All in one computer any good?

[alde]

My old computer is on it's last leg. I was looking at those all in one computers. All I really do is internet, email and and some basic stuff. I don't do any games or anything that requires a power machine.

Will a $500 Dell all in one take care of my needs? Anybody have one?

 

[rwsmith]

Well, my laptop.......

My laptop is an all in one computer. I like Dell value. Before I might not have considered an all in one but things change. And if that is all you do it would probably work just fine.

It's kinda like component stereo. I have an old Kenwood receiver that I can't give away.

 

[Absalom]

I just got one a couple of months ago, although an HP, not a Dell.

You seem to think that the "all in one" is related to the computer's capabilities. That's not so much the case. For that, you still have to look at the processor, memory, etc.

What makes a computer "all in one" is the integration of the CPU with the monitor. So you don't have a boxy CPU sitting under or on top of your computer desk any more in addition to a monitor, but just a thick and heavy monitor which has everything in it, plus usually a wireless mouse and keyboard extra. I got it because I wanted something more compact than a full desktop, but with a bigger monitor screen than a laptop. I've got all my peripherals like scanner, DVD burner, external harddrive etc. attached via USB. It works just as capable (actually has a better monitor) as my last desktop, it just takes less space.

I have to add that I don't do games, movies etc., so my use is pretty traditional: internet, Office, pictures, and such.

 

[alde]

You seem to think that the "all in one" is related to the computer's capabilities. That's not so much the case. For that, you still have to look at the processor, memory, etc.

I'm sure it will be much more capable than my 8 year old pc. I may just go pick one up tomorrow. The one I am looking at even has built in WiFi so it will just need a power cord to get upand running and on line. My printer is even WiFi ready. I already print to it from my phone, which I think is about the coolest thing.

 

[bigwheelzip]

Any new computer, in any form factor, will deliver your stated requirements. The main difference to me, in purchased computer systems, is weather they are industry standard designs that are fully upgradeable. If you had a tower style (ATX) computer from an OEM that uses industry standard components, (like Cyberpower) and some basic skills, you could upgrade to a current gen system and keep the current components that don't need changing. You don't get a cost savings benefit but you do get the full warranty on each component which can be years longer than than the standard 12 months for a pre-built system. FYI, the major manufacturers like Dell and HP modify their industry standard components so that replacement parts have to be purchased from them at a huge markup. If buying a new Windows machine, I would get one with the latest Skylake processor and an SSD (Solid State Drive), integrated graphics, and Windows 10. This hardware is the most energy efficient, and heat is the enemy of All-In-Ones. This configuration is starting to hit the market, so it might be worth waiting for the Skylake AIO's.

 

[wbraswell]

I don't like the premise of it. Reminds me of the old console stereo/TV/radios, if one piece goes out, the whole thing goes in the shop. I've gone through 3 keyboards on a single computer. I like separate components.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

It will be fine for all that.

The downside to an all-in-one is that they typically aren't easily user serviceable other than maybe adding RAM. Like my iMac I can't just pop in a different drive or video card easily as with a standard box.

 

[Comrad]

What's an all in one? If you're talking laptop, buy as good as you can afford. My Macbook is almost 5 year old and operates and looks as good as the day I bought it. The weak points of the cheaper models are the keyboards and the hinges. I was a big fan of IBM Thinkpads but the hinges always break after a couple years and can be expensive if not impossible to repair.

 

[chaparrito]

What's an all in one? If you're talking laptop, buy as good as you can afford. My Macbook is almost 5 year old and operates and looks as good as the day I bought it. The weak points of the cheaper models are the keyboards and the hinges. I was a big fan of IBM Thinkpads but the hinges always break after a couple years and can be expensive if not impossible to repair.

Ditto. Typing this on my 2008 MBPro. Having said that, the Dell will do all most anybody needs to do, plus you'll have all those fun Windows updates it'll make you do all the time.

 

[vito]

A few years ago I bought my Sony Vaio all in one and have been very pleased with it. A nice 24 inch monitor (with built in TV tuner that is cable ready), wireless keyboard (which I upgraded to a more ergonomic one) and wireless mouse. It communicates wirelessly to my printer (an inexpensive Canon that works amazingly and uses very little ink). I have no idea what is inside this PC but so far it has worked flawlessly for me. My only problems have been due to my internet connection, not the computer itself.

