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Desktop Upgrades They’ll Actually Use: 15 Holiday Gift Picks for PC Enthusiasts

 & Joe Osborne Deputy Managing Editor, Hardware

Our team tests, rates, and reviews more than 1,500 products each year to help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology.

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65 EXPERTS
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For the Home-Office Power User

Logitech MX Master 4

5.0 Exemplary

Logitech did the impossible, improving on a near-perfect mouse with the Logitech MX Master 4. With new features, including haptic feedback and a fresh Action Ring digital overlay, the mouse excels at streamlining workflows with app-specific shortcuts. Couple that with a swath of revisions and enhancements, and you’ll see why the MX Master 4 pairs perfectly with a desktop PC. It’s one of the rare products to receive a five-star review from us.

Logitech MX Master 4 review

For the High-Style PC or Mac Owner

Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard

4.0 Excellent

Keyboards are more than just input devices—they are also aesthetic accessories. The Satechi SM3 Slim features an appealing gray color scheme and white alphanumeric keycaps. In addition to its dashing looks, it offers three different options for connecting to multiple devices and extra keycaps to match either a PC or Mac layout. We named this Satechi model our Editors’ Choice pick for alternative Mac keyboards, but it's an excellent choice for any computer, regardless of operating system.

Satechi SM3 Slim Mechanical Backlit Bluetooth Keyboard review

For Users With a Big Media Library

Crucial X10

4.0 Excellent

A solid external SSD, the Crucial X10’s USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 interface should achieve throughput speeds approaching 2,000MBps when paired with a compatible computer. Available in capacities of up to 8TB at a relatively low cost per gigabyte, it’s an excellent choice for housing a game or media library, or as a scratch disk for photographers or video professionals. Its lack of hardware-based encryption makes this SSD best suited for use with everyday, non-sensitive data.

Crucial X10 review

For the User Who Needs Results Fast

WD Blue SN5100

4.0 Excellent

Unless you're certain that the person you are gifting an SSD has a rig that supports PCI Express 5.0 (few current desktops do), you will save some money picking a PCI Express 4.0 SSD. We recommend Sandisk’s WD Black SN5100, a DRAM-less PCIe 4.0 M.2 stick that displayed snappy performance on most of our benchmark tests. Designed for energy efficiency, the SN5100 ships without a heatsink; fortunately, most desktop motherboards include one. Capacities range from 500GB to 4TB.

WD Blue SN5100 review

For Low-Cost Printing, Scanning, Copying

Epson EcoTank ET-3950

4.0 Excellent

The EcoTank ET-3950, an inkjet all-in-one printer, is ideal for personal and home office printing, scanning, and copying. The ET-3950’s high-capacity ink tanks minimize running costs, plus the device supports automatic duplex (two-sided) printing and scanning. It is fast at simplex (one-sided) printing, if a bit pokey while duplexing. This printer earned our Editors' Choice award and a spot on our list of 2025's best products for all these reasons, in addition to its substantial mobile printing and scanning capabilities.

Epson EcoTank ET-3950 review

For PC Gamers Who Go Hard

Razer Pro Click V2

4.5 Outstanding

The Razer Pro Click V2 isn’t just a pinpoint-accurate wireless mouse that's a gamer's dream; it’s also an extremely comfortable one, designed in concert with a well-known ergonomic workspace firm, and it serves well for productivity use. The Pro Click V2’s sensor has one of the highest tracking resolutions we’ve seen (30,000 dpi), and the mouse body has curves that feel great in the hand. Accurate, sharp-looking, and easy to use for long periods of time—what more could you need?

Razer Pro Click V2 review

For Comfy Gaming (and Working) Sessions

AndaSeat Novis

4.0 Excellent

You can usually expect to spend a fair amount on well-designed and comfortable gaming chairs, but the AndaSeat Novis bucks the trend. This sturdy seat reclines, doesn’t skimp on cushioning, and comes with an above-average three-year warranty. The only thing missing is a tilt mechanism, which is rare at this price. It's the perfect solution for both gaming and work. Models start at $219.

AndaSeat Novis review

For Budding Keyboard Tweakers

Glorious GMMK 3

4.0 Excellent

We’d be hard-pressed to find an easier entry point into keyboard building than the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro. If your PC-loving loved one has no clue where to start with the burgeoning hobby of keyboard configuration and DIY, the GMMK 3 Pro’s product page describes each keyboard component that you can select. We particularly love the GMMK 3 Pro for its near-infinite customizability, attractive aesthetic options, and openness to tinkering after purchase, too.

Glorious GMMK 3 review

For the Space-Strapped User

BenQ GW2486TC

4.5 Outstanding

BenQ's GW2486TC is an excellent choice of desktop display for students in dorms—or anyone with limited space. This 24-inch full HD monitor is a reasonable buy, considering that BenQ doesn’t skimp on its feature set. You get a full range of ergonomic features, including pivot adjustment, as well as both HDMI and DisplayPort connectors, USB-C connectivity, and a 100Hz refresh rate. Its screen has decent contrast for an IPS panel and covers the whole sRGB color space.

