In 2018, the best PCs continue to grow more and more advanced, and Computex 2018 was proof of this. However, if you want to stay ahead of the curve these days, having one of the best PCs is absolutely essential. Even if all you do is browse the internet, you can run into slow-downs just by viewing too many advertisements. That’s why the best PCs are still better than smartphone and, arguably, the best 2-in-1 laptops that some would say replaced them. 

The best computers will also be easy to upgrade beyond a simple RAM swap – so you can easily keep them up to date. With the wide range of low-power processors like the ones announced by Intel recently, you can have the power benefits that the best laptops offer. And, as a bonus, all eight of these computers will work with all the latest and greatest components – feel free to slap one of the best graphics cards in there if you want one of the best gaming PCs.

However, determining the best computer isn’t as straightforward as proclaiming ‘the most powerful computer’ or ‘the most expensive computer.’ When we created this list, we did so acknowledging that the best computers strike a balance between value and performance. With that, we’ve comprehensively tested or reviewed and subsequently ranked every single PC we could get our hands on in order to find the best computer you can get your hands on in 2018.

Best PC: Dell XPS Tower Special Edition

CPU: : Intel Core i5 – Core i7 | Graphics: : AMD Radeon RX 580 – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Storage: 256GB SSD; 1TB HDD – 512GB SSD; 2TB HDD

For lack of a better word, the Dell XPS Tower Edition is stealthy. Looking quite similar to that old computer that your parents had hidden beneath the desk, this boring exterior belies an exciting array of components. Inside you’ll find your choice of the latest in GPU tech, in addition to a blazing-fast 7th generation Intel CPU and a spacious hard drive and/or SSD. Now, the Special Edition is only available in the US, but our readers in the UK and Australia will still be able to buy the regular Dell XPS Tower and beef it up to the same level through Dell’s configuration page. 

Read the full review: Dell XPS Tower Special Edition

Best all-in-one PC: Microsoft Surface Studio

CPU: : Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: : Nvidia GeForce GTX 965M – 980M | RAM: : 8GB – 32GB | Storage: : 64GB SSD; 1TB HDD – 128GB SSD; 2TB HDD

The Microsoft Surface Studio is one of the most glamorous PCs you can buy. It shakes up the all-in-one formula of putting all the components behind the screen, and instead moves everything to the base. The resulting device has one of the thinnest 28-inch PixelSense Displays that puts even most 4K screens to shame. What’s more, the fully-articulating stand makes it a versatile tool for work and play with Surface Pen support. All in all, the Surface Studio is an exceptional work of, and for, art.

Read the full review: Surface Studio

See more like this: The best all-in-one PCs

Best mini PC: Intel Hades Canyon NUC

CPU: Intel Core i7-8809G | Graphics: Radeon RX Vega M GH graphics (4GB HBM2 VRAM), Intel UHD Graphics 630 | RAM: N/A | Storage: N/A

If you’re looking for a sublime desktop experience but don’t have a lot of space, look no further than the Intel Hades Canyon NUC. In this tiny bare-bones PC, you have an insanely powerful 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, and discrete-class Radeon graphics – once you throw in some RAM and storage, you’ll be able to conquer the best PC games, no problem. Sure, it can’t really stand up against a full-sized desktop, but when space is short, or you’d just rather have a PC that looks like a set-top box – it’s worth it.

Read the full review: Intel Hades Canyon NUC 

Best gaming PC: Alienware aurora R7

CPU: Intel Core i7 8700K | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti | RAM: 32GB | Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe NVMe SSD, 2TB HDD

The Alienware Aurora R7 isn’t just a great gaming PC, but it’s one of the best PCs you can buy today. Not only does it feature fantastic performance with its 8th-generation Intel Core processor and GTX 10 series graphics, but this power is conveniently stored away in its compact chassis. It’s even surprisingly affordable, considering the power on offer, and it’s even easily upgradeable, despite its unique build. With the Aurora R7, Alienware continues its journey back to the top of the best PCs.

Read the full review: Alienware Aurora R7 

See more like this: The best gaming PCs

Best living room PC: MSI Trident 3

CPU: Intel Core i5-7400 – i7-7700 | Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti – 1060 | RAM: 8GB – 32GB DDR4 (2,400MHz) | Storage: 2TB HDD; 120GB SSD – 2TB HDD; 1TB SSD

Positioned as a “console killer,” the MSI Trident 3 looks a lot like an Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, but it’s a far more powerful PC that feels just right in your living room. Complete with all the ports you could ever dream of, the MSI Trident 3’s advantages are clear. Still, in trying to be as thin and light as possible, the MSI Trident 3 comes equipped with a 330W external power supply brick, resembling some of the least attractive console designs.

Read the full review: MSI Trident 3

Best Mac: Apple iMac (2017)

CPU: Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics 640 – AMD Radeon Pro 560 | RAM: 8GB – 32GB | Storage: 1TB HDD – 1TB SSD

You may not believe it coming from Apple, but the iMac is the best all-in-one computer for the money. In fact, the Surface Studio costs three times as much as the iMac to start. And, while the 2017 Apple iMac doesn’t feature a touchscreen or an adjustable stand, the option for a 4K P3 wide color display and a still-good 7th-generation CPU make the 21.5-inch iMac not only gorgeous, but timely as well. 

