4 Advice to Choose a all in one touch screen for edu

An all-in-one computer combines a PC, monitor, speakers, and webcam into one streamlined device that has fewer cords and is typically a bit more aesthetically pleasing than a traditional desktop. As a result, an all-in-one often works well as a family computer in a kitchen or other shared space, an office computer at reception desks or service desks, or in areas that have limited outlets.

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All-in-ones are also the simplest computers available. If you don’t want to make a bunch of purchasing decisions on your computer, monitor, webcam, and peripherals, our top pick is a great computer that includes all of those components.

But if you don’t mind making those purchases separately, it’s more cost-effective to buy a mini PC and a monitor instead of an all-in-one. For instance, Apple’s M4 Mac mini and our top-pick 27-inch monitor would together cost about $900 before tax, and they would provide far better performance than a budget all-in-one. You could even upgrade to a 4K monitor and still spend a few hundred dollars less in total than you would on the Apple iMac. Separate components are also easier to upgrade in the future, because the display or webcam isn’t physically attached to a mini PC as in an all-in-one—though combining separate components involves more unruly wires and requires more power outlets.

Most all-in-ones aren’t repairable, if that’s important to you. Since the computer’s components are packed tightly into the display, these machines are typically held together with glue and other bits of manufacturing trickery that make them difficult to open, clean, and fix.

Processor:M4 10-core CPUScreen:23.5-inch IPS, ×Graphics:M4 10-coreStorage:256 GBMemory:16 GBWebcam:12 megapixels

The Apple 24-inch iMac is a fast, well-designed computer that comes in a bunch of fun color options. It has the same M4 processor that powers the company’s MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iPad Pro, and it has a few upgrades that make it worth buying. Apple has updated the webcam to a new 12-megapixel sensor that performs far better in low light than previous iMac cameras. This model also has a gorgeous high-resolution display, so text is crisp and clear while you’re working, and it’s great for watching movies or TV shows. The optional nano-textured display is very effective at diffusing glare rather than reflecting it back at you, and worth considering if you work near a window and struggle with reflections on your screen. And the iMac comes in seven colors: blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, and purple.

The iMac is more expensive than other all-in-ones, but it offers an outsized value. Many competitors try to build their all-in-ones to compete against budget monitors and budget PCs, which give you low-resolution displays and underpowered processors. Apple’s version of an all-in-one is more expensive, but its combination of a high-resolution display, a quiet processor, and modern design makes it far more pleasurable to use. We recommend buying the version powered by the 10-core M4 processor as opposed to the cheaper eight-core model because the pricier iMac offers four USB-C ports instead of two, support for two external monitors instead of one, Gigabit Ethernet, a keyboard with Touch ID, and the option to upgrade to the nano-textured display.

The iMac’s screen is incredibly sharp. The iMac’s 24-inch display has a 4.5K resolution, which makes applications, icons, text, images, and video look crisp and clear. The display also gets bright enough for use in sunny rooms or around bright lights, since the screen can emit up to 500 nits of brightness. The M4 model offers a new nano-textured display option, which isn’t a coating but different glass that is made to diffuse, rather than reflect, external light. It’s very effective, significantly cutting down on visible reflections. iMac screens are already very bright, which helps battle the light of the sun, so we recommend getting the upgraded glass only if you’re already annoyed by glare or reflections on your screen. The one downside is that, with this screen’s maximum refresh rate of 60 Hz, this all-in-one computer isn’t meant for serious gaming.

It runs on Apple’s M4 processor. The iMac runs on Apple’s M4 chip, which is powerful enough to handle basic computing tasks such as web browsing, streaming, and light video editing and doesn’t generate a lot of heat. In our tests, the 10-core processor we recommend didn’t balk at opening dozens of tabs, streaming audio and video, or editing media.

You can add more RAM and storage, but the basic package is likely enough. The iMac configuration we recommend includes 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB solid-state drive for storing files. Apple has upgraded the base memory on most Macs to 16 GB, which we think is enough for most people. However, if your current computer is using more than 150 GB to 200 GB of storage, upgrading to a 512 GB drive or investing in an external hard drive for extra storage would be worthwhile.

