The 10 Best Touchscreen Desktop Computers
Editor's Notes
October 29, 2020:
Computers might just be one of the fastest evolving categories, so it should come as no surprise that we rarely revisit one of their lists without completely replacing every model on it. That being said, touchscreen desktops is one category that doesn't regularly see as many updates from manufacturers as, say, 2-in-1 laptops. Because of this, there are a couple of models that we retained from the last time we visited this category over a year ago. One notable example of this is the Microsoft Surface Studio 2, which we consider to be the most functional of all touchscreen desktops due to its ability to be laid down for drawing on using the included stylus. This makes it an ideal choice for creative professionals, especially when paired with its Nvidia GeForce GPU and i7 processor that allows it to handle resource-intensive tasks like video editing and AutoCAD.
We do, of course, realize that the extremely high price of the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 may put it out of reach for many users. So, if you don't do any hand drawing and the ability to be laid down isn't a necessity for you, you may be better off with the Dell Inspiron 27 7790, which is a bit more affordable and boasts a 2-terabyte SSD and the latest, as of this publication date, 10-generation i7 processor. Plus, with 32 gigabytes of RAM, it can handle heavy multitasking without lagging.
On the opposite end of the spectrum we have some budget-friendly choices ideal for casual users who may only do some basic web browsing, media viewing, and light computing on their PCs. Some examples of these are the HP 24-df0040 and Lenovo IdeaCentre A340-22IGM, both of which have DVD drives, and the Asus V241DA-AB301. We feel the best balance of price and performance comes from the Acer Aspire C27-962. It is affordable yet comes equipped with a 10th-generation i5 processor and dedicated GeForce MX130 GPU, as well as a sizable enough SSD and a 27-inch display.
January 28, 2019:
If having a touch display is imperative to your daily workflow, or you just want to up your multimedia game, a desktop all-in-one is definitely worth consideration. The very best of the best touch-enabled computers is almost certainly the second-generation Microsoft Surface Studio, though it will set you back a pretty penny, which makes it a non-starter for many users. On the other side of the coin is the low-end Dell Inspiron, which really isn't very fast, but boy, is it cheap by comparison. Dell's Optiplex and XPS are, however, quite quick to react, and don't cost a ton themselves. Asus also makes multiple worthwhile models, depending on your overall needs. In the middle of the pack is the HP Pavilion, which, again, is offered in several configurations, most of which are great PCs for the money. If you plan to play games on your all-in-one, keep an eye out for a discrete graphics card, such as the one in the HP Envy, which is an excellent performer, though it is a touch costly. And if you're on a thin budget, with a similarly small workspace, the Acer is hard to beat; in fact, it's barely any larger or heavier than a laptop, though it's considerably faster and brighter than a comparably priced clamshell.