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%Start The 6 Best All-in-One PCs, Tested by Experts Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Best Products > Computer & Laptops 158 158 people found this article helpful
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Smith Matthew S. Smith Writer Beloit College Matthew S. Smith has been writing about consumer tech since 2007.
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Formerly the Lead Editor at Digital Trends, he's also written for PC Mag, TechHive, and others. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 7, 2022 Fact checked by Stephen Slaybaugh Fact checked by
Stephen Slaybaugh New York University London Metropolitan University Stephen Slaybaugh is a fact checker and music writer with with more than 20 years experience writing about internet retail and consumer tech.
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He has been featured in Digital Trends, DealNews, and TechRadar. He is a content designer at Bose Corporation and is completing his Master of Arts in Digital Media.
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Tweet Share Email Computer & Laptops Audio Camera & Video Car Audio & Accessories Computer & Laptops Computer Components Gaming Gifts Networking Phones & Accessories Smart Home Software Tablets Toys & Games TVs Wearables The best all-in-one (AIO) PCs save you desk space by combining the top features of laptops and desktops into sleek and stylish personal computing devices. These PCs do away with unwieldy tower cases by placing all the internal hardware components behind the display.
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Many AIOs include convenient extras like built-in wireless charging pads and webcams with a privacy shield. If you do many creative tasks like digital illustrations, you might want to find an option with touchscreen and stylus support.
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If you want a premium all-in-one computer with many personalization options, Apple's Retina 5K iMac is an ideal choice, especially for high-accuracy tasks such as photo editing. Our product experts tested and researched some of the top models from manufacturers like Apple, Microsoft, and Lenovo to find the best all-in-one PCs on the market.
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Here are our picks. The Rundown Best Overall:
Apple 27-inch iMac (2020) at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Business:
Dell OptiPlex 3280 at Dell Jump to Review Best for Home Users:
Dell Inspiron 27 7000 All-in-One at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget:
HP 22-inch All-in-One at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Students:
Apple iMac 24-inch (2021) at Amazon Jump to Review Best AMD:
HP 27-inch Flagship All-in-One at Walmart Jump to Review in this article Expand Our Picks What to Look For About Our Trusted Experts
Best Overall: Apple 27-inch iMac with Retina 5K Display (2020)
Best Buy View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On Apple What We Like Incredible display with 5K resolution Attractive design Extensive hardware configurations options What We Don't Like No Wi-Fi 6 support Bulky Apple's 27-inch iMac with 5K Retina Display is the best all-in-one PC available. It supports the P3 wide color space and True Tone technology, features that make it ideal for professional tasks like photo and video editing.
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This iMac provides fast internet connectivity, though you won't get Wi-Fi 6 support (the latest Wi-Fi technology standard). Plenty of ports make connecting external devices simple (the Thunderbolt 3 port supports two 4K resolution monitors), and wireless pairing with accessories like mice or headphones is easy.
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If you do a lot of video conferencing, the 27-inch iMac also sports a Full High Definition (FHD) webcam and a three-microphone system for high-quality video calls. While the new 24-inch iMac features a more modern design, the 27-inch iMac offers more configuration choices, including a range of Intel Core processor options and graphics cards that significantly boost some applications.
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CPU: 10th Generation 8-Core Intel i5, 8-Core Intel i7, 10-core Intel i9 GPU: AMD Radeon Pro 5300 or AMD Radeon Pro 5500 XT RAM: Up to 128GB DDR5 Storage: Up to 8TB SSD
Best for Business: Dell OptiPlex 3280 All-in-One Desktop
Dell View On Dell View On B&H Photo Video View On Staples What We Like Ergonomic stand Robust design Anti-glare display Reliable bundled peripherals What We Don't Like Lackluster performance for the price Small display size The OptiPlex 3280 is great for businesses buying all-in-one desktops. It's available with several height-adjustable stand options and a variety of affordable peripherals (computer accessories) that get the job done without standing out on a desk. Companies that use smart cards for authentication or other purposes can opt for a smart card keyboard.
