An all-in-one (AIO) computer is a personal PC, specifically designed to meet all of your computing needs in a single, slim and compact unit. These streamlined computers are more space-saving and efficient, easy to set up, easy to use, and easy to maintain.
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Pros of an all-in-one computer
Space-saving
By having all its components integrated, an all-in-one computer significantly reduces its size, making it a device that covers less space.
Elegant Design
The all-in-one computers are usually very attractive and come with modern and elegant designs. That is why they are ideal for offices as they look great on the desk.
Less Power Consumption
Being more compact PCs, the all-in-one PCs use downsized hard drives and low-power processors that consume less energy. Thus, they consume less electricity than traditional desktop PCs.
Less/No cables
Most all-in-one computers require only a keyboard and mouse and that too can be connected via WiFi or Bluetooth. Therefore, you will no longer see any cables on your table.
Easy installation
Since all of its parts are already assembled, you need not know the process of assembling the components. The only thing you need to know is to connect to the power outlet and the keyboard and mouse.
Cons of an All-in-One computer
Difficult to Upgrade
Since the all-in-one PCs are closed-circuit and compact units, that is why is extremely difficult for users to upgrade them. For example, many companies have developed specific components for their specific type of computer, so updating or repairing it becomes a difficult task.
Portability
You should never buy an all-in-one PC thinking about its portability. These are not laptops. Although they are more manageable than a desktop PC, they are not made (by weight and dimensions) to be constantly moved around.
High Prices
The prices of all-in-one PCs are higher than Desktops as well as Laptops. That’s why people often hesitate between a desktop and an all-in-one PC because of the latter cost much more than a desktop.
Let’s talk about the top five all-in-one PCs available on the market this year. Whether you’re looking for an all-in-one PC for school work, video editing, casual use, or anything in between, this article will have you covered. Thus, if you’re interested in finding out which all-in-one pc will be best for you, we suggest you keep reading till the very end.
HP Pavilion 27
The first one on our list is the HP Pavilion 27 all-in-one PC. The HP 27-inch Pavilion all-in-one PC is a gorgeous windows-10 all-in-one PC and is known as a multimedia beast. While it isn’t as innovative as the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 or as capable as the 27-inch Apple iMac that we have discussed later in this article, this all-in-one proves that there’s plenty of room for AIO PCs without getting prohibitively expensive.
The 27-inch touchscreen provides wide viewing angles with excellent brightness and contrast and sharp visual detail. The IPS panel provides colors that are rich and well saturated. The 1080p resolution paired with the Intel UHD 630 graphics makes any 4k content look fantastic. The display is supported by a slim rectangular base with tilt adjustment.
For video conferencing and online chat, there’s a 5-megapixel webcam and a quad array digital microphone that pops up from the top edge when you need to use it. The bottom front of the display features a fabric-covered speaker grille that conceals the Bang & Olufsen tuned speakers. Internally the Pavilion AIO is packing an intel i7 processor with 16 gigabytes of RAM. Similarly, there’s plenty of file storage with a 512 gigabyte SSD and a one terabyte hard drive on board.
When looking at performance, this AIO can handle anything. From simple productivity tasks like word processing and spreadsheet editing up to more complex media editing. Even when you’re running several processes concurrently, there isn’t even a hint of lag. The only caveat is the integrated graphics card. When it comes to gaming, it is only truly suitable for basic games.
All the ports are situated on the back panel. The ports include USB-A and USB-C ports, HDMI, a headphone/microphone combo jack, and more. To complete the package, a wireless keyboard and mouse combo are included in the box.
If you’re shopping around for an AIO but want to rein in the costs a bit, the HP 27 Pavilion all-in-one PC is an excellent choice. It offers a terrific balance of price versus performance that outperforms its price tag and is a great overall option.
DELL Optiplex 7070 Ultra
The second one on our list is the DELL Optiplex 7070 Ultra. The DELL Optiplex 7070 Ultra is a solid desktop with the hardware built into the neck of its display. This clever space-saving design has a tiny footprint and is one of the best budget all-in-one desktops you can get right now. Desktop PCs aren’t usually the most exciting affairs but this specific innovation from DELL is worth your attention.
The Optiplex 7070 Ultra is a compact business desktop that packs all the hardware into the neck of the monitor stand. This makes it an effective space-saving solution, especially for anyone looking to streamline their computer setup. Setup is simple and involves sliding the PC module into the monitor stand and snapping it in place into a cutout in the back of the stand. From there you attach the cables and snap the cover in place that conceals the PC and cables. Once you’re done the height adjustable stand supports any VESA-mounted monitor up to 27 inches. Keep in mind that it is just a simple operation to mount it on the stand.
While ordering the DELL 7070 Ultra, you can choose to add a suitable monitor to your order. Internal hardware includes an Intel mobile U processor that has a compact design. It also maintains high-level power and performance with up to a quad-core i7 chip. Internal memory can be configured with up to 32 gigabytes of RAM. For app and file storage, you can add up to two one-terabyte SSDs. For connectivity, there are plenty of options and include USB-A and USB-C ports with display ports, a combo audio jack, and more. In addition to the monitor, you’ll also have to supply your keyboard and mouse. Remember that you can order those along with the monitor at the time of purchase.
