Using the famously flexible and customizable Framework laptop design, YouTuber noisycarlos has successfully converted a Framework laptop into an All-In-One PC workstation. What's more, he's also selling a Framework 13 Conversion kit that he developed during the process, so you could even choose to make your own Framework AIO PC if you so pleased.

So, why go through all this trouble to turn a laptop into...not a laptop? Essentially, noisycarlos found himself doing a lot of work and travel on the go, and found that laptops really weren't ideal for his use case. Besides experiencing pains when using clamshell laptops with their keyboards as designed, he also found that even a 15-inch laptop was too much for scenarios like an extended plane ride. Thus, he saw fit to optimize the laptop design into an actually-suitable portable workstation— as long as a functioning desk surface or hanging hooks are present, anyway.

In terms of pure processing power, the Framework 13 laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 7840U is well in line with high-end gaming handhelds and expresses AMD's best last-gen mobile performance. Even the 8840U is mostly the same CPU, just with an enhanced NPU. The benchmarking done by noisycarlos also points toward this being a remarkably efficient build— even faster than his 9th Gen Intel Core i9 desktop build from yesteryear (about 2018/2019 depending on when it was built).

So, the processing power is there...but what actually makes all of this worth doing? Or, if you want to follow in his footsteps, what makes that $299 price of entry alongside the cost of your Framework 13 laptop of choice actually worth all the trouble? In essence, the goal of the Framework AIO PC is to epitomize flexibility and ergonomics across as many real-world scenarios as possible.

Besides using the PC as something akin to a desktop PC, you can also mount the screen unit by itself with attached hooking points at the top, which is useful for airplanes and other tight spaces where a laptop display wouldn't have much room to unfold or even be viable to place at eye-level.

A much more detailed look is presented in the original video, but overall this really is a comfort-first kind of project. You'll also want to bring plenty of peripherals. However, if you happen to WFH or on-the-go, epitomizing comfort and flexibility in this manner may be quite compelling to you. Casual users and gamers would probably be better suited with a regular laptop or something like a Steam Deck OLED, though.

Colorful has been on a roll recently, showing its willingness to expand beyond Radeon graphics card offerings. It recently did so with two Intel Z970 motherboards and now a new AIO configuration with three memory and storage variations. Colorful has a G-One All-in-One gaming PC lineup, which, to date, has been based on Intel CPU and Nvidia GPU counterparts. This new iteration uses the Ryzen 9 6900HX and Radeon RX 6850M XT 12GB GDDR6 for laptops under the G-One Plus 27 model.

The Ryzen 9 6900HX is an eight-core/ sixteen-thread based CPU based on the Zen3+ architecture belonging to the Rembrandt family. It is clocked between 3.3 GHz to 4.9 GHz base/boost clock speed with 45W TDP. The RX 6850M XT is a 7nm Navi 22-based GPU that provides 2,560 Stream processors (40 compute units). While it is not an outdated graphics for notebooks, previous reports point out that the RX 6800M provides minor upgrades from the 6800M but is inefficient compared to this and the RTX 3080 Mobile graphics. Maybe AMD addressed some of this with newer driver updates?

Due to its form factor, cooling and heat dissipation are essential, as AIO PCs don't allow aftermarket cooling upgrades. Apart from thermal pastes and thermal pads, you could try using them with the hopes they do a better job. The G-One Plus uses dual turbo fans with two large heatsink fins and 4 x 10mm and 1 x 8mm independent heat pipes for the CPU and the GPU. The iGame G-One Plus uses an enormous fan with 52 fan blades, an upgrade from its older AIO systems.

The AIO base also provides 5W/ 7.5W/ 10W wireless charging, a significant convenience for many wireless device users and a nice add-on for an all-in-one solution. Other features are a lift camera, onboard speakers, and dedicated bright/ volume switches. Since it comes under iGame branding, Colorful has to live up to its name and provide RGB backlighting. It would be nice to see a built-in card reader, usually something you'll see in many AIO PCs. 

This is likely for domestic markets, which may explain restricting 4K monitors with the minimum possible refresh rate—China, including those sold through one of its online retailers. You can import it. But realistically, due to its size, risk of damage during transit, higher shipping and customs charges, and lack of local warranty support, it is improbable anyone will do that. But units like this help companies like Colorful gauge specific market interests and steadily expand with every generation of CPU/ GPU options.

By default, the G-One Plus is bundled with Windows 11 Home. It uses an Intel 1225-V controller for ethernet and an Intel AX211 WiFi 6E/ BT 5.0 wireless card. For I/O options, it provides a Type C USB 3.2 Gen 2 port AND A 3.2 Type-A port, 4x USB 2.0, a DisplayPort 1.4, and HDMI 2.0 with two 3.5mm jacks for headphones and a mic. 

Throughout the variants, it uses a 4K/ 60Hz display with a 15-degree tilt and a 5-degree swivel. I am unsure why Colorful uses a resolution with a bare minimum refresh rate, even with a configuration like this. Colorful's other iGame G-One Plus configurations, like the Intel Core i7-12700H/ RTX 3060 variation, is a 31.5" display with a 2K/ 165 Hz display.

With the same CPU/ GPU, monitor, and the rest of the functions, Colorful provides three RAM/ SSD variants with domestic pricing in China:

• R9-6900HX/ RX-6850M XT, 16GB DDR5/ 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD - ￥6499/ USD 930.50
• R9-6900HX/ RX-6850M XT, 32GB DDR5/ 1TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD - ￥6699/ USD 944.60
• R9-6900HX/ RX-6850M XT, 64GB DDR5/ 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD - ￥8099/ USD 1142.01

Danish PC maker eBlaztr showcased the latest version of its “portable gaming desktop” at Computex. PC enthusiasts, gamers and DIYers have traditionally steered away from all-in-one PC designs. However, eBlaztr’s product with its excellent configurability, upgradability, portability, and capable cooling could help it shift some units.

Akihabara PC noticed the eBlaztr on display in a corner of the Seasonic Booth - which must be a low-budget route to “try and disrupt the gaming hardware industry.” The Japanese tech journal got some of the latest info on configurations, which we will summarize below. Before we go further, please note that all the configurations, even the chassis on its own, are only available for pre-order right now, as the first batch has already sold out.

For true PC DIY builders, the barebone chassis looks quite decent, with a not-exorbitant price of $349. This offers the essence of the eBlaztr, as in the bullet points below:

• Chassis: 626 wide, 402mm high, 80mm deep, weight 6.8kg. Retractable legs extend by pressing a button on the side grips.
• Monitors: screens attach to the case using a 100 x 100mm VESA mount. Monitors up to 24.5-inches are supported.
• Max compatibility: GPUs up to 3-slots thick and 325mm in length. Also, you will need to choose a mini ITX motherboard and SFX power supply.

eBlaztr mentions the 6.8kg unpopulated weight in its specs, but estimates that a typical working system with attached monitor and other essential components will weigh about 11.6kg.

Also sold-out at the eBlaztr store are pre-built versions called the eBlaztr Office PC ($1,299), eBlaztr LAN Edition ($2,345), and the eBlaztr Beast ($7,200). The office machine wields an Intel Core i5-11400 and relies on integrated graphics. Moving up to the LAN Edition, you have the same processor (F version) plus a GeForce RTX 3060 Ti GPU. Meanwhile, the Beast mixes a Core i9-12900KS with a GeForce RTX 3090 Ti Gaming X Trio. Check the product pages for finer details, like the cooling solutions used, RAM and storage devices.

The eBlaztr product pages tout the systems’ luggability (about 11.6kg, remember), highlight the speedy desktop components that can be used, and provide more information about the build. 

Compared with traditional AiOs, we think it is important to mention the cooling options here. Full-size and full-power desktop parts are used, so cooling is extremely important. For the GPU, if you pick a model with a good cooler it should be fine, as the back of the eBlaztr is highly perforated. Connected via a PCIe Gen4 riser cable, your GPU fans will exhaust all heat straight out of the back, without much obstruction. As for your CPU, various solutions are viable, with the eBlaztr Beast, for example, employing the Noctua NH-L9i Chromax LP cooler.

MSI has updated its Modern All-in-One (AiO) PC series with models featuring Intel Alder Lake-P mobile processors. The new MSI Modern AM272 12M and Modern AM272P 12M come with processors up to the Intel Core i7-1260P. These are both 27-inch FHD IPS screen-based AiOs. The other major new thing to this series is the inclusion of a Windows Hello webcam with biometrics-based Tobii Aware software.

It is increasingly common for systems makers to use mobile CPUs for their compact desktops and AiOs, and here we have a prime example. The new MSI Modern AM272 Series AiOs use Alder Lake-P series mobile processors, with Iris Xe graphics on board. The top-spec Intel Core i7-1260 is offers four performance cores, eight efficient cores, and 16 threads in total. The processor runs at up to 4.7 GHz Turbo, has 18MB cache, and operates at between 28 and 68W depending on product / form factor. Compare this to the predecessor, the MSI Modern AM271 Series, which offered up to the Intel Core i7-1165G7 four cores and eight threads, up to 4.7 GHz Turbo with 12MB cache, and 28W max TDP.

While on the topic of processor comparisons, we have reviewed other systems which feature Intel Alder Lake-P mobile processors, and found them to be significantly faster in CPU benchmarks and productivity bench tests than previous gen CPUs. In summary, the new processors deployed by MSI in its AiOs should be plenty potent for office tasks, remembering these machines are designed for offices and home workers but not full throttle content creators.

Screen Could Benefit From a Resolution Boost

The new MSI Modern AM272 is built around a 27-inch screen, which sounds ample for office productivity. However, this IPS wide viewing angle display only offers 1920 x 1080 pixels. Many enthusiasts find 27-inches to be the sweet spot for 1440p displays. Considering this AiO is meant for productivity, MSI could also have been wiser to decide on a 16:10 aspect ratio 27-inch display, with 1920 x 1200 pixels.  MSI hasn't shared any detailed tech specs about the display panel at this time. Flanking the display are two 2.5W speakers.

New for this refreshed AiO is the integration of an FHD webcam which supports Windows Hello. Therefore, yes, you can use it for face login and other biometric id verification purposes in Windows. MSI provides Tobii Aware software which provides "a set of smart features that enable users to increase their privacy, security, productivity, and wellbeing." The webcam also has a physical shutter, to avoid privacy gaffes / leaks.

Other Components and Specs

Inside the AiO there are a few components which can be upgraded. There is room for both an M.2 SSD and a 2.5-inch SSD/HDD. Also there are two SO-DIMM slots for up to 64GB of DDR4 266/3200 RAM. The systems pack in plenty of ports for home/office users including six USB ports (mix of Type-A and Type-C), HDMI in and out, and Ethernet. If wired networks aren't convenient you can use up to Intel Wi-Fi 6E, and there is Bluetooth 5.2.

The only difference between the MSI Modern AM272 12M and Modern AM272P 12M models, is that the latter model features both tilt and height adjustments (the former tilt only). It is also 1.6kg heavier, due to the more adjustable stand, which will add something to the price. MSI didn't share pricing and availability for the newly launched Modern AM272 series AiOs. Models from the predecessor AM271 series, with Intel 11th gen mobile processors, are still selling at Newegg for around $1,150.

Pentaform a UK based company has unveiled the AbacusBasic computer. From a distance it looks like ye olde 1980s home computer, and yes, this is an affordable home computer in a similar form factor. However, the AbacusBasic wields an Intel Atom x5-Z8350 Cherry Trail CPU, sports 2-8GB of RAM, and 16-128GB of storage, ready to plug into your HDMI TV and compute. Pricing starts at £120 (including taxes) so we would expect it to list in the US at around $120 (not including sales tax).

On its website, the London-based company talks about the philanthropic reasons for designing and producing the AbacusBasic. In its mission statement, the firm says the AbacusBasic is "truly designed to make the world better," which is bold for a Cherry Trail powered home computer which some users will naively configure with specs as low as 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage and hope to run Windows 11 on. 

Elsewhere in its visionary collection of verbiage, Pentaform talks about the AbacusBasic putting a halt to the gadget replacement cycle, making computing accessible to everyone, and democratizing computing through reducing user carbon footprints, extensive use of recycled materials, and consuming very little power.

Whether the mission is worthy or will actually be achievable, we will let you decide. Now it is time to delve onto some hardware specs, which is a firmer and more familiar territory.

In addition to its purported green credentials, and accessible pricing, you can see from the above specs the AbacusBasic has broad connectivity and I/O options, as well as all the features afforded by the 40-pin expansion header. Is the GPIO compatible with the best Raspberry Pi HATs? We shall have to wait and see. Elsewhere in its blurb, it is mentioned that this keyboard PC consumes just 3W. However, Pentaform neglect to mention that the average 43-inch FHD TV uses nearly 50W. Bigger, higher resolution TVs will typically use more power.

In some pictures above you will see the AbacusBasic with what looks like a blank plastic section on either side of the keyboard deck. The right side area is the touchpad, which works just like the one on a laptop. However, the left side portion is basically a dock, featuring all those ports in the specs list. When undocked the keyboard/touchpad section communicates with the dock connected to your TV via "InfiniteConnect," which is Pentaform's term for a 2.4 GHz wireless keyboard connection. No advice is given regarding the 280mAh battery's stamina, but it should be not too worrisome, as Logitech's 2.4 GHz connected  keyboards can squeeze two years out of twin AAA batteries.

An obvious modern computer comparison, with a similar form factor is against the Arm-powered Raspberry Pi 400 which has an MSRP of $70. We reviewed the Pi 400 in Nov 2020, when it gained four out of five stars, with the only negatives being the awkward GPIO access and lack of built-in camera and display. If you are a Raspberry Pi enthusiast or hanker to join the club, we don't need to tell you where to spend your budget keyboard-is-a-computer money. 

AbacusBasic is set to retail for £120 (likely to be $120)  and will be available later this month. At the time of writing, the makers will furnish you with a 20% discount if you subscribe to their newsletter. If you like this form factor, and you want an x86-based machine, it may make a reasonable choice.

Raspberry Pi is typically though of as a board for software developers, makers, hobbyists, and beginners to start their journey into the world of electronics and software development. It's used less often as a standalone computer, but engineers at Chipsee have developed an All-In-One (AIO) solution using the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4.

The company calls the AIO-CM4-156 "perfect for developers and makers who are accustomed to the Raspberry Pi and are looking for a computer they can use on a daily basis." The system works with the Raspberry Pi 4 Linux distribution and allows its owners access to the full Raspberry Pi GPIO connector for expansion purposes.

The AIO is a 15.6-inch 1080p IPS panel with 250 nits of brightness with 2mm Armoplated glass for protection. Touchscreen support is optional and costs an extra $60. Behind the glass, there is a custom PCB designed to handle all the I/O and connectivity. There are plenty of ports like two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one Type-C, LAN, TF card slot, and a 40-pin expansion connector for the GPIO pins.

The product comes equipped with a standard RPi CM4 setup, meaning 2GB of LPDDR4 SDRAM, and no Wi-Fi or eMMC. Chipsee can equip a more eMMC memory to the board, but you'll have to contact the company for a quote.

The AIO-CM4-156 PC can be purchased with an I/O connector that is fully compatible with any Raspberry Pi HAT, or add-on-boards that you already own. When you purchase the system, which costs $339.00, you are getting a power supply, cable, and a Raspberry Pi HAT adapter included in the product. Despite Chipsee's promotional photos, you'll need to bring your own mouse and keyboard.

Arctic's Liquid Freezer II line has been out for a while now, and we've already reviewed the 280 mm variant. It came out great, but what if you want even more cooling power? A 360mm variant is longer but uses smaller 120 mm fans, offering nearly identical performance. For the ultimate enthusiasts, Arctic is adding a new version to its product line: Liquid Freezer II - 420. 

The Liquid Freezer II 420 may potentially be the biggest all-in-one liquid cooler on the market, if not the biggest ever made. Most all-in-one liquid coolers come in 280 mm (2x 140mm) or 360 mm (3x 120mm) as their biggest variants, so this 3x 140mm flavor definitely stands out from the crowd.

The Liquid Freezer II 420's CPU block comes with its own little 40 mm fan to cool the area around it and add a little airflow to the VRM circuitry, and this fan can spin between 1000 and 3000 RPM using PWM control. The pump itself spins from 800 to 2000 RPM, and the three 140 mm fans offer a lavish range from just 200 to 1700 RPM. That being said, we can't imagine a scenario where an AIO needs all three 140 mm fans to spin this fast, so you're mostly buying this cooler for the silence benefits offered by using multiple large fans.

But the one thing to keep in mind with an AIO this big is case support. Generally, the largest size supported by most cases is 360 mm, so you'll have to carefully double-check your case's specs to see if this will fit. In total, the radiator is 458mm long, so do make sure you have the clearance for it. Most standard sockets are supported, including Intel's LGA1200 and AMD's AM4. 

No word on US pricing, but pricing in the EU is set at just €120, which is generously affordable for a unique product such as this one.

Alpenföhn is a German cooling manufacturer whose name doesn't come up all too often, but it's rearing its head with a new all-in-one liquid cooler called the Gletcherwasser. According to Kitguru, the cooler was built in collaboration with cooling and overclocking expert Der8auer.

With a name that translates to 'Glacier Water', we expect the AIOs to run very cool, and they're coming in 240mm and 360mm sizes, Both of those will come either in their standard variant or in HS flavors, the latter of which has the units pack high-speed fans.

The above table details the Wing Boost 3 fan characteristics, but of course note that these are the figures per fan -- the 360mm unit will be louder if all fans spin at the same speed as on the 240 AIO, but they won't need to due to the increased radiator surface.

The radiators are 27 mm thick which is fairly standard, and the total length of tubing included is 465 mm. The pump runs at speeds between 1200 RPM and 2550 RPM, and Alpenföhn includes a small tube of Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut thermal paste with the AIOs.

RGB on the units is handled by the somewhat standardized 3-pin addressable-RGB ecosystem, compatible with the vast majority of mainstream motherboards currently on the market.

No word on whether these units will make it to the US market. We have reached out to Der8auer to ask about the extent of his involvement in this project and will update this story once we know more.

This Raspberry Pi cube project is anything but square. Created by maker Syun Ikejima, it features a custom cube-shaped designed, built-in display and a split keyboard.

