- Find a PC that fits
- Discover the benefits of a new PC
- Up to 4x faster Up to 4x faster
- Get up to 34% longer battery life¹ ² Get up to 34% longer battery life¹ ²
- Transfer files 37.9% faster with USB 3.0 Transfer files 37.9% faster with USB 3.0
- Install Windows Updates 3x faster Install Windows Updates 3x faster
- Get started with PC hardware basics
- Discover the latest PC innovations
- ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo
- HP Spectre x360 15
- Lenovo Yoga C940
- Browse by PC type
- Thin, light laptops
- Desktops & All-in-Ones
- Versatile 2-in-1s
- Gaming PCs
- The best all-in-one computers for 2021
- The best all-in-one computers
- The best
- Best overall: HP Envy 32 (2020)
- The rest
- Best for illustrators: Microsoft Surface Studio 2
- Best for Mac lovers: Apple iMac with Retina 5K display
- Best budget AIO: Acer Aspire Z24
- Best for families: Dell Inspiron 27 7000
- Best AMD Ryzen all-in-one: HP Pavilion 24 All-in-One
- Research and buying FAQ
- What is an all-in-one computer?
- What are the advantages of all-in-one computers?
- What are the disadvantages of all-in-one computers?
- Should I buy an all-in-one computer or a desktop?
- The Best All-in-One Computers for 2020
- What you want: space savings, power, and flexibility, all from a single desktop computer. What you need: an all-in-one (AIO) PC. Our buying guide and deep-dive reviews will help you shop for one of these sleek machines. (We’ve tested all the latest models.)
- Top Picks
- First, Focus On the Screen
- The Best All-in-One Computer Deals This Week*
- AIO Basics, Part One: The Core Components
- AIO Basics, Part Two: Storage and Ports
- The Pros of AIOs.
- . and the Cons
- So, Which All-in-One Should I Buy?
Find a PC that fits
Do your best learning, working, and playing with a Windows 10 PC. Find one that fits your style and budget.
Discover the benefits of a new PC
When it comes to a PC with an SSD vs. one with an HDD, some things are just better.
Up to 4x faster Up to 4x faster
1 «>Redefine your sense of speed. PCs with SSDs: 4x faster on average than HDDs. 1 Redefine your sense of speed. PCs with SSDs: 4x faster on average than HDDs. 1
Get up to 34% longer battery life¹ ² Get up to 34% longer battery life¹ ²
2 «>Because SSDs consume less power, you get longer battery life—on average, eight-plus hours of video playback. 2 Because SSDs consume less power, you get longer battery life—on average, eight-plus hours of video playback. 2
Transfer files 37.9% faster with USB 3.0 Transfer files 37.9% faster with USB 3.0
1 «>Share moments in moments. Copy large files like home videos from USB 3.0 drives 37.9% faster on average with a solid-state drive. 1 Share moments in moments. Copy large files like home videos from USB 3.0 drives 37.9% faster on average with a solid-state drive. 1
Install Windows Updates 3x faster Install Windows Updates 3x faster
1 «>Windows Updates: Install them 3x faster (on average) with a solid-state drive. 1 Windows Updates: Install them 3x faster (on average) with a solid-state drive. 1
Get started with PC hardware basics
Learn about key PC hardware components so that you can make informed decisions when shopping for a new device.
What is it?
SSD is a type of storage drive similar to a traditional hard disk drive (HDD).
Why does it matter?
Without moving parts, SSDs are thinner, faster, and more durable than HDDs, allowing for smaller PCs with greater battery life. 2
What is it?
RAM is your PC’s “working” memory.
Why does it matter?
It helps with performance when doing things like running apps and browser tabs. More RAM means you can do more things at the same time.
What is it?
The brain of your PC. It tells the other components in it what to do.
Why does it matter?
It performs the instructions the operating system tells it to. Without it, your PC doesn’t run.
What is it?
It helps your PC do graphics-intensive tasks, like photo or video editing and games.
Why does it matter?
It frees your CPU for other tasks, allowing for better performance.
Discover the latest PC innovations
From powerful productivity and security to thinner devices with stunning touch screen displays, Windows 10 PCs provide what you need to get the job done. 3
ASUS ZenBook Pro Duo
HP Spectre x360 15
Lenovo Yoga C940
Browse by PC type
If you’re still unsure on where to begin, starting with the PC type will give you a wide range to choose from.
Thin, light laptops
It’s everything you love and more—portability, power, and the latest in processors.
Desktops & All-in-Ones
Get the muscle you need for demanding tasks without sacrificing style.
Versatile 2-in-1s
2-in-1s provide power and flexibility. Touch, type, click, or pen—choose whatever fits your style.
