all-in-one PC
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Which all-in-one desktops are worth buying?
As laptops continue to become more powerful, there's still plenty of room for an all-in-one desktop in your life. Their slim profile makes them a bit more desk- or living room-friendly than a typical tower PC, while the large built-in screen is great for getting work done or watching a movie. To help you decide which units are worthy enough to grace your office or den, we've taken a look at reviews from trusted critics to find systems that can handle a variety of tasks, including editing documents, watching movies and even some hardcore gaming. Check out the gallery below to see five of the better all-in-one desktops available now, as well as one we'd rather you didn't buy.
Acer's 21.5-inch Aspire Z3-600 all-in-one can move from room to room, costs $779
It may seem as if Acer is all about Chromebooks these days, at least judging by its most recent announcements. Today, however, the company is putting the focus back on Microsoft's operating system, with the introduction of its new (and somewhat unorthodox) Aspire Z3-600. This Windows 8 machine is a 21.5-inch all-in-one that quickly stands out, namely thanks to its rather flexible and portable build. Aside from being able to quickly switch positions, the Aspire Z3-600 features a 1080p display alongside two Harman Kardon speakers, USB.3.0, HDMI (with MHL support) and, more importantly, a built-in battery capable of lasting up to a little more than 2.5 hours. Under the hood you'll find Intel's Pentium J2850 quad-core processor and HD Graphics, plus 4GB of RAM and a 750GB hard drive -- it's worth noting this model can't be customized, so what you have here is what you'll get. Speaking of which, Acer is pricing the Z3-600 at $779, with availability expected to begin later this month.
Apple updates iMac with Haswell chips, available today starting at $1,299
While you would be excused for thinking the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c were Apple's latest offerings, you'd be wrong. Today, Cupertino has announced that the iMac range has been updated to include new silicon (Haswell) new GPUs and improved WiFi. The entry-level 21.5-inch iMac houses a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5 with iris Pro graphics, while the top spec version (both sizes) comes with 3.4GHz and NVIDIA GeForce 700 series graphics, plus the option to upgrade to core i7 at 3.5 GHz. That WiFi refresh brings "next gen" 802.11ac, and there's also support for PCIe-based flash storage meaning up to 3TB of Fusion drive, or 1TB SSD. The new models are available today, starting at $1,299 for the 21.5-inch, and $1,799 for the bigger display.
System76 debuts Sable Complete all-in-one PC with Ubuntu pre-installed
Sure, it's not too much trouble to install Ubuntu on the all-in-one PC of your choice, but those looking for an out-of-the-box option now have a new one to consider courtesy of System76. The company has today added the Sable Complete to its Linux-minded line-up, an all-in-one PC that starts at $799 and comes pre-installed with the recently released Ubuntu 12.10. As for hardware, that base model offers a 21.5-inch 1920 x 1080 display (behind edge-to-edge glass), a 2.9GHz Core i5 3470S processor, integrated Intel HD Graphics 2500, 4GB of RAM and a 250GB hard drive. Those looking for an optical drive can add a slimline model for $45, and you'll also somewhat curiously have to shell out an extra $35 for built-in WiFi. Naturally, there's also a number of other configuration options available that can push the price well over $1,000. You can check out those and get a closer look at the system at the source link below.
ASUS outs ET2300 all-in-one desktop with articulating, 23-inch touchscreen, optional Thunderbolt (update: eyes-on!)
If you're a PC maker launching a new lineup of Windows 8 devices, you're going to look awfully square if you don't have at least one touch-enabled all-in-one to show off. Clearly, ASUS got the memo. Here at a press event in New York City, the company announced the ET2300, a 23-inch desktop whose display can be pushed down to lie basically flat -- a pretty ubiquitous form factor these days. Starting with that IPS screen, it has 1080p resolution and promises horizontal viewing angles of 178 degrees. Under the hood, it runs your choice of Core i3, i5 or i7 processor, with either integrated Intel graphics or NVIDIA's GT 630M GPU. (Even then, you can choose between one and two gigs of dedicated video memory.) Other specs include up to 8GB of RAM, up to 2TB in HDD storage, a slot-loading DVD drive, Intel Wireless Display and optional Thunderbolt connectivity. Additionally, like ASUS' other products (even its tablets and phones), it makes use of SonicMaster's audio technology. We haven't heard anything regarding pricing or availability just yet, but we'll update this post if we do. Mat Smith contributed to this report.