The split keyboard is exactly what it sounds like. The keys are housed on opposite sides of the cube with the LCD panel positioned in the middle. Each keyboard panel uses a matrix with 4 rows and 6 columns of keys that connect to a Pro Micro board.

The shell was designed by Ikejima using OpenJsCad and printed using an Ender 3 3D printer. Each panel took around 5 hours to print and was easily assembled using M3 nuts and bolts.

The PC uses a Raspberry Pi 4 and receives power using a 5V adapter. It consumes around 6 watts when idle, 4 watts when the display is off and maxes out at 8 watts under heavy use. A fan is necessary to keep everything cool, without it the temperature can get up to 70℃.

Ikejima already has plans to improve the PC with new features, including cassette support, a battery for portability and even an internal printer! If you want to check out this project in detail, visit his website for a complete breakdown of the Cube PC project.

After recently introducing a new small case, Jonsbo is introducing its new Angeleyes TW2 Pro Color line of all-in-one liquid coolers, which bring a small but welcome change to the product line, as spotted by TechPowerUp.

Before this launch, the TW2 Pro line of liquid coolers consisted of three size units, all with a shiny pump/cold plate combo unit and fans with a colored RGB ring around them. The new Color additions replace the fans for spinners that light up the fan blades in all shades of the rainbow. Entirely what makes these units more "Pro" is unclear to me, but I digress.

The TW2 Pro Color AIO's have a pump that makes less than 30 dBA of noise, and either two or three 120 mm fans that spin at speeds between 700 and 1500 RPM using PWM control. Fan noise levels are quoted to be 18.1 dBA to 29.5 dBA, which are clearly overly optimistic figures. 

Compatibility is quoted for all modern CPU sockets including LGA1200 and AM4, but not for HEDT sockets like sTRX4.

No word on pricing for these new units, though we don't expect them to be all that expensive compared to Jonsbo's competitors.

EWWB on Friday announced a new series of all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers. It's dubbed, simply, the EK-AIO, because why make things complicated when you don't have to?

The liquid cooling series comes with three main products: the EK-AIO 120 D-RGB,  EK-AIO 240 D-RGB and EK-AIO 360 D-RGB. If you haven't guessed yet, the numbers in each model name represents the radiator's length and also the number of fans installed, as they're all based on 120mm fan designs.

EKWB's new AIO units feature a simple design that's closer to traditional designs than a handful of the vendor's other liquid coolers. They come with a simple and sleek radiator design and a water block and pump combo unit with some neat addressable RGB lighting.  

The addressable RGB lighting uses the 3-pin 5V D-RGB header and is compatible with all major RGB ecosystems from the big motherboard manufacturers. In pictures accompanying the announcement, the RGB seems to have a slightly frosted look, giving it a milky or hazy vibe. This may makes the RGB look less jarring, but we'll have to wait to see it in person before making final judgements.

Meanwhile, you can install the water block on all mainstream CPU sockets, including LGA1151 and AMD's AM4. But for bigger sockets, such as the TR4 or sTRX4, you'll have to look elsewhere.

The pump on the unit ranges in speed from 450 RPM to 2,600 RPM and features PWM control. The PWM fans can spin at speeds between 600 and 2,500 RPM, meaning they'll be able to spin quietly when idling, or quite fast when you demand some cooling oomph from them. Maximum noise levels are said to be 38.4dBA at full speed, though chances are you'll rarely need to run them that fast if you opt for the bigger units.

EKWB will ship the units with the complete mounting kit, a tube of thermal paste and a 5-year warranty. Pricing for the 120mm EK-AIO sits at $109.79, the 240mm unit at $146.39 and the big 360mm unit at $189.09. The units are immediately available for pre-order and will ship out on February 28. Ordering now nets you a sweet 10% discount.

At first glance, the MSI Pro 24X 7M ($819.99 as tested) looks like a monitor, so it’ll catch your attention once you realize there’s a computer in there. With a super-slim display and barely-there stand, this machine is a huge space-saver. And with a great screen, it’s a fine addition to your home. But a 7th generation Intel laptop processor means heavy productivity may have to take a backseat.

Specifications

Design

The Pro 24X 7M lacks the RGB flair of MSI’s gaming products, but what it lacks in flash it makes up in efficient design. It sets the bar for minimalistic design with a look so sleek you’d think it was just a monitor. As an all-in-one, it’s naturally advantageous for conserving desk real estate, but this machine takes simplicity a step further by eliminating the bulky box or base you'll find on competitors. All of the Pro 24X 7M’s components live in the back of the metal display within a plastic casing, which sits atop a slender, v-shaped metal stand.

The PC‘s display has very slim bezels, measuring at 2.2 millimeters. Its lower bezel and stand are both gray, but that’s the only colorwork here.

Ports and Upgradeability

Keeping with this less-is-more design, MSI put all ports on the display hardware rather than on a bulky base. You can easily access four of the Pro 24X 7M’s ports by simply reaching over to the left side of the display, where you can find some commonly used ports: two USB 3.1 Gen Type-A ports, a headphone jack and a microphone jack.

To access the rest of the ports, you’ll have to find your way to the back of the PC. Luckily, the monitor is very thin, so that’s not a difficult task.

Grouped together on the back are two Ethernet jacks, an HDMI port, two more USB 3.1 Gen Type-A USB ports and two USB 2.0 ports. To the left of that (if you’re facing the back of the PC) is the Kensington lock.

It’s remarkably easy to upgrade this machine’s hard drive, but not its RAM. On the right side of the screen is a small compartment housing the HDD. You’ll need to remove one Phillips head screw and open the compartment. Once that’s open, there’s a small silver tray that slides out. Then, you can remove the hard drive by unscrewing four Phillips screws.

Performance

With an Intel Core i5-7200U CPU, 8GB of RAM and a 1TB, 7,200-rpm HDD, this all-in-one can handle light productivity but might falter slightly if you kick things up a notch. With 25 Edge tabs open, including one streaming an episode of Arrested Development on Netflix, the Pro 24X 7M kept things moving. Switching tabs usually went off without a hitch, unless one of those tabs had its own video playing. In that case, the computer paused for a beat before recovering.

On the Geekbench 4 benchmark the Pro 24X scored a 6,692, falling behind the Acer Aspire S 24 all-in-one, which is backed by a superior 8th generation Intel Core i5-8250U processor, 12GB of RAM and a 1TB, 5,400-rpm HDD.

It took the Pro 24X 7M 1 minute and 41 seconds to transfer 4.97GB of files, a rate of 50.4MBps. The Aspire S 24 outperformed the MSI all-in-one with a faster 68.8MBps.

On our Excel Macro Test, it took the Pro 24X 7M 2:27 seconds to match 65,000 names and addresses, a snail’s crawl compared to how the Aspire S 24 performed.

The Pro 24X 7M also lagged during our Handbrake test, taking 31:06 to transcode a 4K video to 1080p.

The Pro 24X 7M isn’t a gaming machine; it runs an Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated GPU, which means its GPU shares memory with the CPU’s processor and is less desirable for gaming than a discrete GPU. We ran the Pro 24X 7M through the Ice Storm Unlimited benchmark for entry-level gaming machines, and it scored a 41,222. The Aspire S 24 fared better with a score of 61,061 thanks to a more powerful processor and an Intel UHD Graphics 620.

Display

I tested the high-resolution waters with a 4K trailer for Glass. The all-in-one did not disappoint here. Every fine detail--from Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson’s small, gray beards, to Sarah Paulson’s faint worried grins, to the laugh lines that creep around James McAvoy's eyes during his demented smiling--popped. Even the shattered glass effect around title cards was crisp. Grays and browns weren’t lost in this darker-toned video, and when things did get vibrant (like in a scene in a comic book store), bright colors like neon purples were pure and saturated.

The viewing angles were also very accommodating. Sitting nearly perpendicular to the screen, I could still see all the action, and the picture seemed only slightly dimmer.

We can attribute the color accuracy to the Pro 24X 7M covering 129.3 percent of the sRGB color gamut. For comparison, consider that the Aspire S 24 covers just 114.8 percent.

When it comes to brightness, the MSI averaged a satisfying 250 nits, again surpassing the Aspire S 24 (234 nits).

Notably, the Pro 24X 7M’s display also has anti-flicker technology, which helps yours eyes from feeling strained during long days of work.

Audio

The Pro 24X 7M’s built-in stereo speakers face downward and produce a tinny sound. I listened to Porches’ “Be Apart” at full volume, and although I could hear every distinct instrument, the sound quality was diminished by the metallic sound. I gave the speakers another shot by playing The Killers’ “When You Were Young,” but the music still sounded like it was playing out of a tin can. The volume was loud enough to satisfy but was far from booming.

Keyboard and Mouse

The Pro 24X 7M came with a lightweight, plastic keyboard that feels more like a toy than a PC peripheral. The keys had decent depth and produced quite the audible clicking noise with every press. I was able to maintain my 100 words per minute on the 10fastfingers.com typing test.

Problematic, however, is the fact that the keyboard is not American English. Sure, you can decode buttons like “Invio” or “Bloc Num,” but there were several foreign symbols I couldn’t translate without research. And punctuation marks, like those on the number row and to the right of the letters, were not where they typically are, so this keyboard won’t do in an American business setting. However, this isn’t a non-starter since all-in-ones often come with less desirable keyboards.

The mouse MSI included was also rather basic, a small lightweight mouse with two buttons on a scroll wheel. You might as well get something with more buttons, which you can get with a new keyboard since you’ll want to replace that.

Software and Warranty

The Pro 24X 7M comes with a few pieces of software you could probably do without. Our sample had PhotoDirector 8 for MSI, Music Maker Jam, Norton Security Scan, Norton Studio and a trial of Dolby Access.

It also was packed with all the standard Windows 10 bloatware, like Candy Crush Soda Saga, Disney Magic Kingdoms and Hidden City: Hidden Object Adventure.

MSI offers a one-year warranty for the Pro 24X 7M.

Configurations

I tried out the MSI Pro 24X 7M with an Intel Core i5-7200U, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB, 7,200-rpm HDD, a 16GB Intel Optane SSD and an Intel HD Graphics 620 integrated GPU for $819.99.

If you’re looking to spend less, you can downgrade to an Intel Celeron 3865U, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB, 7,200-rpm HDD, a 32GB M.2 SATA SSD and an Intel Graphics 610 integrated GPU for $449.99. Configurations with this processor go all the way up to $699.99. That version gets you 16GB of RAM, a 1TB 5,400-rpm HDD and 500GB NVMe SSD.

The $466.68 variant lands you an Intel Pentium 4415U processor, 4GB of RAM, a 500GB, 7,200-rpm HDD and 32GB M.2 SATA SSD and an Intel HD Graphics 610 integrated GPU.

Bottom Line

MSI’s Pro 24X 7M has the mind of a PC but the look of a scantily-clad monitor. Between its slim display and nearly non-existent base, it carries an impressive design you’d be hard-pressed to find in any PC, including competing all-in-ones.

However, with a laptop-grade Intel Core i5-7200U processor, the 24X 7M failed to impress in the performance category. While sufficient for handling average workloads, heavier productivity led to brief pauses. Acer’s Aspire S 24 all-in-one fared better in all of our performance benchmarks for $60 more ($879.99).

Still, the Pro 24X 7M has a bright display with great color accuracy, making for a solid device for watching movies or doing artwork. If you’re using the PC for light to moderate workloads and want something with an efficient design and impressive looks, the Pro 24X 7M is right up your alley.

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HP announced several new notebooks, desktops, and all-in-one (AIO) systems for its premium Envy and 1000-series PCs.

Notebooks Aplenty

The new HP notebooks are a mix of laptop, convertible (2-in-1), and detachable models belonging to the Envy series and freshly minted EliteBook 1000 family of products. The Envy lineup has been refreshed with two laptops (the HP Envy 13 and 17) and two 2-in-1 notebooks (Envy x360 13 and 15), and the new 1000 series debuts with three models (the HP EliteBook x360 1030 2-in-1, the Elite x2 1013 G3 detachable, and EliteBook 1050 G1 laptop).

The HP Envy 13 and 17 laptops both feature 8^th generation Intel Core i5-8550U processors and optional Nvidia GeForce MX150 graphics, and they sport similar displays (1920 x 1080 IPS touchscreens). Memory and storage configurations will vary by specific model, but options include PCIe NVMe SSDs and 1TB HDDs with 16GB Intel Optane modules installed. The 17-inch model has an estimated runtime of 9 hours and 15 minutes with mixed usage, and the Envy 13 laptop can operate for up to 14 hours in the same situation.

The Elite-branded notebooks come in three different flavors. The EliteBook 1050 G1 is a business-class 15.6” ultrathin laptop featuring up to an Intel Core i7-8850H six-core processor, up to 32GB of DDR4-2666 SODIMM memory (two slots), and up to GeForce GTX 1050 4GB GDDR5 graphics. Display and storage configurations will vary, but options include 1080p and 4K screens and up to 1TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSDs, 512GB SATA M.2 SSDs, or 256GB 2.5” SATA SSDs. HP also said the 1050 G1 would offer up to a total of 4TB SSD storage and up to 16 hours of battery life.

The company didn’t offer full specifications of the EliteBook x360 1030 G3, but HP heralded it as the world’s smallest business convertible, with a 15.8mm profile and a starting weight of only 2.76 lbs. It’s rated for up to 18 hours of battery life and sports 4G Cat9 LTE connectivity and an active pen that features a proximity alert that will notify a user if it falls out of range of the notebook. HP also claimed that the EliteBook x360 1030 G3 sports a first-of-its-kind outdoor viewable display, but it didn’t go into the specifics of the feature.

The Elite x2 1013 G3 is a business-class detachable notebook that fits a 13-inch display into a 12-inch chassis. HP was again vague on the specifications, but it did reveal that the 1013 G3 offers up to quad-core Intel processors with vPro, integrated privacy screens, and 4G cat9 LTE connectivity.

All-In-Ones

Similar to the laptops, HP’s new AIOs are split between the Envy and Elite 1000 series. The Envy Curved AIO 27 features up to an Intel Core i7-8700T processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 4GB graphics. Storage and memory options will vary, with PCIE NVMe M.2 SSD options and up to 2TB 2.5” HDDs, as well as up to 16GB of DDR4-2400. The Envy Curved AIO 34 doesn’t have solid specs, but we presume it will come in similar configurations as its 27-inch brethren. HP claimed the AIO 34 is the world’s first curved AIO to feature integrated Amazon Alexa, in addition to being the world’s widest curved AIO.

HP also claimed the EliteOne 1000 AIO G2 is the first business-class 34-inch curved AIO with discrete graphics to hit the market. Specifications weren’t provided, but the company claims the device is purpose-built for collaboration and that it makes an ideal video conferencing solution with an integrated FHD webcam.

A Desktop, Too

The new HP Envy Desktop will come in a plethora of different configurations, with multi-core 8^th generation Intel processors (such as the Core Core i5-8400 and i7-8700), Intel Optane and PCIe NVMe M.2 storage, and up to GeForce GTX 1080 graphics. The compact chassis is sleek, with diamond-cut corners and linear brushing details (to make it appear as if it were brushed aluminum).

Pricing And Availability

The new HP products will be rolling out in the EMEA starting this month, with the Envy 13 Laptop, Envy AIO 27, and Envy Desktop arriving in May starting at £849, £1,799, and £899, respectively. The EliteOne 1000 AIO G2, Envy x360 13, Envy x360 15, and Envy 17 Laptop are set to hit shelves sometime in June, starting at £999, £799, £849, and £1,099, respectively. The HP EliteBook x360 1030 G3, Elite x2 1013 G3, and EliteBook 1050 G1 will arrive in July, with each starting at £1,199. The Envy AIO 34 will come later in the year, starting at £1,099. There’s no word yet on U.S. pricing and availability.

Acer announced that its slimmest all-in-one (AIO) desktop PC, the Aspire S24, is now available in the U.S.

The previously announced AIO is making its way stateside with a static configuration consisting of an Intel Core i5-8250U (Kaby Lake-R) processor with 12GB (1 x 8GB, 1 x 4GB) of DDR4-2133 memory (expandable up to 32GB) and a 1TB 5,400 RPM HDD housed under a 23.8” 1920 x 1080 active matrix TFT display. The chassis measures a mere 0.2” and is easily the company’s thinnest AIO PC offering.

The Acer Aspire S24 is aimed at the luxury crowd, boasting mainstream performance for daily tasks and entertainment (with a Core i5 and Intel UHD 620 Graphics) in an elegant chassis, putting aesthetics over acumen (especially in games) with a sleek black and rose gold finish. There's a 1.0MP front-facing webcam integrated with the bezel, and the base of the device is a wireless charging bay for Qi-enabled devices, letting users charge compatible mobile devices without an cables getting in the way.

USB connectivity is adequate for standard users, with three USB 3.1 (Gen 1) ports, a USB 2.0 port, and a USB 3.1 Type-C (Gen 1) interface. There's also an SD card reader. Additional displays can be connected via the two HDMI ports, and you can get on the internet via a gigabit Ethernet port or 802.11ac WiFi. The S24 is powered by a 135W adapter, comes loaded with Windows 10 Home 64-bit, and ships with a wireless keyboard and mouse.

The Acer Aspire S24 AIO PC is available now from the company’s website for $880 for U.S. customers.

Acer announced a new lot of thin and light all-in-one (AIO) PCs, the Aspire C series. The new systems are aimed at consumers looking for the thinnest-possible AIO, but they aren’t equipped to handle much more than basic everyday computing tasks with low-end CPUs, DDR3 memory, and HDD storage.

The Aspire C series includes two models so far: the AC22-720-UR11 and the AC24-760-UR11, which feature 21.5-inch and 23.8-inch displays, respectively. The smaller model (AC22) is considered the entry level, with an Intel Celeron J3160 quad core processor, 4GB of DDR3L SDRAM, and a 500GB HDD. The AC24 features an Intel Core i3-6100U, in addition to double the RAM and storage capacity (8GB and 1TB, respectively) of the smaller version.

