Looking for a space-saving display and PC in one? You've come to the right place. Evaluating desktop PCs has been in PCMag's blood since its founding more than 40 years ago, and testing for the best all-in-one (AIO) PCs is no different. Our expert reviewers and editors have over a century of collective experience evaluating and rating desktops. We extensively benchmark every AIO, hands on, for CPU and graphics performance, and we assess screen quality, design, usability, upgradability, connectivity, and (of course!) price and value. The Lenovo Yoga AIO 27-Inch is our current best pick for most users, but we'll run you through all our top desktop AIO recommendations, then offer advice on how to find the right device for the way you compute.
Overview
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![Lenovo Yoga AIO 27-Inch]()
Best All-in-One Windows Desktop for Most PeopleLenovo Yoga AIO 27-Inch
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![Dell 24 All-in-One (EC24250)]()
Best Basic Budget All-in-One DesktopDell 24 All-in-One (EC24250)
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![Apple iMac (2024, M4)]()
Best Mac All-in-One DesktopApple iMac (2024, M4)
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![HP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO]()
Best Premium All-in-One Windows DesktopHP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO
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![Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6 (27-Inch)]()
Best All-in-One Desktop for BusinessLenovo ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6 (27-Inch)
You Can Trust Our Reviews
Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
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Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Lenovo Yoga AIO 27-Inch]()
Best All-in-One Windows Desktop for Most PeopleLenovo Yoga AIO 27-Inch
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
With a reasonable starting price, configuration options tailored to different needs and budgets, and a versatile design, the Lenovo Yoga AIO 27-Inch has broad appeal for most shoppers. It delivers faster performance than many AIOs, features a superior adjustable display, and includes decent speakers. The Yoga's webcam is sharp, it comes with wireless peripherals, and its ports are easily accessible. You'll find a lot to like here, with a range of features useful to a wide audience.
Who It's For
Everyday PC users: If you're a casual user or shopping for your family, then this is an ideal all-in-one PC. This Yoga AIO comes with everything you need for inputs and connectivity, making it a breeze for even less tech-savvy users to set up. Its memory does top out at 16GB, so look elsewhere if you need a more powerful machine.
Single-PC owners: This is a smart AIO choice if this is the only PC you'll own. The Yoga's screen is sharp, fast, and suitable for both work and entertainment. The computer also comes with everything you'll need for productivity right out of the box, including a quick processor for working and a sharp webcam for video calls.
Specs & Configurations
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution 2560 by 1440 All-in-One Screen Size 27 All-in-One Screen Type Non-Touch Screen Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class All-in-one Graphics Card Intel Arc 140T Operating System Windows 11 Home Processor Intel Core Ultra 7 255H Processor Speed 2 RAM (as Tested) 16 Learn More Lenovo Yoga AIO 27-Inch Review -
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Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Dell 24 All-in-One (EC24250)]()
Best Basic Budget All-in-One DesktopDell 24 All-in-One (EC24250)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
With an affordable starting price, configuration options tailored to different needs, and a tidy design, the Dell 24 AIO is an excellent option for budget-conscious shoppers. It comes with wireless peripherals in the box, a sharp built-in webcam, plenty of ports, and a roomy 23.8-inch screen. It would be ideal if the processor had more power, but it's sufficient for daily productivity and general home use. You can't have it all when trying to buy the cheapest system. You'll also find worthy upgrade selections available if you scout Dell's configurator, including a modest discrete GPU option. Our inexpensive test configuration struck a decent balance between affordability and efficiency.
Who It's For
Casual PC users on a budget: This AIO is a fine fit for your basic everyday computing needs without spending a lot of money. If you know you don't need a lot of processing power and just want a big-screen PC for your home, strongly consider this Dell. It comes with everything you need in one package to set up a home office or living room PC, allowing you to browse the web, shop, watch videos, and more.
Parents seeking a family PC: This is a smart AIO choice if you want a plug-and-play PC for your kids to use for homework or entertainment in a living room, den, or home office. It's also fast enough for you to use in your own downtime.