Acer announces Aspire 5600U and 7600U all-in-ones, coming this month for $1,000 and up
For the most part, Acer blew its Windows 8 load back at IFA and Computex, but as we're learning now, the company still had a handful of goodies left to announce. The outfit just introduced a pair of touch-friendly, Win 8-ready all-in-one desktops, the 23-inch Aspire 5600U and the 27-inch Aspire 7600U. As you can see in the press shots, the design here is fairly minimal, with an edge-to-edge display, a transparent panel at the bottom of the bezel and a thin frame measuring less than 1.4 inches thick. The machines can also tilt so that they lie at a nearly face-up 80-degree angle. In either case, you'll get a 1080p panel, with 8GB of RAM and 1TB of storage. Either machine, too, can be configured with Acer's InstantOn technology, which promises 1.5-second resume times. The 27-incher has a discrete NVIDIA GT640M GPU with 2GB of video memory, however, while the 23-inch model is stuck with integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics. Further, while they both have Core i5 CPUs, the 5600U has a 2.4GHz 3110M, while the 7600U has a 3210M, clocked at 2.5GHz (overclockable to 3.1GHz). The 7600U also has two HDMI inputs, whereas the 5600U has one. Finally, the U5600 will be available in touch- and non-touch-enabled configurations, while the 7600U will be touch-only. Both will be available this month, with the 23-incher starting at $1,000 for touch-enabled models, and $1,150 for touchscreen variants. The 7600U will sell for quite a bit more: $1,900.
Dell to offer its XPS 27 and Inspiron One 23 all-in-ones with optional touchscreens
Dell gave us a heads up back at IFA that it was planning on offering its high-end XPS 27 all-in-one with an optional touchscreen. Well, that day has come: the company just announced that it will begin accepting pre-orders today, with the touch-enabled models starting at $1,600. As a quick refresher, that 27-inch screen tops out a whopping 2,560 x 1,440 pixels, while the stand tilts to a near-flat angle of 60 degrees. If sixteen hundred bucks is more money than you were planning on spending, Dell will also offer the Inspiron One 23 with an optional touchscreen. At a fraction of the cost ($780 and up) it makes do with lesser specs (a 1080p, not quad HD, display, for instance), but it has been refreshed with Ivy Bridge, so you should at least be future-proofed on the CPU front. Again, you can order these starting today, but don't expect them to ship until after October 26th.
Sony VAIO Tap 20 battery-powered all-in-one arriving this month for $880 and up
Sure, you were expecting PC makers to announce loads of Windows 8 hybrids, but a battery-powered all-in-one? Probably not. Nonetheless, that's exactly what Sony unveiled last month at IFA when it showed off the VAIO Tap 20. Designed with families in mind, it could stay plugged into an outlet, but it's built so that you can carry it easily enough from the kitchen to the living room, if that's where the kids are hanging out. (It's 11.4 pounds, so we're guessing you won't want to schlep it much farther.) Though we've already gotten a sneak peek at the machine, Sony announced today that it will go on sale in the US on October 26th (the day Windows 8 launches), starting at $880. At that entry-level price, you'll get a laptop-grade Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, though you can also configure it with i5 and i7 CPUs and an SSD. As the photos suggest, that 20-inch, 1,600 x 900 display can lie flat, which should come in handy with drawing apps and certain games, like jigsaw puzzles. In keeping with that kitchen-friendly, kid-proof theme, Sony's also billing the display as "drop-resistant" -- there's a rubber seal around the bezel that promises to keep water far, far away from the motherboard. Oh, and though this isn't exactly a premium desktop, the display at least uses IPS technology, so it's safe to say you can expect decent viewing angles if you're crowding around to watch a movie or have the screen lying flat. Rounding out the spec list, the Tap 20 also has built-in NFC, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, dual speakers and a subwoofer. Software-wise, the Tap 20 comes with Artrage Studio Pro, along with Fingertaps, a Sony-made app that combines drawing functions with to-do lists and reminders, all arranged in a cute clothes-pin-style interface. Head over to the Windows Store and you'll also find some other Sony apps ready for download, including the Socialife aggregator, Music by Sony, VAIO Movie Creator and Album by Sony (the latter is a photo and video organizer). Again, this thing won't go on sale for another two weeks, but if you're curious we'll point you toward our earlier hands-on post for photos and video.