Both of the new Aspire C AIOs feature two USB 3.0 ports and two USB 2.0 ports, in addition to audio in and out jacks and a gigabit Ethernet port. They can both also connect to the internet with 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

The displays are also decidedly minimalist, with both models sporting a 1920 x 1080 active matrix TFT display. A webcam sits on the top of the thin bezel. Neither model offers a touchscreen. People who value performance over thinness will probably want to look elsewhere, but if someone's shopping based only on the product's size and they don't require a lot from their computers, the new Aspire C AIOs could be worth looking into.

The Acer Aspire C series is available now from the company’s website. The AC22 rings up for $450, and the AC24 is priced at $700.

Hands-On And First Impressions

[Editor's Note: The following content is intended to be a first look, with some hands-on impressions and a few benchmarks. We have added display and thermal image testing to our test protocols, and more benchmarks are imminent for full system reviews.]

Digital Storm is known for crafting custom PCs using a variety of components. The company also offers a number of additional services like case painting, interior lighting and custom loop water cooling. Creating specialized desktop systems remains its forte, but Digital Storm brought something different to the table today: the Digital Storm Aura is an all-in-one gaming PC featuring Nvidia’s GTX 1080 and a 34-inch curved display.

Specifications

Our Aura contains an overclockable Intel Core i7-6700K processor, the recently-released Nvidia GTX 1080 Founders Edition, and 16GB of DDR4-2666MHz memory. Our Aura is also equipped with a 512GB Samsung 950 Pro M.2 SSD, and a 1TB HGST TravelStar 7K1000 HDD. The Aura’s starting configuration contains an Intel Core i5-6500, a 4GB GeForce GTX 960, no SSD, and the same HDD.

Exterior

Starting from the front, the display bezel measures 15mm wide and features a sturdy metal construction with a matte black finish. Taking a closer look, you’ll see a separation on both bottom ends of the bezel; the bezel is composed of two pieces of metal, one for the bottom and one encompassing the top, left and right sides. The bezel is unadorned save for the Digital Storm logo on the bottom center and two symbols corresponding to Display and Power on the bottom right.

Unlike the matte bezel, the Aura’s backside consists of a large, glossy plastic panel. The back panel has three large ventilation areas for the CPU, the GPU, and radiators. The back doesn’t feel incredibly premium, and removing it drops its rigidity altogether. Furthermore, the glossy plastic is a fingerprint and scratch magnet.

The system is supported by a robust metal stand with long feet, which prevent the system from shaking. Impressively enough, the stand can support 31.4 lbs of weight and is capable of supporting a bit more depending on the Aura’s configuration. The stand’s hinge gives the display about 20 degrees of vertical tilt and no horizontal adjustment. The range of tilt might seem restrictive, but considering that the rather heavy system is tightly packed into such a small enclosure, offering more robust angles isn’t practical. The hinge doesn’t support vertical flipping either, but there isn’t much reason to flip a 34-inch display vertically, let alone a curved display.

Inputs and Outputs

Starting from the top, there is one USB 3.0 port intended for the Aura’s webcam.

The I/O on the back includes one USB 3.0 port, one headphone jack, one microphone jack, one USB 2.0 port, and an MMC/SD card reader.

Removing a plastic plate reveals easy access to the bottom I/O; the ports you’ll find depend on your motherboard and graphics card configuration. In our case, the Gigabyte Z170N-Gaming 5 offers one PS/2 port, one USB 3.1 Type-C port, three USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, one DVI-D port, one HDMI port, two SMA antenna connectors, one RJ45 port, five audio jacks (Center/Subwoofer Speaker Out, Rear Speaker Out, Line In, Line Out, Mic In) and finally, one optical S/PDIF Out. The GTX 1080 Founders Edition provides one DVI-D port, one HDMI port, and three DisplayPorts.

You’ll find the monitor’s I/O, consisting of two HDMI ports, one DisplayPort, one Mini DisplayPort, and an audio jack, a few inches from the GTX 1080’s I/O. By default, a discrete HDMI cable runs from the GTX 1080 to one of the monitor’s ports, but if you upgrade the graphics card in the future, you shouldn’t be limited by the display’s port selection. If for some reason you’d like to run the Aura’s display as a standalone monitor, you can route a longer cable from your system of choice.

Interior

Accessing the inside of the Aura is easy. Simply remove the back panel I/O cover to reveal five screws. Remove these as well as the five screws on the top of the panel. Remove the panel carefully, because there is a fan cable splitter connecting the fan header to both the Vortex All-In-One liquid cooler as well as a Scythe SY1212SL12H 120mm fan that's attached to the back cover with rubber mounting screws.

To the left are the blower fan and shroud, which direct air to the Vortex's radiator. Digital Storm couldn't comment on the dimensions of the radiator, but it appears to be roughly 162mm x 36mm x 40mm. Below the fan shroud is an Enhance Electronics ENP-7145B2 450W power supply. 

To the right is the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition; with the way the GTX 1080 is positioned, the blower-style shroud will expel air from the bottom of the Aura. The Aura's chassis and back cover have numerous vents for airflow.

Speakers

The Aura has two rear-facing speakers that offer decent clarity and an excellent range of volume, reaching high volumes with little distortion. However, the Aura's back panel obscures the speakers slightly; this is a minor complaint, and future iterations can solve this issue by placing cutouts on the back panel right above the speakers.

Display

The Digital Storm Aura sports an impressive 34-inch WQHD (3440x1440) curved display. The display in question is the Samsung LTM340YP01, which has an a-Si TFT-LCD panel.

Beneath the bottom right corner of the bezel, you’ll find a power button and a small joystick for display options. Pulling the stick towards you opens the main menu, and subsequent pulling acts as  “Forward” in the menu. Pushing the joystick away from you does the opposite. When outside of the menu, pushing the joystick away opens the video port selection, while pushing away in the main menu acts as a “Back” function. Pushing left opens the backlight adjustment slider, and pushing right opens the volume slider. As you might’ve guessed, left and right are used to adjust sliders and options in the main menu and video port selection.

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Benchmarks And Conclusion

How We Test

We're using an updated First Look testing suite, which underwent several changes over the past few months. As usual, PCMark 8 measures system performance under home, creative, and work productivity loads. 3DMark Fire Strike and Unigine Valley measure synthetic gaming alacrity. Real gaming frame rates are recorded using built-in benchmarks from Bioshock Infinite and Metro: Last Light Redux.

This time around, we include thermal readings from our Optris PI640 Infrared Camera. Additionally, and fittingly, the Aura is the first system to include display measurements.

The Digital Storm Aura is unique in that it's the first desktop gaming system tested with our First Look suite, let alone one with a WQHD display. The charts below compare the Aura to previously tested systems using a more conventional resolution. An additional chart illustrates the Aura’s performance over multiple graphical presets at its native 3440x1440 resolution.

Since the Aura is technically a desktop system, we're sizing it up against a PC based on Intel's Core i7-6700K, an Asus Z170 Maximus VIII Hero motherboard, 32GB of G.Skill Ripjaws V DDR4-2133 memory, a 512GB Samsung 950 Pro M.2 NVMe SSD, Corsair's H100i v2 AIO liquid cooler, and Corsair's HXi 850i 80 PLUS Platinum-rated power supply, all inside of a Corsair 750D case. We switched between one EVGA GeForce GTX 980 reference card, one EVGA GeForce GTX 980 Ti FTW, and two MSI Gaming GTX 980 4Gs in SLI.

Additionally, we pit the Aura against Origin PC's EON17-SLX and MSI's GT80S Titan SLI gaming laptops. The EON17-SLX is priced a lot like the Aura, and it sports a Core i7-6700K, a mobile GeForce GTX 980, 16GB of DDR4-2133 memory, a 256GB Samsung 950 Pro NVMe M.2 SSD, and a 1TB Seagate Hybrid SSHD. Meanwhile the GT80S Titan SLI is composed of a Core i7-6920HQ, 32GB of DDR4-2133 memory, two 256GB PCIe SSDs in RAID 0, a 1TB 7200 RPM HDD, and two mobile GTX 980s in SLI.

We would have liked to run a few of these benchmarks against a desktop PC with the same CPU and GPU, but our lone machine running that configuration was also busy cranking out all of the most recent GPU reviews. We think this is a good representative mix of comparable hardware and price configurations.

Synthetic Benchmark - PCMark 8

Using the same CPU, PCMark's Home and Work modules generate similar results across the board. In particular, the Aura exceeds most systems except for the EON17-SLX in the Home test, whereas its Work score trails in comparison. The Aura enjoys a healthy lead through the Creative test thanks to its GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition card.

Synthetic Benchmark - 3DMark Fire Strike

When it comes to raw graphics performance, the Aura isn’t top dog. The desktop system and MSI's GT80S Titan SLI, both equipped with two GTX 980s, pull ahead of Digital Storm's machine. However, the Aura wins overall, earning the highest Fire Strike, Physics, and Combined scores. We also set the Fire Strike, Extreme and Ultra presets to the Aura’s native resolution to see how well the GTX 1080 performs at 3440x1440. The Extreme and Ultra presets are virtually the same except for the resolution. Setting each to 3440x1440 incurs little performance degradation.

Synthetic Benchmark - Unigine Valley

Once again, the Aura falls short of the desktop with GTX 980s in SLI, but manages to surpass the GT80S and its mobile GTX 980s. Naturally, Digital Storm has no problem overtaking the less powerful systems.

Gaming Benchmark- Bioshock Infinite

As predicted by Fire Strike and Valley, the Aura doesn't take first place in our Bioshock metric. It falls short of the GTX 980s in SLI, trades blows with the GT80S Titan SLI, and even performs slightly worse than the GTX 980 Ti when it comes to average frame rate. Still, the Aura is a top performer, especially at high resolutions, and Bioshock Infinite isn’t particularly graphics-bound. At its native resolution and using the game's highest settings, the Aura maintains an average of 98.02 FPS; don't be afraid to crank up the details in this one.

Gaming Benchmark - Metro: Last Light Redux

Metro: Last Light Redux is much more taxing, so a playable average frame rate is harder to achieve. At 1920x1080, the Aura maintains more than 60 FPS. At 3440x1440, the Aura suffers a substantial performance hit. Our High preset, which uses High Quality textures, SSAA, Anisotropic Filtering at x16, Normal motion blur and High tessellation, yields an average of 53.2 FPS. It's easy to get 60 FPS by tweaking this preset.

Thermal Testing

We use an Optris PI640 camera for measuring temperatures inside the Aura. Check out Measurement Science: Taking Accurate IR Thermal Readings for more information on how we use this sophisticated piece of equipment. In short, temperatures are taken after 10 minutes at idle, after running eight threads of Prime95 for 10 minutes, and after running FurMark at the Aura’s native resolution for 10 minutes.

Given such a densely packed system, thermals were one of our major concerns when Digital Storm told us what our sample had inside. At idle, the system remained relatively cool, although the chipset reached a toasty 58.8°C.

During Prime95, the CPU reached 50.2°C, which is well below its threshold. No doubt, its thermal performance is helped by Digital Storm's compact Vortex AIO Liquid Cooler. A low-profile air cooler probably would have had more trouble exhausting heat, particularly paired with a Broadwell-E-based processor. If you plan on doing any overclocking, definitely grab the AIO solution.

The GTX 1080 Founders Edition, with its blower-style fan, reached 75.2°C. Some Nvidia customers might question whether the Founders Edition card is necessary, but an AIO system like the Aura is one application where a centrifugal design is preferable to axial fans. Because the Aura’s components are tightly packed, the last thing you want is warm air recirculated inside of the system.

Display Testing

This is the first time we’re including display measurements in a First Look, and what better way to debut the test than on a 34-inch screen. Measurements are taken at stock settings using a SpectraCal C6 colorimeter. At the lowest brightness point, the Aura's panel achieves a minimum white luminance of 74.6647cd/m², a minimum black luminance of 0.0742cd/m², and a contrast ratio of 1006.6:1. It has a maximum white luminance of 267.9906cd/m², a maximum black luminance of 0.1612cd/m², and a contrast ratio of 1662:1.

The Aura's brightness is set to 150cd/m² for our contrast, gamma, grayscale and saturation tests. Uncalibrated, the Aura runs blue at higher brightness levels. Reds are also undersaturated.

After adjusting the Aura's gamma to 2.2 and color temperature to 6500K, our results improve dramatically.

But Is It Worth It?

Boutique builders like Digital Storm charge a premium for custom systems. Moreover, all-in-ones tend to cost more if only for their unique form factor. As a result, the Aura is destined to be an expensive machine. Our configuration came in at $3377, though the base build, which features an Intel Core i7-6700, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, 16GB of DDR4-2666 memory, and a 1TB hard drive, costs $2272. Playing with the configurator for a few minutes, I was able to drive the price down to $1788 using a Core i3-6320, a GTX 950, 8GB of memory, and the factory CPU cooler.

For around $1600 we could build a nearly equivalent system including a curved 34-inch monitor and a generous budget of $200 for the case. In this example, the mark-up for labor isn't terrible, especially for a boutique AIO. However, you can easily match our $3377 configuration with a beefier power supply and an even higher $300 case budget for around $3000. Additionally, the GeForce GTX 980 SLI setup that beat the Aura in most of our can be built for about $100 less.

Simply put, anyone shopping for the convenience of an AIO pays more and gets less, component for component. AIOs generally aren't as powerful as their desktop counterparts, they cost more, aren't as upgradeable, and usually can't game. With the Aura, you get the freedom to upgrade, and this certainly is built for gaming. It also lets you consolidate your monitor and separate PC.

But even for a boutique-built system, our Aura costs a lot. Its attractiveness depends on how much you value the form factor. The machine exemplifies clean aesthetics and clutter-free presentation above all else, and for those who value those attributes, the hefty price tag won't be as big of an issue.

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Origin PC announced that its 34-inch all-in-one (AIO) gaming PC, the Omni, is now shipping worldwide. The ultra-wide AIO offers up to an Intel Core i7-6950X (Broadwell-E) processor in addition to the recently-released Nvidia GTX 1080 and GTX 1070.

We got our first look at the Omni back at CES, and at the time it was configurable with up to an Intel Core i7-5960X and an Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan. Now that there are new kings of the respective component mountains, it’s no surprise Origin PC is offering the updated premium hardware (Broadwell-E CPUs and the GTX 1000 series) in its AIO gaming machine.

The 34-inch curved 3440x1440 display houses all of the components behind it, and the Omni has room for Origin’s Frostbyte liquid cooling along with virtually any mini-ITX motherboard. For Z170 systems, Origin PC is offering either an Asus Z170 Pro Gaming or an ASRock Fatal1ty Gaming Z170 Gaming-ITX/ac motherboard. The X99 model uses the only mini-ITX motherboard available for the platform (an ASRock X99E-ITX/AC), and the form factor features two DIMM slots with support for up to 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) of DDR4 memory.

The Omni supports up to two 2.5-inch storage drives. It also supports a single M.2 storage device, but the company’s configurator still offers only up to two drives total, regardless of the form factor or interface. However, as Origin is a custom shop, it shouldn’t be too difficult to request an M.2 SSD with two 2.5-inch drives, should that be the storage configuration of your desire.

Origin PC’s Omni is available now directly from the company’s website. Z170-equipped models start at $2,359, and X99 variants begin at a price of $2,788.

Derek Forrest is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware and Tom’s IT Pro. Follow Derek Forrest on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.

On the heels of Intel’s Broadwell-E launch, Digital Storm announced it would be offering the flagship i7-6950X in its all-in-one (AIO) gaming PC, the Aura. In addition to the powerful CPU option, the Aura can also feature up to an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card.

The Aura is a 34-inch AIO system that supports mini-ITX motherboards, including X99 platforms (specifically, ASRock’s X99E-ITX/ac). A simple BIOS update provides the aging motherboard with renewed relevance, offering Broadwell-E compatibility. Digital Storm specializes in custom gaming PCs with premium components, so while putting a 10-core i7-6950X alongside a GTX 1080 in the Aura may seem over the top, it probably shouldn't come as a big surprise.

The Aura sports other premium features, including a curved 34-inch WQHD (3440 x 1440) 60 Hz display, support for up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory and CPU liquid cooling. The rear of the chassis grants easy access to the components, allowing users to upgrade on their own and giving the device a degree of longevity. The Aura supports one M.2 SSD (up to a 512 GB Samsung 950 Pro) and two 2.5-inch drive bays (with up to a 2 TB Samsung 850 Pro or EVO SSD, or 1 TB HDD).

Digital Storm’s Aura 34-inch AIO gaming PC is available now at the company’s website, with Z170 variants starting at $1,999. There’s no word yet on the entry-level pricing for the X99 platform, or what the beastly Core i7-6950X will add to the cost.

Derek Forrest is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware and Tom’s IT Pro. Follow Derek Forrest on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.

HP updated its mainstream Pavilion lineup at a Back-To-School product showcase in New York City. Although it makes little sense to dive into the back-to-school season when the current school year has yet to conclude, HP’s new offerings give consumers something to look forward to this autumn with new laptops, x360s, desktops and all-in-one (AIO) PCs.

The Clamshells Cometh (In Many Colors)

HP’s classic Pavilion “clamshell” notebooks have been updated to include the latest 6^th generation (Skylake) processors from Intel, and 15.6-inch models can also feature 7^th generation AMD A-series processors. In addition, the new Pavilion laptops offer moderately powerful graphics subsystem options--up to an Nvidia GTX 960M dedicated GPU or AMD Radeon R7 graphics.

The company claimed the 14- and 15.6-inch models are 11-22 percent thinner and lighter than their predecessors, and every size of the HP Pavilion notebook comes in five new colors including Natural Silver, Modern Gold, Dragonfly Blue, Cardinal Red or Sport Purple, in addition to the previously available Blizzard White or Onyx Black.

The Pavilion series of laptops keep it simple with single storage options, which includes up to a 512 GB M.2 SATA SSD or 2 TB HDD. It also features a dual storage option consisting of a 128 GB M.2 SATA SSD and up to a 2 TB HDD on select models.

The 14-inch model has a discrete GPU option in the form of an Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics module, but the 15.6-inch Pavilion laptop has even more dedicated graphics choices, including a GTX 950M or GTX 960M. The 15.6-inch model is also the only size that offers AMD Radeon R7 graphics when equipped with an AMD 7^th generation processor. The 17.3-inch Pavilion laptop offers only an Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M if you want a dedicated graphics card.

