All-in-One PC Review

If you need to reclaim some desk space, check out one of the all-in-one PCs. This product category owes its existence to increasing electronic miniaturization and advances in component integration for attractive product designs. All-in-one PCs are an efficient compromise between laptops and traditional desktop PCs. A large laptop saves space on the desk and reduces cable clutter, but it cannot provide the large monitor sizes of all-in-one computers. A traditional desktop machine gives you the option for a large monitor, but the monitor is separate from the central processing unit (CPU) and tied to it with cable upon cable.

We invite you to read articles about all-in-one PCs. If you want to compare all-in-one desktop PCs, we have examined the current competitors in this space and recommend the HP Envy 23-d060qd TouchSmart, the Sony Vaio SVL24127CXB and the HP Pavilion 23-b040xt.

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All-in-One PCs: What to Look For

Sometimes sifting through product features is akin to setting yourself adrift in a sea of data. We suggest that by focusing on the following three considerations, you will quickly arrive at an informed purchase decision.

System Features
Suffice it to say that you want a 64-bit processor with Windows 7 and at least 4GB of RAM and 500GB of permanent storage space. It is wonderful to go beyond these minimums, but don't go below them.

Input/Output Features
Most of the products in our review have 8X DVD optical drives, but one has a 16X drive and one even has a Blu-ray player. Furthermore, all of the products in our review have speakers and are wired for gigabit local area networking (LAN). They all have built-in Wi-Fi. They all have USB 2.0 ports, but some have USB 3.0 ports. Monitor sizes range from 18.5 inches to 24 inches. Do you want a wireless keyboard and mouse or do you prefer the wired kind? Does it make a difference whether or not it has a webcam? Do you want a touch screen? Some have TV tuners and some don't.

Help & Support
Whether you opt for a $400 machine or a $1,400 machine, know up front how the vendor intends to provide you with customer support and understand the length of the warranty. HP and Lenovo provide a three-year warranty. The other all-in-one PC manufacturers in our review restrict warranties to one year, which is quite a difference.

Our review of all-in-one PCs represents a dramatic spectrum of prices and features. Our wish is to provide you with details to allow you to arrive at a purchasing decision more quickly than if we had not compiled the data for you. If you want less clutter on or under your desk without sacrificing monitor size, these are sleek pieces of equipment that might serve you better than a traditional desktop computer or even a large laptop computer. We hope that we help you find the best all-in-one computer for you.