Maingear announces Alpha 24 Super Stock AIO: NVIDIA graphics and Ivy Bridge power for $1,349 and up
Maingear is relatively new to the all-in-one space, having released its Solo 21 just this March. Now it's introducing the Alpha 24 Super Stock, an AIO with a 24-inch, 1080p touchscreen and some solid specs under the hood. Processor choices include a Core i3-3240 chip clocked at 3.4GHz and a Core i7 option (both Ivy Bride, of course), and the AIO is configurable with up to 16GB of SO-DIMM memory. For storage, you're looking at up to a 3TB hard drive and up to a 256GB SSD. Being a Maingear machine, the Super Stock is all about the graphics: an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 GPU comes standard, but that can be switched out for a GeForce GTX 680 chip. There are also two 8-pin PCI-E power connectors on board for good measure. Also in line with the company's DIY mentality, the machine meets Intel's thin-mini ITX standard for assuring that next-gen components can be swapped in. Rounding out the feature list are an optional CableCARD tuner, an optical drive, HDMI, three USB 2.0 ports and a SD card reader. The Alpha 24 Super Stock will go for $1,349 and up starting today -- check out the full press info below the break.
Vizio All-in-One review (24-inch): a TV maker tries its hand at desktops
More Info Vizio Thin + Light review (14-inch, 2012) Vizio officially introduces PC line Vizio's 24- and 27-inch Ivy Bridge all-in-ones get official: on sale today for $898 and up We see lots of computers announced every year: many of them are forgettable, and we don't even have the manpower here at Engadget to review them all. You might wonder, then, why we've been a little fixated on Vizio's. Well, for starters, up until a few months ago the company didn't even make PCs, and now it's selling five. Secondly, they actually look pretty good, especially for an outfit that's best known for its value-priced TVs. We've already had a chance to take its 14-inch Thin + Light laptop for a spin, and came to the conclusion that although it had a flaky trackpad and poor battery life, it represented a good start for a company that hadn't previously made a computer. Now we're taking a look at one of the company's all-in-one desktops -- the 24-inch version, to be exact. At $800 and up, it, too, is attractively priced, with an eye-catching metal design, external subwoofer and a crapware-free Windows install. But is it as good as it looks? Let's find out.