The HP Pavilion notebooks start at just $539.99 for the 14-inch version, with the 15.6-inch model starting at $579.99 and the HP Power Pavilion 17.3-inch model costing $899.99 at entry level.

A Bigger, Better (And More Colorful) HP Pavilion x360

The Pavilion lineup also received a refresh to its x360 offerings, with updated versions of the 11.6- and 13.3-inch models shedding some weight and becoming even thinner than before. There’s also a new 15.6-inch x360 with an optional Nvidia GeForce 930M graphics card.

The 15.6-inch x360 is new to the lineup, and it’s the largest Pavilion x360 HP has ever offered. It takes after the recently announced HP Envy x360 notebook with its screen size and functionality, but the Pavilion x360 laptops stay in the mainstream market segment’s price point by excluding some costly configuration options that are featured in the Envy-series counterparts, such as Intel Iris Graphics, high-capacity PCIe SSDs and 4K screen options. The Pavilion-series x360 notebooks also lack AMD processor options for the time being.

We found it odd that the 15.6-inch model was not as generous with its maximum memory capacity as the 13.3-inch version, which can feature up to 16 GB of RAM. The 15.6-inch edition is limited to just 8 GB of RAM, but it’s also the only Pavilion x360 that can sport an Nvidia GeForce 930M dedicated GPU, offering graphics horsepower that the smaller x360s cannot. The tradeoff for an optional discrete graphics card appears to be a lower memory capacity. The 15.6-inch model is also the only version of the Pavilion x360 that can sport up to an Intel Core i7 processor.

The HP Pavilion x360 laptops come in the same five aforementioned colors of the Pavilion clamshells, including Natural Silver, Modern Gold, Dragonfly Blue, Cardinal Red and Sport Purple.

A Cutting-Edge (To-Edge) Pavilion AIO

HP also revealed its new Pavilion All-In-One (AIO) PC, which is available in 23.8- and 27-inch models. The 23.8-inch model can optionally feature a new micro-edge display, which reduces the border width by 75 percent compared to other edge-to-edge AIOs.

The 23.8- and 27-inch models both support the latest 6^th generation (Skylake) Intel processors or 7^th generation AMD APUs, but the micro-edge display version can accommodate only Intel CPUs. The micro-edge display also prohibits the addition of a touchscreen. However, it does sport a privacy camera, which can pop up out of the chassis when it’s in use, or be retracted to hide and disable the camera and microphone for an added sense of privacy.

Another interesting engineering choice is the lack of any pure SSD options, with the Pavilion AIO PCs offering up to 3 TB mechanical hard drives or up to 1 TB hybrid SSHDs. The absence of an M.2 SSD or even a non-hybrid 2.5-inch SATA SSD is disappointing, although many users purchasing an AIO machine are generally less concerned with storage speed than its functionality. However, 3 TB HDD is plenty of space for pictures and movies, and non-enthusiast users are unlikely to be dissuaded by the storage configuration of the Pavilion AIOs.

All of the Pavilion AIOs come in Turbo Silver (if Natural Silver isn’t enough for you), and HP doesn’t offer additional assorted colors like the other Pavilion devices. The new HP Pavilion AIOs start at $699.99 for the 23.8-inch model, $749.99 for the 23.8-inch edition with the micro-edge display, and $999.99 for the 27-inch version.

Smaller (And More Colorful) Pavilion Desktops

HP claimed its new Pavilion desktop systems are now 30 percent smaller than previous generations, and they feature the latest Intel Celeron and Core-series processors (up to an i7) and AMD’s newest 7^th generation processors, up to an A12 processor with Radeon R7 graphics.

The new Pavilion desktops don’t offer an SSD of any kind, which wouldn’t likely be an issue for consumers interested in the entry-level performance of an HP Pavilion desktop system. These PCs are designed for home and office productivity and multi-tasking, but the new Pavilion desktops could also be ideal for those with light gaming aspirations by offering up to an Nvidia GTX 750 Ti and AMD Radeon R7 graphics.

Not much has changed with the Pavilion desktop aside from the smaller chassis and updated processors, but a back-to-school lineup update (at least, this one) wouldn’t be complete without more color options. The new Pavilion desktops come in Natural Silver, Blizzard White and Twinkle Black and start at only $499.99.

HP certainly seems to offer plenty of variety in its new consumer Pavilion lineup, with both a range of performance in the featured components, and if nothing else, colors. The new HP Pavilion lineup starts trickling to market in mid-May, starting with the x360s and 15.6- and 17.3-inch clamshell laptops, followed by the desktops and 14-inch Pavilion laptop in June, and the AIO PCs in July.

Derek Forrest is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware and Tom’s IT Pro. Follow Derek Forrest on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.

Russian company T-Platforms announced that it will start selling an all-in-one PC with the (also Russian) Baikal-T1 chip, which is based on Imagination’s MIPS instruction set architecture. The system will run the latest version of Debian 8, which is one of the more popular Linux distributions out there.

The MIPS-based Baikal-T1 processor was announced last year, after the Russian government signaled that it doesn’t want to rely on American Intel and AMD chips as much. The Baikal-T1 is a dual-core 1 GHz P5600 CPU (apparently underclocked from the original 1.2 GHz frequency). According to Imagination, it has one of the highest performance/MHz and performance/Watt scores.

The Tavolga Terminal TB-T22BT, which is the name of T-Platforms’ all-in-one PC, includes a 21.5-inch IPS display with Full HD resolution, up to 8 GB of DDR3 RAM and optional storage capabilities that range from 8 to 64 GB of nonvolatile memory. Four USB 2.0 ports and one 1,000 Mbps Ethernet port are also supported.

The T-Platforms Tavolga PC is available for pre-order right now, with shipping scheduled for the second quarter of 2016. The company also plans to release a more compact PC that doesn’t come with an integrated display.

The company also announced the new SF-BT1 computer-on-module (COM) system that incorporates the Baikal-T1 SoC and targets device vendors who want to create high-performance IoT platforms, embedded control systems, industrial automation, healthcare or networking equipment.

The Baikal-T1 chip supports Imagination’s OmniShield security features, which enable applications to be isolated in their own secure domain. It also supports the prplSecurity framework, which is a collection of open source APIs that provide hardware-level security controls such as root of trust, secure boot, secure hypervisor and secure inter-VM communications.

Using these features, the prpl Foundation, started by Imagination, demonstrated three different Linux-based operating systems running in parallel on the SF-BT1 module at full performance and isolated from each other in highly secure domains.

Lucian Armasu is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware. You can follow him at @lucian_armasu. 

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CyberpowerPC seemed like one of the few vendors at CES that marched to the beat of its own drum with the debut of the ProStreamer, but the company jumped on the all-in-one (AIO) gaming PC bandwagon when it announced the Archus 34, another curved-screen gaming AIO desktop that can be configured with up to Intel 6^th generation (Skylake) desktop processors and full-sized graphics cards.

The Archus 34 is very similar to the other AIO gaming PCs that made their debut at CES, particularly Origin PC’s Omni. Official specs for the Archus 34 aren’t yet available, but here’s what we do know:

The Archus supports mini-ITX motherboards and full-sized graphics cards, including up to an Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan X. In addition, the AIO can house a 120 mm closed loop liquid cooler. The Archus 34 is powered by a custom PSU that hasn’t been formally identified, but judging from the above picture, it appears to be 80 Plus Gold certified. There's also a detachable USB camera.

CyberpowerPC’s original estimation was that we would see the Archus 34 this January, but the company recently informed us that the product has been slated for release later this quarter.

Updated: 1/20/2016 3:47 PT: A change was made to remove a comparison to a different product.

Derek Forrest is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware and Tom’s IT Pro. Follow Derek Forrest on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.

MSI announced its first AIO gaming PC featuring a specially-designed external graphics card enclosure, becoming one of the first gaming AIOs to support full-sized GPUs such as an Nvidia GeForce GTX Titan. It’s called the MSI Gaming 27XT.

All-in-one (AIO) gaming PCs seem to be popping up all over the place lately, and MSI’s version takes a somewhat different approach than some of the other brands (such as Origin PC) who are tackling the thermal and power challenge of making an AIO machine a high-performance gaming rig. Instead of putting the graphics under the same hood as the screen, MSI has designed an external enclosure for a graphics card that allows enthusiast gamers to access the GPU at any time, instead of having to take the whole machine apart in order to upgrade.

MSI’s Gaming 27XT was designed to resolve what the company described as a “long-standing AIO PC problem” of being unable to support external graphics cards. MSI said the external graphics enclosure supports “most commonly-sized graphics cards” and cited the GTX Titan and 980 Ti as examples. The device can also provide up to 330 watts of power to the GPU, so it seems most high-end graphics cards will make the grade, so long as it physically fits.

This concept sort-of takes a page from Alienware’s graphics amplifier, and MSI even tried its own hand at it with an external enclosure meant for the GS30 Shadow gaming laptop. However, both of these designs were massive and clunky (leaving most of us wondering why it couldn't fit two graphics cards in them, since the enclosures took up plenty of space), but MSI's new take on the idea is much more elegant than its predecessors.

MSI has aimed this new external desktop graphics concept at a completely different market segment (AIOs), one that seems to be relatively untapped. The size has been significantly reduced, making integration of such an interface less obtrusive to the device's intended user experience (plugging a laptop into a giant graphics box can seem contradictory to the intended user experience of a laptop). It fits right on the back of the display without any overhang, and it also appears to be thoroughly ventilated and easily accessible.

The MSI Gaming 27XT AIO also seems to offer what gamers crave with its display, which can come configured with either an FHD (1920 x 1080) or a QHD (2560 x 1440) panel that operates at 144 Hz, or even a 4K (3840 x 2160) display that runs at 60 Hz.

In addition, the Gaming 27XT ditches traditional SATA-based storage and offers two M.2 interfaces, a feat the company claimed is an industry first for AIO PCs. Thus, the 27XT can be configured as a RAID 0 setup with two M.2 PCI-e SSDs for blazing fast storage speeds reaching as high as 3.3 GB/s, according to MSI.

There’s no word yet on pricing or availability for MSI’s Gaming 27XT, but this year seems to signify the advent of AIO gaming PCs, with MSI seemingly taking a unique approach to the emerging market with an external graphics solution and a gaming-oriented display selection.

Derek Forrest is an Associate Contributing Writer for Tom’s Hardware and Tom’s IT Pro. Follow Derek Forrest on Twitter. Follow us on Facebook, Google+, RSS, Twitter and YouTube.

MSI announced that its new top-end AIO PC, the Gaming 27T, is now available online from various online retailers.

MSI's Gaming 27T is targeted at gamers who want high-end performance in a compact system. The AIO uses a desktop CPU, the Intel 6th Gen (Skylake) Core i7-6700 operating at 3.4 GHz with a turbo clock speed of 4 GHz, in conjunction with an Intel H170 motherboard chipset.

The system also contains a mobile Nvidia GeForce GTX 980M with 8 GB of GDDR5. This is somewhat surprising, as the system's display is capable of only 1080p resolution. Although the GTX 980M would have a harder time playing games smoothly at 2K and significantly struggle considerably at 4K, there really isn't any point of having 8 GB of GDDR5 for a 1080p display. As it is a common misconception that more RAM or vRAM always leads to higher performance, this is mostly just a marketing tactic, which has the side effect of raising overall system cost.

The AIO is capable of supporting two additional displays over HDMI, and stereoscopic gaming would justify the 8 GB of vRAM, but if you have the space for a double or triple monitor setup, then you likely have space to fit a less expensive higher-performance desktop PC instead.

"Gamers demand performance and our new Gaming 27T will leave them breathless with unbelievable graphics, blazing fast speeds, and a mind-blowing sensory experience," said Andy Tung, president of MSI Pan America. "Our Gaming 27T takes AIOs to a new level by focusing on user experience above all."

MSI also put a focus on the user experience of the system. The 1080p display measures 27 inches and is LED-backlit. It also supports 10-point multi-touch input. The system incorporates a Killer Wireless adapter and a Killer DoubleShot Pro LAN NIC for low-latency Internet connectivity. MSI also implemented several audio technologies, including a Sabre Hi-Fi DAC, Nahimic's Audio Enhancer software, and MSI's Audio Boost in order to give gamers a relatively high-end audio experience from an AIO PC.

The system contains a considerable amount of storage space. A 256 GB SSD is used for the C: Drive, while two HDDs, a 4 TB and a 2 TB, are also included in a "Super RAID" configuration.

The system also contains a single USB 3.1 Type-C connection, as well as a USB 3.0 super charger port for quickly charging your portable devices. The AIO also includes a 104-key gaming keyboard and a 3500 DPI gaming mouse.

The MSI Gaming 27T is available now from various online retailers, and is priced at $2,699.99.

______________________________________________________________________

Michael Justin Allen Sexton (or MJ) is a Contributing Writer for Tom's Hardware. As a tech enthusiast, MJ enjoys studying and writing about all areas of tech, but specializes in the study of chipsets and microprocessors. In his personal life, MJ spends most of his time gaming, practicing martial arts, studying history, and tinkering with electronics.

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Hot on the heels of a plethora of device announcements, Acer has thrown its hat in the Skylake/Windows 10 race, debuting two new products: the Aspire R 14 convertible notebook and the Aspire Z3-700 AIO.

The Acer Aspire R 14 convertible laptops feature the latest 6th generation Intel (Skylake) processors, up to 8 GB DDR3L memory and speedy SSD storage. The new convertible notebooks feature a redesigned 360-degree dual-torque hinge to swing the laptop into its four different usage modes, which include tent, tablet, laptop and display mode. Here are the full specs of the Acer Aspire R 14:

The metal chassis is made using an eco-friendly technology called nano-imprint lithography, a process that gives the new device a sleek look. The device also features at least one USB Type-C port (although there aren't details on its functionality) and MU-MIMO wireless technology.

The Acer Aspire Z3-700 is an all-in-one desktop computer with a 17.3-inch, 1080p HD 10-point touchscreen display, and it features Intel Pentium or Celeron processors with up to 8 GB of RAM and optional SSD storage. The device also sports two foldable kickstands that can be used to position the Aspire Z as a traditional AIO, angled wide for an inclined position, or it can be retracted to lay the screen flat like a jumbo tablet. Here's a complete spec list for the Aspire Z3-700:

Perhaps the Z3-700's most impressive feature is that this AIO has a built-in battery that offers up to 5 hours of cord-free desktop performance. With its thin and light design and rechargeable internal battery, this AIO combines the power of a desktop with the convenience of a tablet, and it even includes a digital stylus.

Both devices feature Acer TrueHarmony Plus technology with Dolby audio and will ship with Windows 10. The Acer Aspire R 14 convertible will be available in North America and the EMEA in late October starting at an MSRP of $699 USD. The Acer Aspire Z3-700 seems to be coming only to the EMEA for now, and it's expected to arrive by the end of the year with prices starting at 599 euros.

Derek Forrest is an Associate Contributing writer for Tom’s Hardware and Tom’s IT Pro. PC gaming, graphics hardware and VR devices are among his favorite topics to cover. He is a lifelong PC enthusiast, former IT administrator and a custom PC builder with a penchant for creating music, voice acting and all things geek.

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At ROG Unleashed, Asus announced a new Zen AIO PC.

The new Zen AIO Pro Z240IC will use 23.8" IPS displays, operating at either 3840 x 2160 or 1080p resolutions. The system will include up to an Intel 6th Gen (Skylake) Core i7-6700T operating at 2.8 GHz, and it can optionally be paired with either an Nvidia GeForce GTX 960M or GTX 950M for mid-range gaming.

For storage options, the system can include up to a 512 GB PCI-E 3.0 x4 M.2 SSD paired with a 1 TB HDD. Users can also choose to just have an SSD, or have up to a 2 TB HDD without an SSD included. The system will also contain up to 32 GB of DDR4-2133 MHz in a dual-channel configuration.

Some systems will include a 2MP Intel RealSense 3D camera, which will allow for the system to be controlled by hand gestures. It will also allow for in-depth 3D video to be recorded or streamed to other users.

For connectivity, the system includes one of the new USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C USB ports, which will allow users to quickly recharge supported portable devices and to transfer data significantly faster than the older USB 3.0 protocol was capable of.

Currently there is no word on pricing or availability.

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HP announced that a new series of AIO PCs are coming soon. These new PCs fall into the HP Envy product line and will be available in models ranging from 23.8 to 34 inches in size.

The 34-inch AIO announced by HP is the HP Envy Curved AIO, and it comes loaded with an array of new features. As the name suggests, this system is curved to simulate an immersive experience.

Coming with Windows 10 pre-installed, the system also features Windows Hello, which will allow users to lock and sign into their system using face authentication. An Intel RealSense camera is also included, which enables an array of new functions, such as gesture controls and in-depth 3D video capture.

The 23.8- and 27-inch systems are not curved, but they have a 4K display option, which will arguably be more valuable to some users. These systems do not include the RealSense camera.

All of these AIOs will use similar internal hardware and will run the new Intel 6th Gen (Skylake) Core i5 and i7 processors. Basic configurations will use Intel's integrated graphics, but users can opt to have AMD Radeon R9 graphics on the 23.8- and 27-inch models.

The 34-inch curved system can optionally have an Nvidia GeForce 960A. Storage options will range from a 128 GB SSD up to a 2 TB HDD. HP didn't state if DDR3L or DDR4 RAM would be used inside of these systems, but all systems will contain either 8 GB or 16 GB of memory.

The 23.8- and 27-inch models will also include four front-facing speakers, whereas the 34-inch system contains a total of six speakers, including two tweeters.

These systems are expected to be released in November.

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Asus unveiled the new Zen series of AIO S computers. These new systems are targeted at users who want more power in an AIO, and utilize fast processors and mid-range graphics cards.

This new series of AIOs is split between two models, the 23.8-inch Z240IC and the 21.5-inch Z220IC. Both models will be available in numerous configurations, with a multitude of CPUs, GPUs, and other hardware.

Both models can optionally utilize either an Intel Core i7-6700T, a Core i5-6400T, or an Core i3-6100T. Asus couldn't take advantage of faster desktop CPUs due to power and thermal constraints, but these power efficient T-series CPUs should not be underestimated. The i7-6700T maintains the quad-core hyperthreaded design we are accustomed to seeing on desktop Core i7 parts, and with the ability to run up to 3.4 GHz on all four cores simultaneously, it should provide plenty of performance.

