Ask Engadget: best all-in-one PC for dorm room life?
By Darren Murph 
posted August 5th 2010 10:35PM
posted August 5th 2010 10:35PM
So, froshies -- what's it gonna be? He didn't mention the need for a touch panel, so you can obviously whittle down your choices somewhat. Anyone have a particular AIO that has treated them to straight As? Let us (and Wayne) know in comments below."Hi. I'm about to be crammed into a dorm room for a few years, and I need a decent all-in-one PC for my desk. Space is an issue, but anything from 20- to 23-inches would work. Mac or PC is fine for the stuff I'll be doing, but I'd like to keep it all under $1,500 if possible. Any strong recommendations from other students who were / are in a similar situation?"
A kit from Tiger Direct. $800 will get you like 4 cores of awesomeness you'll never need.
@rackdude
Not to mention you can build a good kit that will do anything but the newest games and hd video recording/editing setups for about $500 there.
I know someone always posts an Apple product for one of these engadget questions and a shit storm comes raining down but this time it really should be an iMac.
@rackdude
Just get an ipad, no brainer.
@rackdude
well I think he's asking for all in one computer, show me how to attach a LCD monitor to a slim inch thick casing (if there's any) and I will give you a free hug.
@bxrad78 They'd then need either a desktop or a laptop in addition to the iPad.
@rackdude It doesn't occur to you that this is the exact opposite of what was asked? Some people just like to see their thoughts in print I guess.
@Gazoobee
Does it occur to you that getting the cheap option from Tiger Direct is exactly what I did for my cramped dorm and it worked perfectly? Sometimes people just go with the more expensive option and don't consider other things you can do.
The other setup I would recommend is a dock for a laptop. Just get a decent laptop with an hdmi out and a LCD tv. Now you have a screen for your console games and a setup to plug your computer into. That's my roommate's setup.
But seriously, there are some small cases. If you aren't lazy you can make it work fine.
@rackdude Or you can realize your wrong and let it die.
@rackdude
Asking Engadget commenters which PC someone should get is like asking for a Mac Commercial to be played 20+ times in a row...
@rudiger Your a funny dude. LOL.
I Agree Tho. Entry Level iMac.
Currently iMacs are 15% off for students with free 3 year warranty, huge rebate on iPod touch and same for a printer. Seems the way to go really.
@everyone
I really don't see the advantages of getting an All-in-One without a touchscreen when you could get a decently fast laptop at a relative price.
The difference is even less cables, portability at the price of having the screen size smaller (17" compared to a 20") and offset slightly lower.
@1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CA
I have to dissagree. In my experience a macbook tends to work very well.
@rackdude You're a moron if you took that post seriously.
@rudiger way to read. the guy said a 23" is as big as he has room for
21.5 imac will run you $1199 plus tax. BEFORE student discount which will likely knock $100 off it. maybe more. plus they have a printer rebate right now (free scanner/printer combo) and the ipod rebate thing. Plus the apple care is on discount for like $90 and if you've never used a mac they have that classes thing for $99. depending on the tax rate where you live, you could come in at about $1500 after you get the rebates back
@1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CA I would prolly get an imac too just the cheap one. And then put windows 7 on it so that you can have a real comuter. I honestly think that 7 is the best os and mac has the best hardware.
@1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CA Thank you sir, I mean really why all the hate? The new iMacs are pretty competitively priced, but in general they do save a good amount of space in the dorms, and the 27 inchers can double as a tv! Thanks for putting that out there again.
@sean4123
I was just playing along to see how he'd respond... of course he's trolling. Doing two chicks while posting? Lol.
@1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CA
You're right. iMac is the best AIO out there with the added ability to install Windows.
I was a student and I know what all we do with computers during our student/dorm life...games, movies, music, porn, lot of torrents and sometimes study.
But for 1500 bucks I would suggest get a big ass PC (not an AIO) for gaming...you'll need that a lot in student life.
@rackdude
If it doesn't sport an Apple logo, then I guess you're going to community college. Ivy league begs for a 27" iMac. You'll get pledged for a fraternity that much sooner. HP or Dell... eeeeehhh... might as well skip college and apply for a job at Burger King.
@Charlik Like honestly......who needs classes for it. Only my parents would need something like that.
@MosesusedaniPad
"If it doesn't sport an Apple logo, then I guess you're going to community college" is a pretty bold statement. I go to a top liberal arts college and do just fine without a Mac. People don't care what computer you use... besides, if you're on the computer enough for people to care about what you're using there's something wrong. I don't know if frats are really that bad since my school is fratless but if they would keep you out for using a PC... I don't even get it. It's a stupid computer.