Gaming PCs
A Windows 10 gaming PC gives you more power, more features and more games.
The best all-in-one computers for 2021
Desktop towers are great, but perhaps you don’t want all the associated bulk on your desk or floor. Laptops are great, but they target work-on-the-go functionality rather than brain-melting performance. That’s where an all-in-one PC comes in: It crams your desktop computer and monitor into one unit so you have more room to breathe and play.
Our favorite all-in-one PC is the HP Envy 32 , with its fantastic hardware selection and premium styling. But there are plenty of other great models to choose from. Here’s our list of the best all-in-one computers you can buy right now.
The best all-in-one computers
The best
Best overall: HP Envy 32 (2020)
Designed as a true competitor to Apple’s iMac, the HP’s Envy 32-inch AIO PC features a 10th-gen Intel Core processor, starting at a six-core i5-10400 chip but upgradeable to a 10-core i9-10900 CPU if you need maximum performance. You also have an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 to manage graphics and base 16GB of memory that you can upgrade as you please. Storage options blend hard drives and SSDs for plenty of space while giving fast boot times and snappy Windows operation.
Its hardware configurations make the HP Envy 32 a solid system for both gaming and productivity, and the customization options make it an excellent pick if you want to choose specs for a certain task — plus the UHD display can handle the details if you work in design or editing.
This system has a comfortable, luxurious design with great build quality, a fantastic display, and surprisingly capable speakers. We loved the HP Envy 32 , and since HP continues to upgrade this line with the latest tech, it remains one of the best all-in-ones on the market.
The rest
Best for illustrators: Microsoft Surface Studio 2
Microsoft was a newcomer to the all-in-one market when it released the Surface Studio in December 2016. The current Surface Studio 2, launched in late 2018, maintains the same design and 28-inch touch-capable display. However, this second-generation model packs better options for graphics along with higher memory and storage amounts.
In our review of the Surface Studio 2, we lauded its exceptional design and build quality, graphics performance, and superfast SSD. Unfortunately, the hardware is a bit outdated in 2020, as it includes Intel’s seventh-generation Core i7-7820HQ CPU and options for a full-sized GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 graphics chip. Despite the aging technology, it’s still a great option for serious content creators, designers, and anyone who wants an all-in-one PC that packs a powerful punch.
Other goodies crammed into the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 include up to 32GB of system memory, up to 2TB on a speedy SSD, multiple connection options, Surface Dial compatibility, and the included Surface peripherals. It even ships with the Surface Pen!
Best for Mac lovers: Apple iMac with Retina 5K display
Apple’s 27-inch Retina display iMac introduced the first 5K display. Its stunning, 5,120 × 2,880 screen delivers crystal-clear images and sharp text while boasting powerful internal specs. Apple refreshed the 5K iMacs in 2020 with new 10th-generation six- and eight-core Intel processors. There’s even an option for Intel’s 10th-generation Core i9 10-core processor for optimal performance.
The latest iMac maintains Apple’s familiar stylish design, reveling in a gap-free front panel and rounded corners that complement the glass-and-aluminum build. The $1,799 and $1,999 configurations include the discrete Radeon Pro 5300 GPU. The $2,299 model starts with the Pro 5500 XT but can be configured with the 5700 or the 5700 XT.
For those with deeper pockets, the Apple iMac Pro upgrades the internal configuration with components like Intel’s 18-core Xeon W CPU, up to 256GB of RAM, and an AMD Vega 64X graphics card for astounding performance. It starts at $5,000, however, making it out of reach of most potential all-in-one buyers.
Best budget AIO: Acer Aspire Z24
If money is tight, Acer’s Aspire Z24 is your ticket to decent performance at a decent price. It’s powered by Intel’s ninth-generation Core i5-9400T six-core chip released in 2019, offering a base speed at 1.8GHz and a maximum turbo at 3.4GHz. Not too shabby, actually.
The Aspire Z24-890 sports a 23.8-inch IPS display with a Full HD resolution, 178-degree viewing angles, touch support on specific models, and rich colors backed by Acer’s Color Intelligence tech. Configurations include 8GB of system memory (up to 16GB) and either a 512GB SSD or a 1TB hard drive. There’s even a DVD writer packed into the right side.
Other goodies crammed into the Acer Aspire Z24 include Wireless AC and Bluetooth connectivity, a handful of ports, and even two HDMI ports (input and output) for a $599 starting price. It looks good too, sporting slick slim bezels and a classy silver stand.
