Desktop Computers

Types

• Tower desktop — full-size cabinet with room for extra drives and graphics cards. Choose it for design, CAD or workstations that may need upgrades later.
• Small form factor (SFF) — compact cabinet with the same core performance as a basic tower. Good for offices and computer labs where desk space is tight.
• Mini PC — palm-sized unit that mounts behind a monitor. Suits reception desks, kiosks and light office work.
• Workstation — high-core CPU, ECC memory and a professional graphics card for engineering, video editing and heavy simulation.

What to check before buying

• Processor generation and core count, RAM (8 GB is a sensible minimum for office use) and an SSD rather than a hard disk for the main drive.
• Operating system licence: confirm whether Windows or a Linux option is included and whether it is a genuine OEM licence.
• Warranty period and whether service is on-site at your location, not carry-in.
• Ports and display outputs matching your monitors (HDMI, DisplayPort, USB-C) and whether a monitor, keyboard and mouse are bundled.
• Power consumption and BEE star rating where available, since a lab of 40 machines adds up.
• Authorisation letter from the OEM, GST invoice and an AMC option after warranty ends.

Common brands include HP, Dell, Lenovo, Acer and Asus.

Who buys them

Offices, schools and colleges, computer labs, banks, hospitals, shops, government departments and NGOs.

Frequently asked questions

How much RAM does an office desktop need?

For email, documents, browsers and accounting software, 8 GB is workable and 16 GB gives headroom for several years. Design or video work needs 16 GB to 32 GB or more.

Is an SSD really necessary?

Yes for the system drive. It cuts boot and application load times sharply compared with a hard disk, and it is more tolerant of knocks.

How many desktops should I order as spares?

For a lab or large office, keeping one or two spare units per 20 to 25 machines is common, so a failed system can be swapped while it is repaired.