The iMac’s built-in webcam represents a serious step up from previous iMacs and MacBooks. The iMac’s new 12-megapixel webcam looks far sharper and has more dynamic range than the p webcams found in the last-gen iMac and MacBooks. The camera has a really wide angle, and we found that it looks best when used with Apple’s Center Stage software, which automatically crops the image to better frame your face in a video call. You can activate Center Stage anytime the camera is in use, on the right side of the macOS menu bar, along with automatically blurring or swapping your background. Center Stage can look a little goofy sometimes if you move your head around when you talk, but generally the results are a welcome improvement over those of the previous webcam.

The iMac we recommend has more ports and connects to more monitors. We recommend the iMac with a 10-core M4 processor, which comes with four USB-C ports capable of Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. This version also supports up to two external monitors, whereas the base-model version supports only one external monitor. If you plan on using the computer for basic tasks, with few accessories and no external monitor, and if you are going to connect the computer over Wi-Fi and don’t need the nano-texture display, the eight-core version will almost certainly be enough.

It ships with premium accessories. The iMac comes with Apple’s Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard, which are by far the best accessories shipped with any all-in-one we’ve tested. Most all-in-one manufacturers bundle in comparatively cheap and dinky peripherals, which we recommend replacing immediately. By contrast, the Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard are high-quality, feel great to use, and will last for years. These accessories certainly factor into the iMac’s high cost, but Apple’s decision to include about $180 worth of peripherals goes a long way toward ensuring that your experience with the computer is great from the first time you boot it up. The 10-core M4 model of the iMac comes with a keyboard with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which is a nice quality-of-life upgrade over having to type your password all the time.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s expensive. Buying a mini PC and a nice monitor would be cheaper. But if you specifically want a high-quality computer with the aesthetics and simple design of an all-in-one, you don’t have many other great options. Competing all-in-ones generally have far worse screens, processors that require loud fans, and junky peripherals.

Processor:Intel Core i5-UScreen:23.5-inch, pGraphics:Intel UHDStorage:256 GBMemory:16 GBWebcam:5 megapixels

The HP Envy Move puts a fresh spin on the traditional all-in-one computer, with a handle and battery so you can unplug it from the wall, safely pick it up, and use it in a different room for a few hours. Though it sounds a little gimmicky at first, we found that this really did make the computer more flexible and useful. Even if you don’t move it, we think the Envy Move is a solid budget option due to its display, speakers, and webcam.

It has a sharp and responsive touchscreen display. The Envy Move has a 24-inch p display, while most competitors only offer a p display for a similar price. It can reach 300 nits of brightness, which is bright enough for home use but won’t look very bright in full, direct sunlight. It’s also a 10-point touchscreen, which we found was responsive and worked well. However, the display has a glossy finish, so you’ll want to keep a microfiber cloth in the computer’s back pocket to wipe it down.

It’s the rare desktop PC that has a battery, which is useful. The built-in battery allows you to unplug the computer from the wall and take it with you into another room for about four hours. We found that the portability was actually pretty helpful in certain situations, like setting it on the coffee table and doing a video call with friends from the couch.

It has a back pocket to hold the included keyboard. The keyboard that comes with the Envy Move has a trackpad built in, and we were comfortable using it at a desk or on the couch. The computer has a large back pocket to hold the keyboard when it’s not in use, and you could also stuff a cable or dongle in there, too.

The unique design features automatically extending feet. When you pick up the Envy Move, its two feet rotate under the computer to stow themselves. When the feet are stowed, two small pins extend from the bottom of the computer; they get pushed back in by the weight of the computer when you place it down, deploying the feet. The mechanism works really well on hard surfaces, but it doesn’t work on carpet, since it’s too soft to fully press the pins and deploy the legs. The whole computer tilts backward a few degrees, but not forward or not far enough that we found it comfortable to use while sitting in front of it on the floor.

It’s powerful enough to get work done. The setup we recommend has an Intel Core i5-U processor and 16 GB of RAM, which is more than enough for surfing the web and working on documents, even while taking video calls. It’s also capable of some casual photo and video editing. A 256 GB hard drive will be enough for documents, pictures, and some home video, but you’ll want to back anything important up in the cloud or on a portable SSD.

