Editing Desktop computer (section)

==Types==
===By size===
{{Multiple image
| image1 = HP-HP9000-C110-Workstation 10.jpg
| image2 = HP-HP9000-C110-Workstation 21.jpg
| total_width = 350
| footer = An [[HP 9000]] workstation oriented as both a desktop ''(left)'' and as a [[Computer tower|tower]] ''(both)''. Optional plastic feet ''(pictured bottom right)'' allow the workstation to be held sturdily upright in the tower configuration.
}}

====Full-size====
Full-sized desktops are characterized by separate display and processing components. These components are connected to each other by cables or [[Wireless Network|wireless connections]]. They often come in a [[Computer tower|tower]] form factor. These computers are easy to customize and upgrade per user requirements, e.g. by [[expansion card]].

Early extended-size (significantly larger than mainstream [[ATX]] case) tower computers sometimes were labeled as "[[deskside computer]]s",<ref>{{Cite web|title=SGI Onyx2 Deskside - VAXBARN|url=https://www.vaxbarn.com/index.php/collection/8-collection/88%20-sgi-onyx2|access-date=2021-05-23|website=www.vaxbarn.com|archive-date=2021-05-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523211648/https://www.vaxbarn.com/index.php/collection/8-collection/88%20-sgi-onyx2|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-06-07|title=7028-6E1 IBM eServer pSeries 610 Deskside Server Model 6E1|url=https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?infotype=dd&subtype=sm&appname=pseries&htmlfid=897/ENUS7028-6E1|access-date=2021-05-24|website=www-01.ibm.com|language=en-US}}</ref> but currently this naming is quite rare.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cray CX1 Deskside Supercomputer|url=http://blog.davidboucher.com/2009/11/cray-cx1-deskside-supercomputer.html|access-date=2021-05-23}}</ref>

====Compact====
[[File:Dell OptiPlex behind TFT screen.jpg|thumb|Compact desktop can be used similar to all-in-one computer.]]
{{Main|Small form factor (desktop and motherboard)|Nettop}}
Compact desktops are reduced in physical proportions compared to full-sized desktops. They are typically small-sized, inexpensive, low-power computers designed for basic tasks such as [[Web navigation|web browsing]], accessing [[web application|web-based applications]], document processing, and audio/video playback.<ref>http://techreport.com/articles.x/21556 Zotac's Zbox Nano AD10 Plus nettop - Zacate in the palm of your hand</ref> Hardware specifications and processing power are usually reduced<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Santo-Domingo|first1=Joel|title=Is A Nettop Right for You?|url=https://www.pcmag.com/commentary/237102/is-a-nettop-right-for-you|website=PCMAG}}</ref> and hence make them less appropriate for running complex or resource-intensive [[application program|application]]s. A [[nettop]] is a notable example of a compact desktop. A laptop without a screen can functionally be used as a compact desktop, sometimes called a "slabtop".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shakir |first=Umar |date=2022-03-26 |title=Honey, I decapitated the MacBook |url=https://www.theverge.com/22965732/macbook-decapitation-slabtop-mod-mac-studio-event-rumor-keyboard-computer-diy |access-date=2022-03-30 |website=The Verge |language=en}}</ref>

===Form factor===
{{See also|Mini PC|Keyboard computer}}

====All-in-one====
{{Main|All-in-one computer}}
[[File:Dell Inspiron One 23 Touch AIO Desktop PC.png|thumb|[[Dell Inspiron]] One 23 Touch as an example of an AIO desktop PC]]
An ''all-in-one'' (AIO) desktop computer integrates the system's internal components into the same case as the display, thus occupying a smaller footprint (with fewer cables) than desktops that incorporate a tower.<ref name=pcmag-howtoaio>{{cite web|title=How to Buy an All-in-One PC|url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2409554,00.asp|website=PC Magazine|date=January 28, 2015 |access-date=18 October 2015}}</ref> The All-in-one systems are rarely labeled as desktop computers.

====Tower====
{{Main|Computer tower}}
[[File:Falcon Northwest Talon.png|thumb|A mid-tower computer case from {{circa}} 2011]]
In [[personal computing]], a [[Computer tower|tower]] is a [[computer form factor|form factor]] of desktop [[computer case]] whose height is much greater than its width, thus having the appearance of an upstanding [[tower block]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-computer-tower.htm | title=What is a Computer Tower? }}</ref>

====Pizza box form factor====
{{Main|Pizza box form factor}}
{{Unreferenced section|date=October 2024}}
In [[computing]], a [[Pizza box form factor|pizza box]] [[computer enclosure|enclosure]] is a design for desktop computers. Pizza box cases tend to be wide and flat, resembling [[pizza box|pizza delivery boxes]] and thus the name.
[[File:NeXT Pizzabox-IMG 7227.jpg|thumb|center|[[NeXTstation]] [[Pizza box form factor|pizzabox form factor]]]]