Specs & Configurations
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution 1920 by 1080 All-in-One Screen Size 23.8 All-in-One Screen Type IPS touch screen Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class All-in-one Graphics Card Intel Graphics Operating System Windows 11 Home Processor Intel Core 5-120U RAM (as Tested) 16 Learn More Dell 24 All-in-One (EC24250) Review -
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![Apple iMac (2024, M4)]()
Best Mac All-in-One DesktopApple iMac (2024, M4)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
If you want a combination of speed, aesthetics, and performance, and aren't tied to a PC, look no further than the Apple iMac. Shades of the '90s gumdrop iMac live on in this 24-inch iMac. Apple's current iMac comes in seven lively colors, from yellow to purple (with a matching mouse and keyboard in each box), so it will blend in nicely with any decor scheme. But it's not just a pretty face: The previous M3-based iMac line has been upgraded to Apple's M4 chip for speedy performance, while the 4.5K display and Center Stage webcam are first-class. As an added value for sticking with Apple, macOS's integration with your iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch is unparalleled—now featuring iPhone mirroring on Macs.
Who It's For
Home office pros: This is the best all-in-one desktop if you're a professional working from home. The iMac's ultra-thin flat panel is both fashionable and functional, allowing it to fit within more compact computing spaces. It's not cheap, but it remains an iconic home computer with the longevity and reliability you can expect from an Apple product.
Students: If you're a student of almost any academic level, you should consider this desktop. Apple's iMac is a fantastic system for completing regular homework or more complex assignments. Its price can balloon with upgrades, and not all apps are compatible with Macs, but it's a suitable and sleek fit across many fields of study.
Specs & Configurations
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution 4480 by 2520 All-in-One Screen Size 23.5 All-in-One Screen Type IPS Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 1 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class All-in-one Graphics Card Apple M4 (10-core) Operating System Apple macOS Sequoia Processor Apple M4 (10-core) RAM (as Tested) 16 Learn More Apple iMac (2024, M4) Review -
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![HP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO]()
Best Premium All-in-One Windows DesktopHP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
A beautiful 31.5-inch screen and an Intel Core Ultra 7 H-series processor are enough to sell this high-end AIO. Combine that with a sleek, adjustable design, and it's easy to see why the OmniStudio X is our top premium pick. A legitimate iMac competitor, this AIO's 4K display is bright and spacious; the computer has a decent number of ports (despite a few misses on that front); and its performance is good for this type of PC. While it's not the most powerful option, its Nvidia RTX 4050 Laptop GPU puts it above most AIOs in graphical output. It's the fastest and highest-end AIO at this size for both general and professional use.
Who It's For
Heavy multitaskers: This AIO is a fine choice if you work with multiple windows, sheets, tabs, and apps simultaneously. The OmniStudio's sharp screen provides ample digital real estate, and its processor also ensures you won't experience lag during your scattered work in front of a computer all day.
Media professionals: If you're a media pro, then this desktop is a fitting alternative content-creation AIO to the iMac. For carrying out creative tasks while avoiding a Mac system, this is a sweet option. The OmniStudio features a 4K screen that nails precise media projects, offers ample memory and storage, and includes a mobile GPU to make the work possible.
Specs & Configurations
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution 3840 by 2160 All-in-One Screen Size 31.5 All-in-One Screen Type IPS Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 2 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class All-in-one Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU Operating System Windows 11 Pro Processor Intel Core Ultra 7 155H RAM (as Tested) 32 Learn More HP OmniStudio X 31.5 AIO Review -
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Credit: Joseph Maldonado
![Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6 (27-Inch)]()
Best All-in-One Desktop for BusinessLenovo ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 6 (27-Inch)
Pros & Cons
Why We Picked It
The 27-inch ThinkCentre M90a Gen 6 is an excellent all-around business desktop with speedy performance. The starting price is midrange, but our review configuration is more serious for an Intel Core Ultra 7 265 processor with 32GB of memory and a 1TB SSD. The 1440p display is sharp and roomy, the system includes plenty of ports, and Lenovo sells many configuration options. With acceptable downsides, like lacking a touch-screen option, this tightly designed and snappy system can carry your workflow.
Who It's For
Mainstream business users: If you're a productive entrepreneur or office worker looking for a do-it-all business PC, start your search here. Fleet managers can also supply employees with this treat for working on multiple spreadsheets, handling emails, and participating in conference calls.