The webcam, microphone, and speakers are all great. HP has upgraded the webcam on nearly all of its computers to 5-megapixel resolution, which looks great in most lighting situations. The webcam also has a physical privacy shutter. And we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Envy Move’s speakers, which are better than most on all-in-ones or monitors. The sound has really nice clarity, as well as discernible bass, mids, and treble; that might not sound impressive, but most monitors we test don’t meet that low threshold.

It’s got a few basic ports. The Envy Move has one USB-C and one USB-A, located on the left side of the computer. They’re a bit cramped in the bottom corner, and bulky accessories might not fit in the space between the port and your desk. But since the keyboard and touchpad are wireless, and what most people will be using most of the time, we don’t think it’s a dealbreaker. There’s an HDMI input and power jack on the right side, along with a button to switch between the internal computer and that HDMI.

Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks

• RELATED:
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Best All-in-One Windows Desktop for Most Users

HP Envy Move

4.0 Excellent

• Carrying handle, self-deploying stand, and keyboard pocket for room-to-room travel
• Sunny p touch screen
• Sharp webcam
• Wireless keyboard with touchpad
• Hours on battery power

• Short on ports
• No headphone jack
• Keyboard lacks some keys

Versatility is king when recommending a PC to all sorts of general users, and it doesn't get much more adaptable in the desktop space than the HP Envy Move. This all-in-one is designed to move around the home, with a lightweight design that includes a handle and self-deploying feet. It can be used in any room as needed with relative ease, thanks to the included keyboard with a built-in touchpad, and even an internal battery for a few hours off the charger. The Move includes a capable 13th Gen Intel processor, a bright 23.8-inch p display, and a decent webcam, so as to not diminish its capacity as a normal desktop. The reasonable pricing helps, too.

If you're a casual, everyday user looking for an all-in-one desktop, you should be happy with this one. For those of you who may not make extensive use of the mobility, we'd still recommend it as an effective general-use AIO. For those who may want to move it around the house or office, it's painless to do so, and various family members can enjoy it for a range of tasks. Just note that the performance doesn't hit the higher end of some more potent AIOs, if that's what you need.

Desktop Class All-in-one Processor Intel Core i5-U RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB Optical Drive All-in-One Screen Size 23.8 inches All-in-One Screen Native Resolution by All-in-One Screen Type IPS touch screen Graphics Card Intel Iris Xe Graphics Operating System Windows 11 Home GET IT NOW Learn More HP Envy Move Review

Best Basic Budget All-in-One Desktop

Dell Inspiron 24 AIO ()

4.0 Excellent

• Sleek, compact design
• Pop-up p webcam
• Wide array of ports
• Wireless mouse and keyboard

• p at 24 inches looks dull
• Merely adequate performance
• Unresponsive mouse

Dell's Inspiron 24 nails the essentials at a lower price in the face of more versatile alternatives. This AIO features a broader array of connectivity than many, including USB-C, plus a sharp p webcam for video calls. Its adequate speed makes for an excellent home-entertainment-focused machine rather than a productivity hub, but it's also versatile enough for some light office work. We also appreciate how many ways Dell lets you configure this AIO above its low starting price before checkout. Still, our $799.99 test configuration is a decent mix of affordability and efficiency.

If you're looking for a home entertainment machine for the family room or den and you'd like to upgrade a bit from our budget pick, consider the Inspiron 24 . Not everyone may love the all-white design, but it's potentially less of an eye-sore in different environments than the classic black, and the legs are elegant, too. With its bigger display and better audio, this AIO is clearly aimed at families looking to have fun at the computer.

Desktop Class All-in-one Processor Intel Core 5-120U RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 GB Optical Drive All-in-One Screen Size 23.8 inches All-in-One Screen Native Resolution by All-in-One Screen Type IPS touch screen Graphics Card Intel Graphics Operating System Windows 11 Home GET IT NOW

Best Premium All-in-One Windows Desktop

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO

4.0 Excellent

• Big, beautiful 4K display
• Competitive with Apple's iMac
• Height-adjustable stand
• Decent array of side- and rear-mounted ports
• Snappy keyboard

• Poorly placed headphone jack
• No Thunderbolt 4/USB4 ports or SD card slot
• Chintzy mouse

A beautiful 31.5-inch screen and an Intel Core Ultra 7 H-series processor are enough to sell this high-end AIO. Combining that with a sleek, adjustable design makes it easy to see why the OmniStudio X is our top premium pick. A legitimate iMac competitor, this AIO's 4K display is bright and spacious; the computer has a decent number of ports (if a few misses on that front); and its performance is more than enough for this type of PC. While hardly the most powerful, its Nvidia RTX Laptop GPU puts it above most AIOs in graphical output. It's the fastest, highest-end AIO at this size for general and professional use.

