The all-in-one computer This category, which sits between the worlds of laptops and desktops, seemingly gets little respect from everyone: consumers. and Manufacturers. Why buy a machine that has limited upgradeability and isn’t portable? a buyer might ask. And why invest in a small category that no one cares much about? an IT executive would probably retort.
Why consider an all-in-one? Well, for many reasons. First, because everything you need is included in a single device – most only have one cable (for power) to deal with. They don’t take up the space of traditional desktops and are less complex. Setup is a breeze – just put it on your desk, plug it in, and you’re good to go. Even a relatively low-end all-in-one is more attractive on the desk than a traditional desktop. There’s a reason you often see iMacs parked in front of receptionists. Compared to a laptop, an all-in-one offers a much larger screen and usually more power. However, they can often be considerably cheaper than a laptop despite being larger. Many all-in-ones are available for under $1000.
It’s a tragedy that the category is so often ignored and slow to update. While most all-in-ones use laptop components, none of the Intel-based machines I tested for this guide have been updated with its latest generation of CPUs (the Core Ultra line), and one still uses a processor from two generations ago. Still, all-in-ones have so many advantages that the category deserves attention. Here are our picks for the best all-in-ones in several categories.
Be sure to check out our other computing guides, including the best laptops, best budget laptops, best Chromebooks, and best MacBooks.
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