Reconsidering the All-in-One PC
If you're looking at purchasing new desktop computers for the office, you may want to consider an all-in-one model this time around. Years ago, I never took all-in-one's seriously as they were expensive, low powered and just plain ugly. But today's new all-in-one PC's are making me rethink my stance. From Apple's iMac to HP's brand new Omni PC, there's a great deal going for the all-in-one's. So what exactly is making me change my tune?
Big Screens and Few Cables
Most of the all-in-one models boast very large screens -- we're talking near-television sized large with 24 and 27 inch screens being the norm. Additionally, the fact that everything is built right into the monitor helps to eliminate a great deal of clutter on the desk. No more having to string your keyboard, monitor and mouse cables under your desk as everything sits right on top and within easy reach.
High Performance
The biggest change from today's modern all-in-one's compared to those of the past is the fact that you no longer have to compromise a superior form-factor with performance. The HP Omni for instance is a fairly high-end PC that boasts a 2.5GHz Sandy Bridge i5 processor, 6 GB or RAM and plenty of graphics power for almost any task. And all of this starts at a reasonable $1299. While it's not the cheapest PC option in the world, it's no longer outrageously expensive either.
What About the End-of-Life?
One complaint I always hear regarding the all-in-one PC is the fact that once the PC reaches its end-of-life stage where it no longer is powerful enough to perform tasks, you have to toss out a perfectly good monitor. But since today's monitors are both cheap and still rapidly advancing, it's becoming common practice to upgrade monitors every few years anyway. In my eyes, this issue has become irrelevant.
So there you have it. The all-in-one has become a valid consideration when looking at desktop computers. If you're thinking of getting a laptop but need additional screen size and power from your PC than I'd highly recommend looking at one. This new breed of all-in-one computers combine the power user specs of a standard PC with added beauty and convenience at an attractive price point. If I was planning to buy a desktop in 2012, I'd seriously look into an all-in-one.