If you work with many windows, sheets, and tabs and generally multitask quite a bit, you'll love the sharpness and digital real estate the OmniStudio's display provides. Its processor also ensures you won't see slowdown during that work, and any light or moderate graphics workloads are well-supported here versus systems with integrated graphics only. If you have the physical space to fit this handsome AIO, you'll find it a joy to use.

Desktop Class All-in-one Processor Intel Core Ultra 7 155H RAM (as Tested) 32 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 2 TB Optical Drive All-in-One Screen Size 31.5 inches All-in-One Screen Native Resolution by All-in-One Screen Type IPS Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce RTX Laptop GPU Operating System Windows 11 Pro

Best Overall Mac All-in-One Desktop

Apple iMac (, M4)

4.0 Excellent

• Powerful M4 processor tops past iMac chips
• Bold colors, slick design elevate the iMac's appeal
• Beautiful 23.5-inch 4.5K display with anti-glare option
• Color-matched accessories included

• Limited port selection
• No height adjustment

Shades of the '90s gumdrop iMac live on in today's 24-inch iMac. Apple's current iMac comes in seven lively colors, from yellow to purple (with a matching mouse and keyboard in each box), so one is sure to fit the decor of any room in your abode. But it's not just a pretty face: The previous M3-based iMac line has been upgraded to Apple's M4 chip for speedy performance, while the 4.5K display and Center Stage webcam are first-class. As an added value for sticking with Apple, macOS's integration with your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch is unparalleled—now featuring iPhone mirroring on Macs.

Its ultra-thin flat panel makes the iMac the most fashionable all-in-one and a top choice for students or home-office entrepreneurs using the Apple ecosystem. Like most Apple wares, it's not cheap (starting at $1,299 with a skimpy 256GB of storage), but it remains an iconic home computer. You won't find a 27-inch option anymore, so this looks like the main iMac going forward.

Desktop Class All-in-one Processor Apple M4 (10-core) RAM (as Tested) 16 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB Optical Drive All-in-One Screen Size 23.5 inches All-in-One Screen Native Resolution by All-in-One Screen Type IPS Graphics Card Apple M4 (10-core) Operating System Apple macOS Sequoia

Best All-in-One Desktop for Business

Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5

4.0 Excellent

• Impressive desktop-grade CPU performance
• Screen is a practical size and resolution
• Multiple stand options, including VESA
• Quiet cooling system, even under load
• Can also work as a monitor, independent of the PC inside

• Ports are inconveniently placed
• So-so webcam

The 23-inch ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5 is an excellent all-around business desktop and a versatile one, too. The starting price is modest, but our review configuration is more serious for a 14th Gen Core i7 processor with 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. With minimal downsides, this tightly designed and snappy system can carry your workflow without breaking the bank.

Lenovo made this AIO to scale up for more demanding midrange business users, while entry-level shoppers can enjoy the more accessible starting price. Both ends of the budget spectrum can enjoy the quality build, sharp display, multiple stand options, and efficient cooling system while working on multiple spreadsheets, emails, and conference calls.

Desktop Class Business Processor Intel Core i7- RAM (as Tested) 32 GB Boot Drive Type SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB Optical Drive DVD+/-RW All-in-One Screen Size 23.8 inches All-in-One Screen Native Resolution by All-in-One Screen Type Non-Touch Screen Graphics Card Intel UHD Graphics Operating System Windows 11 Pro

The Best All-in-One Computers for Compare Specs

Your Selections

HP Envy Move

$1,599.00 at Amazon See It

Dell Inspiron 24 AIO ()

$849.99 at Amazon See It

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO

$1,449.99 at HP See It

Apple iMac (, M4)

$1,172.55 at Amazon $1,299.00 Save $126.45 See It

Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5

$1,489.49 at Amazon See It

HP Envy Move

$1,599.00 at Amazon See It

Dell Inspiron 24 AIO ()

