From time to time, I take a look back at some of the recent systems I've reviewed. Since some of them are nearing the end of their sales cycle, you should be able to get them for a discount at closeout stores or Websites. While this doesn't necessarily apply to all the desktops (like the Apple iMac in an Apple Store), you should also be able to find iMacs and other PCs on Craigslist and eBay. Thanks to the inevitable combination of toys losing their luster and buyer's remorse, it's around time for some of the desktops that were purchased or given during the holidays to make it to the secondary market. Good luck bidding!

All-in-one PCs are still a hot property. All-in-one desktops give most of the benefits of a notebook computer without the battery; plus, you'll always get a larger screen and more computing power for your money with an all-in-one. The aforementioned Apple iMac 21.5-inch (Core 2 Duo), an Editors' Choice (EC) was brand-new last October, and is still sold for full price ($1,199) on Apple's Website and in Apple stores. However, if you search the online classified like Craigslist and eBay, you should be able to find one under $900-1,000 easily. It's a similar story for the Windows-based PCs: The EC HP TouchSmart 600-1055 was $1,599 (list) when it first came out, but I've seen it for $1,399 at newegg.com and as low as $1,199 on Google's Ad boxes. Last but not least, there's the Editors' Choice Lenovo C300 (3012-2DU), which has a $549 (list). A quick Web search brought up similar models in the $300-500 range. The higher-end models have wider profit margins, so they can be discounted more drastically.

One notable high-end all-in-one is the Sony VAIO VPC-L117FX/B, which Sony sold out of in late autumn 2009, but is coming back into stock as you read this. Presumably you won't find too many discounts from its $2,000 price tag, but it is one of the most attractive high-end all-in-one PCs with Blu-ray and full HD capability.

Don't count "regular" desktops out of the game: The Compaq Presario CQ5210f has a list price of $390, and still goes for around that price. Its performance runs rings around most nettops, yet it is priced similarly to most standalone nettops without a monitor. The Gateway SX2802-01 is a quad-core small form factor desktop with a great bang for the buck for only $500 at Costco ($530 from gateway.com). There are a bunch of similar SX2800 systems on eBay for under $400-500. We liked its performance on multimedia tasks, which makes it a great choice for the little Steven Spielberg in your family.

Any of these desktop PCs are great choices, depending on what you need. Read on to get the details on each one. Compare the products in this article side-by-side.

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Apple iMac 21.5-inch (Core 2 Duo)

The Apple iMac 21.5-inch (Core 2 Duo), the "baby brother" to the 27-inch iMac, is $500 less expensive, yet has much of same power. It slots easily into the niche between the cheap nettops and the expensive HDTV-replacement PCs: It's the all in one multimedia PC to buy if you need performance more than fancy features like touchscreens and HDTV inputs.

HP TouchSmart 600-1055

The HP TouchSmart 600-1055 PC is HP's top-of-the-line Windows 7 PC that shows how touch screen interfaces are going mainstream.

Lenovo C300 (3012-2DU)

The Lenovo C300 (3012-2DU) comes the closest (so far) to the ideal all-in-one nettop PC, with a high-resolution 20-inch screen, a dual-core Atom processor, and decent graphics, all for the same price as your average mainstream system.

Sony VAIO VPC-L117FX/B

Sony excels with the Sony VAIO VPC-L117FX/B, its new quad-core powered touchscreen PC. It's a "better quality" choice if you're willing to spend the bucks, but you'd have to be an individual that's "really hard to please" to justify an almost $500 price premium.

Compaq Presario CQ5210f

If you want to pay nettop prices for a higher-end multimedia performance from your PC, take a look at the Compaq Presario CQ5210f. It gives you the full multimedia computing power you want, yet comes in at under $400 (without monitor).

Gateway SX2802-01

The Gateway SX2802-01 helps you reclaim valuable desktop space without sacrificing power. It offers strong quad-core processing, ample storage, and quiet operation, but its upgrade potential is limited, and you'll have to supply your own monitor.