Customers will also be able to choose between three different GPU configurations. The fastest of these GPUs is the Nvidia GTX 960m, which is essentially the same as Nvidia's GTX 750 Ti. Although this GPU has proven to perform well as an entry level graphics card, we are a bit surprised Asus didn't offer a faster GPU on the Z240IC model. So far, only the fastest graphics cards on the market can play games at 4K resolutions, and gamers won't be able to take full advantage of the 4K display with only a GTX 960m GPU.

These AIO systems also pack several of the latest cutting edge features into their chassis. Both systems come equipped with a single USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port. USB 3.1 Gen 2 has significant benefits over the USB 3.1 Gen 1, including faster data transfer rates and a higher power rating. The Z240IC also features an optional Intel RealSense camera capable of taking 3D video.

There is currently no word on pricing, but the displays are expected to be released later this year.

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Acer revealed a pair of Windows 10-based desktop systems at IFA Berlin in Germany; one is an intriguing modular design, and one is an AIO. Wait, what was that about a modular PC?

Revo Build: A Modular PC

Acer also revealed a completely new spin on mini-PC design. The Revo Build Series is a modular mini-PC system that allows you to add what the company is referring to as "blocks." Acer said the modular system allows users to quickly -- without the hassle of cables and need for tools -- add features to the system.

The base block is 125 x 125 mm, taking up one cubic liter of space. It comes with options for an Intel Pentium or Celeron processor and is paired with 8 GB of memory that can be expanded. Acer said one screw must be removed in order to add memory. Different "blocks" can be added to bring additional features and capability to the PC.

The blocks are connected to the base unit using magnetic pogo-pin connections, which means there are no wires, and the "blocks" never have to be opened up in order to add them to the PC. Acer said the blocks won't be limited to use with the Revo Build series base unit -- they can apparently also be used with other computers.

Acer plans to launch 500 GB and 1 TB hot-swappable hard drive blocks along with the Revo Build Series M1-601, and said that other blocks will be released in the future. A wireless power bank block is planned to enable wireless charging of mobile devices, as well as an audio block that contains speakers and a microphone. The company said more blocks will be released over time.

Aspire U5 Series

Acer also announced the Aspire U5-710 all-in-one desktop PC, which comes housed inside a 37 mm-thick chassis with a 23.8-inch IPS display featuring 10-point multi-touch built-in. Acer said the Aspire U5 series desktops feature a minimalistic design, keeping all the essential I/O, such as the HDMI and power jacks, tucked away with the network and USB connections. The system also features a built-in TV tuner card.

The Aspire U5 series desktops come equipped with 6th Generation Intel Core (Skylake) processors, with the option of either an i5 or an i7 CPU as well as discrete graphics from Nvidia. Acer has included 16 GB of memory in the system, but the company did not indicate the size and type of hard drive included. The company has also squeezed in an Intel RealSense camera, which enables users to unlock their PC using Windows Hello.

Not In North America (Yet)

Acer plans to release both the Aspire U5-710 and Revo Build M1-601 in October in Europe, Africa and the Middle-East, but has not mentioned when, or if, they will be available in North America. The U5-710 will start at €999, while the M1-601 will start much lower at €199.

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MSI has announced two new All-in-One PCs, the AG200 and the AG240, both part of the company's gaming line of products. These units are 21.5-inch and 23.6-inch machines, and both carry very similar hardware specifications. They can be equipped with either an Intel core i5-4200H or an Intel Core i7-4700HQ. They are also both built using a single Nvidia GeForce GTX 860M graphics card, and come with 8 GB of DDR3L memory out of the box. They also pack a single 1 TB hard drive, and have room for up to three more mSATA SSDs. Also present on both units is an 802.11a/c WiFi module that also has Bluetooth support.

Both have FullHD screens with multi-touch support, feature MSI's Anti-Flicker and "Less Blue Light" technologies, and are LED backlit. Connectivity is handled by one HDMI out port, one HDMI in port (for when you want to use the AIO as a monitor), three USB 3.0 ports, two USB 2.0 ports, a single network port, as well as the standard set of HD audio jacks. There's also a card reader. The bigger AG240 throws in a VGA port on top of the aforementioned array of ports. 

The units are currently being rolled out to shelves, with no word on U.S. pricing yet. European pricing of the AG240 is set at €1500, while the slightly smaller AG220 costs about €1150.

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Lenovo on Monday added four new models to its AIO desktop range: the A530, B750, B550 and B350. All four will be made available in October with a starting price of $799 except for the B530 that has an undetermined price as of this writing.

For starters, the A530 AIO desktop features a widely adjustable screen that tilts from -5 to 90, and a 23 inch IPS screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio and 10 point touch input. The base of this AIO rig is supposedly a mere 1.3 inches thin and the display itself as little as 0.8 inches thin, contained in an all-aluminum chassis.

On the hardware side, customers will be able to configure the AIO with up to an Intel Core i7 "Haswell" CPU, up to 8 GB of DDR3 memory, up to a 1 TB hard drive or up to a 1 TB SSHD (with integrated 8 GB SSD cache). Other features include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 6-in-1 card reader, HDMI in/out ports, DVD burner or Blu-ray optical drive, and Dolby certified speakers.

The Lenovo A530 will be available starting October at Best Buy, priced from $1,099.

Moving on to the "B" series, the B750 has a 29 inch screen with a 2560 x 1080 resolution and a 21:9 aspect ratio. The AIO is powered by a choice of up to an Intel Core i7 "Haswell" CPU and Nvidia GeForce GTX 760A GPU with 1 GB VRAM. Lenovo Motion Control has also been thrown into the mix to simplify common tasks using hand gestures, as well as Lenovo Split Screen to view and work with multiple windows simultaneously on the wide 21:9 screen.

This AIO also has an integrated DVD reader/writer or Blu-Ray Disc drive, integrated Bluetooth 4.0 (optional) and Wi-Fi, a 6-in-1 card reader, optional HDMI out/in ports, and a JBL designed 2.1 speaker system with built-in 20 watt subwoofer and Dolby Home Theater. This AIO measures just 11.73 inches thin.

The Lenovo B750 will be available starting October on Lenovo.com and at retail stores starting January 2014, priced from $1,199.

Finally, we have the 23 inch B550 and the 21.5 inch B350. Both have an IPS screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution, and customizable options including up to an Intel Core i7 "Haswell" processor, and up to 2 TB on an HDD or SSHD. These two AIOs also feature 16 GB of DDR3L memory, integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, HDMI output, and integrated sound with Dolby certification. The B550 actually has Dolby Home Theater with JBL-designed speakers.

"AIO desktops have become the first-choice option for many consumers seeking a home PC with power and flexibility," said Jun Ouyang, vice president and general manager, desktop business unit, Lenovo Business Group. "Whether as a home entertainment center, a desktop for productivity or a gaming and multimedia device, we believe an AIO should adapt to our customers' needs quickly and smoothly and offer them a level of performance on par with a traditional desktop."

The Lenovo B550 is available now on Lenovo.com and will be available at select retail stores starting October, priced from $799. The B530 model will be available starting October on Lenovo.com, but the company currently hasn't set a price.

Many device makers are now starting to announce products they plan to showcase during the IFA 2013 show in Berlin next week. LG Electronics is one of several on the pre-IFA list, reporting that its 29EA73, 29EB73 and 29MA73 UltraWide 21:9 IPS monitors will make an appearance. Joining these will be an actual UltraWide All-In-One PC, the V960. Honestly, it was only a matter of time.

The company is unsurprisingly quiet on the hardware details, waiting to unload the full surprise next week. However, LG confirmed that this UltraWide AIO PC will sport Windows 8 along with Nvidia's GeForce GT 640M GPU to handle whatever resolution LG is planning to splash across the rig's 29 inch super-wide screen (possibly 2560 x 1080). The V960 will also have HDMI input and a picture-in-picture feature so users can watch their daytime dramas while surfing for the latest soap star gossip on the same screen.

"Since LG's launch of the world's first 21:9 aspect ratio monitor nearly a year ago, consumer interest in this new class of displays has seen a huge increase," said Hyoung-sei Park, head of the IT business division at LG Electronics. "The IPS 21:9 UltraWide All-In-One PC will further solidify LG's reputation as a leader in this relatively new but growing UltraWide segment."

As for the three new UltraWide monitors, we covered this announcement in early August. However, the company said in a separate statement on Thursday that it also plans to unveil its new Sound Plate solution for the TV sound system industry during the Berlin-based show. This device will measure just 35 mm tall, allowing it to be placed underneath any 32 inch to 55 inch HDTV. The upcoming Sound Plate will include a 4.1 channel sound system with dual built-in subwoofers.

"Projecting full-bodied audio in multiple directions, the Sound Plate creates an incredibly immersive auditory experience," the company said. "LG's innovative Sound Plate also incorporates a neodymium magnet capable of producing powerful audio. Bluetooth support is also offered for easy wireless connectivity with smartphones, tablets and other wireless devices."

LG's audio video lineup at IFA 2013 will also include the LG Sound Bar, the BH9530TW home theater system, Smart Blu-ray players, docking and portable speakers, and even LG's Micro Audio System (model CM3430). A number of Home Entertainment PC products will also be on hand at IFA 2013 such as the latest Ultra PCs and Tab-Book, the company said.

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Asus has launched the ET2702 All-In-One PC which aims to combine a “stylish ultra-slim appearance” with the ability to handle the “entertainment and productivity needs of the most demanding users with ease.”

The ET2702 features a VESA mountable 27-inch 2560 x 1440 (WQHD) IPS display, which offers 178° / 178° viewing angles that can be optionally equipped with a 10-point touchscreen display for a “fast and fluid Windows 8 experience.” The AIO PC also includes three HDMI-in/out ports that allow it to serve as a display for other devices and connect up to three external displays simultaneously.

The ET2702 PC also includes a choice of Intel 4th Generation Core processors, a Radeon HD 8990A discrete graphics card, 802.11ac Wi-Fi that offers transfer speeds of up to 867 Mbit/s and Asus SonicMaster audio technology.

Asus hasn’t provided any information on the ET2702’s pricing and availability.

Online electronics retailer PC Connection is currently listing an Acer all-in-one (AIO) PC featuring an Intel Core i5-4430 "Haswell" CPU clocked at 3.0 GHz, and 1 GB of RAM. There's nothing else on the listing to indicate what platform it will use, the size of the screen or how much it will cost. However CNET reports that it's an Android-based AIO that Acer plans to announce next week.

According to the report, the Acer DA220HQL AIO PC will be priced just around $400 at most retailers. CompSource is listing the Android computer as well, but for $391 USD. This listing shares a few more details such as 8 GB of internal storage, Android 4.0 at the very least, 6 MB of L3 cache and 1 GB of DDR3 SDRAM. The display will be 21.5 inches, the listing reveals.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, the disappointing reception of Windows 8 has pushed ODMs to seek out new life in alternative platforms, and the Android/Intel combo will reportedly become an increasing trend during the second half of 2013. Android is a highly attractive platform because it is license free, and already comes packed with a library of apps, games, movies, TV shows, music and more through Google Play.

Last month former CEO Paul Otellini hinted to the wave of Android devices that are on the way, reporting that notebook prices should soon reach $200. Most of these will be based on Google's Android platform and Intel's Atom mobile processor, not Windows 8 or ARM-based chips.

Even more, Dadi Perlmutter, Intel executive vice president and chief product officer, said at the time that Android devices running the company's mainstream Core processors could sell for as little as $399 to $499. Even some high-end Atom-based devices could extend to that price range as well.

Just this week Samsung reportedly signed a deal with Intel to use the chip maker's 32 nm "Clover Trail+" Atom mobile chip in at least one version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab 3.0 10.1-inch tablet. It was supposedly spotted on benchmarks last week, sporting the Atom chip and Android 4.2.2. This tablet was designated as the Santos 103 and with the product number GT-P5200; the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 was dubbed as the GT-P5100 before it was released.

A large number of Android devices are expected to be announced alongside Intel's introduction of its "Haswell" line of fourth-generation processors during COMPUTEX 2013 this month. Like other ODMs, Acer can still reveal its new Android-based AIO without uncovering the actual processor.

Following on from the earlier teaser of MSI's G-series, we now have a full reveal of the AG212 All-In-One Gaming PC. The computer carries a THX-certified speaker set and a 27" full HD matte display that sadly doesn't come with the option for a touchscreen. All versions of the AG212 will feature the Nvidia GeForce GTX 670MX Graphics card, a media card reader, HDMI, VGA and USB 3.0 ports and a variety of Ivy Bridge i5 and i7 CPUs for users to choose from. 

Though there has been no word on pricing or availability, it is known that the lineup will be refreshed following the release of the upcoming Haswell range of CPUs.

Build Your Own All-In-One

I still remember starting college back in 1998. The dorms were packed with smug social science students who showed up with iMac G3s. Meanwhile, all of my engineering buddies were rocking PCs, most of which we had built.

The relationship between Macs and PCs is much different today. If you find yourself attracted to the iMac aesthetic, but would rather save enough money for your first quarter’s books (and get your hands dirty with something new), follow along as we build an all-in-one system based on Intel’s Thin Mini-ITX standard from the ground up.

We’re starting with Loop’s LP-2150 chassis, available on Amazon for somewhere between $250 and $300 (ours was $264.60). Not only does this enclosure house all of our hardware, but it also features a 21.5” screen with a maximum resolution of 1920x1080.

I/O: Some Advantages, Some Disadvantages

The Loop enclosure’s integrated I/O isn’t as diverse as Apple’s. You don’t get FireWire 800 or Thunderbolt support. Rather, it includes two USB 2.0 ports, audio I/O, and a MMC/SD card reader. However, because the motherboard we’re using adheres to the Thin Mini-ITX standard, Loop is able to expose its back panel, facilitating extras like eSATA and USB 3.0. You don't get those connectors on an iMac. When it comes to supporting practical devices, the advantage goes to our PC, we think.

Making Important Connections

If you’ve built PCs in the past, piecing together an all-in-one won’t be difficult at all. Really, the most foreign step is connecting the enclosure’s display. Loop’s chassis employs an LVDS connector, which consists of a thin cable covered in shielding material that has to be clipped onto a compatible motherboard’s LVDS output.

Naturally, that means it’s important to pick the right board—one designed with integration in mind, rather than external connectivity. Also, because we’re dealing with a very space-constrained form factor, dimensions are critical.

We’re using Intel’s DH61AG, a Thin Mini-ITX platform with LVDS and Embedded DisplayPort (eDP) outputs. A Z-height of less than 20 mm ensures that the platform isn’t too “tall” to fit within the vertical limitations of our enclosure. But by no means does Intel have the market cornered on Thin Mini-ITX motherboards. Check out the company’s component catalog for a more complete list of boards from Gigabyte, ECS, Wibtek, and MiTac.

Picking A Compatible Processor

Less space for hardware means less space for cooling, too. The DH61AG supports Intel’s Core i7, i5, and i3 CPUs with 65 W TDPs and lower.

Because this board centers on the H61 chipset, it was originally designed with Sandy Bridge-based CPUs in mind. We started with the Core i7-2600S that you see installed, but then updated the board’s firmware to support Ivy Bridge-based chips. A Core i7-3770S initially seemed like it’d work out really well. However, random hangs at boot and failures to complete Windows Update compelled us to swap the newer chip out in favor of a Core i5-2400S, which worked flawlessly.

We’d probably stay away from third-gen Core processors until the DH61AG’s BIOS is better-sorted. For now, we’re happy with the Core i5, which allows us to make a pretty direct price comparison to Apple’s base-level iMac.

A Special Heat Sink From Intel

Naturally, the boxed cooler that comes with Intel’s Core i5-2400S won’t fit in an all-in-one—it’s too tall. So, we had to buy an Intel HTS1155LP standalone heat sink and fan combination, which extends cooling out horizontally, rather than putting a fan on top of an array of aluminum fins. The $21 expense is a small price to pay for what we’re trying to do.

Active Cooling Dissipates 65 W

A fan bundled with the HTS1155LP mounts directly to the chassis, blowing through the heat pipes and densely-packed fins, yielding effective active cooling more akin to something you’d see on a laptop. It's able to handle up to 65 W processors.

Dual-Channel DDR3-1333

Next up: memory. We’re using a pair of 4 GB DDR3-1333 modules from Crucial. However, for the purposes of pricing, we’re comparing twin 2 GB modules instead, again, matching Apple’s entry-level configuration.

Instead of using standard DDR3 memory slots, the DH61AG exposes twin SO-DIMM slots mounted horizontally. The overarching emphasis is still Z-height, and two 204-pin SO-DIMM connectors sitting on top of each other consume very little space at all.

Inexpensive 802.11b/g/Draft-N Wireless

The Intel WiFi Link 1000 half-length mini-PCI Express card is pretty much baseline for wireless networking. It still supports 802.11b/g/Draft-N connectivity on the 2.4 GHz spectrum, though. We were able to find it for about $12 bucks on Amazon.

Intel’s DH61AG features one half-length mini-PCIe slot and one full-length interface, both of which we populate during the process of our build.

Installing The WiFi Link 1000

Installing Intel’s WiFi Link 1000 is a simple matter of inserting the card at a 45-degree angle and pushing down, securing it by tightening bundled screws down into the two posts.

Although the WiFi Link 1000 has receptacles for two antennas, Loop’s chassis only has a single antenna lead. For a $12 wireless adapter, that was completely fine. If you need greater network performance, there’s always the motherboard’s integrated gigabit Ethernet controller, too.

80 GB SSD, Right On Your Motherboard

An 80 GB SSD 310 gives us lots of on-board solid-state capacity. We’re not factoring the mini-PCI Express card into our judgment against Apple’s iMac, though, because the little card costs $175 on Newegg. That’s more than $2/GB, and we know we can find significantly better deals on 2.5” SSDs, if we really want to go that route.

Nevertheless, for folks who want to combine solid-state and magnetic storage in the same space-constrained machine, the SSD 310 is a pretty cool option. Its performance specifications aren’t particularly impressive, given its SATA 3Gb/s controller. However, the responsiveness of flash-based storage is nothing short of amazing compared to a conventional hard drive. You could add this little card to your all-in-one PC and still spend less than you would on an iMac with no SSD.