$849.99 at Amazon See It

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO

$1,449.99 at HP See It

Apple iMac (, M4)

$1,172.55 at Amazon $1,299.00 Save $126.45 See It

Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5

$1,489.49 at Amazon See It

HP Envy Move

$1,599.00 at Amazon See It

Dell Inspiron 24 AIO ()

$849.99 at Amazon See It

HP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO

$1,449.99 at HP See It

Apple iMac (, M4)

$1,172.55 at Amazon $1,299.00 Save $126.45 See It

Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Gen 5

$1,489.49 at Amazon See It Rating 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 Best For Best All-in-One Windows Desktop for Most Users Best Basic Budget All-in-One Desktop Best Premium All-in-One Windows Desktop Best Overall Mac All-in-One Desktop Best All-in-One Desktop for Business Best All-in-One Windows Desktop for Most Users Best Basic Budget All-in-One Desktop Best Premium All-in-One Windows Desktop Best Overall Mac All-in-One Desktop Best All-in-One Desktop for Business Best All-in-One Windows Desktop for Most Users Best Basic Budget All-in-One Desktop Best Premium All-in-One Windows Desktop Best Overall Mac All-in-One Desktop Best All-in-One Desktop for Business Desktop Class All-in-one All-in-one All-in-one All-in-one Business All-in-one All-in-one All-in-one All-in-one Business All-in-one All-in-one All-in-one All-in-one Business Processor Intel Core i5-U Intel Core 5-120U Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Apple M4 (10-core) Intel Core i7- Intel Core i5-U Intel Core 5-120U Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Apple M4 (10-core) Intel Core i7- Intel Core i5-U Intel Core 5-120U Intel Core Ultra 7 155H Apple M4 (10-core) Intel Core i7- Processor Speed RAM (as Tested) 16 GB 16 GB 32 GB 16 GB 32 GB 16 GB 16 GB 32 GB 16 GB 32 GB 16 GB 16 GB 32 GB 16 GB 32 GB Boot Drive Type SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD SSD Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 TB 512 GB 2 TB 1 TB 1 TB 1 TB 512 GB 2 TB 1 TB 1 TB 1 TB 512 GB 2 TB 1 TB 1 TB Secondary Drive Type Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) Optical Drive DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW DVD+/-RW All-in-One Screen Size 23.8 inches 23.8 inches 31.5 inches 23.5 inches 23.8 inches 23.8 inches 23.8 inches 31.5 inches 23.5 inches 23.8 inches 23.8 inches 23.8 inches 31.5 inches 23.5 inches 23.8 inches All-in-One Screen Native Resolution by by by by by by by by by by by by by by by All-in-One Screen Type IPS touch screen IPS touch screen IPS IPS Non-Touch Screen IPS touch screen IPS touch screen IPS IPS Non-Touch Screen IPS touch screen IPS touch screen IPS IPS Non-Touch Screen Graphics Card Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Graphics Nvidia GeForce RTX Laptop GPU Apple M4 (10-core) Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Graphics Nvidia GeForce RTX Laptop GPU Apple M4 (10-core) Intel UHD Graphics Intel Iris Xe Graphics Intel Graphics Nvidia GeForce RTX Laptop GPU Apple M4 (10-core) Intel UHD Graphics Operating System Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Apple macOS Sequoia Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Apple macOS Sequoia Windows 11 Pro Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Home Windows 11 Pro Apple macOS Sequoia Windows 11 Pro Buying Guide: The Best All-in-One Computers for

So, you just started shopping for an AIO. The first thing to look at (no pun intended) is the display—the centerpiece of any AIO. While some less-expensive AIO PCs will come with panels smaller than 23 inches, those are better suited to exceedingly cramped spaces such as classroom labs or dorm rooms. (Go much smaller than that, and you might as well just buy a big-screen laptop.) What you want is a display at least 23 inches on the diagonal—and larger is better if you can do it. The biggest all-in-ones we've seen to date have curved 34-inch screens.