Best for families: Dell Inspiron 27 7000
The Inspiron 27 7000 model from Dell is perfect if you need an AIO PC that the whole family can enjoy. It’s slightly more than our budget option, but its appearance is top-notch, and it offers lots of up-to-date high-performance hardware for every family member.
Dell’s most recent Inspiron AIO PC showcases an HD 27-inch InfinityEdge screen that transitions to a more compact display and slender bezels. Behind this display are the most current Core i7-1165G7 processor by Intel, memory up to 12GB, and a PCIe NVMe SSD with a storage capacity of 512GB. The configurations also include Nvidia’s subtle GeForce MX330 GPU.
This computer is ideal for those who need lots of connectivity. It has four USB-A ports, one USB-C port, and HDMI output and inputs. It also features an SD card reader, wired Ethernet, Bluetooth version 5.1, pop-up webcam, and Wi-Fi 6(2×2), making the Dell Inspiron 27 7000 an outstanding PC for your family.
Best AMD Ryzen all-in-one: HP Pavilion 24 All-in-One
If you have your heart set on a Ryzen processor, HP has answered the call with the Pavilion 24 with a six-core AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor and AMD Radeon GPU. The Full HD computer also comes with 15GB of RAM, and like our top HP Envy pick, it offers a combination of 1TB HDD storage and a 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD for faster performance when necessary (plus two memory slots for potential upgrades).
Connections for the all-in-one include USB-A USB-C, and HDMI in/out. The model supports Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5, although note that the included mouse and keyboard are both wired models. The 24-inch screen is a touchscreen IP with a maximum brightness of 250 nits.
This Pavilion works on two levels: It gives users Ryzen processing power for those who prefer AMD whenever the brand is available, and it’s a very affordable alternative to pricier models like the Envy 32 — as long as you’re willing to compromise a little on display size.
Research and buying FAQ
What is an all-in-one computer?
These computers combine the PC “tower” — where the integral chips, cards, and drives of the computer reside — with the monitor display. The result looks a lot like a hefty monitor but does not require a PC tower to operate. This is great for saving on space and getting everything in one box, but you give up the ability to upgrade specific parts of the computer like the monitor or certain performance aspects. The iMac is a classic example, but as you can see from our list, many brands produce all-in-one models.
What are the advantages of all-in-one computers?
They are compact computers that help save on space, especially if you don’t really have the space for a PC tower. Since the tower and monitor are combined, there are also fewer cables to manage. If you are in a situation where you need to move your desktop computer around frequently, it’s much easier to move an all-in-one.
What are the disadvantages of all-in-one computers?
You’re generally stuck with the display that the computer comes with, and upgrading the display typically means buying a new computer entirely. A PC tower allows users to choose their own upgrades for specific components and is designed to make those upgrades as effortless as possible. But on an all-in-one, upgrading specific components may be difficult or impossible. There’s also no room for adding or improving cooling systems, another reason they aren’t common gaming computers.
Should I buy an all-in-one computer or a desktop?
All-in-one computers make great whole-household computers or workstation computers for straightforward tasks and larger display for multitasking. They can also handle demanding software if you choose models with the appropriate specs. As you can see with picks like the Studio 2 or 5K iMac, they are popular options for artists and designers, too.
However, if you prefer to upgrade your computer components over time or want a more specialized display, pick a traditional desktop instead. That means all-in-ones aren’t for gamers, users who need true ultrawides, or those who want to keep their PCs for as long as possible. They also may not be the best choice for entertainment center PCs.
The Best All-in-One Computers for 2020
What you want: space savings, power, and flexibility, all from a single desktop computer. What you need: an all-in-one (AIO) PC. Our buying guide and deep-dive reviews will help you shop for one of these sleek machines. (We’ve tested all the latest models.)
Top Picks
Best For Penny-Pinching Families and Home Offices
Speedy six-core Ryzen 5 CPU
Doesn’t skimp on memory and storage
HDMI-out and -in ports
High-resolution webcam with pop-up privacy design, quad-array mic
Hearty front soundbar
Integrated graphics won’t satisfy gamers
A wireless keyboard and mouse would be good
Best For Prosumer Mac Users
Option for matte «nano-texture» or glossy 5K display
Fast computing and graphics performance
Stylish, minimalist design
Expensive as configured
No touch screen
Best For CPU-Intensive Creative Work
Intel Xeon CPU and AMD Radeon Vega offer serious computing power.
Gorgeous design in Space Gray extends to the wireless peripherals.
Performance gains depend upon workflow.
Spacious 32-inch 4K display.
Intel Core i7-9700 CPU is snappy on all fronts.
Gaming-ready GeForce RTX 2060 graphics.
Booming sound bar also works as smartphone-controlled Bluetooth speaker.
