The Ten Best Designed Desktops in History (According to You)

The Mac Pro is a controversial computer. Since Apple released it, there are many who love it, and many who hate it. Just a week ago we asked you “What is the best designed desktop in history?” With your answers we have created a list of 10 CPUs that are truly superb, and that have little to envy of the latest Apple desktop. Thank you all for your responses.

Mac Pro 2012

There are many that still prefer the 2012 Mac Pro over the 2013 version. It is much larger, yes, but it is far easier to open and modify. It is also more versatile in terms of ports (even though it does not have Thunderbolt) and its maximum storage space is far superior because it actually has the physical capability for more storage. The design and materials are of great luxury.

SGI Tezro

Although it was discontinued in 2006, the work computers Tezro from Silicon Graphics are great words. Not many people can presume in 2003 to have four processors with 8 GB of RAM and six PCIX slits for graphics. On the other hand, not many can presume to have a very large purple box as a CPU. The interior distribution is also spectacular.

Power Mac G4 ‘Cube’

This is one of the few gadgets that takes pride in being shown in the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. The Power Mac G4 wanted to be a model in between the first two. All-in-one and great Apple CPUs in that era. It did not have a cooling fan, but it was cooled by convection. Its very high price and some technical problems led to its commercial failure. Today it is a piece for collectors. Of course, its designed is no other than Jony Ive.

iMac G4

We continue our list with Apple with another sample of design that was completely radical for its time. The iMac G4 combines a semispheric base with a 15-incch monitor mounted on top of a rocking arm. It was never the best desktop power-wise, and modifying its component can be sheer torture. Despite its flaws, it is worthy of appearing in this list simply for its groundbreaking aesthetics.

Asus ROG Tytan CG8890

This beast from the Republic of Gamers division from Asus is quite recent. It was released in the 2012 Computex fair. Inside it features 16 GB of RAM, two SSD, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 690 graphics, and able to support up to four monitors, and a liquid refrigeration system. Its most interesting feature is its frontal fans, which unfold automatically when it goes into overclocking mode. This beauty costs roughly 4000 dollars or Euros.

Dell XPS 710

Although it has been surpassed by other computers, this CPU from Dell, released in 2006, had a stupendous manufacturing, plenty of space for upgrading, and one of the prettiest Desktop designs that we’ve seen. It also had a high price for its time.

Mac Mini

We make one last stop at Apple with a tiny computer that was made popular due to its minute size and its reasonable price (despite being from Apple). The Mac Mini is one of the most beautiful and practical computers that can be bought…as long as you don’t have high demands for a computer. Upgrading it to add more memory or an SSD is difficult, but very necessary in many cases.

We end our list with three housings. They’re not full CPUs, but their designs are spectacular, and, in the proper hands and the budget for a Desktop as for those above, they can be turned into great marvels.

Corsair Obsidian

The Obsidian series is a wet dream for anyone that is a modding lover. Solid and with a well-established internal space, models like the Corsair Obsidian 900d (see picture) have enough space for five optical units and nine hard disks. It can be fitted with two feeding sources and up to 15 fans with five radiators.

NZXT Phantom

With pure lines and a huge superior fan, and with space for six more, these are the marking features of this box. Aside from being pleasant to the eyes, the Phantom has many details aimed to please the modder public, such as openings for liquid refrigeration systems or the ample space located underneath the plate to organize the web of cables.

Thermaltake Level 10

Available in different colors, the Level 10 is difficult to explain. It is not a box or a drawer in the strictest sense of the word, but something known as Open Case Architecture. This design by none other than Porsche, an built with aluminum. Every component is installed in box separate from the rest and all models are linked in a stylized column that contains the controls and can be accessed from the other side. It is simply precious.