Installing Intel's SSD 310

It’s just as easy to install the SSD 310. Pop it in at a 45-degree angle, push down, and fasten two included screws to the on-board posts. If you want to install Windows to the 80 GB repository, simply tell the DH61AG’s firmware to boot from it before whatever other storage you deploy in the 2.5” drive bay.

More Solid-State Storage

Even with an 80 GB SSD populating our motherboard’s mSATA slot, more NAND-based storage couldn’t hurt, right?

We’re using a 500 GB Western Digital Scorpio Black drive spinning at 7200 RPM for our iMac price comparison. But we’d much rather be launching apps from a 300 GB SSD 320. So, that’s what we installed in the one spot available for 2.5” drives.

Installing Intel's 300 GB SSD 320

Screwed into a caddy and secured, the 300 GB SSD 320 ensures we have plenty of space for Windows and anything else we might want to install.

An 8x DVD Writer From Sony

An 8x DVD+/-RW drive from Sony is both fast enough and functional enough to keep us happy. It’d be nice to have Blu-ray read capabilities as well, but that’d nearly double the price of our selection.

Of course, if you want to spend some of what you’d save on an iMac, splurging on a Blu-ray combo drive for less than $60 isn’t an entirely bad idea.

A Precise Fit Is The Key To A Pro Finish

Slid into place and secured by an included bracket, Sony's optical drive integrates cleanly with the rest of our all-in-one.

Truly, one of the most important factors in our decision to present this little project is an end result that we’d be happy to have on our desk at work or school.  A neatly tucked-away DVD burner helps keep the system’s lines clean as you look at it head-on.

Familiar Bits And Pieces, Just Smaller

The completely built-up platform consists of copious memory, an 80 GB mSATA SSD 310, a mini-PCI Express wireless card, and a Sandy Bridge-based processor—in our case, a Core i5-2400S, after all of our testing was said and done.

Closing Up

Closing the chassis back up is as easy as it was to open. There are five screws holding the plastic back onto the body. Simply mate the two sides together, make sure everything snaps into place firmly, and re-attach the screws.

First, though, be sure to connect the power lead for the fan attached to the plastic lid. There’s an open header on the motherboard you can use.

An I/O-Rich Back Panel

Here’s what the bottom of chassis looks like closed up, and with the Intel DH61AG motherboard installed. In addition to the two USB 2.0 ports on the side of enclosure, the platform itself exposes an additional two USB 2.0 ports, a pair of USB 3.0 ports, 1/8” audio connectors, gigabit Ethernet, HDMI, eSATA, and DVI display output.

The left-most connector is for power. Without room for an internal power supply, you’re forced to lean on an external brick. Fortunately, cooperation between Intel and its Thin Mini-ITX ecosystem partners means that all-in-ones and their building blocks are being designed with the same power sources, thermal ceilings, and cooling solutions in mind. You shouldn't find Thin Mini-ITX motherboards without that vital connector. Otherwise, you'd have no way to get this thing up and running.

Securing The Stand

Mounting the Loop enclosure’s stand is a simple matter of sliding four large cut-outs over similarly-sized screw heads and sliding the stand down.

One Last Step...

From there, thread in a fifth and final screw to lock the stand into place. It tilts up and down, but doesn’t swivel side to side (it doesn’t adjust vertically, either). So, you’ll need to arrange the all-in-one facing right at you and tilt into the best possible viewing position.

Taking Pride In A Sharp-Looking Build

I’m not going to sit here and try to claim that these first-gen Thin Mini-ITX-based all-in-ones are as polished as iMacs. Their cameras are inferior, they don’t include AMD’s mobile graphics processors (and are consequently unsuitable for gaming), and their speakers are pretty weak. Moreover, the fact that Apple supports its entire platform is a boon to folks unwilling to crack their systems open and troubleshoot hardware.

However, our alternative isn't at all bad. Nothing about it feels cheap or hacked together. And we have a lot more flexibility over what goes into it than Apple offers. Processing, memory, storage, and networking are all fairly tunable to suit your budget or performance desires. Access to a more potent GPU would be the one thing we wish we could change.

Ready For Desktop Productivity

The tradeoff, of course, is that the Mac natively runs OS X, while the PC is Windows-based.

How much does doing this all yourself save? Well, if you use the Loop chassis, the Core i5-2400S, 4 GB of DDR3-1333, Intel’s DH61AG motherboard, a low-profile cooler, an 8x DVD writer, the WiFi Link 1000 card, a 500 GB Western Digital Scorpio Black hard drive, and Logitech’s MK250 wireless keyboard and mouse kit, then you’re spending around $780. The cheapest iMac costs $1200, or $420 more.

Use some of that savings to grab a small mSATA-based SSD, an operating system, a slim Blu-ray drive, or just pocket the difference.

Intel tells us the Thin Mini-ITX form factor will continue evolving. Particularly in the face of Windows 8, touch-based screens, WiDi, 7-series chipsets, and more comprehensive support for the Ivy Bridge architecture (and its improved graphics engine) should augment the integration of all-in-ones even more.

Top Deals

The HP Omni All-In-One PC is a great middle ground between laptop and desktop. This 27" display-computer hybrid includes a quad-core Core i5 processor, an 8GB RAM upgrade, a 1TB hard drive, built-in Beats audio, and HDMI input. This sizeable 1080p desktop PC looks slick, eliminates the tower, and comes backed with a 2-year warranty for $350 off the MSRP.

27" HP Omni 27 Core i5-2400S 2.5GHz Quad-core 1080p All-in-one PC w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD & HDMI Input for $999.99 with free shipping (normally $1,349.99 - use coupon code).

15.6" Dell XPS 15z Core i7-2640M 2.8GHz Ultra-thin 1080p Laptop w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, GeForce GT 525M for $1,099.99 with free shipping (normally $1,462).

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G [w/new 2-year T-Mobile contract] for $49.99 with free shipping (normally $149).

Laptops:

17.3" Dell Vostro 3750 Core i7-2670QM 2.2GHz Quad-core Laptop w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, Backlit Keyboard & GeForce GT 525M for $774 with free shipping (normally $899 - use coupon code MMWK?LV??T18V8).

17.3" Dell Inspiron 17R-2nd Gen Core i5-2450M 2.5GHz Dual-core Laptop w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD & Adobe Elements 9 Bundle for $674.99 with free shipping (normally $799 - use coupon code 4J4XPNDZ1PKR2B).

15.6" HP dv6t Quad Edition Core i7 2.2GHz Quad-core Laptop w/8GB RAM, 750GB HDD, 1GB Radeon HD 7470M & Blu-ray for $724.99 with free shipping (normally $899 - use coupon code).

15.6" Dell XPS 15z Core i7-2640M 2.8GHz Dual-core 1080p Laptop w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, GeForce GT 525M for $1,099.99 with free shipping (normally $1,462).

13.3" HP Folio 13 Core i5-2467M 1.6GHz Dual-core Ultrabook w/4GB RAM, 128GB SSD & Backlit Keyboard for $799.99 with free shipping (normally $900 - use coupon code NBT8547).

13.3" Dell Vostro 3350 Core i7-2640M Ultra-portable Laptop w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD & 1GB Radeon HD 6630M for $824 with free shipping (normally $999).

Dell.com Coupon: Extra $100 off Latitude Laptops & Tablets over $699.

Desktops:

Dell Vostro 460 Core i7-2600 3.4GHz Quad-core Desktop w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD & Windows 7 Professional for $624 with free shipping (normally $934 - use coupon code MMWK?LV??T18V8).

27" HP Omni 27 Core i5-2400S 2.5GHz Quad-core 1080p All-in-one PC w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD & HDMI Input for $999.99 with free shipping (normally $1,199 - use coupon code).

20" HP TouchSmart 320m 2.4GHz AMD E2-3200 Dual-core All-in-one Touchscren PC w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD for $519.99 with free shipping (normally $579 - use coupon code SVP471394).

Dell Vostro 260 Core i3-2120 3.3GHz Dual-core Mini Tower w/20" Dell E2011H LCD Monitor for $429 with free shipping (normally $499).

Dell XPS 8300 Core i7-2600 3.4GHz Quad-core Desktop w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Radeon HD 6770 & 27" Dell UltraSharp U2711 LCD Monitor for $1,299.99 with free shipping (normally $2,187 - use coupon code SFG4N?06$23$29).

Computing Hardware & Peripherals:

240GB OCZ Agility 3 AGT3-25SAT3-240G 2.5" SATA III MLC SSD for $200 with free shipping (normally $279 - use $20 mail-in rebate form).

SteelSeries World of Warcraft Cataclysm Gaming Mouse for $50 with free shipping (normally $75).

SteelSeries Shift Gaming Keyboard for $35 with free shipping (normally $50).

HP Officejet 4500 Inkjet All-In-One Color Printer for $45 (normally $75 - use coupon code SAVE15HP).

Xerox Phaser 6280DN Color Laser Printer for $449 with free shipping (normally $649).

22" Dell G2210 1680 x 1050 LED-backlit 5ms LCD Monitor for $129 with free shipping (normally $249 - use coupon code ZDWK29QB0QC794).

Gaming:

Battlefield 3 (PC Download) for $29.99 (normally $40).

Battlefield 2 Complete Collection (PC Download) for $5 (normally $10).

Rocksmith Best Buy Exclusive Edition (PS3/Xbox 360) for $50 with free shipping (normally $60).

Darksiders: Wrath of War (PS3/Xbox 360) for $10 with free shipping (normally $15).

Home Entertainment:

65" Samsung UN65D8000 3D 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV for $3,100 with free shipping (normally $3,499).

55" Vizio XVT3D554SV 1080p 480Hz LED 3D HDTV (Refurbished) for $1,200 with free shipping (normally $1,399 - use coupon code DWG55144).

55" Samsung UN55ES8000 3D 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV for $2,700 with free shipping (normally $2,999).

46" Samsung UN46ES8000 46" 3D 1080p 240Hz LED HDTV for $2,169 with free shipping (normally $2,297).

32" LG 32LK330 720p LCD HDTV for $240 with free shipping (normally $320).

Movies:

Ultimate Avengers Collection (Blu-ray) for $7.99 with free shipping (normally $12).

Lord of the Rings Trilogy (Theatrical Blu-ray Edition) for $22.99 with free shipping (normally $30).

Phones & Tablets:

7" Hyundai A7 Capacitive Android 4.0 Tablet with 3G, Wi-Fi for $98.13 with free shipping (normally $110 - use coupon code).

5" Archos 5 (501318) 32GB Android Internet Tablet and Multimedia Player fir $139.99 with free shipping (normally $180).

Samsung Galaxy S Blaze 4G [w/new 2-year T-Mobile contract] for $49.99 with free shipping (normally $149).

LG Lucid 4G [2-year Verizon contract] + $25 Free Apps + Double Data for $0.01 with free shipping (normally $49).

Hosting, Domains & Online Backup:

SOS Online Backup: 30% Off 100GB Cloud Storage.

Personal Portables and Cameras:

Ending tonight! Jawbone ERA Headset for $69.99 with free shipping (normally $99).

10.2MP Pentax K2000 DSLR Camera w/18-55mm Lens (Refurbished) + Corel PaintShop Pro X4 for $320 with free shipping (normally $379).

Aiptek Action Silver HD 1080p Digital Camcorder for $39 (normally $59).

Apps:

GRE Test (Math) (iOS) for $0 (normally $4.99).

ProPlayer - the video player (iOS) for $0.99 (normally $4.99).

Cool Alarm Clock & Day Reminder (iOS) for $0 (normally $0.99).

EasyMoney (Android) for $4.99 (normally $9.95).

doddlePRO (iPhone) for $0 (normally $9.99).

Cool Stuff:

Arby's Value Curly Fries (on 4/17) for $0.

Maxim Magazine Subscription for $0.

Seattle's Best Coffee sample (on Tax Day) for $0.

Top Deals

Looking for a touchscreen that can do it all? Check out the Dell Inspiron One 2320 All-in-one PC. This powerful display-only machine comes packed with a 2.5GHz quad-core Core i5 CPU, NVIDIA graphics, HD touchscreen display, and HD webcam. Dell is also throwing in a Canon Powershot ELPH 100HS 12MP digital camera. At $270 off, that's a deal you can't find anywhere else.

23" Dell Inspiron 2320 Core i5-2400S 2.5GHz Quad-core All-in-one Touchscreen PC w/6GB RAM, 1TB HDD + Canon ELPH 100 HS 12MP Digital Camera for $949.99 with free shipping (normally $1,219.99).

27" Planar PX2710MW 2ms 1080p LCD Monitor for $209.99 with free shipping (normally $299 - use coupon code GV$C7GQG6C5$BK).

15.6" Lenovo IdeaPad V570 (1066ANU) Core i7-2670QM 2.2GHz Quad-core Laptop w/8GB RAM, 750GB HDD & Fingerprint Reader for $699 with free shipping (normally $949 - use coupon code USPWSV570).

Laptops:

17.3" Lenovo G770 Core i5-2450M 2.5GHz Dual-core Laptop w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD for $599 with free shipping (normally $799 - use $200 coupon code).

15.6" Lenovo IdeaPad V570 (1066ANU) Core i7-2670QM 2.2GHz Quad-core Laptop w/8GB RAM, 750GB HDD & Fingerprint Reader for $699 with free shipping (normally $949 - use coupon code USPWSV570).

15.6" HP g6z AMD A8-3500M 1.5-2.4GHz Quad-core Laptop w/6GB RAM, 500GB HDD for $504.99 with free shipping (normally $615 - use coupon code NBJ5867).

15.6" HP g6t Core i5-2430M 2.4GHz Laptop w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD for $519.99 with free shipping (normally $620 - use coupon code NBJ5867).

15.6" Dell XPS 15 Core i7-2670QM 2.2GHz Quad-core Laptop w/8GB RAM< 750GB HDD, Backlit Keyboard, 2GB GeForce GT 540M & Blu-ray for $899.99 with free shipping (normally $999 - use coupon code 932N$0ZCCHWZB9).

14" Dell Inspiron 14z Core i5-2430M 2.4GHz Dual-core Laptop w/4GB RAM, 500GB HDD for $599.99 with free shipping (normally $749).

Desktops:

Dell Inspiron 620 Core i5-2320 3GHz Quad-core Mini Tower w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, Wireless-N for $549.99 with free shipping (normally $799).

Dell Inspiron 620s 2.7GHz Dual-core Slim Tower w/4GB RAM, 1TB HDD & 18.5" LCD Monitor for $449.99 with free shipping (normally $549).

23" Dell Inspiron 2320 Core i5-2400S 2.5GHz Quad-core All-in-one Touchscreen PC w/6GB RAM, 1TB HDD + Canon ELPH 100 HS 12MP Digital Camera for $949.99 with free shipping (normally $1,219.99).

Alienware Aurora Core i7-2600 3.4GHz Quad-core Liquid-cooled Gaming Desktop w/8GB RAM, 1TB HDD & Dual GeForce GT 545 SLI for $1,179 with free shipping (normally $1,629 - use coupon code NPDQZ6FD2LZP1T).

Computing Hardware & Peripherals:

128GB Kingston SSDNow V200 Series 2.5" SATA III SSD w/ Upgrade Kit for $179.99 with free shipping (normally $219.99 - use coupon code R?31L03TG8L2B8).

27" Planar PX2710MW 2ms 1080p LCD Monitor for $209.99 with free shipping (normally $299 - use coupon code GV$C7GQG6C5$BK).

24" Dell UltraSharp U2412M 1920 x 1200 LED-backlit IPS panel LCD Monitor for $313.65 with free shipping (normally $369 - use 15% coupon code).

Gaming:

Xbox 360 LIVE 12-Month Gold Subscription Card for $36 with free shipping (normally $45).

PlayStation Move GoldenEye Reloaded Bundle w/ Sharpshooter for $79.99 with free shipping (normally $129).

Majin and the Forsaken Kingdom (Xbox 360) for $7 with free shipping (normally $13).

FEAR 3 (PC Download) for $15 (normally $20).

Uncharted Greatest Hits Dual Pack (PS3) for $30 with free shipping (normally $40).

Home Entertainment:

55" Hannspree ST558MUB 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV for $750 (normally $999).

50" Zenith Z50PT320 720p Plasma HDTV for $500 (normally $650).

42" RCA 42PA30RQ Plasma 720p 600Hz HDTV for $380 (normally $450).

42" LG 42PW350 Plasma 3D Capable 720p HDTV + (2) LG 3D Glasses for $470 with free shipping (normally $550).

40" Sceptre X405BV-FHD LCD 1080p 60Hz HDTV for $330 (normally $450).

32" Sony KDL-32BX310 720p LCD HDTV for $299 (normally $349).

32" Sceptre X322BV-HD 720p 60Hz LCD HDTV for $210 (normally $279).

Movies:

Police Academy 1-4 Collection (2 DVD Discs) for $5 (normally $10).

Michael Jackson: This Is It [Blu-ray] for $9 with free shipping (normally $13).

Law Abiding Citizen [Blu-ray] for $12 with free shipping (normally $15).

Eagle Eye (Blu-ray) for $10 with free shipping (normally $13).

Journey to the Center of the Earth [Blu-ray] for $10 with free shipping (normally $14).

Phones & Tablets:

10.1" Fujitsu STYLISTIC Q550 62GB SSD Windows 7 Slate + $200 Microsoft Store Coupon for $849 with free shipping (normally $999).

BlackBerry PlayBook WiFi Tablet [16GB $200 | 64GB $300].

Roundup of best Wirefly.com smartphone deals.

Samsung R355 No-Contract Phon (NET10) for $9.99 with free shipping (normally $29).

Hosting & Domains:

JustHost.com 50% off all hosting packages (starts $2.23/mo).

Personal Portables and Cameras:

Panasonic HDC-TM41 Digital Camcorder for $179 with free shipping (normally $206).

Toshiba Camileo X100 Full-HD 10X Optical Camcorder for $170 with free shipping (normally $219).

8GB Creative ZEN Touch 2 MP3 Player & Aurvana In-Ear 2 Earphones for $160 with free shipping (normally $200 - use coupon code ZT240AV2).

Brookstone uControl Cloud Force RC Helicopter (Black) for $42 with free shipping (normally $59 - use coupon code FEB12).

