Are all in one PC's any good?

Nilrem

Mini tower systems can be had for very close to the same price (or less even) than full tower systems and depending on what you go for can have most of the same advantages.

IIRC you can get micro-ATX bases systems that can still take normal PCI-X videocards in a variety of models (you tend to just need a card intended for a micro-atx or HTPC system).

Intel have even started doing a NUC (I think it is) format which is tiny, usually an onboard video, but takes standard laptop ram and a standard SSD, IIRC without ram/SSD they start at about £150-200 (so add another hundred for the ram and drive). IIRC the Gigabyte Brix is an I3 in a tiny case for about £220 without ram or drive, which is ideal for a general browsing machine if you want to sit it under your TV.

Personally I would avoid an all in one unit because if any one part goes wrong it can mean a very expensive bill to fix, or even dumping it.

GunJack

for your useage, get a core2duo refurb tower for around £50-60, add £50-ish for a windows7 lisence and away you go.... you'll really notice the difference. Just done this for my mum&dad (young 70s) and they're loving it over their old 3.6GHz pentium D

NiftyDigits

GunJack wrote: »

for your useage, get a core2duo refurb tower for around £50-60, add £50-ish for a windows7 lisence and away you go.... you'll really notice the difference. Just done this for my mum&dad (young 70s) and they're loving it over their old 3.6GHz pentium D

Did you actually spend £50-ish on Windows 7 or is that just for the benefit of the OP?
What Tower did you purchase?

If the OP is considering an All In One, then it appears that they are also considering a monitor...unless they are considering a connection to an existing HDMI equipped TV.

If the OP 'doesn't want to spend much, there is the ZooStorm 7260-8000 for £160 which can be coupled with a suitable monitor.
Not to say that it would be my choice, but to illustrate what is available.

NiftyDigits

gailkeys wrote: »

Go for laptop this time. You can buy Lenovo yoga as you will be using it only for browsing. :j

Is there something wrong with you? How does a Lenovo Yoga qualify as a Desktop replacement?

PenguinJim

It's left-field, but it would do the job (especially considering the OP's original request for an all-in-one). The Yogas have specs that easily meet the OP's needs, one would simply plug into the OP's existing monitor, keyboard and mouse, and the advantages of having a 13" laptop/tablet that can be carried from room to room or outside if necessary might be of some benefit to the OP.

If a Yoga refurb could be found for a few hundred quid - one of those 13.3" 1600x900 ones, I'd say go for it! But... that's rather unlikely, and at their usual price I'd say they're simply overpriced for the OP's needs.

OP - can we rule out laptops entirely?

NiftyDigits

PenguinJim wrote: »

It's left-field, but it would do the job (especially considering the OP's original request for an all-in-one). The Yogas have specs that easily meet the OP's needs, one would simply plug into the OP's existing monitor, keyboard and mouse, and the advantages of having a 13" laptop/tablet that can be carried from room to room or outside if necessary might be of some benefit to the OP.

If a Yoga refurb could be found for a few hundred quid - one of those 13.3" 1600x900 ones, I'd say go for it! But... that's rather unlikely, and at their usual price I'd say they're simply overpriced for the OP's needs.

OP - can we rule out laptops entirely?

Have you actually seen a Yoga 13 in the UK for a "few hundred quid"? It's just a ludicrous suggestion.

You can pick up a Medion Akoya P2211T (Notebook/Tablet) - 11.6" with an 1080p IPS Screen for £189.99 if that kind of thing was of interest.
But I would not recommend it.

grumpycrab

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Is there something wrong with you? How does a Lenovo Yoga qualify as a Desktop replacement?

LOL. For some reason this forum has started to pick up lots of new "helpers" over the last month or two. It looks like the quality of the advice has suffered as a result. Deep breaths Nifty!

PenguinJim

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Have you actually seen a Yoga 13 in the UK for a "few hundred quid"? It's just a ludicrous suggestion.

I was referring more to your comment that it wasn't a desktop replacement. It is. Just probably far too expensive and unnecessarily laptoppy for the OP.

NiftyDigits

grumpycrab wrote: »

LOL. For some reason this forum has started to pick up lots of new "helpers" over the last month or two. It looks like the quality of the advice has suffered as a result. Deep breaths Nifty!

I've noted that most of the better 'helpers' have gone. Too many timewasters and ingrates perhaps.

Bigphil1474

I got a Samsung all in one PC July last year (700 series I think - not sure cos I'm on works laptop). Its mega awesome, fantastic. It replaced our old desktop which was running XP. The Samsung is windows 8, touchscreen, does everything the desktop does, not had any issues with it, and couldn't be happier.

We got it because my OH wanted a laptop, but she saw this and fell in love (apparently). The best thing is that the whole think is about the size of a small TV (23 inch screen). We have it on the kitchen table when in use, and when we need the kitchen table, I just pick it up and put it in the living room (after unplugging obviously). I found Win8 a bit odd at first, but I use the desktop screen mostly anyway, but the other half likes the Win 8 front screen. Not sure that's relevant to what pC you have, but I think i'd hate it if it wasn't touchscreen. We paid around £650 for it, with cashback and vouchers etc. from Currys which was the cheapest at the time.

I don't work for or have any particular allegiance to Samsung but would really recommend their all in one touchscreen PC's - I got an LG tv cos Samsung TV's aren't as good as their PC's (IMO).