Traditional desktop PCs are powerful and all, but they do take up quite a bit of space. Also, their cumbersome appearance and separated peripherals make desk reorganization an ordeal. Too many wires and electronics can quickly add up to the clutter. Such a problem doesn’t exist when it comes to All in One desktops.
These are special computers that combine the monitor with the computer chassis in a singular, sleek design.
They’re quite rare since they’re more expensive to manufacture than the usual modular PC or even the usual laptop, but the sleekness and the space savings make it worth the expense. All in One desktops offer a cleaner look and of course, fewer wires and dangling components depending on the model.
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Granted, they don’t exactly have the best specifications or hardware combinations, especially when compared to traditional desktop PCs. Moreover, there is also the limitation of hardware; All in One desktops are not modular and thus don’t allow for the same level of upgrades as a regular desktop PC.
All things considered, some All in One desktops are just too good whether for productivity, user-friendliness, or for decluttering a desk.
HP Envy 34 All-in-One
PROS
- Huge, wide UHD screen
- Generous RAM
- Decent storage
- Comes with detachable magnetic webcam
- Anti-reflection coating
- Sleek design
- Bang & Olufsen speakers
CONS
- CPU is last-gen
- RTX 3080 versions are hard to find
- Pricey
- RTX 3060 will struggle with WUHD resolution in gaming
- Display: 34″ WUHD (wide ultra-HD) display
- CPU/Processor: Intel Core i7-11700
- GPU/Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- RAM/Memory: 32 GB
- Storage: 1 TB
You’ll probably not want any other All in One desktop after getting a taste of what the HP Envy 34 AIO has to offer. Because this one boasts a 34-inch ultrawide UHD+ display. It’s hard to go back to smaller screens after experiencing that one.
The productivity boost will be undeniable. Of course, there’s also something for gamers here. the typical model right now sports an RTX 3060 though that might struggle with the WUHD display. You’ll need to turn down the settings quite a bit.
There were versions that included an RTX 3080 but finding those in stock will be difficult. In any case, this AIO desktop is best geared for digital media professionals, as is dictated by the screen size.
HP Envy 34 All-in-One
2021 Apple iMac
PROS
- Sleek, minimalist design
- Thin and light
- Simple OS and software
- Beautiful screen
- Sync with other Apple devices
- 1080p FaceTime HD camera
- Comes with Magic Keyboard and Mouse
CONS
- Default RAM is inadequate
- Default storage could be better
- Forget about mainstream gaming
- Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina display
- CPU/Processor: Apple M1 chip (8-core)
- GPU/Graphics card: 8-core GPU via M1 chip
- RAM/Memory: 8 GB
- Storage: 512GB
If you don’t care too much about gaming beyond the games that actually work in the MacOS, then head on over to Apple for the 2021 iMac. It remains one of the most popular options for digital media professions due to its ease of use and lack of software tinkering needed.
It just works, making it an ideal option for people who don’t have patience for Windows or Linux. Its Retina display remains one of the most beautiful screens in the industry though the CPU and onboard GPU don’t exactly impress here.
Neither do the meager default RAM and the rather lackluster storage. But Apple does offer some bigger and more accommodating options. It’s just that this default version is a good starting point.
2021 Apple iMac
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i
PROS
- Minimalist design
- 27-inch, QHD display
- Touchscreen
- Comes with a wireless charging port
- Not too expensive
- Has smaller and less expensive variants
CONS
- Outdated CPU
- No dedicated GPU
- Storage could be better
- Display: 27″ QHD Touch Display
- CPU/Processor: Intel Core i7-10700T
- GPU/Graphics card: Integrated
- RAM/Memory: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
If you’re looking for an oversized Wacom tablet, this probably takes the cake. The Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i is quite a sight to behold. Aside from the modern design, this laptop also has a touchscreen display, making it ideal for digital artists or even architects.
Beyond that, this All in One desktop doesn’t really do much outside its own field. It’s not good for gaming since the GPU is integrated and the CPU is also starting to become outdated. However, the QHD display along with the sharp touchscreen response ought to make up for that if you’re a digital artist.
There’s also an integrated wireless charging port at the base of the computer, which is an impressive extra.
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 5i
Acer Aspire C27-1655-UA93
PROS
- Thin
- 27-inch screen
- Wireless keyboard and mouse included
CONS
- Storage could be better
- Don't expect much when it comes to gaming
- Display: 27″ Full HD IPS
- CPU/Processor: Intel Core i7-1165G7
- GPU/Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce MX330
- RAM/Memory: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD/1 TB HDD
Well, we wouldn’t blame you if you still want to play some games on your AIO desktop PC, they’re a great way to spend your break time, after all. So if you want something with a little more robust GPU, the Acer Aspire C27 equipped with Nvidia’s MX330 GPU ought to be enough for stuff like League of Legends or other light games.
It’s also great for productivity due to the 4-core, 8-threads CPU. Storage isn’t the best since it still uses a hard disk drive which is slow these days but any space is welcome. The design is pretty standard as far as AIO PCs go. They even looked like they were aiming for the iMac form factor with how thin the AIO PC is, though the difference is, this one allows you to play games.
Acer Aspire C27-1655-UA93
Acer Aspire C24-1650-UA92
PROS
- Thin and minimalist
- Has more affordable variants with lower specs
CONS
- RAM is inadequate
- No dedicated GPU
- Storage could be better
- Display: 23.8″ Full HD IPS
- CPU/Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- GPU/Graphics card: Intel Iris Xe Graphics (Integrated)
- RAM/Memory: 8GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB NVMe M.2 SSD
Not all AIO desktop PCs have to be inventive or expensive. Some are simply built for school use or some typing and clerical work. In that case, the Acer Aspire C24 series will be more than adequate. At its price point ($750), you could just purchase a traditional PC, but the specs won’t be much better.
Hence, the pricing is more or less fair here. Heck, it might even be better since there’s already a monitor included in that price, and the desktop is also thin and sleek, similar to an iMac. The specs won’t impress anyone used to gaming PCs, but that’s just one of the compromises of this budget segment.
Acer Aspire C24-1650-UA92
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are AIO computers better?
No. They usually have worse specs than traditional desktop PCs and tend to cost more. But some have nifty design features like the touchscreen and lack of clutter. -
Why are AIO computers more expensive?
Because building them is an expensive process and require more specialized components.