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Support for external accessories is excellent too. This all-in-one supports DisplayPort for connecting an external monitor, various USB ports, including USB 3.0 and USB-C, for other devices like keyboards, and an SD card reader for viewing digital media or transferring files.
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Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5, and the OptiPlex supports wired Ethernet also. The OptiPlex 3280 has a small 21.5-inch display, but other models offer displays up to 27 inches.
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All OptiPlex models come standard with an anti-glare display that significantly reduces reflections, making the display usable in bright environments like an open office or retail store. While the 3280 is rather expensive for what it offers, the wide range of business-oriented features not found on most competitors' models justifies the price. CPU: 10th-gen Intel Core︱GPU: Intel UHD︱RAM: 4GB to 32GB︱Storage: 500GB to 2TB︱Display: 21.5-inch Full HD
Approachable pricing Lots of connectivity What We Don't Like Large, wide stand Graphics could be better The Dell Inspiron 27 7000 is a solid pick for any home.
Best for Home Users: Dell Inspiron 27 7000 All-in-One
Dell View On Amazon View On Dell View On Costco.com What We Like Strong performance Attractive slim-bezel displayApproachable pricing Lots of connectivity What We Don't Like Large, wide stand Graphics could be better The Dell Inspiron 27 7000 is a solid pick for any home.
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Base models come with a reasonably quick processor and good graphics, but even upgraded options aren't ideal for gamers. Everyone else will be satisfied by the performance, and connectivity is excellent as well.
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Every Inspiron 27 7000 packs multiple USB ports, including USB 2.0 and 3.0 and USB Type-C, HDMI input and output ports, and an SD card reader. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 are supported, as well. If you're interested in adding an attractive all-in-one to your home, the 7000 has thin display bezels (borders) for a more modern look than many competitors, including Apple's 27-inch iMac.
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The stand is large, though, so make sure to measure your desk before purchasing. Dell throws in a wireless keyboard and mouse with every Inspiron 27 7000 all-in-one PC.
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They're quite decent, and most people won't see a reason to replace them. It's hard to beat this Dell for the price. It's the right size, has the right hardware, and looks good on a desk.
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CPU: 11th-Gen Intel Core︱GPU: Intel Xe or Nvidia MX330︱RAM: 8GB up to 32GB︱Storage: 256GB SSD up to 1TB SSD, HDD optional︱Display: 27-inch 1080p, optional touchscreen
Best Budget: HP 22-inch All-in-One Desktop Computer
Walmart View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Office Depot What We Like Built-in DVD writer Affordable price Compact size and weight What We Don't Like Can't handle resource-intensive tasks Small display This 21.5-inch all-in-one is budget-friendly and covers the essentials well. The hardware is basic, but it’s capable of everyday computing like editing Word documents and web browsing. The HP 22 offers Wi-Fi 5, Ethernet, and Bluetooth 4.2 for connectivity and wireless pairing with peripherals like keyboards, mice, and headphones.
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Physical ports include HDMI, USB Type-A, 3.5mm combo audio, as well as a 3-in-1 card reader slot. There’s also an integrated, pop-up webcam. Unlike most competitors, this HP has a DVD drive for playing DVD movies or installing older DVD and CD software.
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While the HP 22 has a smaller 1080p (Full High Definition) resolution display, it has thin bezels and is impressive for the price. Measuring about 20 inches wide and 15 inches tall, and weighing around 12.5 pounds, the 22 Series is also compact and lightweight. It will fit on small desks and in tiny nooks, even with the provided wired mouse and keyboard.
CPU: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon RAM: Up to 16GB Storage: 256GB M.2 SSD (user upgradeable) The 4 Best Budget PCs in 2022
Compact size and low weight
What We Don't Like Limited connectivity Lacks high-end hardware upgrades iMac M1 (2021) Review: A Visual Refresh and the Powerful M1 Chip Apple’s new 24-inch iMac is great for students who want a simple, powerful desktop that easily fits in a typical dorm room or studio apartment.
