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 Unfortunately, the hardware is a bit outdated in 2020, as it includes Intel’s seventh-generation Core i7-7820HQ CPU and options for a full-sized GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 graphics chip.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 7 Best All-In-One PCs of 2021

See our picks for the best all-in-one computers

Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here . We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.

If you’re struggling to find the real-estate for a desktop computer and a monitor in your current office arrangement, investing in one of the best all-in-one PCs can be the ideal solution. While they may lack the portability of laptops and the upgradability of conventional desktop PCs. All-in-ones can help free up a substantial amount of desk space and feature slick design aesthetics that are tough to beat.

An All-in-One (AIO) PC takes all the components that would normally be in the tower and puts them behind the monitor. That includes the processor, memory, storage, and I/O. Hence the term, «All-in-One». The logic is that since you need a monitor anyway, add a few centimeters on the back and get all the other components in there as well. The benefit is a computer system that is more compact, slightly more portable, and keeps things nice and neat.

That can come at a cost though. Like laptops, All-in-One PCs can be notoriously hard to upgrade, since internal space is at a premium. Plus, there’s a reason you usually don’t want to put all your eggs in one basket. That being said, if you’re dealing with limited space, or you need a workstation that doesn’t take up a ton of room, an AIO is the way to go. We have some suggestions for you.

Best Overall: iMac 21.5 4K

Minimal setup required

Gets expensive very fast

When it comes to AIOs, it’s hard to look further than a company that is among those who have made them for the longest. One of the benefits of the AIO is the ease of setup, and that’s something that «It just works» Apple has always pursued. The iMac is possibly the best example of that philosophy. Everything you need is in the gorgeous 4K monitor. And the price isn’t too bad. at first.

Unfortunately, if you want anything above the base model (and you probably will) that’s when the iMac goes from a reasonable $1,200 up to an inflated $2,200 and more. Since AIO computers are very hard to upgrade, this isn’t something you can piece together over time. You need to drop the full wad right upfront. That can be hard to swallow if you want to do more than just surf, Facebook, or write some office documents.

«Apple knows a thing or two about creating beautiful all-in-one desktop computers and its latest 21.5-inch 4K iMac is no exception.» — Gannon Burgett, Product Tester

Best Design: Lenovo IdeaCentre A540

I/O on the back and side

This Lenovo IdeaCentre A540 is a stunner in the looks department. Balanced on a solid base with built in wireless charging, this FHD screen is surrounded by a minimal bezel. We’d like to see a 4K screen in there, just for the sake of future proofing, but FHD is still not bad. The design also lends itself to convenience as the AIO has I/O ports on both the back and the side of the display. Arguably one of the coolest features is the Windows Hello compatible slide up camera that appears from behind the screen. It’s really slick.

The storage space is limited to 256GB which isn’t ideal, but beyond that the Intel Core i5 and 12GB of RAM should be capable of all but the most demanding of tasks. Plus, if one screen isn’t enough real estate, you can add two other screens with the Dual HDMI outs on the back of this PC. That should give you enough screen for any task you throw at it.

Best for Business: HP Premium 24 All-in-One

Mostly bezel-less design

The 2020 Premium HP 24 AIO Desktop looks really slick when you consider what it comes with. The midrange offering starts with 16GB of RAM and 1 TB SSD, which is not trivial. This AIO PC is very customizable with different configurations of memory and SSD, and the price never really goes out of control, which is awesome. Add the mostly bezel-free display, and from a design standpoint this is a winner, so what’s the catch?

The AMD Athlon processor is a very budget oriented offering, which is a nice way of saying it’s slow. This computer will get you through most everyday tasks like web surfing, or working on documents or spreadsheets. But if you want to do more with this PC , like editing or gaming, you are not going to have a good experience. The screen is also a bit on the small side as far as AIO PCs go. There’s really a lot to like here, but that processor definitely gives us pause.

Best Splurge: Apple iMac Pro

Massive memory and storage

This AIO PC is top of the line for Apple. It really doesn’t get better than this and it has a price tag to match. But when you consider what you’re getting, it may be worth it. This AIO PC has a stunning design that almost seems impossible for what it offers. 32 GB of RAM and 1 TB of onboard storage, and a 27-inch amazing 5K display add to this already impressive package. You can do whatever you want on this PC and it’ll come back for more.

But wow, that price tag is something. The iMac Pro will not be kind to your bank account, but it’s every bit worth the extravagance. This computer will keep you going for a long, long time. It’s very future proof. It has to be, but we’re fairly sure if you spring for this AIO PC, you’ll be a very satisfied customer.

Best for Media Consumption: Dell XPS 27-7760

Good gaming performance

Rear ports are hard to reach

Amazing sound is what you get from the Dell XPS 27-7760. That’s a full stop. The AIO PC comes with ten speakers sprinkled in among the other components. There are six front facing speakers on the lower bezel of the display, plus four others around the periphery that all combine to give you amazing sound from the highest high notes to thumping bass. Combine that with a 4K display and you have quite the multimedia machine.

