Best Small Form Factor PCs

Those looking for a good general desktop PC in a smaller case design should check out the Acer Aspire AX1700-U3700A. The system has a good mix of features that include a solid high performance hard drive, Pentium Dual-Core E2200 desktop processor, 4GB of memory, DVD burner and even a dedicated NVIDIA graphics board. This provides a good mix of features that will work for just about any task you might have save PC gaming. The dedicated graphics board is a step up from many PCs in this price range but it still lacks enough performance for full high definition video support or gaming beyond moderate resolutions with lower quality settings. Prices range from around $450 to $480.

Dell's Studio Hybrid excels as a mini PC thanks to its wide range of available features. It is available in configurations as low as $450 suitable for basic computing all the way up to over $1000 with items like a Blu-ray drive and leather or bamboo covering. This versatility makes it an excellent choice for those looking to purchase a small computer that can be used in a small space or with a home theater system. It does use laptop based components in order to fit into such a small case which limits the hard drive space and processors. The biggest disadvantage though is the graphics that are only available with an integrated Intel X3100 processor. That makes the Studio Hybrid not suited for gaming but that is true for most mini PCs.

Those looking at a smaller desktop but not necessarily a mini PC might be interested in the Dell Studio Slim. While it may not offer the same level of value as the Acer Aspire AX1700, the Dell Studio makes up for it with the inclusion of a higher performance Core 2 Duo or even Core 2 Quad processors. Dell also offers some great value packages that include their line of successful LCD monitors in the package. For example, at $600 one can get a Core 2 Duo E7400, 4GB memory, 500GB hard drive, DVD burner and a 19-inch LCD monitor. Those looking for a home theater PC also have the option of picking up a Blu-ray and HDTV tuner upgrade. Prices range from $500 to over $1000 depending upon configuration.

The big trend in small form factor desktops was lead by PC gamers who were looking for high performance computers in smaller cases that could be transported. This market still exists and among the systems designed for this purpose, the Falcon Northwest FragBox 920 has an undeniable level of performance. It uses the latest Core i7 quad processors and 6GB of triple core DDR3 memory for unparalleled performance in a small package. Since gaming is its key feature, it also comes equipped with a GeForce 9800 GTX+ graphics card with 512MB of memory. It would be nicer to see some of the latest generation of graphics cards but their size makes using them in a small case near impossible. It is priced around $2000.

Businesses tend to like using smaller form factor desktops because they tend to be more energy and space efficient than full sized desktops. Of course, most corporations tend to use laptops now but the cost is very high. Small form factor PCs offer an alternative that has more performance at a lower price. The ThinkCentre M58e SFF is their small version of their full sized desktop that offers a high level of performance and a longer three year warranty. It uses Core 2 Duo desktop processors with newer DDR3 memory to give it strong performance. Some versions are even available with ATI Radeon HD 3470 graphics cards. Prices are a bit more expensive ranging from $870 to around $1000.