If you’re interested in graduating to an AIO desktop while staying on budget, the DELL Optiplex 7070 Ultra is a very good choice. Its modular configuration lets you tailor the cost and performance to give you exactly what you need within an affordable price range.
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
The third one on our list is the Microsoft Surface Studio 2. The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is more than just a PC for creators. It is an all-around top-of-the-line PC period. With the best touch screen, you can find for drawing or digital creation, its flexible hinge lets you use the Surface Studio 2 as a desktop or as a drawing board. Furthermore, it has enough power to get you through any task you can throw at it. However, it does come at a very substantial price point.
The 28-inch touchscreen display produces sharp detail and vivid colors. Its display uses a 3×2 aspect ratio that matches 35-millimeter film and offers a better reading experience for websites, digital books, and magazines. In addition, the Surface Studio 2 comes with a surface pen that provides an extremely natural feeling and experience as you draw and write on the screen. Creators appreciate the display’s color accuracy, reproducing 167 of the sRGB color gamut. Thus, it is ideal for photo editing and retouching and any task that relies on accurate color values.
The touch screen panel is mounted on Microsoft’s spring-assisted “Zero Gravity” hinge. This lets you use the screen upright for traditional desktop use or down low like a drafting table for more comfortable use of the stylus and touchscreen. Neatly packed into the base of the monitor is an intel i7 processor, a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics card, 16 gigabytes of RAM, and a one-terabyte SSD. The rear edge of the base houses all the connectivity ports.
The audio quality is also quite good. This AIO has eight speakers built into the display, another two in the base and it delivers Dolby Audio Premium sound. A wireless keyboard and mouse are also included in the box. If you’re a video editor, graphic designer, or someone who just wants a very powerful PC that is easy to use, the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 is an excellent choice. This AIO, while quite expensive, will give you the best media experience available. It comes with a digital pen that let you interact with this AIO PC in a completely natural way.
Apple iMac 27-inch
The fourth one is the Apple iMac 27-inch. The 27-inch Apple iMac is one of the best big-screen all-in-one computers for prosumers and work-from-home crowds. It features a stunning 5k retina display. With the stand included, the 27-inch iMac is a bit large but even so it almost certainly won’t look bulky even on smaller desks. It is also easy to swivel with one hand on your desk. All of its ports are mounted at the rear along the right edge and include four USB 3.0 type-A ports, two USB type-C ports with Thunderbolt 3 support, a headphone jack, and more.
The real attractive feature here is the 27-inch built-in retina 5k display. It features a 5120 x 2880 Pixel native resolution with support for 1 billion colors. It covers the entire P3 color gamut with plenty of brightness. However, one thing conspicuous by its absence is touch support. Under the hood, the iMac packs an Intel i5 processor with hyper-threading effectively doubling its speed.
For graphics processing, a discrete AMD Radeon Pro 5300 card is in place along with eight gigabytes of RAM to keep the system fluid and stable. The storage is taken care of by a 512-gigabyte SSD. Apple includes a wireless magic keyboard and magic mouse too with this AIO. You’ll appreciate that they come to you charged and ready to go right out of the box.
If you’ve been looking for an AIO desktop computer and want a fast processor with a big beautiful display, the Apple iMac 27-inch is a very good choice. The iMac offers an overall amazing user experience. While the price point is still rather high, there are a few other AIOs on the market that are truly worthy competitors to the iMac.
HP Envy 32
Last but not least, the HP Envy 32 is an excellent all-in-one desktop. It offers a large 4k display, a built-in sound bar, and a formidable set of hardware components that are ready to power through both work and play. The HP Envy 32 AIO is a nice-looking desktop but its stand is not too remarkable visually. It does feature a built-in Qi wireless charger. The lower section of the monitor houses a fabric-covered sound bar.
The non-touch 32-inch screen boasts an alluring 4k resolution and covers 98 of the DCI P3 color gamut. It also offers wide viewing angles. You can tilt the display up or down via the rear stand. However, there are no additional adjustments available and the display doesn’t rotate between landscape and portrait modes like the Apple iMac. You must turn the entire PC around to get at the ports at the back panel.
Internal hardware includes an intel i7 processor, dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics, 32 gigabytes of RAM, and a one terabyte SSD. With these higher-end components, HP believes the Envy 32 could be a true one-stop shop for home entertainment, demanding office work, and even content creation. Going as far as to label it a creative studio and realistically, it’s on par with the apple iMac. Although an AIO like the Surface Studio 2 is better suited to artists who need to draw or use a pen.
If you want the best of the best in an AIO PC that has an amazing 4k screen and the muscle to power through anything you can throw at it, the HP Envy 32 all-in-one is going to be the perfect PC for you. You’ll get some special features like the built-in Qi charger, fast processing power, a great graphics card, and an overall great user experience.