BenQ GW2486TC review

For Aspiring Esports Pros

Sony Inzone KBD-H75

4.0 Excellent

Sony’s Inzone KBD-H75 is pricey, but it may be worth it for serious gamers due to its impeccable key feel and rock-solid build quality. We particularly love Sony’s adjustable key-actuation points and "rapid trigger" functions, which let you independently adjust how the keys register presses and return to their ready state. An 8,000Hz polling rate rounds out the features that make this elite-grade esports gaming keyboard stand out.

Sony Inzone KBD-H75 review

For Top-Notch Gaming Visuals

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM

4.5 Outstanding

The Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM is the top-grade OLED gaming monitor to beat, an aspirational screen for the gamer in your life. With the Swift's full 4K resolution, 240Hz peak refresh rate, and stunning panel, you can expect eye-popping visuals and top-notch in-game responsiveness. Plus, its future-proof DisplayPort 2.1 input optimizes visual fidelity at the highest resolutions and refresh rates when paired with the latest generation of mainstream GPUs.

Asus ROG Swift PG27UCDM review

For State-of-the-Art Gaming Comms

Razer Blackshark V3 Pro

4.5 Outstanding

Seeking a headset for a very online streamer, or just a dedicated PC gamer? The BlackShark V3 Pro is a top option. This wireless model sounds amazing, and its mic is super-clear. Plus, it features active noise cancellation to effectively block out the world. And how's this for multitasking: The BlackShark can stream audio through its included HyperSpeed Wireless transmitter and a Bluetooth connection at the same time, so the recipient won’t miss calls from you while they’re playing.

For Gamers Who Need a Graphics Boost

PNY GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Overclocked Dual Fan

4.0 Excellent

If you aren’t swimming in cash, the best respectable graphics card to gift most gamers is a version of Nvidia's GeForce RTX 5060 Ti. This GPU isn’t the fastest available, but its performance is excellent relative to its price. Given the RTX 50 series' support for DLSS 4 upscaling and frame generation, the RTX 5060 Ti will likely provide your giftee with a very welcome boost to their gaming, assuming they're rocking a card at least a couple of generations old.

PNY GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Overclocked Dual Fan review

For That Brand-New PC Builder

Hyte X50

4.0 Excellent

The X50 is a standout PC chassis for two big reasons. First, it has nifty-looking wrap-around glass. And second, where else can you get a PC case in exotic flavors like Wild Cherry, Matcha, Strawberry Milk, or Taro Milk? You can get those same colors in a cheaper X50 Air version ($129) that replaces the glass with curved mesh. Either way, this is a bubbly, puffy PC case like no other. It's a fine gift for a user starting a new build or looking for a radical change of PC scenery.

Hyte X50 review

For the PC Enthusiast Who Has Everything

Corsair Xeneon Edge

4.0 Excellent

Got a PC lover on your gift list who's really hard to shop for? Get them the Xeneon Edge, a distinctive second screen that can display real-time system data or custom visualizations. It can also serve as a second screen for Discord or Twitch chats, or a dedicated touch control center for music and volume. With magnetic mounting to a PC case surface (it can also stand alone on a desk), easy connectivity, and Corsair's flexible iCue software, it's a niche gadget for the desktop user who loves to customize.

Corsair Xeneon Edge review

About Our Expert

Joe Osborne

Joe Osborne

Deputy Managing Editor, Hardware

My Experience

After starting my career at PCMag as an intern more than a decade ago, I’m back as one of its editors, focused on managing laptops, desktops, and components coverage. With 15 years of experience, I have been on staff and published in technology review publications, including PCMag (of course!), Laptop Magazine, Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and IGN. Along the way, I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of laptops and helped develop testing protocols. I have expertise in testing all forms of laptops and desktops using the latest tools. I’m also well-versed in video game hardware and software coverage.

The Technology I Use

I have ebbed and flowed between Windows-based and Apple hardware and software throughout my life. My first computer was a hand-me-down Apple IIe with the green screen and spool printer. I soon learned Windows with a—yes, hand-me-down—Packard Bell.

Today, I prefer macOS to Windows for its more straightforward integration with the phone I use (an iPhone) and simpler keyboard shortcuts and file management. Also, the hardware and performance are always top-notch, especially with the latest MacBook designs. (Windows, admittedly, still has better multi-window management.)

As for gaming, I’m a Nintendo fan first, a retro gamer second, and a PC gamer third. Expertise aside, it’s a matter of time and preference—not to mention the lack of space I’m willing to give up for a gaming PC in my home.

Finally, I love 3D-printing new miniatures for the tabletop war games that I enjoy playing. I currently use an AnkerMake M5C filament printer to great effect, and I have probably printed more than 100 models between two armies of dwarfs and elves.

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