HP took out top spot in Canstar Blue’s 2025 ratings for desktop computers, scoring an impressive five stars across all categories, including overall satisfaction and value for money.
Our ratings compare a range of desktop computer brands across a number of factors including customer satisfaction. This means you can find out what other Aussies think about their desktop computer brand, all in the one place.
Canstar Blue surveyed 213 Australians for their feedback on the desktop computer they’ve purchased in the last three years. This refers to desktop computers only (not laptops or tablet devices), which are not portable.
Survey respondents are asked to rate their satisfaction with their desktop computer brand from zero to 10, with zero meaning extremely dissatisfied and 10 meaning extremely satisfied. Desktop computer brand satisfaction is rated on the following criteria:
The winning brand is the one that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating once all the scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged.
To qualify in the ratings results, brands must have received a minimum of 30 responses to be included. Therefore, not all desktop computer brands in the market will be compared in this survey. Brands rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customers ratings.
HP beat previous three-time winner, Apple, to be named the best-rated Desktop Computer brand for the first time since 2021. It scored an impressive five stars in all categories, including overall satisfaction, and was the only brand to score five stars for performance, user friendliness, value for money and design.
Apple came in second place, scoring four stars in most categories including overall satisfaction, although it scored five stars in durability, but three stars for value for money. Lenovo was in third place with four stars for overall satisfaction, while Dell rounded out our ratings with three stars for overall satisfaction.
However, these four aren’t the only desktop computer names on the market. There are plenty of brands offering computers for a range of different users and activities. Some computers might come packed with fast processing and plenty of storage for gaming and other intensive activities, like running design and video editing programs. Other devices might just offer the basics, to serve as a home computer for the whole family to use.
The average price paid for a desktop computer, according to our survey, was $1,476 — no wonder that a third (33%) of respondents purchased their computer on sale. The average Aussie also spends around three hours per day on their desktop computer, with those aged 18-24 spending the most time on their computer on average (around four hours) compared to other age groups.
The vast majority (80%) of those we surveyed had purchased their desktop computer for personal use, while 15% purchased for work and 4% for study. 47% of survey respondents purchased their computer because they wanted an upgrade, while 34% purchased because their old computer broke. Proving that a big purchase such as a desktop computer isn’t taken lightly, 50% of survey respondents researched or compared brands and models before purchase.
As to what Aussies use their computers for the most, 15% purchased specifically for gaming, while 44% of respondents prefer to use their computer rather than their smartphone for activities online, such as browsing and online shopping. 26% of respondents also have more than one computer, while a quarter of Aussies (25%) said they don’t understand much of the jargon associated with computers.
Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for over five years, with a dedication to providing Aussies with all the information they need to make better purchasing decisions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University and has over a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media.
Meet the Editorial Team
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and two years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Meet the Research TeamHere are the previous winners of Canstar Blue’s desktop computer ratings:
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