You also get good, but not great gaming performance on this computer as well. There’s an Intel core-i5 processor in there and 16GB of RAM. combined with a TB of storage, and you can do a lot with this PC. It is extremely heavy though, at just over 36 pounds. That pretty much shoots the «portability» aspect out of the water. Also, because of it’s design, the I/O ports on the back of the machine can be hard to get to. But if you’re looking for a media machine with thumping bass, this is your winner.

Best for Video Editing: HP Envy 32

Discrete graphics card

Nice design with thin bezels

No height adjustment

The HP Envy line of AIO PCs is very customizable and available in a number of different configurations. You can upgrade the processor and the graphics card to find the perfect combination to knock out your video projects. At its highest configuration, the HP Envy 32 comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, 512 GB SSD and 1 TB HDD. That’s a lot of power and the price stays reasonable.

One thing you cannot adjust is the height of the monitor. The stand for the AIO PC is not adjustable, which can be a bummer. But the PC has a great design with very thin bezels and six front firing speakers. With the discrete graphics card, you should be able to do some decent gaming on the PC as well. It’s got a lot of power and a great design which is all you can really ask for.

«The gorgeous 5K display and solid specs makes the iMac ideal for both productivity and creative uses.» — Ajay Kumar, Tech Editor

Best for Artists: Microsoft Surface Studio 2

Includes mouse, keyboard, and pen

Lays down almost flat for a great drawing experience

Surface Dial not included

The Microsoft Surface Studio 2 builds upon the first generation with an amazing design («stunning» in the words of our reviewer) with a really neat stand that lays the surface down almost flat for a great drawing experience. The Surface Studio 2 was designed with graphic artists in mind, which is why the Surface studio comes bundled with a mouse, keyboard, and most importantly the Surface pen.

But all this comes at a high price tag, especially when you consider the specifications. At the price the Surface Studio commands, there are more budget friendly options with equal power. But the surface is designed to work with the Surface pen, which is included and the Surface Dial, which is not. As much as Microsoft wants to attract artists, we’d like to see this computer come with all the tools an artist will want to use. All the same, if you’re an artist looking for your next digital easel and canvas, look no further.

«The design of the Microsoft Surface Studio 2 remains entirely unchanged from its first-generation predecessor, and with good reason—it’s stunning.» — Gannon Burgett, Product Tester

Overall, we love the Apple 21.5 inch iMac because of its simplicity in setup and operation, and the power it comes with out of the box. It does run macOS which may be an adjustment for you. But if you’re a new computer shopper, this is a great choice that is going to be headache free for a long time.

If you prefer to stick with Windows, the Lenovo IdeaCentre A540 has a lot to offer as well. You get a gorgeous design with a lot of extras including a Wireless charger in the base. That’s pretty neat, but add to that all the I/O that this PC has and you’ve got a winner.

About Our Trusted Experts

Ajay Kumar is Tech Editor at Lifewire. With over seven years in the industry, he’s previously been published on PCMag and Newsweek. He’s reviewed thousands of products over the course of his career, including PCs, laptops, 2-in-1’s, phones, and other devices. He likes the 5K iMac for its great high-resolution screen and uses for both productivity and video/photo editing.

Alice Newcome-Beill is Associate Commerce Editor at Lifewire. She’s previously been published on PCMag, PC Gamer, and GamesRadar, so she’s intimately familiar with desktop computers in all their iterations. She liked the Dell Inspiron for its affordable price and ability to use for desk check-in.

A technology journalist with over six years (and counting) of experience, Rajat Sharma has tested out numerous PCs and laptops having all kinds of hardware configurations. He also has quite a bit of experience in taking computers apart and putting them back together.

Adam Doud has been writing in the technology space for almost a decade. He’s seen dozens of computers sit on his desk in that time. He’s always looking for the right one.

Can you upgrade an AIO PC?

AIO PCs are built to include all the components in the body of the monitor. That puts space at a big time premium, and as such components are usually designed with space constraints in mind. So it’s important to make sure what you get on day 1 is what you want down the line. Some are more upgradable than others, but it’s a good idea to plan ahead when shopping for AIO PCs.

What happens if the screen breaks?

That’s a great question. The phrase «putting all your eggs in one basket» comes to mind. Of course, screens are repairable, but an AIO PC pretty much requires it, lest you throw away an entire computer when the monitor breaks.

Can I mount my AIO PC on a wall?

Some can mount to the wall, but that will often make it hard to access the ports on the back of the device. Many AIO PCs have their ports on the back of the chassis, so mounting on the wall might not work well. Further, some AIO PCs have built in stands which definitely won’t work well hanging from a wall.

What to Look for When Buying AIO’s

Screen size — Of course the primary focus of an AIO PC is the screen. It’s the one component you definitely will not be able to upgrade, so it’s important that you get one that will do everything you need. Generally larger numbers are getting in this case.

Specifications — AIO PCs can be hard to upgrade down the line, so it’s even more important to pay close attention to what your PC offers out of the box. Things to pay attention to include the processor, RAM, storage, graphics card (if applicable) and the screen size.

Included accessories — Some AIO PCs come with extras, like a mouse, keyboard, or even a stylus. Look for an AIO PC that comes with some bonuses that make owning it a little more fun. An amazing sound system or wireless charging pad come to mind.