Getting a desktop PC that all the family can use is a great shout. From sorting out your household budget to helping the kids with their homework, a good computer can do it all.
What is the best computer to buy for family use?
Here are a few things to consider before you decide on the best family computer…
What do your family need the computer for?
If your family are mainly into casual use - like surfing, streaming or shopping, you might not need to go for a powerful PC. But one with a decent size screen may be what you need. Our Laptop buying guide has a help me choose questionnaire, which will help you find a great laptop based on what you’re planning to use it for.
How much space do you have for your PC?
Where’s your family computer going to live? If you’re limited in terms of space, a traditional tower PC might be too bulky. Instead, think about going for an all-in-one PC, or a mini-PC with a box that fits on top of your desk.
All-in-one PCs have all the hardware components built into the screen, so there’s no need for a bulky tower. They don't clutter your desk up with cables and the slim bezels on the latest designs give a clean, modern look. Plus, they’re simple to set up and can even be moved around the house without too much hassle. You’ll find a break down of more help in our Desktop buying guide.
And if you don’t just want to set up a PC in one place, one of our Windows laptops might be just the thing. These days, laptops can rival many desktop PCs for power - and can give you a great experience, whether that’s for editing video or playing games.
Mac vs PC: which is best for your family?
Which type of computer do you want - Windows or Apple? Both operating systems are great for everything from design to uni projects and editing - and all made better thanks to game changing AI with Microsoft Copilot and the upcoming Apple Intelligence. So, often it’s about what OS you’re already comfortable with…
Microsoft Windows
Office365 runs on Windows PCs, and has lots of apps you might be familiar with – Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook. We’ve got a huge range of Windows PCs to choose from, and they’re great value. There are a much wider choice of Windows PCs from loads of different brands, so if you’re priotising budget or have a particular brand you like (HP or ASUS for example) Windows could be the way to go. We can help narrow it down with some questions to ask when shopping for a desktop PC.
Apple
If you’re a happy iPhone or iPad owner, you might want to stick with Apple and go for an Apple Macbook. Then you’ll be able to seamlessly switch and share content between your different devices. iMacs are famous for their cutting-edge design. They’re also great at helping you to safe online, with advanced protection from viruses and malware.
Budgeting for your family computer
When it comes to setting a budget for your home PC setup, the most important things to consider are usage and performance. Here are some tips to help you make the right decision:
If you're looking for a simple and affordable setup, a basic model might be the right option for you. These often have limited features and lower speeds, but are perfect for light users who only need to check email, do banking or shopping and use less demanding apps like Word. You can expect around 4 - 8 GB of RAM and less powerful (but very reliable) Intel or AMD processors.
Mid-range models are a step up from basic models. They often offer faster speeds and more features, making them a great choice for households with lots of internet users who stream videos, need to do projects for work or school or who play online games. Since you’re going to need a PC with more power to handle all that multitasking, expect up to 16 GB RAM, faster CPUs and up to 1 TB SSD - plenty of space for files and folders.
For the ultimate experience, a high-performance setup is the way to go. These setups often offer the fastest speeds, best connectivity, and most features, making them great for families who rely on a fast connection and plenty of performance for work or entertainment. You’ll spot some epic Apple iMacs and Windows machines that include top processors, loads of storage and graphics cards that can handle intensive video editing and next-level gaming. The only problem will be arguing about who gets to use the family PC next!
How much storage does a family PC really need?
When it comes to storage for a family computer, it really depends on how the computer will be used. For light web browsing, email, and basic productivity tasks, a computer with 256 GB to 512 GB of storage should suffice.
If your family will be storing lots of photos, videos or games, a computer with 1 TB or more of storage will be a better option. It's also important to consider the type of storage - solid state drives (SSDs) tend to be faster and more reliable than traditional hard drives.
Key features to look for in a family computer
When choosing a computer for your family, it's important to consider several key features that can affect performance. Here are the main features to look for:
CPU power
The CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the brain of the computer, and it's responsible for carrying out all of the computer's instructions. A more powerful CPU lets the computer handle everything from web browsing to gaming without lagging or freezing.
RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is the short-term memory of the computer, and it stores information that the computer is currently using. The more RAM a computer has, the more information it can handle at once. For a family computer, at least 8GB of RAM is recommended. This means that multiple apps can run simultaneously without slowing down the computer.
Storage capacity
Storage capacity refers to the amount of space available on the computer's hard drive. This space is used to store things like files, apps and the operating system.
For a family computer, at least 256GB of storage is a good start. This provides enough space for storing photos, videos, music and documents without having to worry about running out of room. But the truth is, the more the merrier. Since it’s likely that everybody will be downloading their own fave apps, 1TB will mean you don’t have to keep deleting stuff to keep the family PC running smoothly.
