What to Look for in an All-in-One PC
By Mike Agerbo
November 03, 2015
Product Discovery
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If a laptop monitor is a bit small for your needs but you’re not excited about the idea of having a PC tower crowding your space, an all-in-one PC might be just what you need. An AIO PC offers the features of a desktop PC in a more compact system. Basically, it’s the happy medium between a laptop and a traditional desktop computer.
Here are some things to look for if you’re considering purchasing an AIO:
Display
When shopping for an AIO, I recommend you start by looking at screen sizes. To get the best resolution and ensure you have enough real estate, I recommend getting at least a 23-inch display. Remember that your monitor will be built into your new system and won’t be easy to upgrade, so go with a 27-inch monitor if you can manage it. Of course, you should pay attention to the resolution. At the very least make sure you’re getting a true 1080p HD monitor: 1,920 by 1,080.
If you’ve ever had trouble seeing details on a computer screen when you’re not perfectly centered to the monitor, you understand how frustrating it can be. To avoid this issue, keep an eye out for IPS, or In-Plane Switching, technology. These monitors provide a better experience if you’re not perfectly centered to the monitor, displaying colours and details accurately.
The last thing to consider when looking at displays is to decide whether or not you want a touch display. While Windows 8 and 10 are optimized for touch, it’s not necessary go with a touch screen display. That being said, it’s not a bad idea to go with touch. You’ll find that a touch screen will improve your efficiency, especially for gesture controls like scrolling, turning pages, or zooming.
System Specs
Now that we’ve covered the superficial, let’s talk about what to look for on the inside of your new PC. For starters, make sure you have at least 6GB of memory, or RAM. This will allow you to multi-task and have several programs open simultaneously without slowing you down. It’s also important to go with at least a dual-core processor. If you go with a large monitor though, I would recommend going with a quad-core processor that will be able to properly support it.
When it comes to storage, look for a model with at least one TB. This is especially important if you store a lot of video. You’ll also find that you’ll have a better experience storing and accessing data if you go with an SSD, or solid-state drive. Traditional hard drives have spinning disks and can take a long time to access the data. This is especially important since many AIOs are not upgradable.
So, if you’re dreaming of a larger screen and other features found on desktop PCs but still need a compact solution, consider investing in an AIO. With the above tips and the help of a knowledgeable sales associate, you should be able to find a great AIO to fit your needs.
Here are some things to look for if you’re considering purchasing an AIO:
Display
When shopping for an AIO, I recommend you start by looking at screen sizes. To get the best resolution and ensure you have enough real estate, I recommend getting at least a 23-inch display. Remember that your monitor will be built into your new system and won’t be easy to upgrade, so go with a 27-inch monitor if you can manage it. Of course, you should pay attention to the resolution. At the very least make sure you’re getting a true 1080p HD monitor: 1,920 by 1,080.
If you’ve ever had trouble seeing details on a computer screen when you’re not perfectly centered to the monitor, you understand how frustrating it can be. To avoid this issue, keep an eye out for IPS, or In-Plane Switching, technology. These monitors provide a better experience if you’re not perfectly centered to the monitor, displaying colours and details accurately.
The last thing to consider when looking at displays is to decide whether or not you want a touch display. While Windows 8 and 10 are optimized for touch, it’s not necessary go with a touch screen display. That being said, it’s not a bad idea to go with touch. You’ll find that a touch screen will improve your efficiency, especially for gesture controls like scrolling, turning pages, or zooming.
System Specs
Now that we’ve covered the superficial, let’s talk about what to look for on the inside of your new PC. For starters, make sure you have at least 6GB of memory, or RAM. This will allow you to multi-task and have several programs open simultaneously without slowing you down. It’s also important to go with at least a dual-core processor. If you go with a large monitor though, I would recommend going with a quad-core processor that will be able to properly support it.
When it comes to storage, look for a model with at least one TB. This is especially important if you store a lot of video. You’ll also find that you’ll have a better experience storing and accessing data if you go with an SSD, or solid-state drive. Traditional hard drives have spinning disks and can take a long time to access the data. This is especially important since many AIOs are not upgradable.
So, if you’re dreaming of a larger screen and other features found on desktop PCs but still need a compact solution, consider investing in an AIO. With the above tips and the help of a knowledgeable sales associate, you should be able to find a great AIO to fit your needs.