HP Slimline 290 2018, Core i7-8700, 8GB, 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD, Black

The HP Slimline 290 is a compact office PC with a still-capable i7-8700 and a surprisingly strong integrated GPU for its class. But 8GB of RAM in the 3rd percentile is a real problem, and the CAD 1,075 asking price is hard to justify. Worth considering only if you find it cheap and need a small, no-frills workhorse.

The i7-8700 holds up okay for a chip this old. Six cores at 3.2GHz with boost up to 4.6GHz means snappy enough performance for spreadsheets, web tabs, and light multitasking. The 256GB SSD keeps boot times quick, and the 1TB HDD gives you room for files. But that 8GB of RAM is the weak link here. It's in the 3rd percentile, which means almost every other desktop we've tested has more memory. Open too many Chrome tabs and you'll hit the ceiling fast. The integrated HD Graphics 630 is technically a 97th percentile performer, but that's like being the tallest kid in kindergarten. It'll handle video playback and basic display duties, not much else.

Stacked against something like the Lenovo Legion Tower 5a Gen 10 or the ASUS ROG GM700, this HP looks like it wandered into the wrong room. Those machines have dedicated GPUs and gaming-grade components. The Slimline 290 isn't even playing the same sport. The Dell Tower Plus EBT2250 is a closer match in spirit, but it likely offers newer internals. The CLX SET TGMSETRTU5204BM and the Horizon Pcs Autherium Dragon are both in a completely different performance class. If you need any graphical horsepower at all, every single competitor here beats the HP. The Slimline's only real edge is its small footprint and port selection.

Pricing is murky here. The only listing we found is CAD 1,075, which feels steep for a refurbished machine with 8GB of RAM and integrated graphics. You're paying for the compact form factor and the Windows 10 Pro license, not raw performance. At this price, you could find newer desktops with more RAM and better CPUs. If you can snag this thing for significantly less, it makes more sense. At full asking price, it's a tough sell.

The HP Slimline 290 is a compact desktop that punches above its weight in one specific area: integrated graphics. That Intel HD Graphics 630 sits in the 97th percentile for this category, which sounds impressive until you remember it's still integrated graphics. This is not a gaming machine, no matter what the GPU percentile says. It's a small office PC with a decent CPU and a weirdly strong iGPU for what it is.

The i7-8700 is a six-core chip from 2017 that still handles everyday work fine. But the 8GB of RAM is a real bottleneck, landing in the 3rd percentile. That's rough. For basic browsing, email, and Office apps, it'll get by. For anything heavier, you'll feel the squeeze.

Skip this if you need to run anything graphically demanding, like video editing, 3D modeling, or gaming. The integrated graphics and 180W PSU make upgrades nearly impossible. Also skip it if you're a heavy multitasker. 8GB of RAM will frustrate you within a week. And if you're paying anywhere near CAD 1,075, you can get a much more capable machine for the same money.

This is a machine for someone who needs a small, quiet desktop for basic office work and doesn't plan to upgrade anything. The i7-8700 still has life in it, and the SSD plus HDD combo is practical. But the 8GB RAM cap and 180W power supply mean this thing is stuck being what it is. If you're a student writing papers, a receptionist handling email, or someone who just needs a reliable machine for web browsing and document editing, it'll do the job. Just don't expect it to grow with you.