Wireless charging pad on base.
No touch-screen option.
Screen tilts but doesn’t pivot.
Big power brick.
Best For Creatives, Multimedia Editors
Elegant all-in-one digital creation solution.
Super-thin, spectacular display that reclines.
Accurate touch input for art/design work.
Bundled Surface Pen.
CPU could be beefier, considering separated base.
Video out via USB-C, not a dedicated port.
Best For Space-Strapped Office Creatives
Competitive overall performance.
Crisp 4K display on flexible stand.
Single graphics option is limited and aging.
Core i7 in test model no longer supports Hyper-Threading.
Display options force choice between 4K native resolution and touch support.
Expansive, curved WQHD display.
Comfortable mouse and keyboard.
Easy access for component upgrades.
Dedicated media controls.
Panel swaps out for repair or replacement.
No touch screen.
Lacks Thunderbolt 3 support.
Screen tilt adjustment only—can’t tweak screen height.
Best For Home Productivity Use
Sleek design with tilt-adjustable stand.
Comfortable keyboard and mouse.
Dual storage drives.
Touch screen is optional.
Uses less powerful laptop-class CPU.
Requires external power brick.
No Thunderbolt 3 port or height adjustment.
Best For Space-Strapped Business Users
Clever space-saving design with essentially zero footprint.
Toolless access for installation and maintenance.
Options to include various stands, monitors.
Can support up to three displays.
So-so performance in test configuration.
Somewhat tricky-to-access port layout.
Can get more value out of traditional towers, all-in-one PCs.
Best For Creative Professionals
Tilting 4K touch screen and input devices designed for digital content creation.
Solid performance with full-desktop, not mobile, CPU.
Intuitive active stylus and unique side dial.
Wireless charging mat built in.
Plenty of internal storage.
Bulky plastic build.
Ho-hum screen quality.
Precisely sized storage spot for mediocre bundled keyboard.
Fairly weak 3D performance for some professional use cases.
So, the 15-inch display on your laptop is starting to feel cramped, and you work in one place most of the time? Sure, you could attach a second screen to your notebook, or opt for a desktop tower with a separate monitor, but a more radical option is an all-in-one (AIO) desktop. For about the same money that you would spend on a midrange-to-high-end laptop with a 17-inch screen (or more likely, less), you can get an AIO computer with a 23-inch or larger display.
Of course, buying a highly integrated system like this is a bit more exacting than shopping for your average desktop. Why? You’re buying a computer and a monitor in one, and the inherent limits on what you’ll be able to upgrade down the line makes smart buying up front crucial. Indeed, landing the right AIO is more like shopping for a laptop than a desktop. Here are the key factors to consider.
First, Focus On the Screen
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 really 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 give you the ability 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.
The Best All-in-One Computer Deals This Week*
- Apple 27-Inch iMac With Intel i5, Retina 5K Display, 1TB HDD — $1,829.00(List Price $1,999; Save $250)
- HP Pavilion Intel i5 24-Inch AIO Desktop With 12GB RAM, 512GB SSD — $914.99(List Price $1,029.99; Save $115)
- Acer Chromebase 24I2 Intel i3 23.8-Inch AIO Desktop With 128GB M.2 SSD — $788.49 With $41.50 off at Checkout(List Price $879.99; Save $91.50)
*Deals are selected by our partner, TechBargains
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, which means you won’t have to be sitting 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. The tiled Start interface in Windows 10 was designed with touch panels in mind, and it 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 percent necessary for everyone, especially if you plan to use the all-in-one like a traditional computer. If you’re looking at a 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 offer them.
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 check boxes, you’ll be able to enter data more quickly with a keyboard and mouse.
If you’re planning on using the touch screen at least 50 percent of the time, look for 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.
Speaking of vertical orientation, the occasional 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 wasted space to the sides of the screen. It’s a boon for web developers, as well as 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, though.
AIO Basics, Part One: The Core Components
Look for at least a true quad-core processor on a large-screen AIO PC, while newer top-end models will boast Intel’s six-core «Coffee Lake» CPUs. These will help with editing photos or videos, or running intensive media processes in the background while you work on several tasks in the foreground. AMD’s Ryzen mobile chips haven’t made big inroads—yet—into all-in-ones, but we expect that to change as 2020 turns into 2021. One of our top picks is actually a rare Ryzen model, and the company’s chips are turning up in highly regarded powerful laptops.
When looking at and comparing CPUs in AIO PCs, a key distinction to work out is whether the AIO uses a full-desktop CPU or a mobile one. All else being equal, a full-desktop chip is preferable. How to tell: Mobile chips from the likes of Intel (as mentioned, most desktop AIOs will use Intel chips, as opposed to ones from rival AMD) will have a «U,» «H,» or «HQ» appended to the end of the chip model number. A desktop CPU will have no letter at the end, or perhaps a «K» or «T.»