Professionals with heavy workloads: Lenovo designed this AIO for moderately intense work projects with the ability to scale up to meet the demands of businesses in higher-intensity fields, too. As our review configuration proved, you can handle real hefty work while enjoying the build quality and other advantages described above.
Specs & Configurations
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution 2560 by 1440 All-in-One Screen Size 27 All-in-One Screen Type Non-Touch Screen Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) 512 Boot Drive Type SSD Desktop Class All-in-one Graphics Card Intel Arc Graphics Operating System Windows 11 Processor Intel Core Ultra 7 265 Processor Speed 2.4 RAM (as Tested) 32 -
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Best For | Best All-in-One Windows Desktop for Most People | Best Basic Budget All-in-One Desktop | Best Mac All-in-One Desktop | Best Premium All-in-One Windows Desktop | Best All-in-One Desktop for Business | Best All-in-One Windows Desktop for Most People | Best Basic Budget All-in-One Desktop | Best Mac All-in-One Desktop |
Desktop Class | All-in-one | All-in-one | All-in-one | All-in-one | All-in-one | All-in-one | All-in-one | All-in-one |
Processor | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H | Intel Core 5-120U | Apple M4 (10-core) | Intel Core Ultra 7 155H | Intel Core Ultra 7 265 | Intel Core Ultra 7 255H | Intel Core 5-120U | Apple M4 (10-core) |
Processor Speed | 2 | 2.4 | 2 | |||||
RAM (as Tested) | 16 | 16 | 16 | 32 | 32 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
Boot Drive Type | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD | SSD |
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested) | 1 | 512 | 1 | 2 | 512 | 1 | 512 | 1 |
Secondary Drive Type | ||||||||
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested) | ||||||||
Optical Drive | ||||||||
All-in-One Screen Size | 27 | 23.8 | 23.5 | 31.5 | 27 | 27 | 23.8 | 23.5 |
All-in-One Screen Native Resolution | 2560 by 1440 | 1920 by 1080 | 4480 by 2520 | 3840 by 2160 | 2560 by 1440 | 2560 by 1440 | 1920 by 1080 | 4480 by 2520 |
All-in-One Screen Type | Non-Touch Screen | IPS touch screen | IPS | IPS | Non-Touch Screen | Non-Touch Screen | IPS touch screen | IPS |
Graphics Card | Intel Arc 140T | Intel Graphics | Apple M4 (10-core) | Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | Intel Arc Graphics | Intel Arc 140T | Intel Graphics | Apple M4 (10-core) |
Operating System | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Apple macOS Sequoia | Windows 11 Pro | Windows 11 | Windows 11 Home | Windows 11 Home | Apple macOS Sequoia |
Buying Guide: The Best All-in-One Computers for 2026
So, you just started shopping for an AIO? The first thing to look at (no pun intended) is the display—the centerpiece of any AIO. While some less-expensive AIO PCs will come with panels smaller than 23 inches, those are better suited to exceedingly cramped spaces such as classroom labs or dorm rooms. (Go much smaller than that, and you might as well just buy a big-screen laptop.) What you want is a display that is at least 23 inches on the diagonal—and larger is better if possible. The biggest all-in-ones we've seen to date have curved 34-inch screens.
With a screen 23 inches or larger, you're almost guaranteed a native resolution of at least 1,920 by 1,080 pixels (i.e. full HD), and larger screens will go even higher. In many cases, that's up to 4K—3,840 by 2,160 pixels—for a conventionally shaped screen or 3,440 by 1,440 pixels on an ultra-wide display. High resolutions of that kind let you view multiple windows side by side or a spreadsheet three to four pages wide. Indeed, if you're a multitasker, the more screen room, the better.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Though it's not a concern for those with 20/10 vision, a larger screen and a higher native resolution let you increase the font size in your Word documents or Excel spreadsheets while still keeping a lot of information on the screen at once. Desktop screens tend to be brighter than laptop displays in general, as well. Look for in-plane switching (IPS) technology for the best screen quality. IPS screens are inherently better at off-axis viewing, so you won't have to sit perfectly centered to see accurate colors and all the detail in your images.
To touch-screen or not to touch-screen—that is a question of personal preference. Modern Windows operating systems were designed with touch screens in mind, making it easier than ever to interact with your applications. Although these can be fun and functional for families, a touch screen isn't 100% necessary for everyone, especially if you plan to use the all-in-one like a traditional computer. If you're looking at an Apple iMac all-in-one, on the other hand, the decision is made for you: macOS doesn't take advantage of touch screens, and no Macs include them.