Read the full review: Apple iMac (2017)

See more like this: The best Macs

Best budget PC: HP Pavilion Wave

CPU: Intel Core i3 – Intel Core i5 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 530 – AMD Radeon R9 M470 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 1TB HDD

Though at first you might confuse it for a fabric-woven Mac Pro refresh, the HP Pavilion Wave is anything but. This compact Windows machine packs in 6th-generation Intel Core processors and optional discrete AMD graphics with a uniquely integrated Bang & Olufsen speaker. Wrapped in a handsome fabric exterior, this is the perfect PC to have on the desk, as it radiates crisp sound while you browse the web or watch movies.

Read the first look: HP Pavilion Wave

Best stick PC: Intel Compute Stick

CPU: Intel Atom – Intel Core m5 | Graphics: : Intel HD Graphics – Intel HD Graphics 515 | RAM: 1GB – 4GB | Storage: 8GB-64GB eMMC

It may look like a thumb drive at first glance, but the Intel Core Compute Stick has more than meets the eye. It’s actually a palm-sized PC that can plug into any screen with an HDMI input. It starts out with a lowly 1.33GHz Intel Atom cpu running Linux, but it is configurable up to an Intel Core m5 processor – which makes this one of the best PCs if you need to get some work done on the go, without having to haul around a laptop.  

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

http://www.techradar.com/news/computing/pc/10-of-the-best-desktop-pcs-of-2015-1304391

It probably hasn’t escaped you that having broadband in your home is now as essential as having electricity, running water and one of those singing fishes that you hang on the wall. But if you’re the kind of person that isn’t bothered about fast downloads or 4K streaming and just wants the cheapest internet available, then this new Plusnet broadband deal is the one for you.

BT-owned Plusnet is always up there among the purveyors of the best cheap broadband only deals, but now it has added a £50 cashback perk to its most affordable standard broadband plans. That brings the effective cost of your home broadband down to less than £15 per month – which is the lowest in the UK right now.

Plus, you don’t have to pay anything upfront for activation or delivery of the included router, and then it’s monthly bills of a measly £18.99.

There’s no faffing around to try and claim the £50 cashback either, as Plusnet will send you an email once you’re all connected with the simple steps of how to claim. The added cashback bonus is also available if you want to add call plans to your cheap broadband deal (so that’s £22.99pm to add evening and weekend calls, or £26.99pm for unlimited anytime calls), but doesn’t apply to Plusnet fibre optic internet plans.

Cheap broadband deal of the week: Plusnet broadband and £50 cashback

How do I claim the cashback?

It all sounds pretty simple. Plusnet says that once your broadband and home phone line is activated you will receive an email. Follow the instructions therein and Plusnet will send you a cheque for £50 cashback. Don’t delay though – you have to submit your cashback claim within two months of receiving the email, otherwise you’ll lose out.

Existing Plusnet broadband customers

If you’re a current Plusnet customer, unfortunately this offer doesn’t apply to you. Similarly, you’re not permitted to claim this price if you’ve had Plusnet before. This ace offer is only for customers that are new to the provider.

Best broadband deals

You can’t beat Plusnet purely on price at the moment. But if you want an all-singing, all-dancing package that features broadband and TV, Plusnet can’t help you. It’s only dealing in broadband at the moment.

With TechRadar’s price comparison tool you can compare and contrast all of the best deals available on the market right now. Head to our best broadband deals page, pop in your postcode, filter your requirements and we’ll spit out the best deals on the market specifically for you.

Microsoft has announced its fourth quarter earnings, and the numbers look good. Really good. According to Microsoft, it earned a net income of $8.9 billion and a revenue of $30.1 billion for the quarter, which ended on June 30. This brings the total revenues for the fiscal year to a mightily-impressive $110.4 billion.

These results are up 17% year-over-year, and many people will see this as a vindication of CEO Satya Nadella’s renewed focus on hardware and cloud services.

In a press release accompanying the news, Nadella said: “We had an incredible year, surpassing $100 billion in revenue as a result of our teams’ relentless focus on customer success and the trust customers are placing in Microsoft […] Our early investments in the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge are paying off, and we will continue to expand our reach in large and growing markets with differentiated innovation.”

Results breakdown

Microsoft’s More Personal Computing business continues to be the main driver for revenues, earning $10.8 billion and up 17% year-over-year. This included Windows OEM revenue, which increased by 7%, and OEM pro revenue growing by 14%. This is the money Microsoft makes from PC and laptop builders selling devices with Windows installed.

Microsoft Office also had a good year with Office 365 commercial revenue growing by 38%. The revenue brought in by Surface products was up 25%, and gaming had a healthy 39% increase.

Microsoft’s Productivity and Business Processes, which includes Office, Dynamics and LinkedIn, had a revenue increase of 13%.

Even Bing, Microsoft’s search engine that most people consider a bit of a flop when compared to Google, did well, growing 17% year on year in the fourth financial quarter of 2018.

As more people used Bing, the search revenue (excluding traffic acquisition costs) also grew, so it looks like things are moving in the right direction.

These results will surely make Microsoft happy, and it’s now an $800 billion company. It’s still a fair bit behind its competitors Apple, Amazon and Google, but things seem to be looking up for Microsoft after some rough years.

Via Thurrot.com

http://www.techradar.com/news/business-is-booming-for-microsoft-and-even-bing-is-doing-well