MSI converges everything with 24-inch 3D HD Wind Top all-in-one

Now here's a spec sheet maven's dream: MSI has just announced its new Wind Top all-in-ones, and the top model brings every modern spec you can think of. Full HD resolution, 3D capabilities with 120Hz refresh rates, Intel processors up to Core i7, and even multitouch adorn its list of goodies. The new flagships will be known as the Wind Top AE2420 in the 24-incher category and AE2280 in the 22-inch class. They're joined by a selection of high-efficiency machines, such as the AP1920 and AE1920, which promise to cut down the electricity bills for "environmentally-minded business users." That's still hardly scratching the surface, though, as MSI is really preparing a small army of AIOs to display at CeBIT, and you can bet the house we'll be there to touch and ogle at their latest and greatest.

[hj Posted Feb 23rd 2010 8:14AM]

@ editor: Think you made a mistake with the numbers:
"High-Performance Intel® Core™ Series Processors: the Wind Top AE2280/AE2420

Featuring a 22- or 24-inch multi-touch display, the new Wind Top AE2420 and Wind Top AE2280"

[Vlad Savov Posted Feb 23rd 2010 8:22AM]

@hj Corrected. I thank you.

[Plexus Posted Feb 23rd 2010 8:49AM]

MSI and Asus seem to be the only companies to try to produce something new lately.
If they manage to keep the price within reasonable bounds for one of these machines with top specs I have no doubt that this is gonna be a winner.
If all in and out ports are included (as unfortunately seldom are in AIO systems) I might even buy one myself actually.

[donv69 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 10:22AM]

It's got a remote. So what kind of media software does it have. I bet it would be great with Boxee or something like that.

[iCello Posted Feb 23rd 2010 10:36AM]

@donv69 Cant ya just download Boxee?

[donv69 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 10:45AM]

@iCello You can download Boxee. But it would be nice it was was tested with it and delivered with the system.

[LinkMan Posted Feb 23rd 2010 10:30AM]

With a TV tuner this seems like it would be a great replacement for the TV in my mom's kitchen. She could use it to watch TV, look up recipes and whatnot, video chat over Skype with her grandkids, show off family photos to visitors, etc. And the whole thing could be mounted on the wall (with the wireless keyboard and mouse in a drawer for use when needed).

[Firehazel Posted Feb 23rd 2010 12:34PM]

@LinkMan
That sounds pretty neat. I wouldn't mind replacing my TV with an AIO.(Just so long as I can hook up my PS2 to it... TV tuner card?)

[glennS Posted Feb 23rd 2010 2:13PM]

@LinkMan
Ok, I here that use suggested for AIO computers all the time. "It would be great for the kitchen". Why, exactly, is this better than a laptop for that purpose? The laptop can have a TV tuner as well, and it doesn't take up space in your kitchen when you are not using it. And you can take it with you. The AIO has a bigger screen. That is about its only advantage. (No, touchscreen is not an advantage. Kitchens are greasy, messy places. You don't want to touch the screen when you are cooking. You want a voice activated interface).

[LinkMan Posted Feb 23rd 2010 4:28PM]

@glennS There are a couple of advantages of an AIO over a laptop in the kitchen. First, it can be mounted on the wall and basic features operated by touchscreen so you don't need to take up any counter space and it's much harder to spill things on it. Second, hooking up a laptop TV tuner to an antenna, cable coax or HDMI STB every time you want to watch TV would be a PITA. This would be all hooked up and ready to go as needed.

If you are forced to choose between owning a laptop and owning one of these, then I agree it's a no-brainer: laptop wins. But if you already have a laptop and were shopping for a TV for your kitchen, then it's tempting to spend a few hundred extra bucks to get a heck of a lot more functionality than a plain old TV offers.

[ritorix Posted Feb 23rd 2010 10:54AM]

120hz touchscreen? Thats new. I'm guess it will be using an unannounced Nvidia card (470/480) since it doesnt mention what video it has, and Nvidia has been pushing 3D.

[JimmyBoy Posted Feb 23rd 2010 11:02AM]

Since the idea is "all in one" I hope they improve the speakers. I played with one of the MSIs the other day and the speakers were horrible compared to the HP all in one next to it.

[Dano900 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 11:03AM]

While it seems like a tiny market compared to everyone else who just wants a simple kitchen PC or something like that, I have been looking for a hardcore gaming rig/bedroom media center rig that didn't break my back every time I wanted to bring it over my friends house. Corei7, 3d, 24inch, 1080p, so far so good. It felt bad having the $2000 fruit alternative as the only hardware option.

If MSI can deliver, I will be one happy camper.

[donv69 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 11:31AM]

What I want to know is when will someone come out with a multimedia operating system that's geared towards entertainment so you don't have a stupid taskbar appearing at the bottom when you need to open up an application on top of a video that's playing.

Imagine being able to watch a movie and have a small popup with all the menu options you need without having to click on the start button.

[Ducman69 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 12:27PM]

@donv69 Uhm, its called Windows Media Center, and is pretty much the best thing on the market for that. Computer will boot right into that interface if you want it to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctlvb6UBkJA

[glennS Posted Feb 23rd 2010 2:14PM]

@donv69
Try out XBMC.

[donv69 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 2:26PM]

@glennS Isn't Boxee based on XBMC?

[Ducman69 Posted Feb 23rd 2010 12:25PM]

I much rather have a small box I can hang on the back of the display (or under it is fine), so that I could run dual 24"ers for function/utility or a 27"-50" for entertainment.

These are TOO much convergence.

[arthur Posted Feb 23rd 2010 1:15PM]

I have a 42" LCD Sony bravia... Do I need a new tv to play 3D blu rays?

[arthur Posted Feb 23rd 2010 1:17PM]

I have a 42" LCD Sony bravia... Do I need a new tv to play 3D blu rays?

[TareG Posted Feb 23rd 2010 1:23PM]

All it seems to be missing is a dedicated half-decent gfx card. I've been looking for an All-in-One with those specs, but that also does solid desktop gaming...

[David Black Posted Feb 23rd 2010 1:55PM]

@TareG

I'm in the same boat. Anyword on what the graphics options are?

[maxxum Posted Feb 23rd 2010 2:50PM]

Pardon my ignorance, but does a 3D screen mean one would have to use those glasses all the time when using the PC? wow, everyone seems to be going 3D these days..

[swmc Posted Feb 23rd 2010 3:42PM]

what's the pricing like?
Missing quite a few options such as the TV tuner someone mentioned, and a capacitive touchscreen would be nice for table-top setups like in the kitchen