Nestled awkwardly between the laptop and desktop realms, the all-in-one computer category appears to be underappreciated by both makers and users. A buyer could wonder why they should spend money on a computer that isn’t portable and has restricted upgradeability. A computer executive would undoubtedly respond, And why invest in a narrow category that nobody really cares about.
Well, for a variety of reasons. First of all, because most all-in-one laptops just require one connection (for electricity) and contain everything you need. They’re less complicated and take up less room than conventional desktop computers.
It is simple to set up: just place it on your desk, plug it in, and get started. On the desk, even an all-in-one with comparatively low specs looks better than a traditional desktop. Receptionists frequently have iMacs parked in front of them for a purpose. An all-in-one computer provides a far larger screen and typically greater power right out of the box than a laptop. However, even though they are larger than laptops, they are frequently far less expensive. There are plenty of all-in-ones that cost far less than $1,000.
Therefore, it is tragic that the category is rarely updated and is frequently disregarded.
Although laptop components are found in most all-in-one computers, the Intel-based devices I tested for this article have not been updated with the company’s most recent generation of CPUs (the Core Ultra series), and one of them is still running on a processor that is two generations old. However, the all-in-one has so many advantages that the category is worth discussing. These are our selections for the top all-in-one PCs across a number of areas.
Check out our other computer guides, which include the Best MacBooks, Best Chromebooks, Best Cheap Laptops, and Best Laptops.
Best Budget All-in-One Computer
HP Envy Move All-in-One 24
HP’s Envy Move is a little all-in-one with a 23.8-inch touchscreen, but it’s more than adequate for simple tasks (like a computer in the kitchen, maybe). The all-white, elegant design instantly draws attention, and the front-mounted speaker grille is covered in an elegant fabric panel. There are many clever tiny details, such legs that automatically rotate in and out when you pick up the system, making it possibly the most portable all-in-one available. Another clever addition is a grip that slides behind the top of the screen for easier mobility. Additionally, you might find the keyboard that has an integrated touchpad in place of a mouse very useful if space is at a premium. (If you require a mouse, you may always add one separately.)
Best Luxe All-in-One
Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i 31.5
The Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i’s eye-catching appearance will be the first thing to catch your attention. It has an incredibly thin 31.5-inch screen set atop a curved chrome bar that seems to be balanced on a circular graphite base. The secret sauce is that this small disk houses all of the computer’s hardware, including a 512-GB solid state drive, a 16 GB RAM, and a 2.6 GHz 13th-generation Intel Core i9-13900H CPU. All of the connectors on the computer are located on the back of the base, including an HDMI output, two USB-A ports, and one USB-C port with USB4 support.
Despite lacking a discrete graphics processor, the system is the finest of its kind in the all-in-one universe (at least the Windows-based version of it), scoring highly on benchmarks in every category. Though it’s not quite a gaming rig, it’s as near to one as you can find in the all-in-one ecology of today. Apart from the lack of graphics power, another oversight would be the absence of a touch-sensitive screen. Nevertheless, the brightest LCD available on the market combines with a resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels to produce an amazing image. Although it may sound expensive, many of Lenovo’s laptops come with a higher price tag.
Best Widescreen All-in-One
HP Envy All-in-One 34
With its 34-inch nontouch display and astounding 5,120 x 2,160 pixel resolution, the Envy 34 is an all-in-one unlike any other. Its (roughly) 21:9 aspect ratio makes it simple to place two full screens side by side. Even with a 12th-generation Intel Core i7-12700 CPU that is almost 2.5 years old and operates at 2.1 GHz, performance is unmatched. Thankfully, the machine’s antiquated CPU is outclassed by a generous 32 GB of RAM, a 1-TB SSD, and discrete graphics powered by an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050. In fact, the Envy 34 completely outperforms all of its rivals when it comes to graphics-intensive applications.
Most Stylish All-in-One Computer
Apple iMac (M3, 24-inch)
Although HP is credited by Guinness with creating the all-in-one computer in 1972, Apple is unquestionably responsible for popularizing the idea with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984 and the first iMac in 1998. The iMac (8/10, WIRED Recommends) of today bears little resemblance to either of those, but Apple deserves praise for persisting in offering customers an easy-to-use computer option that seems stylish on both an office desk and a home area couch.
With Apple’s most recent silicon, the M3 CPU, the iMacs are now almost entirely focused on increasing power. However, they still have thoughtful extras like a magnetic power connector, six speakers, and a 23.5-inch dazzler LCD with a resolution of 4,480 x 2,520 pixels. In contrast to other all-in-ones available, the iMac is available in seven different colors. You will only get 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of SSD storage for the starting price of $1,299, and the low-end model even eliminates all but two USB-C connectors. Get 512 GB of storage, a faster CPU, Ethernet, and two additional (slower) USB-C ports for $1,699 instead of the base model.
Avoid These All-in-One Computers
Not Good Enough
After testing a number of additional all-in-one PCs, I am unable to suggest the following models. Opt for one of the aforementioned models.
Asus M3402 and A5702: With hardware that is old, clunky, and uninspired, and performance that is surprisingly subpar, Asus’ all-in-one portfolio is offered in 24- and 27-inch models. While the M3402 is the least expensive all-in-one I’ve tested, it’s smaller.
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 27ARR9: With its black monolithic design adding just a hint of style above the Asus machines discussed earlier, this 27-inch all-in-one is a decent choice if you’re attempting to outfit the coziest corporate office on the block. While the performance isn’t particularly poor, it lacks the style of Lenovo’s Yoga AIO 9i, which is a bit of a bummer. I simply think that my other inexpensive all-in-one choices are superior.
