Laptops get the headlines, but for a home office, a reception desk or a whole team, a desktop PC is often the smarter buy. You get more performance for your money, easy upgrades, room for bigger screens and nothing to drop on the floor. We sell both refurbished desktops and new desktop PCs, and the first question is always the same: which size?
Desktop PCs at a glance
Tiny, small form factor, tower or all-in-one?
Choosing a desktop size
| Size | What it is | Best for | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiny / Mini PC | Roughly the size of a hardback book, and can mount behind a monitor | Hot desks, receptions, clean minimal setups | Lenovo ThinkCentre M720q Tiny, HP Pro Mini 400 G9 |
| Small form factor (SFF) | A slim case that sits under a monitor or desk | Office workstations, home offices | HP EliteDesk 800 G6, HP ProDesk 2 SFF |
| Tower | A full-size case with the most room for upgrades | Power users, future upgrades | Acer Aspire TC-102 (i7-14700) |
| All-in-one (AIO) | The computer is built into the screen | Family rooms, receptions, minimal cables | Dell OptiPlex 7420 AIO |
Room for future upgrades
A rough guide to how much room each style leaves for future upgrades. Exact options vary by model.
Why refurbished business desktops are such good value
Business desktops like the HP EliteDesk and ProDesk, Dell OptiPlex and Lenovo ThinkCentre are built to run all day, every day, in offices. They are quiet, reliable and easy to service. When companies replace them on a schedule, many still have years of life left. We test each one, fit an SSD, install Windows 11 and pass the savings on, which is why a capable refurbished desktop can cost less than a budget laptop.
Every refurbished desktop we sell is Windows 11 compatible. Windows 10 support ended in October 2025, so be wary of very cheap older PCs elsewhere that cannot be upgraded.
Kitting out a business?
We supply desktops, laptops and monitors to local businesses and can set up Windows 11 Pro and Microsoft 365 so your team can get straight to work. See Storm For Business or request a quote for multiple machines.
How business orders work
Need a screen to go with it? Our monitors pair perfectly with any of these desktops.
See every desktop PC we have in stock
Shop desktop PCsNot sure which is right for you? Pop into Storm Computer Shop at 41A Green Street, Ayr KA8 8BQ, call 01292 876415 or email team@stormtechstore.co.uk. We deliver UK-wide, with free shipping on orders over £150.