With a screen 23 inches or larger, you're almost guaranteed a native resolution of at least 1,920 by 1,080 pixels (aka, full HD), and larger screens will go even higher. In many cases, that's up to 4K—3,840 by 2,160 pixels—for a conventionally shaped screen or 3,440 by 1,440 pixels on an ultra-wide display. High resolutions of that kind allow you to view multiple windows side by side or view a spreadsheet three to four pages wide. Indeed, if you're a multitasker, the more screen room, the better.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit all in one touch screen for edu.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Though it's not a concern to those with 20/10 vision, a larger screen and a higher native resolution will let you increase the font size on your Word documents or Excel spreadsheets while still keeping a lot of information on the screen at one time. Desktop screens tend to be brighter than laptop displays in general, as well. Look for in-plane switching (IPS) technology for the best screen quality. IPS screens are inherently better at off-axis viewing, so you won't have to sit perfectly centered to see accurate colors and all the detail in your images.

To touch-screen or not to touch-screen—that is a question of personal preference. Modern Windows operating systems were designed with touch panels in mind, which makes interacting with your various applications as easy as ever. Although these can be fun and functional for families, a touch screen isn't 100% necessary for everyone, especially if you plan to use the all-in-one like a traditional computer. If you're looking at an Apple iMac all-in-one, on the other hand, the decision is made for you: macOS doesn't take advantage of touch screens, and no Macs include them.

(Credit: Brian Westover)

Don't fret either way. Scrolling with a mouse or a touchpad will still be as quick as or quicker than on a touch screen because, with an AIO, you have to reach up to the screen, taking a hand off the keyboard or mouse. Selecting text for copying and pasting is easier with a mouse, too. If you fill out forms online and switch among text-entry boxes, pull-down menus, and checkboxes, you can quickly enter data with a keyboard and mouse.

If you're planning on using the touch screen at least 50% of the time, look for one of the handful of systems with screens that can recline down to horizontal or almost horizontal. This lets you use the system like a large tablet, so you don't have to hold your arm out constantly to use the touch screen. Think about using an ATM: The vertical screen is fine for a 90-second transaction, but it would become tiring after 10 minutes or more. It comes down to simple ergonomics.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Speaking of vertical orientation, the rare AIO will come with a stand that lets you pivot the screen into a portrait orientation. Portrait mode lets you view content such as webpages and appropriately shaped pictures without wasting space on the sides of the screen. It's a boon for web developers and layout artists still working on print publications. If portrait mode is something you'd be interested in, make sure the system features auto-rotate; without it, you'll need to switch display settings every time you pivot the display. Portrait pivoting is far more common in stand-alone desktop monitors than in AIOs.

Which Core Components Do You Need in an AIO Desktop?

PC manufacturers are generally slower to update AIOs than their other products, so some of the units here are not necessarily running the newest generation of processors. When comparing CPUs in AIO PCs, a key distinction to make is whether the AIO uses a full-desktop CPU or a mobile one.

All else being equal, a full-desktop chip is preferable but not often deployed in an all-in-one due to space constraints. How to tell: Mobile chips from the likes of Intel will have "U," "H," or "HX" appended to the end of the chip model number. A desktop CPU will have no letter at the end, or perhaps "K" or "T." Most desktop AIOs will use Intel chips instead of ones from rival AMD.

By now, most PCs will have adopted at least Intel 13th Generation ("Raptor Lake") processors, if not 14th Generation ("Raptor Lake Refresh"). We've started to see newer AIOs like the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO adopt chips in Intel's Core Ultra line (from the "Meteor Lake," "Lunar Lake," or "Arrow Lake" generations) or AMD's "Strix Point" Ryzen AI 300 chips, and we expect to see more of these going forward.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Other types of AIO, including extreme-budget Windows models and the handful of ChromeOS desktops, may use less powerful chips, like those from Intel's N100 or older Pentium line. Any modern processor will help edit photos or videos or run intensive media processes in the background while you work on several tasks in the foreground. But Intel Core or Core Ultra will give you notably better performance.

AMD's Ryzen chips have appeared in a few all-in-ones, in the form of Ryzen 5 and lower-powered Ryzen 3 processors. Some of our past top picks have been Ryzen models, and the company's chips turn up in some highly regarded, powerful laptops. We may also see Ryzen AI chips deployed in AIOs in the future. But in general, Intel CPUs dominate the AIO PC market.

Meanwhile, among Macs, Apple's 24-inch iMac was based on the Apple M1 processor, which was a harbinger of the iconic iMac's future. Sure enough, the  iMac came equipped with the M3 chip, the iMac debuted with the M4, and these AIOs (and all Apple computers) will continue to run on Apple's homebrewed silicon for the foreseeable future.