Apps:

Horoscope HD Pro (Android) for $0 (normally $1.99).

Star Rover HD (iPad) for $0 (normally $0.99).

BeatMaker 2 (iOS) for $9.99 (normally $19.99).

Fun Mosaic (iOS) for $0 (normally $0.99).

Cool Stuff:

Purex Triple Action laundry detergent sample for $0.

Ebony Magazine 1-year subscription for $0.

1-year Boating Magazine Digital subscription for $0.

Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel (at Auntie Anne's Pretzels on 3/3) for $0.

Fighter Pods Collectible (for viewing Star Wars The Phantom Menace 3D at AMC Theatres, 2/10 - 2/12) for $0.

Vizio is a brand we're used to seeing in the living room. However, Bloomberg last week made waves when it reported that this TV company was planning on entering the PC market. Chief Technology Officer Matt McRae told the publication in an interview that his company was working on two desktop PCs and three notebooks, and that these five machines would be unveiled at CES in Las Vegas.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, McRae is a man of his word, because with just 24 hours before CES officially opens, Vizio has uncovered its first foray into the world of computing. The company didn't provide much in the way of specs (we expect those will come a little bit later), but we do know that these 24- and 27-inch all-in-one PCs, 14- and 15.6-inch lightweight laptops, and 15.6-inch notebook will launch in the spring of 2012. Vizio has teamed up with Microsoft to provide a clean system image optimized by Redmond, and all of the machines will run Windows 7. Vizio says this line of PCs is an expansion of the Vizio Internet Apps (V.I.A.) Ecosystem and, as such, is based around entertainment.

"PCs are often associated with productivity and the workplace, routinely lacking the excitement that would be expected with what and how consumers want to use their PCs today – as an extension of their entertainment experience," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer. "Vizio wanted to change that. Our new line of Vizio PCs are truly high quality and consumer focused, delivering enhanced multimedia capabilities while upholding our high standards of performance, style and design."

Stay tuned for more specs -- we'll provide an update as soon as they become available. For now, check out this video from Vizio CTO Matt McRae; Microsoft's Nick Parker, VP of OEM Worldwide Marketing; and Scott McManigal, Senior Director of Design at Vizio.

All-In-One Desktops

Building your own PC lets you get the most performance in the applications you plan to run within a certain budget. If you need further proof, then check out our quarterly System Builder Marathon. Compared to pre-built systems, custom-configured machines are simply much more flexible. And for the do-it-yourselfer with an intimate knowledge of technology, the freedom to overclock and tweak BIOS settings makes home-built systems so much more satisfying. 

But there are limitations to what you can do with off-the-shelf parts. For example, even seasoned system builders have a hard time building all-in-one desktops from the living room. That's because the form factors used in all-in-ones generally aren't standard (like ATX, microATX, or mini-ITX). Consequently, finding cases, motherboards, and power supplies that work together (and there's the whole issue of an integrated display) is a real challenge. But that doesn't mean we should write off all-in-ones entirely. Many of most aesthetic computer designs use this design approach, and given Apple's popularity, looks are clearly important. 

All-in-ones trace their heritage back to some of the first 8-bit computers: the Commodore PET 2001 (1977), Apple’s Macintosh 128K (1984), and more recently, the iMac G3 (1998). Despite the popularity that each computer enjoyed in its time, more standardized towers and desktops came to dominate, as they more readily accepted a wider spectrum of add-in components in an enclosure able to cope with thermal requirements.

Today's reemergence of all-in-ones isn't nostalgic. Freed from the constraints of CRT display technology, tier-one vendors are using LCDs to build smaller, lighter, and more energy-efficient all-in-one PCs. Of course, there’s more to today’s svelte AiOs than just thinner screens: a good chunk of this new breed also benefits from mature touchscreen technology.

There are plenty of different models to choose from. We're going to start with two of the cheapest touchscreen models that we went out and bought from Best Buy.

Gateway One ZX4931 (ZX4931-31e)

Gateway's all-in-one PCs fall under the One ZX brand and come in two possible styles. In the case of the ZX4931, you get the style on the right in the above picture. This is the cheapest option available; but don't confuse style with price. Gateway uses both styles throughout its product line, and we're happy to point out that touchscreen technology is included on all One ZX PCs.

Similar to traditional picture frames, the ZX4931 sits upright thanks to a simple kickstand, but it has a tendency to retract to its original position due to a very high-tension spring. If you need a computer for a high-traffic location, this wouldn't be our first choice. Just bumping the table it sits on can cause the kickstand to retract slightly, and this causes the system to be more upright and front-heavy. It's not severe enough to make the system fall over, but we recommend that you place it on a stable surface. Low-friction surfaces like marble countertops don't work well with this kickstand.

On the left side of the unit, there is a slot CD tray and a flash card reader. One the right side, there are a couple of USB and audio ports.

Most of the connectivity is located behind an access panel. Notice that the LCD monitor isn't connected via an internal cable. Gateway uses an HDMI cable instead. 

Gateway frames the ZX4931's glossy display against a black piano finish. The power button is centered below the display and inset in the middle of a stereo speaker system. Audio distribution is even, but the quality is nothing to gush about.

This isn't to say that Gateway's just cobbling together the cheapest parts it can find. The company clearly put lot of thought into daily use. For example, as soon as you turn the system on, you see a dim light emanate from just below the monitor. If you look carefully, the light comes from a dim LED strip just above the speakers, and it's intended to illuminate the keyboard. So, if you want to type in the dark, that's not a problem. However, there are very few options for customizing the display. The four buttons located in the bottom corner only allow you to change its brightness and keyboard illuminator.

Touchscreen

If you have the right hardware, you can make your current system a touchscreen-based configuration. However, Gateway's TouchPortal program is what sets this all-in-one apart. It's purposely designed with touchscreen functionality in mind. With a few simple finger gestures, you can browse the Web, view photos, and play videos. There are other touchscreen-oriented applications to explore, but Gateway doesn't provide much in the way of variety. There are a few additions to keep you entertained (like games), but for the most part, it's a fairly intuitive interface that sticks to the essentials.

Overall, the touchscreen's response is excellent. However, some functions, such as zoom, seem very slow. Of course, with a lower-end GPU like Intel's GMA X4500HD, this is to be expected. We created a video so that you can see for yourself.

If you need a bit of guidance, Gateway provides a series of tutorials on using the ZX4931. We posted all of those videos to our YouTube account. As a preview, you can watch the browser tutorial below.

HP TouchSmart 310 (310-1125y)

Unlike Gateway, HP sells all-in-ones with and without touchscreens. All of them share the same basic physical design: a glossy LCD framed against a black piano finish. This is what you get with the TouchSmart 310 ($699).

The display is well-balanced. HP weighs the base down with a plastic-covered steel plate that has the appearance of brushed aluminum. This improves stability by lowering the center of gravity, making this computer suitable for any surface and environment, including high-traffic areas.

As expected, most of the connectivity is located behind the system's screen. But two USB ports on the left side and audio ports on the right side offer easy accessibility. The sound bar is located just below the display. The quality of HP's speakers isn't anything to get excited over, but they provide fairly even sound distribution.

There's a recurring theme that we're noticing with all-in-ones: poor display controls. There are more options on the TouchSmart 310 than you get with Gateway's ZX4931, but you have to adjust the settings through HP's proprietary software. While HP achieves an aesthetic design void of all buttons (with the exception of power), it comes at the cost of utility. Unless you go through the software, there isn't even a way to change brightness.

Touchscreen

When it comes to actual use, the TouchSmart 310 is a bit more responsive to zoom commands, but rotating requires more deliberate one-handed gestures. You can see for yourself in the demo video.

The simplicity of Gateway's TouchPortal software is what we love. But unfortunately, fewer applications are optimized for use with Gateway's touchscren. In contrast, HP TouchSmart interface is full of options and includes apps for weather, resource monitoring, eBay, Facebook, Hulu, Netflix, note-taking, and even a recipe program.

HP provides ten videos for anyone unfamiliar with how to use those applications, and we posted all of them to our YouTube account. As a preview, you can watch the first tutorial below.

Size Profile

Manufacturers often use strange methods to measure monitors. Even at a specific LCD size, some all-in-one PCs take up more space than others. When you factor in the base, angle, and monitor design, you discover that viewing area isn’t the only determinant of size.

We take multiple measurements so that you know how much 3D space these all-in-ones occupy before buying.

Keep in mind that width may vary by about 1" if you don’t use monitor tilt. All displays are tilted as far as possible when taking measurements. Our length and width values indicate the minimum desktop real estate you need to adequately accommodate a given all-in-one.

Test Setup And Display Specifications

At $110, ASRock's E350M1 is one of the best examples of how AMD can maintain a low price point and still provide competitive performance. That's why we're using it as a reference point against our budget all-in-ones.

The display is just as important as the internal hardware in an all-in-one PC. That's why we are subjecting these screens to our monitor benchmarks as well.

Out Of Box LCD Performance: Brightness And Contrast Ratio

In their default state, the ZX4931 and TouchSmart 310 produce contrast ratios worse than many cheap 23" TN-based LCDs. This is mainly because neither touchscreen is able to achieve true black. White luminance is mediocre. But combine that with poor black performance and you get low contrast ratios. 

Compared to other LCDs, both of these touchscreens default to a slightly warmer color temperature. Most people favor images in cooler temperatures (~6500 K), so this can be an indicator of a poor-quality panel. Oftentimes, manufacturers will settle for a lower color temperature because they can't achieve 6500 K without sacrificing luminance or contrast.

Most DVDs, digital cameras, and online videos are calibrated for a 6500 K white point, because this represents the spectrum you would see in overcast daylight. So, if you want a balanced image, you'll need to calibrate the display to 6500 K.

Out Of Box LCD Performance: Color Accuracy And Gamut

We are using a Spectracal-certified X-Rite i1Pro, along with CalMan, to report color gamut and color accuracy. For those unfamiliar with the terms, color gamut refers to the range of colors that a display can produce, and color accuracy refers to the display's ability to output the color requested by the GPU. Typically, professionals represent these values by showing a gamut and a delta E value, which is a mathematical representation of how far the display's output is from the original source. The higher the delta E value, the more inaccurate the color representation. An uncalibrated delta E is largely a worthless number. Delta E is dependent on the black and white luminance levels, contrast ratio, color temperature, and target gamma.

Suppose there are two displays: one has an uncalibrated delta E value of 3.0, and the other, 2.1. It is hard to make a comparison without first calibrating the color space. Monitor calibration is to display quality what quality settings are to game benchmarks. By calibrating displays, we are able to normalize the settings and see how one display compares to another.

For this reason, we’re going to provide information in the form of a color gamut map, along with a gamut luminance chart. This will give a better picture of how a display performs both fresh out of the box and once it's calibrated.

Color Gamut and Accuracy

CalMan uses specific targets that are displayed as squares in the gamut xy map. The dots are the actual measured values. Gamut luminance expresses how bright the primary and secondary colors are in relation to the source color requested by the GPU (gray bars are target values). 

Gamut CIE XY Map

Gamut Luminance

HP's TouchSmart 310 generates more accurate colors than the ZX4931, but this is mainly because it has a default white point closer to 6500 K. It is still a little weak in magenta production, and it exceeds the reference luminance near the cyan-green border. In comparison, Gateway's ZX4931 has the opposite problem because its 6000 K white point only makes colors worse. It produces higher magenta and red luminance, but it shows a significant amount of weakness near the cyan-green border. As a result, the white point is skewed towards yellow, while blue tones remain largely unaffected.

Neither touchscreen uses a wide-gamut LCD panel, but the gamuts are still substantially better than what you will get out of a budget LCD monitor. Gateway doesn't provide a gamut spec, but our test results confirm HP's 72% gamut claim.

Keep in mind that both of these all-in-one PCs use lower-end integrated GPUs, which means that neither configuration is a great choice for gaming.

Out Of Box LCD Performance: Maximum And Minimum Brightness

There are many ways to calculate contrast ratios, which is why you should be wary of any specification that you read on a product page. Oftentimes, manufacturers take the maximum white obtained at the highest brightness setting, and divide it by the smallest black value obtained at the lowest brightness setting. Unfortunately, this doesn't give you a real-world view of a monitor's capabilities.

Our contrast ratios are generated from the black and white luminance values obtained at the same brightness setting. The results mirror our earlier default values because these are uncalibrated measurements. However, this should give you an idea of how bright of a white and how dark of a black a monitor is capable of reproducing.

Notice that neither all-in-one PC can achieve its advertised 300 cd/m² out of the box. As a result, there's no way either can get a contrast ratio greater than 800:1. The contrast ratio of HP's TouchSmart 310 is the most unsettling; we can't even get a contrast ratio better than 600:1 when we max out the OSD's brightness setting. In an uncalibrated state, the 310 simply cannot generate deep blacks.

Calibrated LCD Performance: Brightness And Contrast Ratio

Frankly, it isn't very meaningful to compare the out-of-box performance of one monitor to another. If you want to know what a monitor is capable of, you need to normalize settings in the same way you benchmark two graphics cards. That's what calibrating a monitor does; think of it as benchmarking under controlled settings.

Once calibrated, HP's TouchSmart 310 starts looking more impressive. While we cannot maintain a 200 cd/m² white luminance, we can calibrate the black to a deeper tone, which results in a contrast ratio of over 1000:1. In comparison, Gateway's ZX4931 starts to falter as we calibrate. In order to achieve a 6500 K white point and a 2.2 target gamma, we have to drop white luminance. The ZX4931 still produces respectably dark blacks, but the drop in white luminance results in a contrast ration of ~800:1.

Calibrated LCD Performance: Color Accuracy And Gamut

As ColorEyes Display Pro explains, absolute rendering the black point produces the most numerically accurate results, and works well for high-quality monitors. But doing so could also easily generate plugged shadows (dark regions where detail is lost) on a lower-quality display. If matching two screens is critical, absolute rendering is the best choice, assuming both monitors can handle absolute black. Relative rendering maps the darkest values on your monitor relative to its ability to display them. This isn't as accurate, but provides detail in dark areas where your monitor has difficulty.

Since we are trying to compare the color quality between monitors, we choose to calibrate for an absolute black point. These values represent the best we can achieve with our all-in-one PCs, but they add another variable to consider when judging color performance.

Once calibrated, HP's TouchSmart 310 is able to achieve much darker blacks, and we see little detail lost in the dark regions thanks to a high contrast ratio. We can't say the same for Gateway's ZX4931; it struggles to produce dark blacks. In the end, we have to settle for a higher calibrated black point and the loss of some detail.

The range of colors doesn't change when you calibrate a monitor (a wide-gamut monitor still behaves like a wide-gamut monitor, even when you turn down brightness). Rather, color perception changes as colors become more accurately represented. This is the result of changing the shape of the luminance curve on a gamut map.

We evaluated the calibrated profile of each all-in-one PC against a GretagMacBeth's color palette. As we mentioned earlier, delta E is a measure of color accuracy. HP continues to be weak near blue tones, but Gateway has surprisingly good color accuracy when it's compared against other similar LCD monitors. However, this only gives a small perspective of color performance because we interpret colors within a spectrum, not from individual points.

Absolute Color Gamut

It's harder to perceive the difference in gamut when you’re inspecting individual delta E values. With 3D images, it is best to examine the graph as a video, which is why we use Chromix's ColorThink Pro to illustrate how color gamut is affected.

The wire form outline in each video represents the total gamut volume of AdobeRGB 1998. The solid gamut map represents the gamut of each monitor.

Remember, this is not just an examination of how one color profile maps to a reference, nor is it only about how much can be rendered (in this case AdobeRGB 1998). This is an absolute comparison of gamut volumes, which can be used to help identify strong and weak points in a color profile.

HP's TouchSmart 310 generates much better highlights (bright tones) and shadows (dark tones) across almost the entire gamut. However, the ZX4931 has three strong points: it produces noticeably better blues and magentas, and slightly better greens. Provided you have a decent eye for color, you can actually see the difference in blue color production when these displays sit side by side.

Other differences are subtler, but the results are surprising nonetheless. Based on the 3D gamut map, HP performs extremely well in red production. It’s even able to produce a few red highlights outside AdobeRGB 1998. Yellow and blue tones are easy to hit with today's TN-based panels, but accurate green and red production is harder to achieve. With a larger red gamut, HP's TouchSmart 310 can provide a lot of vividness, especially if you are viewing high-contrast media.

Black And White Uniformity, Viewing Angles

Another measurable aspect of panel performance is brightness uniformity. Most manufacturers calibrate displays based on the center point of the screen. However, every area of the screen behaves differently. Sometimes you can get better performance in one specific region. As a result, we have added a nine-point black and white luminance test to measure the performance of each monitor's panel.

The ZX4931 produces a high white luminance towards the center, and the values fall off as you move toward the corners. Black production is a little better, but the center-top and center-bottom areas of the screen appear brighter. The overall uniformity is poor, and viewing angles tend to enhance the visual differences between regions.

HP's TouchSmart 23" produces decent overall uniformity, but it has weak white luminance near the left side. In actual use, we only see a problem if you are viewing the display from the left. Black luminance is mostly even, though the center-bottom edge tends to appear slightly brighter.

Power Consumption

It's not a surprise that both all-in-one PCs consume more than 50 W (more power than a monitor alone), but it's important to keep in mind that none of our LCD figures include the power consumption of a system. As a reference point, Samsung's PX2370 consumes about 57.2 W when we include the power consumption of our Sandy Bridge system (Core i5-2500K/Asus P8P67 Deluxe).

It's disappointing to see that the ZX4931 uses more than 2 W when it’s in standby mode. An energy-efficient system should consume less than 1 W when it’s off, and not more than 1.5 W in a standby state.

Benchmark Results: General Performance

We don't want to give you the wrong impression. The Athlon II X2 245e (TouchSmart 310) and Pentium E5800 (ZX4931) offer excellent CPU performance. Our Brazos-based system is able to close the performance gap in PCMark Vantage specifically because it's equipped with an SSD.

The dual-core E-350 APU has enough CPU power to perform basic tasks like virus scanning with ease, but it still pales in comparison to what's inside these all-in-one PCs. This fight isn't fair, though, since the SSD-equipped Brazos-based configuration can read so much faster. If you're worried about AV software slowing down an older PC or a less-powerful all-in-one, don't assume longer scan times are the result of inadequate CPU horsepower. Slow scanning performance is mostly the result of a hard drive that can't keep up.

