If your computing needs are modest, your budget is tight, or you're simply looking for yet another home PC, a budget desktop may be the way to go. We once were wary of PCs that cost less than $500, but the forward march of technology combined with the introduction of low-cost operating systems like Windows 8.1 for Bing and Chrome OS are allowing PC manufacturers to produce fully functional PCs for as low as $180.

As usual, you'll find low-power processors among the low-cost desktops. However, systems built on ARM processors running Chrome OS and systems with AMD and Intel processors running Windows aren't the sloth-like performers you may have bought into when nettops and netbooks were all the rage in the mid- to late 2000s. Just about all of these new systems have processors with at least two processor cores, and most just take a few seconds to boot up. Web browsing and viewing online videos are a snap, though you'll still want a more powerful (and more expensive) processors if you're planning on editing video or holding Web conferences for business with multiple participants.

You'll still find systems with 2GB of memory at the lowest end (in the $200-to-$250 price range), though today's entry-level systems will more often come with 4GB or more. Storage will either be a 16GB to 64GB solid-state drive (SSD) or a 320GB to 750GB spinning hard drive. Look for higher-capacity storage if you're a serial downloader, but note that even 16GB is sufficient for a Chromebox that is on the Internet 24/7, especially considering the cloud storage you get with Google Drive. SSDs trade capacity for speed, especially in day-to-day computing tasks. If you ever need more storage space, look for USB 3.0 ports, which will let you attach an external hard drive or SSD.

You'll need to budget another $100 or more for a monitor, unless you're planning on using one you already own from a previous system. Using a HDTV as a monitor is also an option for a system with HDMI-out port(s). The good news is that almost all desktop PCs have them these day. A keyboard and mouse are usually included with most systems. They are likely to feel a little cheap compared with third-party keyboards and mice, but they will work fine.

If you're replacing an Intel Core 2 Duo or even a midrange Core 2 Quad system from circa 2009, and your needs haven't changed too much—think Web browsing, video viewing, simple picture editing, the occasional video transcode, and office work—then a budget desktop in the $200 to $500 range may be in your future. Check out our roundup below for our top ten picks.

For more factors to consider when choosing a system, our buying guide is a good place to start.

Included in This Roundup