HP announces Spectre One desktop, three other all-in-ones
Didn't you hear? All of HP's top-shelf product consumer products will henceforth have the word "Spectre" in the name. So, it makes sense that the company would expand beyond laptops and release a futuristic desktop bearing the same branding. Indeed, the company just announced the Spectre One, a 23.6-inch all-in-one with a skinny design and nice-to-have features like NFC. Though that aluminum frame and tilting 1080p display are pleasing to look at, the real story isn't what the Spectre One has, so much as what's missing. You see, in order to get the system down to 11.5mm thick, the design team had to forgo certain features you might otherwise expect -- features like a TV tuner, touchscreen and even an optical drive. It's a gamble, to be sure, but HP is betting that fashion-forward, tech-savvy users won't really mind. (The jury is out on whether a Windows 8 all-in-one without touch is a missed opportunity.) In any case, HP did include four USB ports (two of them 3.0), HDMI input, an Ethernet jack, Beats Audio and a memory card reader, with optional discrete graphics and SSDs. The components are also easily serviceable via a back door, if tinkering is your idea of fun. Lastly, the One ships with a keyboard, Magic Trackpad-style wireless touchpad and two NFC tags, which can be assigned to favorite websites. In addition to the Spectre One, HP also trotted out three other all-in-ones. At the mid-range, you'll find the Envy 20 and 23, which have 20- and 23-inch screens, respectively, with 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. Rounding out the list, the company announced the low-end Pavilion 20, another 1080p system. Put simply, the two Envy systems have touchscreens, Beats Audio and will be offered with Ivy Bridge processors only; the Pavilion is non-touch, and will be offered with both Intel and AMD chips. Whichever you choose, HP's old Magic Canvas UI for Windows is gone; in its place, the "Connected Suite," which includes a mix of desktop and mobile apps for sharing photos, streaming music and remote access. Though the mobile applications work with iOS and Android devices, you'll need a Windows 8 laptop on one end of the setup -- specifically, an HP PC. That's right: for now, at least, the software will only work on the company's own computers. The Envy 20, Envy 23 and Pavilion 20 will all be available on October 23rd, with the budget Pavilion going for $499 and the two Envys starting at $849 and $1,099, respectively. The Spectre One doesn't arrive until November 14th, but when it does it will cost $1,299.
Lenovo announces IdeaCentre A520, B340 and B345 all-in-ones running Windows 8
If yesterday was the day Lenovo unveiled its new Android products, today's the day it turns its attention to Windows 8: in addition to announcing a slew of laptops, the company introduced three IdeaCentre all-in-ones, all slated to go on sale in October when Windows 8 launches. Of these, the flagship is clearly the A520, with its tilting 23-inch screen that can lie nearly flat. Included in that press release, though, you'll also find details about the B340 / B345, a smaller, more affordable desktop with a less flashy design. Starting with the A520, it's the little brother to the A720, which we first saw back at CES. Like the A720, it has a screen that can be tilted between 5 and 90 degrees, except this particular model has a smaller 23-inch display (compared with 27 inches for the A720). That 1080p display is of IPS caliber and supports 10-point multitouch. Under the hood, it can be configured with a Core i7 CPU, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 1TB of HDD storage and an optional Blu-ray player. If you need graphics horsepower, though, you might want to skip ahead to read about those B series models, since the A520 will only be offered with integrated Intel HD 4000 graphics. Indeed, graphics might be a good place to start when we talk about the B340 and B345, since the GPU is the one thing that really separates them. Though both will be offered with a 1GB AMD Radeon HD7470A card, only the B340 will be available with a 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 615. Otherwise, you'll find the same key specs on both models: a 21.5-inch (1080p) touchscreen display, with a choice of a Core i7 processor or AMD quad-core APU on the inside. The two are also VESA mount-compatible, and can be configured with optional TV tuners. The A520 will sell for $999 and up, while the B series will start at $599. Again, both will arrive in October, at which point we should be neck-deep in Windows 8 PCs to review. %Gallery-163882% %Gallery-163872%
LG's 27-inch V720 all-in-one PCs pop up on Flickr, IPS and optional Ivy Bridge in tow
LG has unveiled the V720, a new series of all-in-one PCs, featuring 27-inch IPS HD panels and an Intel Ivy Bridge processor option. The line consists of a high-end model with Intel's 3rd generation Core i5 and an IPS 1,920 x 1,080 3D panel, and a lesser model with a 2nd generation Core i3 and the same display sans 3D. Other specs include 750GB SATA3 hybrid or standard drives, up to 8GB DDR3 RAM, USB 3.0 and NVIDA's GT640M 1GB graphics. Photos show a white and silver looker with well concealed computer guts, but don't count on being able to pick up one of the minimalist units in the US -- LG normally keeps its PC offerings exclusively in Asia.