An 8GB helping of DDR4 RAM should be the minimum amount of system memory you settle for. Although 4GB will work fine for very basic tasks, you’ll feel the pinch of such a low-spec computer sooner. That said, 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. And 16GB is the recommended minimum for professional content-creation use.
AIO Basics, Part Two: Storage and Ports
As far as storage, look for a hard drive of at least 1TB capacity if you’re going to store any video on your PC. Videos clog up hard drives faster than just about any other type of file. If you’re a heavy download fiend, opt for a 2TB drive. The only issue is that a traditional spinning hard drive is relatively slow at booting and loading apps. If you’d rather have a snappier system that’s more speed demon than file-storage repository, look for an AIO that uses a solid-state drive (SSD) as the boot drive. If you keep all your files on a central network-attached storage (NAS) device or stored in the cloud, just about any SSD or hard drive 250GB or larger should be sufficient. That’s enough for the operating system and a handful of frequently used programs.
You can have the best of both worlds with an all-in-one PC that boots from a SSD but has an additional spinning hard drive for storage. In that case, look for at least a 128GB SSD boot drive and 1TB of supplemental hard drive storage if you’re a power user. You’ll need more storage (2TB to 4TB) if you plan on keeping your entire video, music, and photo collection on your AIO.
Adding an extra terabyte or so is also easy with an external drive. SSDs cost more per gigabyte than regular spinning hard drives, but SSDs boot up and wake from sleep so much faster than regular drives that we highly recommend them as boot drives. Opting for an AIO with an Intel Optane Memory caching module supplementing a platter hard drive can speed up some tasks like loading apps, but for true speed, get a «real» SSD as your primary (C:) drive. Unfortunately, some AIO PCs are hard or impossible to upgrade yourself, so make sure you get what 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, if at all possible). You may also want a dedicated Ethernet port, though most all-in-ones today come with Wi-Fi support built in, so you can easily hook up the system to the wireless network you already have in your home.
Also handy is an HDMI input port, which gives you the flexibility to use the AIO as a discrete display for a separate PC, a game console, or other video source. It also gives an AIO with a nice display some potential utility years down the road as a stand-alone monitor, when the PC portion inside becomes obsolete.
The Pros of AIOs.
Even if you find a 17-inch-screened laptop you like, you’ll need a strong back to carry it anywhere; 6 pounds and up, plus an AC adapter, is the norm for machines like these. (See our top picks among 17-inch laptops.) So we suspect you won’t travel with a 17-inch machine very much, making 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, even when you leave your system in sleep mode for months.
Because AIOs tend to use more powerful processors than laptops do, all-in-one PCs will 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 graphics solutions dubbed GeForce GTX, GeForce MX, Radeon RX, or Radeon Pro, as opposed to Intel UHD or HD Graphics.)
Other advantages? You can share the PC among the members of a family, 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, 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 screen is good for watching a movie from 10 feet away, so a couple could use a big-screen AIO as an HDTV in a den equipped with 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.
But these PCs aren’t just good for play. Apple has brought the AIO further into workstation territory with the iMac Pro. The starting price for this monster machine is high at $5,000, but it packs a jaw-dropping amount of muscle: It has a 27-inch 5K screen and is configurable with up to an 18-core processor, 128GB of memory, and 4TB of solid-state storage. In most cases, this kind of muscle is found only in elite-grade tower PCs, but the very best AIOs can rival a high-end desktop.
. and the Cons
Because they have bigger screens, AIO PCs are physically larger than laptops. Of course, you give up the ability to easily move them from room to room, but AIOs are still more portable than tower PCs. All-in-one PCs don’t have the expandability that you’re going to find in most towers, but they do tend to be more stylish.
That said, towers are still better than all-in-one PCs when you need to do intensive work like CAD/CAM or scientific data processing, and most of them are expandable in ways far beyond even the most upgrade-generous AIO on the market. PC gamers, especially, will get much more value out of a stand-alone tower in which they can swap out a graphics card than in a fixed-config AIO PC.
So, Which All-in-One Should I Buy?
The next time you’re online and thinking that you really need a bigger screen than the one on your current laptop or tablet, take a look at an all-in-one desktop. You may be surprised how much screen, and how much power, they deliver for the money versus a like-priced laptop.
Also, be sure to check out our top desktop picks overall, as well as our favorite desktops for work and for PC gaming. Below, though, are the top AIOs that have passed through our labs of late.