I still stand by my advice. If you're into computers/games/multimedia and really need something that works that's cheap, you're going to not want an AIO the moment better graphics cards are needed for the newest games and the best way is to just have a convertible desktop sitting under your desk. If all you're doing is surfing the internet and writing documents, then just get a cheap laptop/netbook.
iMacs are nice but I don't know if a college kid can afford a device that isn't easily upgradeable to last the next 8 or so years of their life or doesn't have another purpose (like a laptop with dock)
@lol android is so ugly And what do you have against Gays? What did a Gay person do to you? Say hello and smile at you?
Bitch
@rackdude
I really hope Asker already has laptop. If not, that's crazy he would want an AIO for a dorm life.
@rackdude I think that says it all, 4 cores of awesomeness you will never need. Let's face it an average person in school will do the following, type a paper, twit-er, whorebook and maybe a useless blog.. 4 cores are a waste of time, money and resources.
@szamot
That's the point. I was saying that with $800 and building yourself you can get a better computer than you'd ever need. It's soooo much cheaper that it cannot be overlooked. Yes, a simple duel core will run $400-600 if that's what you're into.
@Charlik I wish i could smash you in the head...
@withoutusername
Can I have half a hug?
for this:
http://www.xoxide.com/chieftec-bravo-case-vesa.html
and this:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Mounting-Monitor-to-Computer-Case/
@1 Infinite Loop Cupertino CA
It says what "best all-in-one PC" not " best all-in-one Mac"
http://www.profilebrand.com/funny-pictures/category/demotivational/442_the-truth-mac-vs-pc.jpg
@withoutusername
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883220021
attaches nicely to the back of any monitor you like.
@Wiizer
Really? You must have missed all the Apple hate posts. Don't know how, but you managed it!
What's your secret??
@bailey12345
Finally someone that said what i thought. Windows 7 on a Mac. Although the guts dont shine too much, the design of the apples is so beautiful, and the build quality is superb. But OSX is, well shit.
I was thinking about getting a MacBook Pro and putting 7 on it, but then my parents gave me a thinkpad for my b-day. Build is superb as well, and 7 is great, but the look is to much business. (But not bad either)
@rackdude a computer they can upgrade for 8 years? If your going to college and going to need to upgrade for 8 years you choose the wrong subject to study. I would surely hope that you are making enough to buy a new computer every 3 or so years like normal people.
@Wiizer
Its also like asking all the trolls why people shouldn't get a MAc
iMac dude, no brainer here
@EnergyPigeon
Donnies says NO!
Get my reference and I'll make you a commercial for your business. ( I assume you'll be successful and intelligent considering you understood the reference)
Blah blah blah, I haven't slept in 3 days, I don't know what I'm even typing.
@Needsahaircut
Donnie*
errr
@EnergyPigeon
Nice, if pricey, choice, but what about the (non-exsistent/available) TV Tuner and BluRay player?
Again... Nice, but seriously lacking in some crucial AIO areas.
@DaHarder There are external TV tuners available (so it would be all-in-one-andabit) but yeah you're right on the BluRay (but I don't consider that essential).
@d0mth0ma5
Personally, my philosophy is...the fewer 'extra' things strewn about a dorm room the better - LOL!
@EnergyPigeon
Yup. The sensible choice.
@EnergyPigeon
if you want to be unable to play/watch bluray and wanna pay a $500 premium that's a good choice.
@EnergyPigeon
not really, imho i feel that at a college it really helps to have mobilty. An iMac doesnt provide that, its a desktop, its very pricey for the hardware you get (good CPU but lacks on the GPU), and the OS preinstalled is...well not as good as windows 7 (opinion but...kinda true for college students)
Can't go wrong with the new 21" iMac.
@DTJ
You can if, as previously mentioned, a TV tuner and/or blu-ray is on order. Or you want more bang/buck.
@Brianbrain
eyetv
external br + windows - but bluray sucks why bother.
The Macbook Pro From the Nebraska Furniture mart in Kansas is only 999. I can play games and it last quite a long time, Battery Life.
Errr.... I bought a $2100 HP desktop... I would not recommend anyone else doing that unless you're a big gamer.. and even if you are a big gamer and want a desktop, buy the individual parts and have a tech place put it together... you will save the most money.
@Despite37
It's not an aio but I built this PC for the exact same reason as you last month and with the money your spending you could get up to a core i5 and a HD5770 (silverstone sugo sg05 case).
http://i165.photobucket.com/albums/u74/tobsmonster2/17882739.jpg
If your not a builder yourself you can buy one from these guys,
http://www.cyberpowerpc.com/system/LAN_Mini_H2O/