CPU: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon RAM: Up to 16GB Storage: 256GB M.2 SSD (user upgradeable) The 4 Best Budget PCs in 2022
Best for Students: Apple iMac 24-inch (2021)
4.4 Amazon View On Amazon View On Best Buy View On Apple Our Ratings Design 5/5 Setup Process 5/5 Performance 5/5 Productivity 5/5 Audio 5/5 What We Like Excellent 4.5K Retina display Good performance in many tasks High-quality bundled keyboard and mouseCompact size and low weight
What We Don't Like Limited connectivity Lacks high-end hardware upgrades iMac M1 (2021) Review: A Visual Refresh and the Powerful M1 Chip Apple’s new 24-inch iMac is great for students who want a simple, powerful desktop that easily fits in a typical dorm room or studio apartment.
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It measures only 21.5 inches wide and about 18 inches tall, and it weighs less than ten pounds. You might need an external USB-C hub to connect extra accessories beyond the provided wireless keyboard and mouse.
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Base models have two Thunderbolt/USB 4 ports, while upgraded models have two more USB 3.0 ports and Ethernet. Thanks to Apple’s new M1 chip, the 24-inch iMac breezes through 4K video editing, 3D graphics modeling, and 3D games available through Apple Arcade. All of those tasks look great on the lovely 4.5K Retina display, which supports both P3 color and True Tone technology for precise, accurate color.
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This iMac also provides reliable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity and quality video call quality from the 1080p webcam and three-microphone setup.
CPU: Apple M1︱GPU: Apple integrated graphics︱RAM: 8GB configurable to 16GB︱Storage: 256GB configurable up to 2TB︱Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina Tested by Lifewire I tested the 24-inch M1 iMac for a month for work, voice and video calls, and gaming, and this all-in-one handled just about every other task without issue. While the basic design is similar to prior versions, the M1 iMac represents a total redesign and step up, offering excellent performance, a beautiful Retina display, great sound, and a slick, colorful look.
CPU: Apple M1︱GPU: Apple integrated graphics︱RAM: 8GB configurable to 16GB︱Storage: 256GB configurable up to 2TB︱Display: 24-inch 4.5K Retina Tested by Lifewire I tested the 24-inch M1 iMac for a month for work, voice and video calls, and gaming, and this all-in-one handled just about every other task without issue. While the basic design is similar to prior versions, the M1 iMac represents a total redesign and step up, offering excellent performance, a beautiful Retina display, great sound, and a slick, colorful look.
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This all-in-one looks great from every angle, but it does have a baffling lack of ports. Despite that, the bump up from a 21.4-inch to 24-inch display is remarkable; the colors look fantastic and it's quite bright as well. As for performance, the 2021 iMac packs in the same M1 chip first seen in the 2020 Mac mini and MacBooks, and it’s just as impressive here.
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While I had to go back to my Windows machine for most of my gaming due to a lack of compatibility, the iMac performed surprisingly well in the games I did play. Power users who need more memory or a more powerful graphics chip may want to wait for an update to the iMac Pro line, but just about everyone else should be satisfied by this hardware. —Jeremy Laukkonen, Product Tester Lifewire / Jeremy Laukkonen
Best AMD: HP 27-inch Flagship All-in-One Desktop Computer (2020)
Walmart View On Walmart View On HP What We Like Great overclocking potential Side-mounted USB port for easier access What We Don't Like No wireless keyboard or mouse AMD's Ryzen series of processors have consistently hit it out of the park for overall performance (and everything else).
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While the HP 27-inch AIO's storage options and graphics are powerful enough to tackle everything from photo/video editing to 4K video streaming, the AMD Ryzen processor makes things even better. You can overclock the PC's central processing unit (CPU), meaning you can push it to handle resource-intensive tasks like 3D rendering and (some) gaming.
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This HP AIO 27-inch FHD display has thin side bezels that maximize the viewing area while keeping the computer's overall design fairly minimal. You also get a 10-point multitouch touchscreen to make interacting with whatever's on-screen easier. Also bundled with the package are a wired keyboard and mouse.
