The desktop PC is evolving, bringing with it innovative technology and faster components in a host of different guises. The result of this change is a better breed of options for every type of user - from those after a high-performance gaming rig, to those short on space and money. Here we look at the best tech innovations currently driving the evolution of desktop PCs in 2010.
All-in-one desktop PCs come of age
With the rise in the popularity of laptops, manufacturers of desktop PCs have had to seriously up their game, and the result is the emergence of the all-in-one PC. These svelte machines pack all the components normally found in a tower PC behind the screen itself, making them perfect for anyone with limited desk space.
Despite the smaller size, you'll still find the latest processors, dedicated graphics cards and enough performance to run any task - from intensive video editing to running the latest games. Available in a range of different sizes, all-in-one PCs are the perfect choice for those where space is at a premium.
Top 3 things to consider for the cutting-edge option
Display: LCD panels for all-in-one PCs start at around 18.5 inches stretching up to 27 inches. However, size isn't as important as you may think, with resolution making a bigger difference to how much you can fit onscreen. Unless you only want to carry out single tasks, aim for a resolution of at least 1600 x 900 pixels.
Performance: Many all-in-ones pack in the latest and most powerful features. Shoot for the top spec and you'll find 3GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processors, 4096MB of memory and up to 1TB hard drives. You'll even be able to play the high-end games, with graphics cards such as the nVidia GeForce GT 130 GPU found in the Apple iMac.
Connectivity: You'll not be restricted to a single room, either, with top-notch connectivity on offer from these desktop behemoths. 802.11n Wi-Fi means you'll be able to stream your videos to other devices, watching HD content on your TV, and Bluetoothlets you connect to your laptop or smartphone.
Rule your desktop with touchscreen gestures and multi-touch
Touchscreen technology has been used in Tablet PCs for the last several years, but it's only recently started to appear on desktop PCs. 2010 is the year where touchscreen devices comes into their own thanks in part to the introduction of Windows 7.
With a host of built-in apps and utilities to support and get the best out of a touchscreen panel, the latest devices also support gestures, letting you swipe, pinch and prod your way around applications and the operating system alike. In combination with an all-in-one design, it's a wonderfully space-efficient solution, and is perfect for one-touch solutions such controlling your music without having to use a mouse.
Top 3 touchscreen gestures that make desktop computing easier
Swivel your photos: Pressing and turning two fingers on your touchscreen using a circular motion is a great way of rotating your photographs. Where some programs make you enter the exact degree, turning your images by sight and touch is a lot easier to get right.
Zoom: It's a lot easier to zoom into documents and images using a computer with a multi-touch display. Rather than entering numbers, all you'll have to do is pinch two of your fingers together - or push them apart again to zoom out. Simple.
Swipe: Touch sensitive screens are at their best when it comes to browsing. For instance, rather than having to scroll websites using your mouse, you'll be able to move down gently by swiping downwards. It's also great fun when flicking through photographs.
Operating systems evolve
Virtually all desktop PCs sold in 2010 will have Windows 7 pre-installed as it's shaping up to be one of the best operating systems yet. Even if you're not interested in the full support for touchscreen devices, it's leaps and bounds ahead of Windows Vista in terms of user friendliness. With a host of great features built-in, it's also more stable, and runs quicker and more smoothly.
Microsoft won't have all its own way with Windows 7, however, as the Google Chrome operating system will also step into the limelight as a new heavyweight contender. It's not the first operating system to come from Google, and will draw heavily on the Google Android OS found on smartphones - with simple and intuitive menus and clearly labeled icons. There's also a good chance of touch support - as with Windows 7.
Top 3 innovative talents of Windows 7
Automatic resizing: Simply drag the window you're working on way over to one side of the screen, and Windows 7 can automatically resize it to fit perfectly in one half of the screen, leaving you to do the same with the other for simple multi-tasking.
Slideshow desktops: Rather than having a static and boring desktop, set up a slideshow to use as both your desktop and screen saver, taking full advantage of your digital photo collection.
Intelligent taskbar: In place of standard stuff along the taskbar, Windows 7 now also features thumbnails for your open applications. Hover over one, and it'll show you mini previews of all the windows you've got open for that application - with different tabs shown for Internet Explorer, for example.
Top 3 innovative talents of Google Chrome
Quick Start web pages: With web pages saved and located on your desktop, they start and load up far quicker than they do using other operating systems.
Different themes: Changing the themes on Google Chrome brings an entirely new feel to the operating system, with a complete change of aesthetics on offer at the click of a button.
Customisable tabs: Keep your most-launched sites in a single browser, with large thumbnails representing the sites. As with anything else in this OS, you'll find the pages can then be loaded incredibly quickly.
Nettop PCs shrink into any space
Want a compact machine without paying the Earth? Then a nettop could be the perfect solution for your needs. Nettops combine the highly affordable and compact components found in netbooks with a small casing that fits neatly into the smallest of spaces.
The power efficient processors found in nettops mean that less ventilation is required, helping these tiny machines to run near silently. As such, they're perfect as media hubs, connecting to your TV and letting you play back your digital movie collections. They also offer more than enough power to browse the internet, so if your needs are basic, why pay more?
3 things you'll need to turn your nettop into a hardcore media hub
A bigger hard drive: Nettops are limited when it comes to HDD space, with the typical device offering 160GB, or around 230 movies as standard. Upgrading to a 500GB laptop drive will offer space for over 700 movies, making your nettop great for media use.
More memory: Playing back movies can be intensive on your machine, so adding extra memory is a quick, cheap and easy way to free up system resources. Look to add an extra 1024MB.
A TV tuner: Turn your ultra-compact PC into the perfect home media centre, with a USB TV Tuner. Look for one with software built into the USB stick itself, along with a telescopic aerial. Plug it in, and you're good to go.
Discuss this topic in our Computing and Gaming forum.