Vizio's 24- and 27-inch Ivy Bridge all-in-ones get official: on sale today for $898 and up
Vizio recently announced that its first PCs -- the ones we glimpsed at CES back in January -- will ship in June. From our previous hands-on time, we already knew that the company's 24- and 27-inch all-in-ones sport 1080p screens and include HDMI passthrough for using them as HDTVs even with the PC portion turned off. And the company clearly drew on its TV know-how to turn out desktops with nice and thin profiles: the power supply is integrated into the subwoofer, and the pivoting neck is a single piece of aluminum connected to an invisible hinge. At the company's press event in NYC today, the all-in-ones got extra official -- as in, we have complete specs and pricing info. Both the 24- and 27-inch models feature Intel Ivy Bridge processors, NVIDIA Kepler GeForce GPUs (the base configurations ship with Intel HD Graphics 4000), 1920 x 1080 displays and 2.1 surround sound audio with SRS Premium Sound HD. Storage options start at 500GB of space (for the smaller model) and top out at a 1TB hard drive paired with a 32GB SSD. The PCs include dual HDMI inputs and ship with a remote control (hence Vizio's TV background). The 24-inch model will start at $898, while the 27-incher goes for $1,098 and up. As with Vizio's just-announced laptops, the desktops include a "V key" on the wireless keyboard, with shortcuts to media services like Hulu Plus, Vudu andI Netflix. Interestingly, none of these will come pre-installed, though the company said the services will offer special deals for Vizio PC owners. The PCs are now available online and at retailers such as Costco, Target and Walmart. %Gallery-158331% %Gallery-158330% Edgar Alvarez contributed to this report.
Samsung shows off Series 7 all-in-one PC with slim design and metal stand, stays mum on specs (update: hands-on photos)
In addition to that Series 5 laptop / tablet hybrid, Samsung has one other goodie up its sleeve. The company is also teasing a Series 7 all-in-one PC, a desktop that we can only imagine was built to run Windows 8 (notice that those cheeky blokes in Sammy's marketing department aren't even showing a Win8 screen in that lone photo you see up there). As with the Series 5 hybrid, Samsung is revealing maddeningly little about specs. We do know it responds to both voice input and hand gestures -- both uncommon features for a desktop, especially in that combination. We don't even know the screen size or resolution, but we're told this panel is capable of recognizing up to 10 fingers at once. Lastly, Samsung says the stand is made of metal and the display is slim, but you probably already gathered that. And that, folks, is all she wrote, but we'll be sure to report back with more details between now and when this goes on sale, presumably sometime after Win8 ships this fall.%Gallery-156975% Zach Honig contributed to this report.
Sony announces new VAIO L all-in-one with Ivy Bridge, thinner design
Along with refreshing its various VAIO laptop lines, Sony is updating its L Series all-in-one. The new L24 has -- surprise! -- a 24-inch display with the same X-Reality chip used in Sony's Bravia televisions. This time around, the company went with an edge-to-edge design for the multitouch display, and picture-in-picture for juggling TV watching and actual work. As you can imagine, that multitouch screen will come in handy once Windows 8 gets the green light from Microsoft. Other changes include a slot DVD rather than a tray-loading one, and thinner dimensions for the PC, mouse and keyboard. The base $1,299 configuration comes with a Core i5 Ivy Bridge processor, and a glasses-free 3D version will be available for $1,999 later this summer. For storage, you get a 1, 2 or 3TB drive, and Sony says there will also be NVIDIA graphics options. Intrigued? We've got photos and the full PR below. %Gallery-156866% %Gallery-156159%
Dell XPS One 27 review roundup: an all-in-one PC worth owning
Let's be honest here: there hasn't been an overly compelling option in the all-in-one PC space in a really, really long time. Not to say there weren't decent options, but that "blow you away" factor has been missing for a good while. No more. Dell's wildly handsome XPS One 27 has hit the ground running, and it's garnering near-universal praise across the web. While it boasts a somewhat steep price point ($1,399 and up), packs a touchpanel option and is landing just months before Windows 8's debut, critics at large seem to have fallen back in love with the AIO form factor thanks to this one machine. Hot Hardware lauded the Core i7 CPU and NVIDIA Kepler graphics, and they had a tough time controlling their adoration for the Samsung PLS panel that stole the show. PCMag struggled to find cons, noting that the rig managed to put "almost every technology and feature we're looking for in a compact stylish chassis." AnandTech, however, rightfully points out that the lack of a touchpanel is no big deal in the land of Windows 7, but not providing the option for those looking forward to a Metro-fied Windows 8 experience may end up hurting the value proposition in the long run. Hovering over that buy button? Restrain yourself a bit longer while you dive into the source links below.
