Discover how to find the right business desktop computer for your employees’ needs—tower, small form factor PC, All-in-One (AIO), or workstation. Compare the benefits of each form factor and learn how the processor (CPU), storage, memory, graphics, and display impact your decision. For a built-for-business desktop, choose a PC on the Intel vPro® platform.
Choosing a Business Desktop
Selecting the right business desktop for each employee can seem complex, given the many different roles in your work environment. You’ll need to determine employees’ needs and match them with appropriate technical specs and the best form factor for the job.
Another deciding factor is the fundamental technology platform a business desktop is built on. This can impact performance and security, as well as your ability to manage PCs. For example, built-for-business PCs on the Intel vPro® platform are designed specifically to boost employee productivity, provide built-in hardware-enhanced security features, and simplify management for your IT team.
With all the different configurations OEMs offer, you can customize business desktops to fit everyone’s needs exactly.
Component Considerations
To start your search, consider the following components.
Processor (CPU)
The processor, or central processing unit (CPU), is the brains of a business desktop. The more powerful the processor, the faster it can receive instructions, perform calculations, and get projects done. The latest Intel® Core™ vPro® processors give you elite performance that stands up to business—whether employees are multitasking, videoconferencing, or wrangling a massive spreadsheet.
Memory and Storage
A PC’s random access memory (RAM) stores data that its CPU can call up almost instantly. When you turn off the computer, you also clear the data from RAM. Most desktops come with 8 GB RAM, although it’s possible to buy a 16 GB system or add memory if applications need it. A newer type of memory technology, Intel® Optane™ memory, complements standard RAM by enabling greater responsiveness when you’re booting up or launching applications, accelerating computing experiences on select PCs with Intel® Core™ processors.
Storage is your desktop’s data bank, holding your operating system and all your programs and files. Turn off the PC and the data persists. Hard disk drives (HDDs) are denser and cost less, while solid state drives (SSDs) are much faster and today’s preferred solution for the primary drive. Intel® Solid State Drives, which include Intel® Optane™ SSDs, provide high performance with extreme stability and power efficiency. Some desktop users opt for both—an SSD to run the primary operating system and an HDD for expanded local storage.
Graphics
To create images for your display, a graphics processing unit (GPU) performs complex calculations. GPUs can be integrated (embedded alongside the CPU) or discrete (a distinct chip on a graphics card). Many desktops use a graphics card to provide the performance for high-end visual applications. Workstations in particular need top-performing graphics to perform intense calculations and display complex images.
Connectivity
Ethernet remains the highest-performing connectivity option for a business desktop. But Ethernet cables aren’t always available where you need them. That’s where the new Wi-Fi standard shines. Wi-Fi 6 ensures quality wireless connectivity in locations with many connected devices.
Intel® Wi-Fi 6-enabled PCs give you fast wireless speeds, responsive performance, and enhanced security and reliability, especially in dense environments. Business desktops built on the latest Intel vPro® platform integrate Intel® Wi-Fi 6 capabilities into the chipset.
Business desktops come with a variety of ports for connecting to monitors and other peripherals. These may include USB-C, HDMI, and Thunderbolt™ 3 ports.
Power Consumption
The power consumption for a business desktop depends on its components—CPU, video card, storage drives—and how it’s used. As the power envelope for a business desktop increases, so will its performance.
Intel® processors for desktops come in three power tiers—35 watts, 65 watts, and 95+ watts—enabling a wide variety of form factors. At the lower range are All-in-One (AIO) and small form factor PCs with low power consumption. In the middle are almost every form factor except workstations. At the high end are top-performing towers and workstations. If power consumption is a critical factor for your business, then balance it against the performance you need.
The latest Intel® Core™ vPro® processors give you high performance that stands up to business—whether employees are multitasking, videoconferencing, or wrangling a massive spreadsheet.
Intel vPro® Platform
Desktops built on the Intel vPro® platform provide business-class performance, hardware-enhanced security features, remote management capabilities, and platform stability. These built-for-business PCs are designed to boost employee productivity and simplify management for your IT team.
The Intel vPro® platform helps provide a trusted foundation for your PCs, whether they’re inside or outside the corporate firewall. Intel® Hardware Shield enhances protection below the operating system and includes advanced threat detection to help guard against cyberattacks.
Business desktops must perform day in and day out for years. Unexpected downtime means missed opportunities and productivity loss. The Intel vPro® platform offers remote management capabilities via Intel® Active Management Technology, making it easy for IT to support workers. Even when business desktops are powered off or the operating system is unresponsive, you can count on improved system management and repair.