Best desktop computer for photo editing on a budget | Looking to elevate your photo editing game without breaking the bank? Discovering the best budget-friendly desktop computer for your photo editing endeavors is crucial. Whether you’re a budding photographer or a seasoned pro, having a reliable system that can handle the demands of high-resolution image processing is essential. In this guide, we’ll explore top-notch yet affordable desktop options, considering factors like processing power, graphics capabilities, and display quality. Unleash your creative potential while staying within your means with our expert recommendations for the perfect budget photo editing desktop. You can also click here: Best laptop for photo editing under $1500
What are the best desktop computer for photo editing on a budget in 2023
- MSI Aegis RS Gaming Desktop
- Apple iMac 27″ with Retina 5K Display
- Dell Inspiron 7720 All in One Desktop
- HP 290 G4 Microtower Desktop Computer
- Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop
1. MSI Aegis RS Gaming Desktop
MSI Aegis RS Gaming Desktop: Intel Core i7-13700KF, RTX 4070, 32GB DDR5, 2TB M.2 NVMe, Liquid Cooling, WiFi 6E, Keyboard & Mouse, DIY Friendly, Windows 11 Home-Adv: 13NUE-450US,Black
| Specific Uses For Product | Multimedia, Everyday Use, Gaming |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 2 TB |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 32 GB |
| Model Name | Aegis RS 13NUE-450US |
| Included Components | Power Adapter |
| CPU Model | Core i7-13700KF |
| Special Feature | Microphone |
About MSI Aegis RS Gaming Desktop
- Supercharged Processor: The 13th Gen. Intel Core i7 processor delivers the ultimate immersive experience in gameplay, multi-task work and productivity.
- Power Your Passion: Get faster performance with the Aegis RS 13NUE-450US, equipped with 32GB (2x16GB) DDR5 RAM and a 2TB M.2 NVMe.
- Beyond Fast: The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU powered by the Ada architecture unleashes the full glory of ray tracing, which simulates how light behaves in the real world.
- Liquid Cooled: The desktop features a 240mm liquid cooling system that keeps the temperature of the CPU and GPU in check even during intense gaming sessions.
- Keyboard and Mouse Included: The included MSI gaming mouse and keyboard bundle lets you get into the action from the start. The keyboard is built with mechanical-like switches for a crisp typing experience.
2. Apple iMac 27″ with Retina 5K Display
Apple iMac 27″ with Retina 5K Display, 3.3Ghz 6-Core Intel i5, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, AMD Radeon Pro 5300 4GB
| Specific Uses For Product | Multimedia, Personal, Business |
| Personal computer design type | All in One |
| Operating System | Mac OS |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 512 GB |
| Screen Size | 27 Inches |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 8 GB |
| Included Components | Power cord, iMac, Lightning to USB Cable, Magic Mouse 2, Magic Keyboard |
| CPU Model | Core i5 |
About Apple iMac
- 27-inch (diagonal) 5120-by-2880 Retina 5K display
- 3.3GHz 6-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5
- AMD Radeon Pro 5300 graphics
- Ultrafast SSD storage
- Two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports
3. Dell Inspiron 7720 All in One Desktop
Dell Inspiron 7720 All in One Desktop – 27-inch FHD Touchscreen Display, Intel Core i7-1355U, 32GB RAM, 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD, NVIDIA GeForce MX550 GDDR6, Windows 11 Pro, Services Included – White
| Specific Uses For Product | Personal, Student, Business |
| Personal computer design type | All in One |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 512 GB |
| Screen Size | 27 Inches |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 32 GB |
| Model Name | Dell Inspiron 7720 All In One Desktop |
| Included Components | All-in-One Unit, Power Cord, Documentation |
| CPU Model | Core i7 |
About Dell Inspiron
- NARROW BORDERS: Immerse yourself in an expansive FHD screen with four-side narrow borders on this all-in-one desktop. Enjoy a stunning visual experience.
- INNOVATIVE STAND: Featuring innovative stand designs that offer better stability and additional desk space.
- COMFORTVIEW PLUS: Enhance eye comfort with ComfortView Plus on this all-in-one desktop. It reduces low blue light while maintaining accurate colors for optimized viewing.
- TV-INSPIRED DISPLAY: Stunning 27-inch All-In-One desktop with TV-inspired design available in Snowflake, with triangle stand and molded speaker mesh.
- PREMIUM SERVICES: Premium Support with SupportAssist, the smart technology that keeps your PC performing at its best.