(Credit: Brian Westover)

An 8GB helping of DDR4 or DDR5 RAM should be the minimum amount of system memory you settle for. Although 4GB (seen in a few ultra-budget AIO models) will be okay for the most basic tasks, you'll feel the pinch of such a low-spec computer. Having 8GB or 16GB will let you keep dozens of tabs open on your browser and still have room left over for a demanding program such as Photoshop. Plus, 16GB is the recommended minimum for professional content-creation use.

How Much Storage, and Which Ports, Do You Need in an AIO?

You won't see them in new models, but avoid traditional spinning hard drives, which are relatively slow at booting and loading apps. Insist on an AIO that uses a solid-state drive (SSD) as the boot drive. (Almost all now do.) If you keep all your files on a central network-attached storage (NAS) device or in the cloud, a 500GB SSD should be sufficient. That's enough for the operating system and a handful of frequently used programs. Look for a boot drive of at least 1TB capacity if you store heaps of video on your PC. Videos clog up hard drives faster than just about any other file type. (You can have the best of both worlds with an all-in-one PC that boots from an SSD but has an additional spinning hard drive for storage, though that arrangement is rare nowadays.)

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

If you keep your entire video, music, and photo collection on your AIO, you'll need more storage (2TB to 4TB). Adding an extra terabyte or so is also easy with an external drive. Note that some AIO PCs are hard or impossible to upgrade yourself, so make sure you get what storage you need at the start.  

Because an all-in-one is, at its heart, a computer, it should have all the ports you expect to need during your day-to-day activities, particularly USB ports (in easy-to-access places). Today's all-in-ones come with built-in Wi-Fi support, but you may also want a dedicated Ethernet jack, so you can easily hook up the system to the network you already have in your home or office.

Also handy is an HDMI input port, which allows you to use the AIO as a discrete display for a separate PC, game console, or video source. This gives an AIO with a sharp display some potential usefulness years later as a stand-alone monitor when the PC portion inside becomes obsolete.

Why Is It a Good Idea to Buy an All-In-One PC?

On the most basic level, one of the main reasons for choosing an AIO is that you don't need to buy separate parts, like a monitor and speakers. All-in-one PCs represent exactly what the name implies: a complete desktop computer in one package, delivering a plug-and-play experience. Your screen and components are all tied up in one device, like a laptop, which takes up less of your desk or floor space than a desktop tower and monitor combination.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Even if you find a laptop you like with a roomy 17- or 18-inch screen, you'll need a strong back to carry it anywhere; 6 pounds and up, plus an AC adapter, is typical for machines like these. We suspect you won't travel with a desktop-replacement machine like that all that much, which could make even a small-screen AIO a viable stay-at-home alternative. And because AIO desktops are plugged in, you won't ever run out of battery power.

Because AIOs tend to use more powerful processors than many thin laptops do, a well-chosen all-in-one PC could execute CPU-intensive tasks more rapidly, on the whole. Some 3D games will run better, too, thanks to the discrete graphics chips in some A-grade AIO PCs. To find AIOs with discrete chips, look for one of the few AIOs (Microsoft's Surface Studio line is a rare example) with graphics solutions dubbed GeForce RTX, as opposed to Intel Iris Xe, UHD, or HD Graphics, or AMD Radeon (no "RX") integrated graphics.

Other advantages? You can share the PC among family members and use it to store centrally accessible photos, music, and videos. And a large, widescreen AIO PC makes for a fine videoconferencing system. Rather than having the family crowd around your iPad or a little laptop screen during calls, seat them in front of a 27- or 34-inch AIO desktop so you're not subconsciously squeezing together to "fit on the screen." Plus, a large AIO screen is ideal for watching a movie from 5 or 6 feet away, so a couple in a studio apartment could use a big-screen AIO as a TV in front of a small sofa or loveseat. Or, if you place the system in a central location, such as your kitchen counter, you can monitor your children when they're online.