(Credit: Brian Westover)Don't fret either way. Scrolling with a mouse or a touchpad will still be as quick as, or even faster than, on a touch screen because, with an AIO, you have to reach up to the screen, taking a hand off the keyboard or mouse. Selecting text for copying and pasting is easier with a mouse, too. If you fill out forms online and switch among text-entry boxes, pull-down menus, and checkboxes, you can quickly enter data with a keyboard and mouse.
If you're planning to use the touch screen at least 50% of the time, look for one of the handful of systems with screens that can recline to horizontal or almost horizontal. This lets you use the system like a large tablet, so you don't have to extend your arm constantly to use the touch screen. Think about using an ATM: The vertical screen is fine for a 90-second transaction, but it would become tiring after 10 minutes or more. It comes down to simple ergonomics.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Speaking of vertical orientation, the rare AIO will come with a stand that lets you pivot the screen into a portrait orientation. Portrait mode lets you view content such as webpages and appropriately shaped pictures without wasting space on the sides of the screen. It's a boon for web developers and layout artists still working on print publications. If portrait mode is something you'd be interested in, make sure the system features auto-rotate; without it, you'll need to switch display settings every time you pivot the display. Portrait pivoting is far more common in stand-alone desktop monitors than in AIOs.
Which Core Components Do You Need in an AIO Desktop?
PC manufacturers are generally slower to update AIOs than their other products, so some of the units here may not be running the latest generation of processors. When comparing CPUs in AIO PCs, a key distinction is whether the AIO uses a full desktop CPU or a mobile one.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)All else being equal, a full-desktop chip is preferable but not often deployed in an all-in-one due to space constraints. How to tell: Most mobile chips from the likes of Intel will have "U," "H," or "HX" at the end of their model numbers. A desktop CPU will have no letter at the end, or perhaps "K" or "T." Most desktop AIOs will use Intel chips instead of ones from rival AMD.
By now, most AIOs have adopted Intel 14th Generation ("Raptor Lake Refresh") CPUs, or one of Intel's newer Core or Core Ultra 100 or 200 series chips. These efficient Core and Core Ultra chips are primarily meant for laptops; the space-restricted designs of AIOs make them a workable fit here, too. AIOs began incorporating CPUs from Intel's Core and Core Ultra 100 and 200 lines since each launched, with the "Meteor Lake," "Lunar Lake," and "Arrow Lake" generations. "Panther Lake" (300 series) chips launched at the start of 2026, and the same applies; expect to see these in AIOs where their robust graphics acceleration is useful. AMD's Ryzen AI chips are also relevant here, but we haven't seen them nearly as often in AIOs.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Other types of AIO, including extreme-budget Windows models and the handful of ChromeOS desktops, may use less powerful chips, such as Intel's N100 or older Pentium chips. Any modern processor will help edit photos or videos or run intensive media processes in the background while you work on several tasks in the foreground. But Intel Core or Core Ultra will give you notably better performance.
AMD's Ryzen chips have appeared in a few all-in-ones, in the form of Ryzen 5 and lower-powered Ryzen 3 processors. Some of our past top picks have been Ryzen models, and the company's chips turn up in some highly regarded, powerful laptops. But in general, Intel CPUs dominate the AIO PC market.
Meanwhile, among Macs, Apple's 2021 24-inch iMac was powered by the Apple M1 processor, a harbinger of the iconic iMac's future. Sure enough, the 2023 iMac came equipped with the M3 chip, the 2024 iMac debuted with the M4, and these AIOs (and all Apple computers) will continue to run on Apple's homebrewed silicon for the foreseeable future.
(Credit: Brian Westover)System memory has become a major concern when buying an AIO desktop, as RAM prices have spiked amid unprecedented demand from AI data centers. While 8GB of DDR4 or DDR5 memory should be the minimum amount of system RAM you settle for, you'll feel the pinch of such a low-spec computer if you multitask a lot. As media- and multitasking-focused desktops, most AIOs today start with 16GB of RAM, which lets you open dozens of browser tabs and still have memory free to run a demanding app like Photoshop. Plus, 16GB is the recommended minimum for professional content creation, as well as the minimum for both Apple's and Microsoft's AI-focused operating system features. We go into more detail in our detailed guide to how much RAM you need.
