5 Times All in One Computers Are a Best-Fit

All-in-One (AiO) computers are a special breed of desktop PC, packing all the components into the same chassis as the display or in the display base. That’s compared to regular desktops that have the entire PC stuffed into a case that’s then connected to external displays and other components like webcams (which are built into some AiOs), speakers, and microphones.

AiO PCs offer a few advantages. First, they’re easier to setup. Just plug them in, pair a keyboard and mouse, and you’re ready to go. Second, they take up less space, usually not much more than a similarly sized display. Third, all the components are supported and updated by the same company, making them easier to manage.

They also have a few disadvantages. They’re not as upgradeable for one thing. For another, they’re not typically as powerful, given less space for thermal design including fans and liquid cooling solutions.

Even so, AiO computers make a great deal of sense in a handful of environments. Here, we present some instances where an AiO PC can make much more sense than a standard desktop.

Kiosks

A kiosk is a classic example of where an AiO PC makes sense. Kiosks can be a small venue for selling things or a space in a lobby where information is provided. Perhaps a utility is available for visitors to use to find out more about an organization. Kiosks are usually cramped with space at a premium, and they’re open to the public and so need to be presentable.

The AiO PC can fit into a kiosk’s tight dimensions better than a desktop PC and display. And, it presents an attractive and uncluttered appearance. An AiO can be easily integrated into a kiosk’s design, making it look like a natural part of its environment.

Chances are, a kiosk-based AiO doesn’t need to be a powerful machine, and the smaller the better.

A touch screen is a must, though, given the potential for interactive applications. That makes the $1,030 Dell OptiPlex 3000 3280 a great choice. It houses a 21.5-inch Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) touch display that makes it one of the smaller AiOs around. It’s fast enough for typical productivity tasks and simple applications with an Intel Core i3-10100T CPU, 4GB of RAM, and a 500GB hard disk drive (HDD).

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Home offices

Given the sudden rise of hybrid and remote workers, the home office has taken on significantly increased importance. More people than ever have needed to set up a dedicated space for work, and not everyone’s home is perfectly configured for that necessity. In many cases, a home office isn’t a separate room but merely some space taking up part of a larger area. In that case, the location can be tight and its appearance is important – you want a PC that fits and one that doesn’t stand out as garish or cluttered, such as with all the cables required for a desktop PC.

The AiO is perfect for such situations. Its relatively small size is once again an advantage, letting it take up as little space as possible on and around an improvised desk. It’s also streamlined, with only a power cable to plug in if you’re using a wireless keyboard and mouse and don’t have any additional display to connect.

You’ll want an AiO that will meet your performance needs, depending on your work. The $1,099.99 Asus Zen AiO 24 uses an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor that’s faster than the Intel equivalents, particularly if you need to do any kind of creative work. It’s loaded up with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB solid-state drive (SSD), all packed into an efficient chassis built around a 23.8-inch Full HD IPS display. The webcam, microphone, and speakers are all built in, minimizing the need for additional cables.

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College dorm rooms

College dorm rooms can be Spartan affairs and small, especially when shared. Sure, students can kit them out as they like, but there’s no so much space to work with. A small table is more likely than a large desk, and so if a stationary PC is desired to go with a laptop then an AiO makes a lot of sense.

It’s for the same reason as in many of these use cases: fitting into available space. And not just that, but it saves space as well, leaving room for packing in other items like a mini-fridge. Given the more common built-in speakers, an AiO can serve as a great platform for streaming media without worrying about fitting in a TV.

Students live on a budget and so an affordable AiO is on order. It still needs to provide enough power to get homework done without a hassle, and the Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3 is a solid choice. It utilizes an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U CPU, 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 24-inch Full HD display.

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Classrooms

Laptops are in vogue in schools across the country for students, but it’s not uncommon to find a desktop in each classroom for the teacher to use. Fitting on a desk without needing to find room for a desktop chassis is key, as is avoiding cables that would just get in the way. The more room for teaching materials the better.

An AiO is once again the best space-saving choice, and it’s clean and organized. It’s also going to be easier for a school to manage and maintain, given that drivers for every component are provided directly by the manufacturer.

A solid price to performance ratio is required for the school environment, and the $754.99 MSI All-in-One Computer PRO AP241 11M-002US provides a great combination. It benefits from a speedy Core i5-11400, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, while integrating a 23.8-inch Full HD display. It’s also one of the cleaner designs you’ll find in an AiO, meaning it will blend into the classroom environment.

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Studio apartments

Studio apartments are small by definition, consisting of a single room and on average just 600 square feet.

Fitting in everything that a person needs to live is a challenge in such an arrangement, and a desktop PC with separate display and speakers would take up too much space.

Once again, the AiO comes to the rescue. It can be placed in a convenient location and, with the right size display, could also serve as the room’s TV if limited to streaming services.

It also mitigates the need to run and hide cables to avoid making a mess of the small space.

Solid performance with a GPU capable of at least entry-level gaming is likely the best option, and the $1,463.26 HP All-in-One Computer ENVY 32-a1035 provides just that. It equips an Intel Core i5-10400, 16GB of RAM, a 256TB SSD and a 1TB hard disk drive (HDD), and an Nvidia GTX 1650 GPU. The display is a 31.5-inch 4K (3,840 x 2,160) IPS panel would be great for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video binging.

Conclusion

The AiO PC is a special breed of machine that can fit some specialized needs. It’s also a great PC for anyone who doesn’t need the power and expandability of a traditional desktop. These five scenarios are just a sample of where an AiO PC might be the best possible option.

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