better or worse than a brands' overall rating, and that changes in design or manufacturing details could impact reliability as well.
6. PCMag.com
April 27, 2011
Readers' Choice Awards 2011: Desktops and Laptops
by Ben Gottesman
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPCMag.com also conducts yearly service-and-support surveys of its subscribers. Apple receives the Readers' Choice award despite a big downshift in its satisfaction score; survey respondents are much more likely to recommend an Apple desktop than the other brands. Asus rates nearly as well with readers, while HP gets a nod for earning high scores for computers less than a year old.
7. PC World
As of Oct. 2011
Desktops
by Editors of PC World
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentPC World maintains several lists of the top 10 types of different desktop computers, including all-in-ones and compact computers alongside traditional mainstream and budget desktop PCs. All are updated regularly as new products come onto the market. Although some of the computers are older models that were released earlier this year, there are several current picks. Each desktop is rated on a 5-point scale, but the analysis isn't quite as thorough as we'd like to see -- or as done by some other reviewers.
8. Macworld
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Macs
by Editors of Macworld
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMacworld has the some of the best coverage of Apple desktops, including the Mac mini. Computers are compared to their predecessors in well-illustrated reviews. Ratings are provided, but because Macworld doesn't review PCs, they aren't really helpful in seeing how the Mac mini rates against the competition.
9. About.com
Not Dated
Personal Computer Reviews
by Mark Kyrnin
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMark Kyrnin, the computer guide at About.com, has a good selection of reviews for recent desktop computers. The reviews are broken down by category, and roundups are included for major desktop categories, but those roundups include several discontinued models. Each desktop is rated on a 5-point scale, but you'll have to click through to each review to see the rating. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
10. Amazon.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Computers and Servers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAmazon.com sells a good number of desktop computers, but few attract a substantial amount of reviews. Most desktops earn only a handful of ratings, which makes it hard to draw any reasonable conclusions. That said, the Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150, Acer AspireRevo AR3700-U3002 and Apple Mac mini all earn positive ratings with a significant number of reviews.
11. BestBuy.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop & All-in-One Computers
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBestBuy.com sells a wide range of desktop computers, but reviews tend to be much shorter compared to Amazon.com. However, we like that owners can comment on whether they would recommend their desktop to a friend. Several desktop computers receive a fair amount of reviews and maintain an overall average rating of 4 stars or higher.
12. NewEgg.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop PCs
by Contributors to Newegg.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentNewegg.com's customers tend to be more technically savvy, which makes it a good destination for user-written reviews of desktop computers. While several pages worth of desktops are listed, only 20 or so earn enough reviews to draw any conclusions. The Acer Aspire AM3410-UR22P, Gateway DX4850-45u and Acer AspireRevo AR3700-U3002 all garner high overall ratings with 20 or more users checking in.
13. SlashGear.com
As Oct. 2011
SlashGear Reviews
by Editors of SlashGear.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentSlashGear's reviews aren't quite as detailed as some, but the site covers some recent desktops. The computers aren't rated, but it's pretty easy to tell from the concluding paragraph whether a desktop earns a positive review. The Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 gets a nod, and in a standalone article, Don Reisinger calls the Mac mini the best option for the living room.
14. Anandtech.com
As of Oct. 2011
System
by Editors of AnandTech.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAnandTech.com has excellent technology reviews, but the site's editors tend to focus on content for do-it-yourselfers who build their own computers. However, the site does have an excellent review of the Zotac Zbox AD03BR Plus and ASRock Vision 3D home theater PCs, complete with multipage analysis and a bottom-line recommendation.
15. DesktopReview.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Ratings and Reviews
by Editors of DesktopReview.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDesktopReview.com doesn't post as many reviews as its sister site, NotebookReview.com, but the reviews available are very thorough. Most reviews span multiple pages and culminate in a rating on a 5-star scale. Unfortunately, few reviews have been published lately. One current HP computer reviews well with the site.
16. TrustedReviews.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop PC Reviews
by Editors of TrustedReviews.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBritain's TrustedReviews.com doesn't review many mainstream or budget desktops, but the site does have a good number of reviews for specialty products like gaming computers, home-theater PCs and nettops. The test-based reviews are excellent, and each computer is rated on a variety of criteria.
17. HotHardware.com
As of Oct. 2011
Systems
by Editors of HotHardware.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentHotHardware.com is a well-regarded reviewer of technology. Although the site is a good source for reviews of gaming desktops, coverage of other desktop computers is lacking. On a positive note, reviews are pages long and packed with technical details, including the results of extensive benchmark testing. Ratings are not provided, but top performers earn awards. The ASRock Vision 3D-137B earns a Recommended award, while the 2.3 GHz Mac mini earns an Approved award.
18. Wired
As of Oct. 2011
Desktops & Accessories
by Editors of Wired
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentWired posts more reviews of scanners and printers than it does desktop computers, but the short reviews that are available are worth a read. Wired's editors pull no punches, and it's easy to see when a computer falls short. Each desktop is rated on a 10-point scale. Among desktops reviewed recently, the Lenovo IdeaCentre Q150 enjoys a very good rating.
19. TomsHardware.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktops : Articles & Reviews
by Editors of Tom's Hardware
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentTomsHardware.com spends most of its time showing readers how to build their own PCs for varying dollar amounts, but once in a while, the publication compares various types of budget-priced desktops very detailed, multi-page head-to-head reviews. Both all-in-one PCs and nettops are covered in this manner, and although no single winner is named and some of the models are now discontinued, a handful of current PCs are said to perform well.
20. DigitalTrends.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop PC Reviews
by Editors of DigitalTrends.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDigitalTrends.com has reviewed only a handful of computers during the past year. The reviews themselves are nicely detailed and reflect thorough testing, but there aren't enough reviews posted to make this source very worthwhile.
21. Walmart.com
As of Oct. 2011
Desktop Computers
by Contributors to Walmart.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentSeveral mainstream and budget desktop computers are rated by customers at Walmart.com, although few receive attention from multiple users. In addition, users can leave rating-only reviews, and the majority chooses to do that rather than leaving descriptions of their experiences. Navigation is a challenge, as you need to click through to see the number of owners leaving feedback.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
Mac mini
 
Sponsored Links

Back to top