(Credit: Brian Westover)

But these PCs aren't just suitable for play. A few years back, Apple brought the AIO further into workstation territory with the iMac Pro. The starting price for this monster machine at launch was high, at $5,000, but it packed a jaw-dropping amount of muscle: It had a 27-inch 5K screen and was configurable with up to an 18-core processor, 128GB of memory, and 4TB of solid-state storage. (Note that it is still for sale at this writing from non-Apple sources, usually used or as a refurbished model, but as of March , Apple discontinued it.)

This kind of muscle is usually found only in elite-grade tower PCs. We haven't seen a brute-force AIO to rival the iMac Pro since, but today's top-equipped AIOs can rival at least a decently equipped tower desktop. Apple's homebrewed M-series chips in the latest iMacs mentioned are fast. And while many Windows AIOs trend toward the budget side, you'll find some models with potent processing options, like the Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i Gen 8.

Why Is It Not a Good Idea to Buy an All-In-One PC?

Of course, all-in-one designs come with some considerable limitations. If something goes wrong with the display, the fix is not as easy as swapping out the monitor, as you might with a standard PC tower setup. The screen is part of the package; the same goes for any component here. This is much closer to the laptop experience: When one part goes, it usually makes the system less usable overall. You're much more likely to buy an entirely new laptop or AIO when a part (or multiple parts) stops working well.

Sticking with the laptop comparison: While AIOs have bigger screens, you're giving up a lot of portability versus a laptop. AIOs are more portable than tower PCs, but you're unlikely to move your AIO once it's in place, apart from purpose-made models like the unique (and aptly named) HP Envy Move, shown below.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

Compared with standard desktops, PC towers tend to have a higher power ceiling than AIOs. Most all-in-ones employ higher-end laptop processors, given their slimmer design and limited cooling, so traditional desktops contain more power potential. High-end towers are a much better fit for intensive work, like CAD/CAM or scientific data processing, and this is doubly true on the graphics front. AIOs lack desktop-equivalent graphics cards because of size and thermal concerns; the very few that have discrete graphics at all opt for laptop-level mobile graphics chips. PC gamers will get far more value and satisfaction from a stand-alone tower (where they can swap out a graphics card) than from a fixed-config AIO PC with much weaker graphics.

Crucially, all-in-one PCs lack the expandability of most towers, which is again related to their slimmer, more space-limited designs. This brings us to the next point.

Can You Upgrade Parts in an All-in-One PC?

Generally speaking, this is a highly restrictive aspect of owning an AIO compared with a traditional tower desktop. AIOs have much more in common with laptops; both may let you upgrade the memory or storage, at best. For some users, that's enough, but it's still not all that common for these mostly sealed designs. Like with laptops, memory or the SSD may be directly integrated or soldered onto the motherboard, meaning you're stuck with what you have. And CPU and graphics upgrades are a nonstarter.

End-user upgrades are just not a priority with AIO designs. Even if an AIO chassis does open up easily and its components are not soldered down, it's more like upgrading a laptop. An AIO may use mobile SO-DIMM RAM (possible to acquire, but not the same size as desktop RAM), and M.2 SSDs may be size-limited versus the full-size slots on most desktop motherboards.

With a traditional desktop tower, installing a graphics card into a system you originally purchased without one is at least an option (provided it has the space, the slot, and an adequate power supply). You'll never fit one in an AIO's interior, however. If substantial future upgrades are a priority or even a concern, an AIO is not the right pick. Get a tower-style desktop.

What Is the Lifespan of an All-in-One PC?

As mentioned above, AIOs function on more of a laptop lifecycle, since it's one complete package rather than discrete parts. Regardless, you should still get several years of use out of your machine. As far as speed and performance go, modern processors are snappy as a baseline, so you should be set for the near future and should expect to get a minimum of three years out of your machine.

(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)

For reasons outlined, though, it's often harder to fix an AIO when something goes wrong with its hardware than with a tower. (If your AIO display goes bad, it's not as easy as buying a new monitor, so hopefully, it's still under warranty if this happens.) With AIOs focused on business users, you'll find more support and more extended warranties. One- or two-year warranties are more common otherwise.

Speed and depreciation are the other concerns if you're lucky and don't suffer component malfunction or damage. If you're a power user, you may see sluggish performance after a few years. If you hold on to an AIO for a truly long time—approaching a decade—the processor may no longer receive security patches, or Microsoft may drop support for the aging Windows version the PC shipped with.

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