====Cube====
[[File:NEXT Cube-IMG 7154.jpg|thumb|right|[[NeXTcube]] had a cube [[computer enclosure|enclosure]].]]
Cube [[Workstation]]s have a cube case [[Computer enclosure|enclosure]] to house the [[motherboard]], [[PCI Express|PCI-E]] expansion cards, [[GPU]], [[central processing unit|CPU]], [[dynamic random-access memory|DRAM]] [[DIMM]] slots, [[computer cooling]] equipment, [[chipset]]s, [[Input device|I]]/[[Output device|O]] ports, [[hard disk drive]]s, and [[solid-state drive]]s.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.overclockers.co.uk/blog/pc-case-form-factors-explained-everything-you-need-to-know/ | title=PC Case Form Factors Explained | date=May 17, 2022 }}</ref>
{{multiple image
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 | image1 = Workstation cube.webp
 | caption1 = 3D sketch of a half cube workstation

 | image2 = Workstation cube lid off.webp
 | caption2 = Case enclosure holds a [[graphics processing unit|GPU]], [[PCI Express|PCI-E]] [[solid-state drive|SSD]], [[dynamic random-access memory|DRAM]] [[DIMM]] sticks, and [[air cooling]] [[heat sink]] on the [[CPU]]
}}

=== By usage ===
==== Gaming computer ====
{{Main|Gaming computer}}
Gaming computers are desktop computers with high performance [[Central processing unit|CPU]], [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]], and [[random-access memory|RAM]] optimized for playing video games at high resolution and [[frame rates]]. Gaming computer peripheries usually include [[Keyboard technology|mechanical keyboards]] for faster response time,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Laura |first=Bremner |date=12 January 2020 |title=Why are mechanical keyboards better |url=https://pcsite.co.uk/why-mechanical-keyboards-are-becoming-more-popular-among-techies/ |website=PcSite.co.uk}}</ref> and a gaming [[computer mouse]] which can track higher dots per inch movement.<ref>{{Cite web|website=spacehop.com|title=Gaming mice|date=13 January 2021|url=https://spacehop.com/gaming-mouse-vs-normal-mouse/}}</ref>

==== Home theater ====
{{Main|Home theater PC}}
These desktops are connected to home entertainment systems and typically used for amusement purpose. They come with high definition display, video graphics, surround sound and TV tuner systems to complement typical PC features.

==== Thin client / Internet appliance ====
{{Main|Thin client|Internet appliance}}
Over time some traditional desktop computers have been replaced with thin clients utilizing off-site computing solutions like the cloud.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Bleicher |first1=Paul |title=The Evolution of the Desktop Computer |journal=Applied Clinical Trials |location=Monmouth Junction |volume=17 |issue=6 |date=June 2008 |pages=44, 46, 48 |url=https://www.proquest.com/openview/95c886d489223ac95e1014b588abe231/1 }}</ref> As more services and applications are served over the internet from off-site servers, local computing needs decrease, this drives desktop computers to be smaller, cheaper, and need less powerful hardware. More applications and in some cases entire virtual desktops are moved off-site and the desktop computer runs only an operating system or a shell application while the actual content is served from a server. Thin client computers may do almost all of their computing on a virtual machine in another site. Internal, hosted virtual desktops can offer users a completely consistent experience from anywhere.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Fata |first1=Matt |title=Corp to Cloud: Google's Virtual Desktops |publisher=Communications of the ACM |doi=10.1145/3233233 |s2cid=53112965 }}</ref>

==== Workstation ====
{{Multiple image
| image1 = HP-Integrity-RX2600 09.jpg
| caption1 = [[HP Integrity]] server with rack-mountable and desktop variants
| image2 = HP-HP9000-ZX6000-Itanium2-Workstation 11.jpg
| caption2 = [[HP9000]] workstation, based on an Integrity desktop server
| total_width = 350
}}

{{Main|Workstation}}
Workstations are advanced class of personal computers designed for a user and more powerful than a regular PC but less powerful than a server in regular computing. They are capable of high-resolution and three-dimensional interfaces, and typically used to perform scientific and engineering work.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Workstation Definition & Facts|url=https://www.britannica.com/technology/workstation|access-date=2021-05-25|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en}}</ref> Like server computers, they are often connected with other workstations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Workstation Definition|url=https://techterms.com/definition/workstation|access-date=2021-05-27|website=techterms.com}}</ref> The main form-factor for this class is a Tower case, but most vendors produce compact or all-in-one low-end workstations. Most tower workstations can be converted to a [[19-inch rack|rack-mount]] version.

==== Desktop server ====
Oriented for [[Small office/home office|small business]] class of servers; typically entry-level server machines, with similar to workstation/gaming PC computing powers and with some mainstream servers features, but with only basic graphic abilities; and some desktop servers can be converted to workstations.