AIO: Community Thoughts

[robluck82]

So, I'm looking at setting up a home office after the New Year, and am looking at AIO PCs and can't quite decide. I want at least a 23" display with an Intel i5 or better - at least 8gb of RAM, and under a $1000.

I've looked at ASUS as I've always been a fan - but I want to hear it from real-world power users. Bear in mind this will be a home office PC, but I want it to last for at least 5-7 years and have some upgradability.

Thoughts? Many thanks in advance!

[shaithis]

For me, the need for AIO is kind of countering the "last for at least 5-7 years and have some upgradability."

5-7 years for an AIO is pushing it IMO. Something will probably break in that time and the parts could very well be hard, if not impossible, to source. Upgradability will probably be limited to RAM. You also pay a premium for AIO.

It doesn't seem like a wise move IMO bt if you are still looking at AIOs, the dell optiplex AIOs are fairly decent, although I would never expect one to last 7 years.

[scaryjim]

Honestly? If you want 5 - 7 years with upgradability I wouldn't touch an AIO with a barge pole. Any particular reason you're veering in that direction? If size is a serious concern I'd go for something like a NUC or a Gigabyte Brix and replace it every few years, but really you should be thinking mATX, nice small case, and proper desktop components.

I'm not really up on US pricing & taxes, but going for an entry level non-k i5 in a basic B or H series motherboard isn't going to break the bank and will give you far better upgradability then an AIO. Also don't discount AMD; I don't think there are many (any?) AIOs with AMD components but going for a basic mATX desktop brings the A8-7600 into the picture too, and that's a great value processor.

[EndlessWaves]

although I would never expect one to last 7 years.

Why not? It's a desktop, so it's not likely to get any of the physical stress that often kills laptops and all the components are made in exactly the same way.

@robluck82: Hexus is a UK site so you need to tell us which dollars they are and what your local market is (as taxes etc. vary) if you want suggestions that stick your budget rather than models in the right vague area.

Also, can you be more specific about the minimum performance and/or features you require of the CPU? Different all in ones use chips from different line-ups, so a low power dual core mobile i5 is an entirely different proposition from a standard power desktop i5.

[scaryjim]

... It's a desktop, so it's not likely to get any of the physical stress that often kills laptops and all the components are made in exactly the same way. ...

No it's not - at least not in a conventional sense. It's a custom built, enclosed space built directly onto the back of a monitor; many AIOs use laptop components to aid in the integration. It's subject to much higher thermal issues than even a NUC/mini pc, because it has to deal with the heat generated by the monitor it's attached to more directly, and it makes for very little customisation or upgradability. And if it comes time to upgrade, or if something does go wrong with it outside of warranty, you not only have to buy a new PC but a new monitor as well, because it's all built in.

In fact it's much more like a laptop; which, lets be honest, the vast majority of people never take out of their house, and some never even leave a desk. I would never recommend a laptop for someone looking for an upgradeable machine to last 5 - 7 years, and for the same reasons I wouldn't recommend an AIO either.

[PorcupineTime]

The only thing that I can think of that gets remotely near to some of your criteria is building your own.

Wait, hear me out. There are a few cases that people do, Gigabyte and Intel come to mind. The Gigabyte one is a 24 inch 1080p touchscreen with, essentially, a mini ITX enclosure on the back. It may have a restriction with PSUs having to be outside the case, the Intel one did, if memory serves. A quick search for DIY All in one PC should show you some options.

I've been tempted to build one of these myself, but I already have one mITX project on the go and don't even have the space for that, so convincing my wife to let me build another PC would be... difficult.

Good luck and please do let us know if you come up with a good solution.

[peterb]

IIRC, there are some mini itx cases that can be mounted on the back of a monitor using the VESA mounting holes. Might be useful if you are looking at saving space, so you have most of the benefits of an integrated system, and few of the drawbacks.

[PorcupineTime]

I think you can mount some of the Silverstone cases, RVZ and ML, if memory serves.

It's probably a better solution than an all in one, you'd have much better ability to upgrade then.

[nichomach]

IIRC, there are some mini itx cases that can be mounted on the back of a monitor using the VESA mounting holes. Might be useful if you are looking at saving space, so you have most of the benefits of an integrated system, and few of the drawbacks.

Intel NUCs come with a VESA mounting plate for that very purpose, and are very well made. Were I looking at something like an AIO now, that would be my first port of call. Screen fails, just get another one with VESA mounting holes. NUC components fail, replace the failed part or buy another NUC.

[robluck82]

All - thanks for your replies! Really appreciate your insight!

I should provide some more context. My current Dell Inspiron 1500 (i think) laptop has served me well for well over 10 years now, what with having been drop kicked and the like at least a few times during that span. The reason for the AIO platform is simply due to space restrictions and cleanliness (fewer wires) which are a necessity for my (she'll admit) OCD wife.

The mITX cases that mount to the VESA holes are VERYYYY intriguing and I'm going to investigate that now. Thanks a million for that recommendation - of course I'd rather build than buy, just didn't know that option was out there!