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You can expect HP's usual features like the pop-up webcam (which retracts inside the top bezel when not in use for enhanced privacy), front-facing speakers, and Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth connectivity. This all-in-one also includes a healthy port selection for connecting other devices: HDMI, USB Type-A, 3.5mm combo audio, as well as a 3-in-1 memory card reader. CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4500U GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon RAM: Up to 32GB Storage: Up to 1TB SSD The 4 Best HP Laptops, Tested by Experts Final Verdict Having features like a high-resolution display, top-tier hardware, and lots of connectivity options, Apple's 27-inch iMac (view at Amazon) is our top choice as the best all-in-one currently available.
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Its Retina 5K panel renders everything from 4K videos to large digital illustrations with exceptional detail, and the ability to connect two 6K external monitors allows for a variety of powerful multi-monitor setups. People looking for more connectivity options in a home desktop should check out the Dell Inspiron 27 7000 (view at Amazon).
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It's stylish with reasonably powerful specs and has some of the thinnest bezels you'll find in an all-in-one.
What to Look for When Buying AIOs
Screen Size
It’s important to buy an all-in-one with the right display size because you can’t replace or alter it after purchase. Twenty-four inches is a good fit for users who aren’t too demanding, while 27 inches is more enjoyable and well worth paying a premium. Thirty-two-inch all-in-ones are rare but do provide an outstanding visual experience.
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The only downside is their sheer size; they’re as large as a small television and can be difficult to place on a desk.
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Specifications
All-in-ones can be hard to upgrade down the line, so it's even more important to pay close attention to what your computer offers out of the box. Things to pay attention to include the processor, RAM, storage, and graphics card (if applicable). High-end graphics are useful for 3D games, video and photo editing, 3D modeling, and other demanding applications.
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A solid state drive (SSD) paired with a hard disk is good enough, but avoid models that only offer a hard disk for storage. Lifewire / Yoona Wagener
Connectivity
Pay close attention to connectivity when buying an all-in-one.
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The ports available on all-in-ones vary significantly between models. Some offer nearly as many ports as a full-sized desktop tower, while others have fewer ports than a thin-and-light laptop. It’s always possible to expand connectivity with a USB hub, but it’s better to have the ports you need included from the start.
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FAQ What is an all-in-one PC? An all-in-one (AIO) PC is a computer where the monitor and tower are in the same unit. The monitor houses the motherboard, RAM, and other components that make the computer a computer.
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This design concept helps to save space, which is perfect for homes and offices on the smaller side.
Can you use an all-in-one PC as a monitor for another computer? Most all-in-one computers don't support this. Usually, all HDMI, USB-C, or DisplayPort connections on an AIO computer are display output ports.
Can you use an all-in-one PC as a monitor for another computer? Most all-in-one computers don't support this. Usually, all HDMI, USB-C, or DisplayPort connections on an AIO computer are display output ports.
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These ports allow you to connect an all-in-one to another monitor for a multi-screen setup, but you cannot use an AIO PC as a secondary monitor for another system. There are exceptions, however, like Dell’s Inspiron 27 7000. Can users upgrade all-in-one PCs?
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Most modern all-in-one PCs don't allow user upgrades. If user upgrades are supported, they're usually limited to adding RAM or switching out a hard drive.
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You will need to send the all-in-one back to the manufacturer for any additional upgrades or to have the computer serviced.
About Our Trusted Experts
Matt S. Smith is a veteran tech journalist who's written for PC World, Wired, IEEE Spectrum, IGN, and more.
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He's also the former Lead Editor of Reviews at Digital Trends, where his team reviewed over 1,000 devices each year. Jeremy Laukkonen is an experienced tech journalist with a background in automotive repair.
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He specializes in VPNs, antivirus, and home electronics, including wireless routers. Rajat Sharma has tested and reviewed numerous PCs (and a variety of other gadgets) over the course of his career. Prior to joining Lifewire, he worked as a senior technology journalist with The Times Group and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited, two of India’s most well-known media houses.
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