Top HP Desktops for Home Entertainment and Streaming

ntegrating a desktop into your home entertainment setup can expand how you use your system. It creates opportunities to access a range of different media and benefits, leading to a more immersive experience. Getting to this is a matter of selecting the right desktop with specifications that lend themselves towards streaming, video play, gaming and music.

HP desktop range overview

The desktops in HP’s range come in various forms, each designed to suit a certain type of user. We’ve selected four desktops from the range suitable for home entertainment and streaming. Each is unique in its design and approach, giving you a taste of what is available.

HP 27” All-In-One Desktop PC (27-cb1000a)

Rather than having a separate tower and monitor, all-in-one desktops combine the two into a single unit. The HP 27-inch All-In-One Desktop PC (27-cb1000a) is a prime example of an all-in-one computer from the HP range that can be used as a home entertainment system.

The 27-inch Full High-Definition (FHD) monitor has a touch screen display, 178-degree wide-viewing angles and dual in-built speakers. Inside, there’s an Intel® Iris® Xe graphics card and 12th Generation Intel Core™ i5 processor, which support smooth video streaming and a rich gaming experience. It has 16GB of DDR4 RAM designed to run quickly and efficiently, supporting multi-tasking and high bandwidth activities. There’s also a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD).

Made using sustainable materials, the space-saving design is great for single-person use. It comes with an HP 510 white wireless keyboard and mouse combo, meaning you can start using it straight out of the box. There are two microphones and a 1080p FHD camera incorporated into the unit, as well as USB Type-A and a HDMI out port.

Victus by HP 15L Gaming Desktop PC (TG02-0007a)

If you’d prefer a separate tower that can support recreational gaming, as well as streaming and videos, consider the Victus by HP 15L Gaming Desktop PC (TG02-0007a). 

Powered by an AMD Ryzen™ 5 processor and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060 graphics card, this PC has the power to handle most home entertainment needs. Like the HP 27-inch All-In-One Desktop PC mentioned before, it comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage, giving you speedy performance and greater bandwidth for multi-tasking or higher-intensity activities.

The unit has a range of ports and inputs that can connect to external speakers and screens, including monitors, surround sound systems and TV screens. There are multiple USB Type-A ports, a combination headphone microphone port, audio in and out ports, and a USB Type-C port. For video connectors, there’s a choice between HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort™.

One benefit to the Victus 15L Gaming Desktop is the ability to customise the unit. This Victus model’s design makes it easy to upgrade, changing components like memory, storage and graphics cards. This is great if you’re looking for a foundational desktop that you can build on in future.

HP Slim Desktop PC (S01-pF2009a)

The HP Slim Desktop PC (S01-pF2009a) shows just how much power can be placed inside a compact desktop. Weighing just 3.02 kg, the unit is 9.5 cm wide, 30.3 cm deep and 27 cm tall; if you’re short on space, this desktop might be the one for you.

The central processing unit is a 12th Generation Intel Core i7 processor with Intel Turbo Boost Technology for added performance. This is supported by an Intel UHD Graphics 770 card, a relatively new integrated graphic solution. It has 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 1TB SSD, giving you plenty of storage. As an added bonus, buyers also get access to 25GB of Dropbox storage for 12 months.

A feature that may be useful to some is the inbuilt optical drive. It supports DVD writing. On the front and back of the machine are various ports, including USB Type-A, audio-in and audio-out. VGA and HDMI-out video connectors have been incorporated into the design, and it has Bluetooth 5.0 to maintain a strong connection with compatible accessories.

HP ENVY Move 23.8” All-in-One Desktop PC (24-cs0000a)

A multi-purpose solution, the HP ENVY Move 23.8-inch All-in-One Desktop PC (24-cs0000a) was designed with flexibility in mind. Rather than being tethered by a power cord, this desktop has an in-built battery that lasts up to 4 hours on a single charge. It easily can be moved around using the built-in handle and set down on the kickstand feet around the house, from the kitchen bench or dining room table to the lounge room floor or kids’ play room.

The 23.8-inch Quad High-Definition (QHD) touch screen provides a clear, crisp image. Audio comes through a pair of inbuilt Bang & Olufsen speakers, and it also has a 5MP camera. On the rear of the PC is a back pocket, which has cleverly been incorporated to store the HP 720 White Touchpad Integrated Bluetooth Keyboard when you’re not using it.

Inside the HP ENVY Move (24-cs0000a) is a 13th Generation Intel Core i5 processor and Intel UHD Graphics card. These can handle most home entertainment needs, especially video streaming, low-intensity gaming and digital art creation.

What to look for in an HP desktop

Which HP desktop is the right one depends on your wants and needs. That being said, there are a few key things to consider to make decision-making a little easier.

Audio and graphics quality

In the context of a home entertainment PC, audio and graphics quality are two of the most important things to consider. 

If you choose an all-in-one desktop, it comes with a monitor, so you need to check the specifications and ensure it has the resolution and refresh rate you want. The graphics card it comes with should support streaming, gaming and videos in the native resolution.

Desktop towers need an external monitor or TV screen, so this is a purchase you will need to consider separately. Also consider the desktop’s graphics card, which is responsible for rendering images, videos and 3D graphics. If you’d like to connect the desktop to a screen that supports 4K resolution or higher, check that the graphics card can support this.

Audio quality varies depending on the speakers you choose to use. Some people are happy with the speakers that come with an all-in-one desktop, TV screen or monitor, while others prefer to use external speakers. Which external speakers you can use will vary depending on the connectivity options of the desktop, as well as the drivers and audio features supported by the unit. For example, the Victus 15L Gaming Desktop PC supports 5.1 surround sound, which is used in many home theatres. 

Multiple display support

Rather than having to plug and unplug different monitors and screens, some desktops can control multiple displays at once. For home entertainment, this means you can have something playing through a large screen and have a separate screen mirroring the larger one or a completely different activity. Alternatively, you can have two or more of the same screens next to one another for a multi-screen gaming experience. Such a setup can also benefit your productivity when working on content creation, study, data processing or research activities.

Compact and space-saving options

If you’re part of a smaller household or have limited space, a desktop could be the most compact yet powerful solution for your home entertainment system. One option is to go straight for an all-in-one desktop. Since the computer is incorporated into the monitor, there’s a huge reduction in the unit’s footprint. It’s a good choice for people who tend to use the system alone. If you have a bit more space or want to share the system with others, then a desktop computer connected to a wall or mounted screen might be the way to go.

Summary

Desktop computers have evolved over the years, and today, there are a range of different forms, from traditional towers to compact all-in-one systems. Whether you’re looking for a high-performance machine that can handle gaming, a compact unit to save on space or something for a decked-out home theatre, HP is bound to have a desktop that suits your home entertainment needs.