How Much Storage, and Which Ports, Do You Need in an AIO?
You won't see them in new models, but avoid traditional spinning hard drives, which are relatively slow at booting and loading apps. Insist on an AIO that uses a solid-state drive (SSD) as the boot drive. (Almost all now do.) If you keep all your files on a central network-attached storage (NAS) device or in the cloud, a 500GB SSD should be sufficient. That's enough for the operating system and a handful of frequently used programs. Look for a boot drive with at least 1TB of capacity if you store a lot of video on your PC. Videos clog up your drives faster than just about any other file type. (You can have the best of both worlds with an all-in-one PC that boots from an SSD but has an additional spinning hard drive for storage, though that arrangement is rare nowadays.)
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)If you keep your entire video, music, and photo collection on your AIO, you'll need more storage (2TB to 4TB). Adding an extra terabyte or so is also easy with an external drive. Note that some AIO PCs are hard or impossible to upgrade yourself, so make sure you get what storage you need at the start.
Since an all-in-one is, at its heart, a computer, it should have all the ports you expect to need during your day-to-day activities, particularly USB ports (in easy-to-access places). Today's all-in-ones come with built-in Wi-Fi, but you may also want a dedicated Ethernet jack so you can easily connect the system to the wired network you already have at home or in the office.
Also handy is an HDMI input port, which lets you use the AIO as a stand-alone display for a separate PC, game console, or video source. This gives an AIO with a sharp display some potential usefulness years later as "just a monitor" when the PC portion inside becomes obsolete.
Why Is It a Good Idea to Buy an All-In-One PC?
On the most basic level, one of the main reasons for choosing an AIO is that you don't need to buy separate parts, like a monitor and speakers. All-in-one PCs represent exactly what the name implies: a complete desktop computer in one package, delivering a plug-and-play experience. Your screen and components are all tied into one device, like a laptop, which takes up less desk or floor space than a desktop tower and monitor combination.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Even if you find a laptop you like with a roomy 17- or 18-inch screen, you'll need a strong back to carry it anywhere; 6 pounds and up, plus an AC adapter, is typical for these machines. We suspect you won't travel with a desktop-replacement machine like that all that much, which could make even a small-screen AIO a viable stay-at-home alternative. And because AIO desktops are plugged in, you won't ever run out of battery power.
Because AIOs tend to use more powerful processors than many thin laptops do, a well-chosen all-in-one PC could execute CPU-intensive tasks more rapidly, on the whole. Some 3D games will run better, too, thanks to the discrete graphics chips in some A-grade AIO PCs. To find AIOs with discrete chips, look for one of the few AIOs with graphics solutions dubbed GeForce RTX, as opposed to Intel Arc, Iris Xe, UHD, or HD Graphics, or AMD Radeon (no "RX") integrated graphics.
Other advantages? You can share the PC among family members and use it to store centrally accessible photos, music, and videos. And a large, widescreen AIO PC makes for a fine videoconferencing system. Rather than having the family crowd around your iPad or a little laptop screen during calls, seat them in front of a 27- or 34-inch AIO desktop so you're not subconsciously squeezing together to "fit on the screen." Plus, a large AIO screen is ideal for watching a movie from 5 or 6 feet away, so a couple in a studio apartment could use a big-screen AIO as a TV in front of a small sofa or loveseat. Or, if you place the system in a central location, such as your kitchen counter, you can monitor your children when they're online.
(Credit: Brian Westover)But these PCs aren't just suitable for play. A few years back, Apple brought the AIO further into workstation territory with the iMac Pro. The starting price for this monster machine at launch was high, at $5,000, but it packed a jaw-dropping amount of muscle: It had a 27-inch 5K screen and was configurable with up to an 18-core processor, 128GB of memory, and 4TB of solid-state storage. (Note that you may still find it for sale from non-Apple sources, usually used or as a refurbished model, but as of March 2021, Apple discontinued it.)