Vizio PCs officially launch in June, home theaters look on with envy
The FCC gave us a clue that Vizio's first-ever PCs would be shipping soon, and the company is now spilling a few beans more directly. Although the official statement is still short on many of the details we've been hoping to know, Vizio is promising that the line will launch before June is up. As a refresher, the normally home theater-focused company is planning to go all-out despite being the new kid on the block, going with a trio of mid-size laptops as well as two sizes of all-in-one desktops that rely on Magic Trackpad-like input to draw attention. Mum's the word on whether or not the 10-inch tablet will be part of the June arrivals, although there's unconfirmed talk that Walmart will carry at least some of the lineup and trigger some jealousy in the 2012 Vizio TVs across the aisle.%Gallery-156696%
Dell adds XPS One 27 with 2560 x 1440 screen to its all-in-one lineup, prices start at $1,399 (video)
HP, Sony and Toshiba have already outed their new offerings for the back-to-school season, and now Dell is stepping up to the plate with announcements of its own. First up is the XPS One 27 all-in-one. As the name would suggest, it has a 27-inch screen, and the resolution is an impressive 2560 x 1440 pixels. All configurations are going to ship with Ivy Bridge processors (Core i5 or i7) with up to 16GB of memory, and the standard 1TB 7,200RPM hard drive can be swapped out for a 2TB HDD or 32GB SSD. Meanwhile, Waves MaxxAudio 4, Infinity-branded speakers, a Blu-ray drive and optional 2GB NVIDIA GeForce GT640M GPU memory (upgradeable from integrated Intel graphics) up this machine's multimedia cred. An optional internal TV tuner will also be offered. Wrapping things up, there are four USB 3.0 sockets, two USB 2.0 ports with power charge, audio out, HDMI, VGA, mic and headphone jacks and an 8-in-1 memory card reader. The XPS One 27 starts at $1,399, and while it's available in Asia starting today, it's not expected to hit the US for a few weeks. %Gallery-156280%
Dell announces Inspiron One 23 and One 20 all-in-ones (video)
In addition to the XPS One 27, Dell just unveiled a pair of Inspiron all-in-ones that will launch in the US in the coming weeks. First up, there's the One 23, the larger version of the two with more robust internals, and then there's the One 20, which has a 20-inch display and a more budget-friendly price. Starting at $749, the Inspiron One 23 is available with either second- or third-generation Intel CPUs, ranging from a 3.3GHz Core i3-2120 processor at the entry level to a Core i7-3770s in top-of-the-line models. It comes standard with 500GB of storage, though that can be upped to 2TB. You can also add an AMD Radeon HD 7650A graphics card with 1GB of video memory, if the standard Intel HD 4000 graphics aren't going to cut it. The port selection is similar to what you'll find on the new XPS One 27: four USB 3.0, two USB 2.0 with power charge, audio out, VGA, mic and headphone jacks and a card reader (HDMI-in is optional). Other features include Waves MaxxAudio 3 and an optional Blu-ray drive. While the XPS One 27 and One 23 both offer Ivy Bridge processors, the more competitively priced Inspiron One 20 has only Sandy Bridge options: a 2.2GHz dual-core G620T processor on up to a 2.6GHz Core i3-2120T CPU. Starting at $549, it leaves out discrete graphics, with Intel's HD 2000 solution being the only option. Its 20-inch screen has a pixel count of 1600 x 900, and optical media fans can add a Blu-ray reader. Storage-wise, you're looking at 500GB up to a 1TB 7,200RPM drive. Ports include five USB 2.0 connections, mic and headphone jacks and an 8-in-1 media card reader. Check out the galleries past the break for a closer look.%Gallery-156334%%Gallery-156284%%Gallery-156282%
