ARTICLE

Best Cheap Pcs To Buy In 2023

January 20, 2023 - 5 min read

Fast and powerful, the latest PCs optimise all aspects of your online life, from your home office processes and gaming set-up, to household admin and your kids’ school projects. Desktop computers remain the go-to computer for many people, and for good reason. They’re easy to set up and can be customised with monitors, keyboards and other accessories to streamline operations.

Yes, the cost of living is on the rise, but the cost of your next PC does not have to rise, too. You can get all the high-end features, impressive speed and performance you want in a desktop computer, for much less than you'd expect to pay. Here are the best budget PCs to buy in 2023.

Are Cheap PCs Good?

You bet they are! It’s all thanks to fast-evolving tech and top brands releasing a competitive pool of cheap desktop computers for you to choose from.

“You don’t need to buy a high-end PC to get the high-end features you want,” says Jason Tavoletti, The Good Guys Buyer – Tech. “There are affordable PCs that cover all needs, from basic internet browsing for booking holidays or researching school projects, to gaming and running bookkeeping programs for your home office.”

It comes down to savvy spending: choose the best budget PC for you by zeroing in on the model with the features you're most likely to use.

For example, keen gamers should be on the lookout for a PC with plenty of storage – a fast and ample storage drive can reduce loading times, and store everything your data-heavy game requires.

Meanwhile, a PC with a dual-core processor (for faster download speeds and enhanced multitasking) will keep movie and music buffs happy.

A processor with multiple cores is also handy for PC web browsing, along with tasks such as booking flights or paying bills. This feature lets you interact with more applications at once, while loading pages and actions with ease.

Not sure what kind of PC is your perfect fit? Come in-store at The Good Guys and talk to our friendly tech experts.

“You don’t need to buy a high-end PC to get the high-end features you want. There are affordable PCs that cover all needs, from basic internet browsing… to gaming and running bookkeeping programs.”

Are Cheap All-In-One Pcs Good?

All-in-one PCs are just as convenient as they sound, and you can buy well without breaking the bank. With a computer built into the monitor, all-in-ones cleverly combine all desktop components (except for the keyboard and mouse) in one unit – perfect for freeing up a cluttered desk.

Typically featuring a large 20-inch to 30-inch monitor, as well as a sleek and compact design, they are a functional yet space-savvy solution, and can be a stylish multimedia hub for your household.

Many budget-friendly all-in-one PCs are also fitted with upgradable hardware and powerful processors that’ll have you flying through pages, videos and downloads without the wait.

Shop Best Cheap All-In-One Pcs

HP 23.8" Pentium Silver J5040 8GB 256GB Win 11 AIO

Lenovo IdeaCentre 3i 24" Pentium Gold 8GB 1TB Win 11 AIO

HP 23.8" AMD Athlon Silver 3050U 8GB 256GB Win 11 AIO >

Are Cheap Tower Pcs Good?

The tower PC is your go-to for everything gaming, video editing, and big-project work. It will, of course, manage your everyday browsing and online shopping too, but offers powerful and efficient processing for heavy work.

Sold separately to monitors and keyboards, tower PCs are essentially a box that can sit out of the way under your desk, and attach to a desktop monitor, keyboard and mouse.

“A tower PC can change with your household. As the kids get into gaming, a simple graphics or processor update will save you the expense of upgrading to a new computer,” Jason says.

“Slot in an upgraded RAM module and enhance your screen resolution with a graphics card, and you can easily extend the life of your PC and its capabilities.”

Shop Best Cheap Tower Pcs

Lenovo IdeaCentre 3 8GB 256GB SSD Desktop

Lenovo IdeaCentre 3 AMD Athlon 3050U 8GB 256GB Desktop

Lenovo IdeaCentre 3i Pentium Gold 8GB 256GB Win 11 Desktop Tower >

Are Cheap Gaming Pcs Good?

If you’re looking for a low-cost PC to play games on, you’ll be spoiled for choice among entry-level and mid-range PCs. While there are definitely specialised gaming PCs available, a desktop computer with the right features can get the job done, too.

When it comes to gaming, it’s all about the processor. There are complementary factors to consider, like screen resolution and storage; however, choosing a powerful processor will get you playing your favourite games glitch-free.
“The processor is a crucial part of a gaming PC. Top-of-the-range gaming computers can feature processors with up to eight cores, otherwise known as processing units. However, a four-core processor still offers ideal gaming performance,” Jason says.

“Start with a good processor, then you can upgrade things like graphics and storage around it if you need to.”

Shop Best Cheap Pcs For Gaming

Lenovo IdeaCentre 3 AMD Athlon 3050U 8GB 256GB Desktop

HP 23.8" i3 8GB 512GB Win 11 AIO >

Who Makes The Best Cheap Pcs?

Respected brands like HP and Lenovo have you covered. HP’s all-in-one models are the ultimate household hub. They’ve got up to 512GB of handy storage for all your documents and happy holiday snaps, a speedy dual-core processor, and a graphics processor to keep up with any games or graphics-intense software. Plus, an anti-glare panel will have you living the hybrid-work dream from your back deck.
Lenovo PCs are fitted with a quad-core processor for powerful and reliable use throughout your long WFH day. These tower PCs offer wireless and bluetooth connectivity, and can happily hold your family’s digital photo archive with up to 1TB of storage.

Across both brands, the latest Windows 11 operating system will have you covered for all your computing tasks, including checking emails, creating PowerPoint presentations, editing photos, gaming, and more!

How To Find The Best Budget PC

In a tech world of flash features and enticing extras, consider how you use your desktop computer to get more bang for your buck. You’ll save by selecting a PC that best serves your purpose.
Before you buy, think about:

CPU (Processor): This is your computer’s brain, so it can make or break performance. At a base level, modern PCs have a dual-core CPU (some will have up to eight cores!), which allows for multitasking and faster operation than single-processor machines.

Storage: Entry-level to mid-range PCs can offer storage from 200GB to 2TB, so have a think about your current and future storage needs. If your household is big on gaming or working on hefty creative projects, opt for a larger size. Otherwise, you can always add storage space down the track with external hard drives – or consider cloud-based storage to save money on hard drives.

RAM (Random Access Memory): RAM is like your computer’s short-term memory, so a high capacity is needed for big jobs like image processing. Budget computers offer all the RAM you’re likely to need, with most offering 4GB to 8GB.
Software: Protecting a PC with the right software doesn’t have to cost a bomb, and can save you from the dodgy downloads of your click-happy kids. For all your antivirus software essentials, Microsoft 365 options, and more, head in-store and chat to a friendly team member at The Good Guys about our best value bundles.

Where Can I Buy A Cheap PC?

At The Good Guys! We have options for all budgets, plus in-store tech specialists to help you make the right choice for your needs. Got an old mobile or tablet? We offer a Trade-In option to help you save when upgrading to a new device or appliance. If you accept our trade-in estimate, you’ll get eGift dollars to put towards a new PC right away! You can also earn StoreCash credits to help you upgrade to a new PC whenever you buy a product with the StoreCash logo.

Looking for a high-performing PC without the big price tag? Head in-store or online for expert advice on the best budget PC or computer for you!