Any thoughts on All-in-one computers?

They are convenient if you don’t need a high end gpu…
While they work at least, depending on the model and brand if you plan on keeping it 5+ years a power supply failure can junk it due to the proprietary nature in many machines. An external PSU model can be better for that but then the power regulation board can be a weak point.

My experience is hit or miss, some last a very long time, others the PSU was expensive and failed at about 5 years.

As a counterpoint, the so called PUC systems (now discontinued) are somewhat interesting as well as being a micro sized pc in a little box that you just plug your screen and components into

 

I view them as a desk top with all the disadvantages of a lap top.
Lap tops tend to have a shorter life than a desk top because all the components are crammed into the much smaller case. That leads to higher heat build up that eventually fries something. The all-in-ones and mini PCs are built like a lap top. Desk tops take up more space because they are mostly empty with much better air flow. If a component does die in one, it is much easier to replace.

I'd opt for a lap top with docking station over an AiO. It's possible to go dual screen with that. I have the lap top screen set to email at work.

 

A lap top also has the advantage of having a built-in UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) that keeps it running for several hours when you lose utility AC power.

I always look for maintainability in my PCs. You should be able to easily (sic) open it up and access major components (Battery, RAM, Mass storage, and other replaceable modules). I have upgraded the SSD in mine to 1 Terabyte (was 500 GByte) and replaced the battery when it's storage capacity dropped.

JeffD

 

Didn't someone here hook up a Mac mini to the MFD back in the gen2 days?

 

It really depends on your intended use and budget. I switched to the laptop form factor 15 years ago and have hosted without complaint three ASUS machines since then. I steer my build list toward the gamer line for quality monitor and internals and a design that incorporates some headspace if you ever want or need to push your machine to the limit. I have always been a Microsoft PC operating system kind of guy, but I have friends with Apple machines that are very happy. I am expanding my horizons into Linux lately, putting together (literally) small form factor systems using Raspberry Pi single board computers. These builds are very economical, but you have to put them together. If you have aspirations of becoming a maker, and branching out from just a computer into the Internet of Things, this is a great place to start. The guiding principle of "You get what you pay for" certainly applies in all these endeavors.

 

Do you have an old HD TV or computer screen around? I'm a big fan of mini-PC computers in the $300-$500 range and then you simply bolt the minipc to the back of the screen. It's far less expensive than an all in one computer. I've bought a couple different ones from these people: GEEKOM Mini PC: Mini Computers. Also this guy on Youtube is a mini-pc reviewer and if you find a machine you like, he's probably already reviewed it: CareyHolzman - YouTube

 

Well, I got MY new computer to replace the one that turned obsolete yesterday (Oct. 15) thanks to Windows 11.
My wife was super paranoid we were going to have the old machine horribly infected with malware at 12:01 a.m. on the 15th. Told her naw, won't happen until at least 8 a.m.

I actually ordered an AIO from Costco. Mostly because they had it $300 off and Costco allows returns with NO HASSLE for 90 days.

Well, it was a beautiful machine, but it was DOA. All it did when plugged in was emit five quick LOUD beeps and then five slow less loud beeps, which apparently meant bad motherboard. Returned and bought a Dell small form factor desktop. Set it up mostly yesterday and installed Microsoft Office 2024 this morning. All is working well, so far. MS Office has changed. My employer (part-time, when I feel like it) is still running -- I think -- MS 2018 -- the new format of MS 2024 is a bit confusing, but I guess I will get used to it.

 

Wha'd you do with the old computer?

 

In the corner of guest bedroom on floor next to the tiny monitor. Actually plugged-in and pulled a word file I needed from the old box earlier today. I have it all backed up to a Western Digital 4TB. Not sure what to now. It has a lot of personal info such as SSNs and site passwords, so a little leary about disposal.

 

You just need to pull the hard drive or do a military wipe of the hard drive.
I prefer to pull the hard drive and put it in a drive box. The drive box has a usb connector so you can access the old drive, if you forgot to remove some information on it. Once your sure you've gotten all the information you need off of it; use it for target practice or do a military wipe.

 

Keep it in a place where you save family photos and other stuff that can't be replaced. ... If you lose data in the future it might save you... Or if one day when you die your loved ones may find valuable memories to be grateful for having.

Of course if you're an awful person who does bad things and not good at covering your tracks then you'll want to get a power drill and drill a whole through it to ensure the data can't be recovered.

 

All the disadvantages of a laptop and most of the disadvantages of a desktop all-in-one computer.

With the only advantage being the ability to put the "monitor" higher than the keyboard for better posture.

Well, that, except my wife has an all-in-one (also HP) with a touchscreen (Ahem! Apple! Are you paying attention?!) that she has in the kitchen without a physical keyboard that she uses to watch videos and listen to music (has built-in Beatsaudio loud speakers) while cooking.

 

Was tidying up the new computer and transfering over files, programs etc and realized I was still using MS Office 2010.

 

Google Docs is free and can read and convert out of and into MS Office docs... Open office is another viable alternative but more limited.

As in friends don't let friends give money to the evildoer big brother contracted Microsoft.

 

You can "update" to the newest Office (not 365)...for free. Do your research.

 

My MS Office is free/lifetime. Not 365

 

Understand. All I was saying is you can update it to Office 2024 for free though...if you want. You can even get MS Office Suite for free if you didn't previously purchase it...on a Windows machine...legally. I'm off.