 

[bigwheelzip]

What's an all in one? If you're talking laptop, buy as good as you can afford. My Macbook is almost 5 year old and operates and looks as good as the day I bought it. The weak points of the cheaper models are the keyboards and the hinges. I was a big fan of IBM Thinkpads but the hinges always break after a couple years and can be expensive if not impossible to repair.

An All-In-One is essentially a monitor with a slightly increased depth where they graft a computer to the back. They typically utilize wireless keyboards and mice. Yes, they are limiting for do-it-yourself upgrades and repairs, but they they provide full sized monitors often with built-in cameras, microphones, and speakers without the bulk and wires of towers. It is a compromise, but also it's advantages in simplicity.

 

[alde]

I appreciate all the guidance. Like I said, my current PC is 8+ years old and is doing strange things. I am tired of waiting 15 or more minutes for it to crank away to allow me to get on a website. It's probably something that can be fixed but I don't want to deal with it. It's time for something new.

 

[Damn Yankee]

Get a Mac-mini. Great machine for $499,00

 

[gregintenn]

I had an all in one. It lasted about a day longer than the warranty. The monitor went out. Were it a regular desktop, I could have just bought another monitor. Something to think about.

 

[chaparrito]

Get a Mac-mini. Great machine for $499,00

Excellent tiny computer, but doesn't include a monitor, mouse or Keyboard last time I looked.

I meant to add in my original post: Have you considered a Chromebook? $280 bucks will do everything you need. You'll have to love Google Chrome for your browser though. I have 20 chrome books in my classroom and they have taken all the abuse elementary age students can dish out with no complaints. As bombproof as the Apple iPads I also use. The Win-doze netbooks in other classrooms are another story. They should have named them Crashpads.

 

[Damn Yankee]

Quote,Excellent tiny computer, but doesn't include a monitor, mouse or Keyboard last time I looked.


So use your existing monitor. Key board and mice are cheap.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I appreciate all the guidance. Like I said, my current PC is 8+ years old and is doing strange things. I am tired of waiting 15 or more minutes for it to crank away to allow me to get on a website. It's probably something that can be fixed but I don't want to deal with it. It's time for something new.

Any internet enabled device will do what you ask. There are even mini-computers the size of a thumb drive called a Intel Compute Stick that can plug into any HDMI jack on a TV or monitor. After you get the new rig up and running and any files transferred, if you have the Windows Operating System disk from your old machine, you can try reinstalling it on your old machine and maybe get it running like new, as a backup. This will erase the system in the process.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Excellent tiny computer, but doesn't include a monitor, mouse or Keyboard last time I looked.

That's a good point.

With my 27'' iMac I was paying for a $1k monitor plus a $500 computer inside. When I want a new computer, that $1,000 monitor has the old one stuffed inside. And it has to turn on and work for another computer to use it as a display. So..... If I had to do it over again I might have bought a separate monitor and Mini. I remember shopping for a 27'' 2560 x 1440 monitor at the time. Dell 27in was around a $1000 too. Their ultra sharp 27in is still $850. Eh... I don't know. I'll just probably buy another iMac when the time comes. But it is something to consider if you prefer to have a large quality monitor.

 

[cmort666]

A couple of weeks ago I was rebuilding my Linux server when the flat screen monitor died. It took me all of five minutes to grab an extra CRT from another room as a replacement.

I have no use for all-in-one PCs OR printers. I have no use for something where if ONE part of it dies, the rest of it either becomes useless or the whole thing has to go away in order to be repaired.

 

[JcMack]

All the laptops I've seen (including my 4 yr old HP) have a port to hook an external monitor to. They have USB so you can hook up to 127 peripherals to it, like a keyboard. and mouse. Mine has HDMI out so you can watch Netflix, Hulu, PBS and cable it over to your TV. It's got WIFI and a RJ45 conn for wired internet. the advantage is you can unhook the keybd., and mouse and use the built in laptop ones so you move around the house or take it with if you want to. I'd stay away from all in ones. If your going with WIN8-10 the stand up monitor is uncomfortable as touchscreen anyway.