Desktop or All-in-One

MysteriousMaya

Some advise please.
looking for a home business computer. I don't want a laptop as I want a lovely big screen.

So seems to be a choice between an old fashioned desktop or a touch screen all-in-one. Neither seem to be very fashionable at the mo.

The only plus point I can see with an all-in-one is the touch facility!

Any suggestions would be welcome

RumRat

You will get fed up with the touch as it's a pain to keep reaching up to the large screens if you use it a lot.
A desktop and nice screen will suit your needs. Your actual usage would determine what you need. I doubt you would need to break the bank though.

[Deleted User]

I have an all in one and the screen size nd touch screen are very good but it does have limitations, the sockets for hdmi and usb etc are awkwardly placed, you have to turn the whole thing upside down, the built inspeakers are not very good, we have external speakers which are good but can only be used through the computer, for example when using it as a monitor for the PS3 it will only work through the built in speakers.
And I cant seem to connect to the projector through the so called 'out hdmi'. Over all I am quite disapointed.
I would choose a desk top over an all in one but personally next time I will go for a Laptop and maybe connect it to a larger monitor.

GunJack

desktop all the way... who cares about "fashion", especially if you want it to be a productive pc

macman

AIO's are fine until such time as you want to upgrade them-the components you can change are very limited. And any screen failure will render the whole thing useless (as opposed to just swapping out the monitor on a PC). Thy're also far more expensive to repair, because they're difficult to get into.
However, 9 out of 10 buyers presumably like them because they look nice and have fewer trailing wires...
Gunjack got it in one: I cannot see the point of a touchscreen on a desktop or AIO: a mouse and k/b is far faster.

MysteriousMaya

thank you all so much.
All-in-one gone, fashion can go hang (or at least on this occasion).

Will go with the desktop option.

shortchanged_2

Desktop all the way. You'll get more bang for your bucks and any repairs/upgrades will be a great deal easier.
Plus you'll have a much larger choice of monitors to actually suit your needs.

So depending on your needs you could actually get a relatively low spec pc and still have a nice big monitor although you need to consider the graphics card if the monitor has a high resolution.

Oblivion

Workstation every time for me. I love a huge separate HD monitor for photography as well as great graphics in all applications and a nice big computer case that makes swapping components easy.

esuhl

As above, definitely go for a desktop! They are better value and easier and cheaper to repair.

MysteriousMaya wrote: »

The only plus point I can see with an all-in-one is the touch facility!

Why not get a desktop with a touch screen? (If you really want one...)
http://touchscreen-monitors-review.toptenreviews.com/

VoucherMan

MysteriousMaya wrote: »

I don't want a laptop as I want a lovely big screen.

Not a recommendation, as I'm not knowledgeable enough, but I've got a laptop and a lovely big screen. Two screens are better than one.

You can easily use an external monitor with a laptop.

Mr_Toad

Also, desktop units don't have to be huge great tower boxes.

You can get some very nice small form factor PCs that take up very little space.

Have a look at the likes of the Intel NUC range or the Asus range of small form factor. You might even consider the Mac Mini.

All that really matters is that whatever you buy will do what you need it to do, fashionable should be last on the list of requirements.