This kind of muscle is usually found only in elite-grade tower PCs. We haven't seen a brute-force AIO to rival the iMac Pro since, but today's top-equipped AIOs can rival at least a decently equipped tower desktop. Apple's homebrewed M-series chips in the latest iMacs mentioned are fast. And while many Windows AIOs trend toward the budget side, you'll find some models with quick processing options.
Why Is It Not a Good Idea to Buy an All-In-One PC?
Of course, all-in-one designs come with some considerable limitations. If something goes wrong with the display, the fix is not as easy as swapping out the monitor, as you might with a standard PC tower setup. The screen is part of the package; the same goes for any component here. This is much closer to the laptop experience: When one part goes, it usually makes the system less usable overall. You're much more likely to buy an entirely new laptop or AIO when a part (or multiple parts) stops working well.
Sticking with the laptop comparison: While AIOs have bigger screens, you're giving up a lot of portability versus a laptop. AIOs are more portable than tower PCs, but you're unlikely to move your AIO once it's in place, apart from purpose-made models like the unique (and aptly named) HP Envy Move.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)Compared with standard desktops, PC towers tend to have a higher power ceiling than AIOs. Most all-in-ones use higher-end laptop processors, given their slimmer design and limited cooling, so traditional desktops offer greater power potential. High-end towers are a much better fit for intensive work, like CAD/CAM or scientific data processing, and this is doubly true on the graphics front. AIOs lack desktop-equivalent graphics cards due to size and thermal constraints; the few that do have discrete graphics opt for laptop-level mobile graphics chips. PC gamers will get far more value and satisfaction from a stand-alone tower (where they can swap out a graphics card) than from a fixed-config AIO PC with much weaker graphics.
Crucially, all-in-one PCs lack the expandability of most towers, which is again related to their slimmer, more space-limited designs. This brings us to the next point.
Can You Upgrade Parts in an All-in-One PC?
Generally speaking, this is a highly restrictive aspect of owning an AIO compared with a traditional tower desktop. AIOs have much more in common with laptops; both may let you upgrade the memory or storage, at best. For some users, that's enough, but it's still not particularly common in these mostly sealed designs. Like with laptops, memory or the SSD may be directly integrated or soldered onto the motherboard, meaning you're stuck with what you have. And CPU and graphics upgrades are a nonstarter.
End-user upgrades are just not a priority with AIO designs. Even if an AIO chassis opens easily and its components aren't soldered down, it's more like upgrading a laptop. An AIO may use mobile SO-DIMM RAM (possible to acquire, but not the same size as desktop RAM), and M.2 SSDs may be size-limited versus the full-size slots on most desktop motherboards.
With a traditional desktop tower, installing a graphics card into a system you originally purchased without one is at least an option (provided it has the space, the slot, and an adequate power supply). You'll never fit one in an AIO's interior, however. If substantial future upgrades are a priority or even a concern, an AIO is not the right pick. Get a tower-style desktop.
What Is the Lifespan of an All-in-One PC?
As mentioned above, AIOs operate more on a laptop lifecycle, since they're a complete package rather than discrete parts. Regardless, you should still get several years of use out of your machine. As far as speed and performance go, modern processors are snappy by default, so you should be set for the near future and expect to get at least three years out of your machine.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)For reasons outlined, though, it's often harder to fix an AIO when something goes wrong with its hardware than with a tower. (If your AIO display goes bad, it's not as easy as buying a new monitor, so hopefully, it's still under warranty if this happens.) With AIOs focused on business users, you'll find more support and more extended warranties. One- or two-year warranties are more common otherwise.
Speed and depreciation are the other concerns if you're lucky and don't suffer component malfunction or damage. If you're a power user, you may see sluggish performance after a few years. If you hold on to an AIO for a truly long time—approaching a decade—the processor may no longer receive security patches, or Microsoft may drop support for the aging Windows version the PC shipped with. (This applies to laptops, too, of course, and most tower desktops will need to be more or less gutted to the motherboard after a decade of service to stay current.)
What Is the Best Alternative to an All-in-One Computer?
The next time you're online and thinking that you need a bigger screen than your current laptop or tablet has, look at an all-in-one desktop. You may be surprised how much screen and power AIO PCs deliver for the money versus a like-priced laptop. If you're not sold on an AIO, though, be sure to check out our top desktop picks overall, as well as our favorite desktops for work and PC gaming.