4. HP 290 G4 Microtower Desktop Computer
HP 290 G4 Microtower Desktop Computer, Intel i9-10900K, 64GB RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD, DVD-RW, HDMI, VGA, AC Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Windows 11 Pro, Black
| Specific Uses For Product | Business |
| Personal computer design type | Computer Tower |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Pro |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 64 GB |
| Model Name | 290 G4 Microtower |
| Included Components | Mouse, Power Cable, Keybord |
| CPU Model | Core i9 |
| Special Feature | HP DESKTOP BUSINESS PC |
About HP 290 G4 Microtower Desktop Computer
- 64GB DDR4 RAM, 2TB NVMe SSD
- 10-Core Intel i9-10900K processor 3.70GHz, overclocked to 5.30 GHz
- HP 290 G4 Mini-tower with DVDRW, Integrated Intel UHD 630 Graphics, 4K video to an external display via, HDMI or VGA
- 4x USB 3.0 (5Gbps), 2x USB 3.1 (10Gbps), 2x USB 2.0 ports
- Gigabit Ethernet RJ45, USB WiFi dual band 2.4G/5GHz Wi-Fi 802.11ac / Bluetooth 4.2
- Resolution: 3840×2160
- System Ram Type: gddr4
- Connectivity Technology: Wi-Fi Ready
- Wireless Comm Standard: 802_11_BNAC
5. Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop
Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop – Ryzen 5 3600 3.6GHz, GTX 1660 Super 6G, 500GB SSD, 16GB DDR4 3200MHz, RGB Fans, Windows 11 Home 64-bit, 802.11AC Wi-Fi
| Specific Uses For Product | Multimedia, Personal, Gaming |
| Personal computer design type | Computer Tower |
| Operating System | Windows 11 |
| Memory Storage Capacity | 500 GB |
| Screen Size | 1 |
| Ram Memory Installed Size | 16 GB |
| Model Name | Archangel 3.0 |
| Included Components | Power Cord |
| CPU Model | Ryzen 5 3600 |
About Skytech Archangel Gaming Computer PC Desktop
- ✔ AMD Ryzen 5 3600 6-Core 12-Thread 3.6GHz (4.2 GHz Max Boost) CPU | 500GB SSD – Up to 30x faster than traditional HDD
- ✔ GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB GDDR6 Graphics Card (Brand May Varies) | 16GB DDR4 3000MHz Gaming Memory with Heat Spreaders | Windows 10 Home 64-bit | AMD High Performance Wraith Cooler
- ✔ 802.11AC Wi-Fi | No Bloatware | Graphics Ports may Vary | HD Audio and Mic | Free Gaming Keyboard and Mouse | 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, 4 x USB 3.2 Gen1
- ✔ 3 x RGB RING Fans for Maximum Air Flow | Skytech Archangel Gaming Case with Tempered Glass – White
- ✔ 1 Year Warranty on Parts and Labor | Lifetime Free Technical Support | Assembled in the USA | This powerful gaming PC is capable of running all your favorite games such as World of Warcraft, League of Legends, Grand Theft Auto V, Apex Legends, Fortnite, Roblox, PLAYERUNKNOWN’s Battlegrounds, Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Battlefield V, Minecraft, The Division 2, and more at High to Ultra settings, crisp 1080p Full HD resolution and smooth 60+ FPS game play.
In conclusion, finding the best budget-friendly desktop computer for proficient photo editing doesn’t have to be a daunting task. By assessing your specific requirements and comparing the features of various models, you can discover a compelling option that aligns perfectly with your creative needs. Remember to prioritize essential aspects such as processor speed, RAM capacity, and display quality to ensure seamless photo editing performance. With the right choice, you can harness the power of a cost-effective desktop computer to elevate your photo editing endeavors without compromising on quality. Begin your journey towards captivating visuals by selecting the ideal budget-friendly desktop companion today.
How to choose the best desktop computer for photo editing on a budget
Choosing the best desktop computer for photo editing on a budget requires a balance between performance, features, and cost. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make an informed decision:
- Define Your Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend on the desktop computer. Having a clear budget in mind will help you narrow down your options and make a more targeted search.
- Identify Your Needs: Understand the specific requirements of your photo editing tasks. Consider factors like the size and resolution of your photos, the complexity of your edits, and whether you’ll be working with graphics-intensive software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom.
- Focus on Key Specifications:
- Processor (CPU): Look for at least a quad-core processor, preferably from Intel (Core i5 or higher) or AMD (Ryzen 5 or higher). A higher clock speed and more cores will provide smoother editing performance.
- Memory (RAM): Aim for a minimum of 8GB of RAM, but 16GB or more is better for smoother multitasking and handling larger files.
- Graphics Card (GPU): While a dedicated GPU is not always a must for photo editing, having one can significantly accelerate tasks in software that utilizes GPU acceleration. Look for options like NVIDIA GeForce or AMD Radeon GPUs, even if they are mid-range models.
- Storage: An SSD (Solid State Drive) is essential for quick boot times and snappy application launches. For budget considerations, you can opt for a system with a smaller SSD (256GB or 512GB) for your operating system and software, and supplement it with a larger traditional HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing your photos and files.
- Display and Color Accuracy:
- Monitor: A high-quality monitor with accurate color reproduction is crucial for photo editing. Look for an IPS panel with good color accuracy and wide color gamut coverage (sRGB, AdobeRGB). A larger display with a higher resolution (e.g., 27-inch 1440p) can enhance your editing experience.
- Calibration: Budget for a monitor calibration tool to ensure your monitor displays accurate colors. Calibrating regularly helps maintain color consistency across devices.
- Expandability and Upgradability:
- Upgrade Options: Choose a desktop that allows easy upgrades of components like RAM, storage, and potentially the GPU. This will future-proof your system and allow you to improve performance over time.
- Operating System:
- Windows: Windows is widely supported by photo editing software and offers a broad range of hardware options.
- Mac: If you’re open to the Mac ecosystem, a refurbished or older model Mac could be an option. Keep in mind that Macs tend to be more expensive for the hardware you get.
- Consider Refurbished or Previous-Generation Models:
- Older or refurbished models can provide good performance at a lower cost, but make sure they meet the software and hardware requirements of your photo editing software.
- Research and Compare:
- Look for reviews and benchmarks for the specific desktop models you’re interested in. This will give you insights into real-world performance and user experiences.
- Check for Deals:
- Keep an eye out for sales, discounts, and deals, especially during shopping seasons like Black Friday or back-to-school sales.
- Brand Reputation and Support:
- Opt for reputable brands with good customer support. A reliable warranty can provide peace of mind.
Remember that photo editing demands vary, so tailor your choice to your specific needs. Investing in a well-balanced system will lead to a smoother and more enjoyable editing experience, even on a budget.