Desktop computers have come a very long way over the years. They used to be big, boring boxes that took up tons of space, but they have transformed into new, chic, flashy tools that can do almost anything.

The price of a desktop can range from as low as $250 to as high as $5,000. That’s a really big range, so how do you know which desktop will meet all of your needs? Well, here is a list of the top 8 desktops currently on the market. These desktops include all of the features that you could ever need and price tags that won’t break your budget.

Asus All-in-One PC ET2400IGTS-B008E
$1249.99 at Amazon

Some reviews compare this incredible desktop to Apple’s 21-inch iMac. The Asus All-in-One PCET2400IGTS-B008Eoffers a huge touch-sensitive screen, a quad-core processor, USB 3.0 ports, Blu-Ray, 1080p HD, SonicMaster Audio, HDMI, VGA-in, and wireless keyboard, mouse, networking, and IR remote. It does have a bit of bloatware and the apps are not particularly well-integrated, but those really aren’t a big deal in comparison with all of the great features that this has to offer.

Dell Inspiron i580-8139NBC
$499.98 at Staples

The Dell Inspiron i580-8139NBC is an incredible deal. It has a Core i3 processor, HDMI port, no bloatware, and expandability. The big issues are that it doesn’t have USB 3.0 or Wi-Fi. If you’re looking for a nice PC with all of the basic functionalities and a great price, this is the desktop for you.

Dell XPS x8300-5215NBK
$1099.99 at Best Buy

The Dell XPS x8300-5215NBK is considered to be a rather high-end desktop PC. It features high-end 3D graphics, a card retention bracket, HDMI DisplayPort, 8GB of memory, 1.5TB hard drive, and a Second Generation Intel Core processor. One thing that I was very disappointed not to see on this PC was a Blu-Ray player, but all of these other great features seem to make up for it.

Digital Storm Black Ops Enix Edition
Around $3,625

Obviously from the price tag, this desktop is definitely on the high-end list. Most people aren’t usually looking to spend this much money on a gaming desktop, but if you are, this chic PC is a great option. It has incredible performance, Blu-ray, USB 3.0 port, no bloatware, and a great cooling system. One of the biggest issues with this desktop though is that it is not easy to get into and there is no internal upgrade room, but if you can look past these few things and you have the money to spend, this is the gaming desktop for you.

HP Compaq 4000 Pro
Around $550

This is a great value desktop. It doesn’t necessarily have all of the bells and whistles, but it includes everything that you really need. It is compact, offers expansion room (including the space for a second hard drive), and built-in dual monitor support. It doesn’t have TPM, only two memory slots, or any eSATA or DisplayPort. For a fair price, you can get everything that you really need from a desktop.

HP TouchSmart 310-1125y
$699.99 at Best Buy

The TouchSmart 310-1125y offers some incredible features for the price tag. It has an incredibly responsive touchscreen with full touch interface, a wireless keyboard and mouse, and fantastic entertainment options. It does only offer 1,600 x 900 screen resolution and low-powered 3D graphics, but when you consider everything that it has to offer, it is a great entry level touchscreen desktop.

Lenovo IdeaCentre K330-11691AU
$599.99 at Best Buy

The Lenovo IdeaCentre K330-11691AU features up-to-date components that should keep you content with the desktop for as long as 5-7 years. It has a second generation Intel Core i-processor, no bloatware, HDMI, and an incredibly easy to upgrade tool-less interior. It offers some great, new technology that should keep it going for quite some time.

Lenovo ThinkStation C20
Around $4,600

So yes, the Lenovo ThinkStation C20 is quite possibly a bank breaker, but of course, there’s a reason for the high price tag. The desktop includes dual CPU Xeon power, ISV certification for a variety of different professional programs, card retention, and a 3-year warranty. It also is rack mountable, compact, and capable of driving two 30-inch panels simultaneously; however, it still is pricey and offers no USB 3.0 or FireWire.

These are the top desktop computers on the market today. If youre looking for a new, chic desktop PC, you should definitely look into one of the computers above.

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(photo from Death Star Kickstarter Page)

Yes there actually is a Kickstarter looking to build an actual Death Star!  I love the internet.  I love free will.  Kickstarter is a great use of both.  I also love Star Wars.  I have no idea how many times I have imagined myself running through the Death Star, swinging on cables, dodging laser blasts from Stormtroopers (not that you really have to dodge them, they can’t hit the backside of a bantha unless they are off screen while shooting) and escaping from the clutches of the evil Empire!  If this Kickstarter project gets funded then I may get my chance to do this in real life!



Kickstarter is a website based company that provides a place for people with ideas to get funding through pledges from ordinary people like us.  It isnt for venture capitalists or investors.  It’s a place that gathers a whole bunch of little donations to fund an indie movie, a video game, or perhaps a “smart watch” like the Pebble (I totally fell for that one and ordered two; neither of which I have received…yet.)

Evidently there is a large enough group of people that really want the human race to build a Death Star.  A group first petitioned the United States government to build one.  The White House has a petition site where you can go and present your issue, demand, request, or whatever.  When that petition garners enough signatures the White House will address it.  Typically it means some intern types a response telling you why you are “nutz”, silly, ignorant, and what you want just “aint gonna” happen.  Get over it.  It also provides a way for the executive branch to claim they are listening to the public.  Regardless, the U.S. Government had, in my opinion, a fantastic response.  You can read it here but suffice it to say there was much tongue-in-cheek, sarcasm, and humor involved in the response.  I found it clever and enjoyed reading it.  Since the U.S. Government said no to the Death Star Project, a user from the U.K. known as www.gnut.co.uk, has set up a Kickstarter project to fund an open sourced Death Star.

The website (www.gnut.co.uk) is host to a game called Pirates vs. Ninjas.  The plan is to build the plans for an Opened Source Death Star.  That way they can reduce the cost by using free software and hardware.  Free meaning no licensing fees, etc.  The good news for the rest of us is that since this Death Star will be opened source, the plans will be made available to everyone that wants it.  That’s fair.

The project is looking to raise £20,000,000 000 ($31,400,000).  The money raised will go into research and development in order to figure out exactly how to build a Death Star.  This is just the beginning stages folks, be patient.  Their next goal is to raise £543,000,000,000,000,00 ($850,000,000,000,000,000) for construction.  Sounds about right to me.  Those pledging £1 or more receive “Our thanks and the knowledge that were one step towards a safer planet.”  Those pledging £10 or more receive “As above PLUS your name etched onto the underneath of one of the MSE-6-series repair droids used on the finished station.

In the project description, the user states that the initial goal of £20,000,000 ($31,400,000) (wait, is that Pi???? SWEET!!!) was set to show that this is a joke project.  The user describes the project’s largest challenge in this manner, “The main challenge is assuring Kickstarter that this is a joke and not a serious project. As proof, the goal has been set high enough to make successful funding almost impossible.”

Will it work?  Will they get enough funding for the project?   Let’s say they do.  Where will the money go?  I bet they will give it to charity.  That would be nice.

But if the funds are raised, Autodesk has already given them a head start on how to manage the construction of this Death Star.

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