All-In-One PCS

[renowilliams]

I was thinking of replacing my wifes aging laptop and was considering an all-in-one for this. I have built many systems over the years but no experience with them. I see there are a lot of companies now selling these. She primarly watches video on her existing laptop and some other non-intensive activities.

I went to a local store today and looked at the HP and Acer offerings. I didn't like the HP at all but the acer was nice. i've looked online but not a lot of people have wrote reviews.

Anyway, I just was wondering if many of you techs have worked on them and what your impressions are.

P.S I live in Canada and want to keep the cost to $800.00

[flanzig1]

Have not had good luck with all-in-one. Might have been the brand /model of the units that failed. A model of Cybernet's from a few years ago had 100% failure of the units we had due to bulging caps. We had some MSI model fail. Just installed a Dell Vostro 23" at a customer's site,sweet looking but the "turn of the monitor" function would not comeback properly, would have to do a hard shut-down to clear.

[Petef56]

I don't like all-in-one computers or computers with the small form factor. Reason being, when they break several years down the road, parts are typically not available by the manufacturer. This forces you to seek out 3rd party companies that refurbish and sell the parts. You often pay a premium for these hard to find parts and you never know exactly what the quality is. Most times I think you are getting a 5 year old part that has has been repaired and it's likely to fail due to all the other 5 year old parts inside it. For these reasons, it often makes more sense to trash an all-in-one or a small form factor computer when it breaks.

I much prefer a computer built with all standard off the shelf parts. Easy to find and replace parts with high quality parts means you can keep them operating for many years.

---pete---

[glc]

I'd get her a new standard laptop. The major vendors are blowing out the Windows 7 models to make room for the Windows 8 models. Example:

ASUS X53E-RS92-CA Intel Pentium B960(2.2GHz) 15.6" 4GB Memory 320GB HDD Intel HD Graphics Notebook

[Force Flow]

All-in-ones tend to be difficult to repair and upgrade.

However, Dell also had some available, and I would typically go with them over HP or Acer. Dell tends to have a better track record when it comes to hardware.

[jdeb]

I agree with force on the upgrade path. The Lenovo units are something else to consider. They have solid hardware and should give you years of service. Select the Desktops & All In Ones tab then check the box's new and all in one to narrow your selection down.

[renowilliams]

Whats you impression on ASUS

[Khalil]

Asus are the best by far. All in one computers are throw away devices, you use them and then as soon as you have a major problem, you pretty much need to throw them out.

I agree with glc, an Asus notebook is your best bet.

[renowilliams]

Originally Posted by Khalil Asus are the best by far. All in one computers are throw away devices, you use them and then as soon as you have a major problem, you pretty much need to throw them out. I agree with glc, an Asus notebook is your best bet.

I hear what your saying but the whole idea here is to give her more real estate for viewing video. To do this with the laptop is cost prohibitive when going 20" or larger. I don't want to hook a monitor to the laptop so an all-in-one is what i'm thinking. Anyway, I appreciate the comments guys.

[doubledragon5]

Build your own, you won't go wrong.. Building your own pc is not as hard as you might think.

[MaxRat]

I am not thrilled with the All-in-One PC either... they do look nice and the concept is there but I dont feel it is refined enough yet to be fully functional....

I got to play with the Vizio all in one unit and it needed some refinement yet.... nice piece though

[Khalil]

I would get her this if it fits your budget, at least it is repairable and upgradeable:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16883220215

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16824236100