WinRAR, a more processor-bound workload, demonstrates that our all-in-ones are, in fact, more powerful than the reference Brazos-based configuration.

The ZX4931's WiFi performance seems disappointing. Gateway could be using a 1x1 WiFi antenna configuration. If the ZX4931 uses a 2x1 Wi-Fi card, then there is a design flaw somewhere. Either way, this may be an important issue if you plan to stream videos over your network.

Benchmark Results: Gaming Performance

When it comes to integrated gaming, AMD's Brazos platform still impresses. Gateway's ZX4931 relies on Intel GMA X4500HD, which can't even generate a score in 3DMark or Left 4 Dead 2. On the all-in-one PCs, we experienced nothing but crashes.

CPU and GPU performance both have a strong influence on World of Warcraft: Cataclysm. The Radeon HD 4270 (TouchSmart 310) can't outperform AMD's Radeon HD 6310 (ASRock E350M1) alone, but it can once you pair it with a  more powerful Athlon II X2 245e.

Gateway's ZX4931 is in a different boat. A decent CPU, such as Intel's Pentium E5800, cannot make up for the performance of a poor graphics engine like the GMA X4500HD.

Of course, World of Warcraft tends to be a special case where you need balanced CPU and GPU performance. Similar to Left 4 Dead 2, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is more sensitive to GPU performance. With that said, you're going to get better performance out of a Brazos-based system.

Final Words

There is something inherently attractive about putting every piece of your PC into the same enclosure, especially if you already favor the minimalist approach. But all-in-ones cut two ways. You can have simplicity, sure. But the tradeoff is accessibility. You can still upgrade a couple of components, like hard drives and memory. However, there's really no way to drop in a new CPU or graphics processor. The optical drive is removable, but don't expect an easy upgrade to Blu-ray. All-in-one PCs employ slim optical drives. This makes upgrades more complicated because you need to match the outer bezel.

While these are acceptable tradeoffs for many people, few enthusiasts tolerate poor graphics performance. Simply put, gaming on a cheap all-in-one is almost necessarily bad. There is limited room in a fully-integrated chassis, and that means a tight cap on thermal and mechanical specifications. The most you can hope for, really, is a chipset-based graphics processor. That means that games like Call of Duty, mainstream though they may be, are assuredly too taxing for an all-in-one. World of Warcraft: Cataclysm is fine, but that's where we draw the line.

Alright, so you give up gaming. But Gateway's ZX4931 ($599) and HP's TouchSmart 310 ($699) are touchscreen all-in-ones. Touchscreens provide the additional benefit of a dedicated software interface. That's what makes these PCs different. They are intended to be used in the living room, kitchen, or wherever your family congregates. HP fully embraces this experience with a much more robust touchscreen interface.

Gateway's touchscreen Web browser has a more intuitive design (tabbing is better) that we'd like to see HP mimic, but HP provides so many more "widgets" that the options seem almost limitless. Unfortunately, HP still fails to provide everything we would like to see. Our ideal all-in-one should be able to double as an HTPC. That means we need HDMI connectivity, too.

You can expect to pay a roughly $100 premium for the addition of touchscreen functionality. That's not too high of a price if you're looking to break from your keyboard and mouse, even if both components are still included with both all-in-one PCs.

Monday HP introduced two all-in-one PCs sporting a 60-degree reclining display that seemingly offers the ease of using a tablet while sporting the underlying hardware of a desktop.

Both the TouchSmart 610 Consumer PC and TouchSmart 9300 Elite Business PC feature a 23-inch 1080p HD LED backlit LCD screen that reclines up to 60 degrees. The screen also tilts forward up to five degrees and offers advanced multitouch technology for accurate responses no matter the screen's position.

"As a leader in touch computing, HP has made each iteration of the TouchSmart PC more intuitive, resourceful and fun for users," said James Mouton, senior vice president, Desktop Organization, Personal Systems Group, HP. "The latest generation is no exception with a new design that makes it easier and more comfortable to use, and it allows businesses to integrate the TouchSmart where convenience, space constraints and appearance matter."

The TouchSmart 610 hardware specs are unknown at this point, but will include 802.11 Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, a 6-in-one card reader, wall-mounting options, and a slot-loading DVD player, upgradable to Blu-ray. On the software side, it will come packed with optimized apps from Hulu, Netflix, Rhapsody, Twitter, and HP's exclusive RecipeBox and webcam applications via the TouchSmart Apps Center. Select models will even sport Ubisoft's real-time strategy game R.U.S.E.

On the business side, the TouchSmart 9300 Elite Business PC will feature Intel's second-generation Core processors, a choice of Windows 7 operating systems, up to 16 GB of memory and an optional 160 GB SSD. It will also sport a high-resolution, adjustable webcam using facial recognition software. Although the company revealed very little details regarding the hardware (the product pages haven't gone live), HP said the TouchSmart 9300 Elite was designed with the "hospitality, retail, and healthcare" industries in mind.

The consumer-based TouchSmart 610 is expected to become available here in the States on Wednesday (February 9), starting at $899.99. The business-oriented TouchSmart 9300 Elite will launch in May for an undisclosed price.

Additionally, Register Hardware points out that Apple attempted to patent the idea of a touchscreen computer that can be positioned to face upwards for better usage over long periods. The patent was submitted back in July 2009.

During our visit to the MSI booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center we spied a small case of concepts among the more current devices MSI had on show. The more interesting of the bunch was a PC MSI has dubbed the Butterfly. Looking past the girly design, this is actually an all-in-one touchscreen PC with a display that slides down into a more comfortable position when you want a more hands on touch experience. The model we saw had a 7-inch tablet that acted as a companion device for the main AIO, and the PC itself had a keyboard tucked into a pocket on the back of the display.

Also on display at the MSI booth was the Angelow AIO -- which also comes with a smaller companion tablet -- and the Kid Pad, a tablet device for small children. The main attraction of the Angelow seemed to be it’s slim form-factor. The Kid Pad weighs 900g, packs a 10-inch display and eight hours of battery. It also has a carry handle up top that rotates to double as a stand.

We managed to get a couple of photos through the plastic casing but we’ve also tracked down some of MSI's own pictures because you can’t really get an accurate idea of the Butterfly’s repositionable display from the pictures we took of the device when it was inside MSI’s protective box.

*Additional images via Design Boom

Now here's an interesting idea: a liquid-cooled all-in-one PC.

Created by Asetek, a provider of self-contained liquid cooling systems for OEMs, this prototype addresses possible AIO heating issues provoked by obvious space limitations--AIOs certainly can't circulate hot air like desktop PCs. But if the prototype actually catches on in the industry, it could possibly change the way manufacturers design AIOs in the future, perhaps allowing for beefier hardware.

As seen in the video below, the Asetek prototype measured an iMac-like 58-mm in thickness, and used an Intel Core i7 920 processor and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 280M GPU--these two alone consume over 200-watts combined.

According to the Asetek engineer, the AIOs' heat was handled by a high-performance, optimized radiator design coupled with low-noise, axial fans. Asetek inserted its proprietary, low-profile pump just below the radiator, all of which Asetek mounted within the AIO's vertical stand. The pump/radiator setup was attached to a high-performance, low-profile cold plate mounted on the right within the AIO enclosure, pulling heat off the 130-watt Intel processor. On the left, the pump/radiator was connected to a low-profile cold plate and heat spreader covering the Nvidia GPU.

To see this prototype in action, check out the video below. What do you think? Will liquid cooling make a difference and allow manufacturers to provide high-end AIO PCs? Or could this just be a new gimmick to pull consumers away from laptops and netbooks?

Asus' Eee PC Keyboard is finally shipping. It hit preorder last month, which is usually a pretty good indication that a device will actually ship in the near future, but when something has been delayed as long as the Eee PC Keyboard has, getting your hopes up is a dangerous game.

For those of you who need a recapitulation of the specifications, the Eee PC Keyboard packs Intel's Atom N270 processor; 1GB of DDR2;Ultra Wide Band built in transmitter and external receiver WLAN 802.11 b/g/n; 10/100/1000 LAN; Bluetooth V2.1; a 5-inch 800x480 LED multi-touch display; wireless-N; HDMI out from keyboard and UWB receiver; VGA out; 3 x USB 2.0 ports and Windows XP Home.

The price is $599 and it's available now.

_{(via Amazon)}

Tweak Town  reports that it recently visited MSI headquarters after the Computex 2010 pre-show press conference to take a peek at new and upcoming devices in the "mobile space." Although the company was showcasing new notebooks and all-in-one (AIO) systems, one particular model caught TT's eye: an unnamed 24-inch 3D AIO system.

The site reports that the compact rig will come with a Full HD display manufactured by Chi Mei, measuring 23.6-inches, packing a 120 Hz refresh rate, and support for multi-touch technology. The rig also sports an ATI Radeon HD 5730 which will power the 3D technology-- one set of active shutter glasses will be included as well.

Other system specs included 4 GB of DDR3 memory and a huge 1TB SATA2 hard drive. TT said that MSI hasn't settled on a CPU, however the candidates were Intel's i5 and i7 processors. To round out the package, this 3D AIO will come installed with Windows 7 Home Premium which will help run the multi-touch technology. Four USB ports, one HDMI, an ethernet jack and more are located on the back.

Currently there's no set release date or pricing on this 3D AIO system, however TT's video said that the rig will appear in July 2010. Check it out in the clip below!

Here is one of the many leftovers from CES 2010: MSI's all-in-one PC called "Jellow." The PC is merely a concept for now, but it looks absolutely... well, awesome for an all-in-one deal, using transparent plastic to give it a more futuristic, sterile look. The design also incorporates 3D technology, and will be bundled with wireless 3D glasses.

The accompanying wireless mouse is rather interesting as well, using the same aesthetic design and can be used as a remote control and an IP-phone for online chatting. According to Akihabara News, the matching keyboard is also wireless, but doesn't seem to offer any additional super-cool features save for its ability to be stored behind the all-in-one PC's screen.

As for the hardware, the device features a 23.6-inch WLED Backlight Full HD screen with a 1920 x 1080 resolution and Double Frame rate (120 Hz). The screen can slide up and down, providing the unique storage space for the keyboard. While detailed specs were not released, MSI said that users can enjoy 3D gaming and HD movies with this device, leading us to believe that there may be some decent hardware packed under the hood.

Although MSI said that the concept will eventually be available for consumers in 2010 according to Fareastgizmos, no ship dates or price points were provided. We're hoping to hear more about this ultra-cool all-in-one in the coming months.

Shuttle, best known for its small form factor PCs, officially introduced the X50 all-in-one nettop today.

The X50 is Shuttle's new 15.6-inch all-in-one PC that features a touch screen interface and a dual-core Intel Atom 330 processor.  We were lucky enough to have a sneak peak of the X50 back at CES 2009, so its release does not come as much of a surprise.  As it turns out however, the X50 will be just the first in an all-new product line from Shuttle, called X Vision.  The X Vision slogan appears to be "VISION for neXt generation PCs".

The new Shuttle X50's most striking feature is that it measures just 1.4-inch thick, which includes the integrated 15.6-inch touch-enabled display with 1366 x 768 resolution. The X50's graphics is powered by Intel's ho-hum GMA 950 integrated graphics solution, which is generally considered capable of 720p video playback, and the system comes with 1 GB of memory.  The display can tilt, includes a hidden carrying handle and with the system having just a single power cord, the entire system can be easily VESA wall-mounted.

Other features of the X50 include a 160 GB hard drive, integrated 2-watt stereo speakers, a 1.3-megapixel webcam, a microphone, 802.11n Wifi, a 4-in-1 memory card reader, VGA output, five USB ports and Windows XP Home.  The X50 draws only 30-watts of power, includes Shuttle's I.C.E heat pipe cooling system and produces a low noise level of 22-decibels. 

According to the price quoted to us back at CES, the Shuttle X50 is expected to cost $499.  The Shuttle X50 does have other competition, including the Asus Eee Top, both of which could make for a nice addition to a kitchen or casual workspace.

Talk about uber-coolness: yesterday Silicon Mountain unveiled Allio, a 42-inch HDTV with integrated PC and Blu-ray player. Yeah baby.

According to the company, this high-dollar gadget is the first of its kind in North America, and basically the first of its kind in every aspect, merging three products into one unit. But as with all combo devices such as TV’s with built-in DVD players, if one aspect of the product fails and needs servicing, then the whole unit has to go in... meaning consumers can’t leave the TV at home and send in just the DVD player. The other drawback is the Allio’s pricetag, starting out at $1,599.99 and shooting on up to $2,799, depending on the model.

Still, all-in-one devices are rather convenient, and with the introduction of Silicon Mountain’s Allio model, the holiday season just might get a little more festive for the electronics enthusiast. According to the company, the Allio "marries" a full-HD 42" LCD display with a combo Blu-ray/DVD player, integrated digital recorder for PVR and a fully functional PC, based on the Intel Core2Duo E8400 processor, 4GB of RAM from Silicon Mountain, a 1TB hard drive, and the 64-bit version of Windows Vista Home Premium. The Allio also features USB ports, wireless and wired networking capabilities, and they typical analog and digital audio-visual inputs.

Of course, an all-in-one device of this magnitude doesn’t come cheap, and certainly won’t find its way onto Wal-Mart shelves (or Circuit City for that matter) anytime soon. But surprisingly, the pricing of both models don’t skyrocket through the roof. The entry-level Allio with an Intel 2.5 GHz PDC E5200, 250GB of storage, 2GB of RAM, DVD/CD support and Vista Home Premium retails for $1,599 (32") and $1,999 (42"). The middle system in the series adds PVR and Blu-ray support and an upgraded 2.54 GHz Core2Duo E7200 processor for $2,199 (32") and $2,399 (42"). The intermediate option - aka the flagship Allio system - upgrades the RAM and storage to 4GB and 1TB, respectively, for $2,399 (32") and $2,799 (42").

"The Allio HD TV / PC takes the digital experience into another dimension," said Tre Cates, Silicon Mountain President and CEO. "During product development, we discovered that our testers regularly expressed disappointment in their own large screen television and home theatre configurations after using Allio for just a few hours. The results are clear. The Allio HD TV / PC experience simply suits our modern digital lifestyle better. The converged experience will boost productivity and interactive behaviors, and bring families together around the next generation of appliance, just as the early television and radio did for generations past."

While the Allio sounds like an over-bloated PC, it’s actually more like a media center, giving couch potatoes access to streaming Internet video through the Allio’s channel guide (which also lists cable and satellite channels). Additionally, consumers can load up downloaded videos and music without ripping them off from additional devices. The Allio also offers picture-in-picture capabilities, allowing consumers to watch a Blu-ray movie in one window, watch TV in another, and browse the internet at the same time.

"On Sunday, a fantasy football player can watch multiple games simultaneously, while browsing NFL.com for real-time player stats and scores, while chatting on AOL Instant Messenger or Skype with other league owners," add the company. "A student can watch educational programming from a satellite or cable provider while writing a paper and looking up unfamiliar terms and concepts on Wikipedia, then taking a quick break to update his or her MySpace page. A business executive can view streaming stock quotes while composing email and watching financial news."

Currently Visionman is the only retail outlet selling all Allio models, however the online retailer is currently offering a $100 coupon towards the $1,999 version. Upon viewing the website, Visionman offers additional hardware specs for the entry-level 42" model:

•Built-in 12Wx2 Speakers

•7.1 Surround Sound w/Dolby Home Theatre

•2 x Component Video & Audio Connectors

•2 x HDMI Connectors

•1 x S/PDIF Optical Audio Out

•Intel Pentium Dual Core E5200

•2GB High-Speed DDR2-800 Memory

•Slim Dual Layer 8X DVDRW

•Western Digital 250GB SATA-II HDD

•Integrated Intel GMA X4500HD Video

•Hauppauge HVR-950Q TV Tuner

•Gigabit 10/100/1000 Ethernet

•Wireless 802.11b/g

•Microsoft Vista Home Premium 32-bit

•Logitech Wireless Keyboard & Mouse

•Wall Mountable

•Includes A/V Cable, User Manual, Remote Control

It will be curious to see how the Allio can handle the likes of Far Cry 2 and Crysis. It would also be interesting to see how this device disperses heat, especially when mounted on a wall. Hopefully, Tom’s Hardware can rally up a test unit just to see if the Allio will explode on contact. In the meantime, this may be a good time to add the device on Santa’s list, although honestly, that may be wishful thinking.

The Sony VAIO JS, LV and RT models were unveiled at CEDIA Wednesday, featuring Blu-ray drives and fashionable all-in-one desktop designs.

The Sony VAIO JS is first up, featuring a 20.1-inch LCD display that uses Sony’s XBRITE-ECO technology and a chassis design that features a storage space for the keyboard. A read-only side-mounted Blu-ray drive is optional, which should turn this desktop PC into also a stylish personal home-theater. Also included is an integrated microphone, a web cam with face-tracking abilities, and Windows Vista Home Premium. The system starts at about $1099, which comes with 4GB of RAM, integrated graphics, a 500GB HDD, Bluetooth, and an Intel 2.5 GHz E5200 processor. Sony has the E5200 processor listed as a Core 2 Duo processor, while Intel’s site has it listed as a Pentium Dual-Core processor. The system is also available in faster configurations and in the colors pink, silver, and black.

The next up is the Sony VAIO LV, which features a 24-inch WUXGA LCD display with Sony’s XBRITE-FullHD technology and a slot-in Blu-ray drive on most models. Looking and acting much like a modern LCD TV, it has built-in DVR capabilities with plenty of storage space, TV-tuners, HDMI input, a remote control, wireless keyboard with integrated touch-pad, and an integrated power supply that allows the system to be hung cleanly on a wall. Pricing and system specifications vary model to model, but it looks as if the pricing starts at $1699, which snags you an Intel E7200 processor, 4 GB of RAM, and a 320 GB HDD.

Last, but not least, is the powerful Sony VAIO RT. It features a 25.5-inch LCD display with XBRITE-FullHD technology, a Blu-ray drive, up to 8 GB of RAM, a 1 TB HDD, and an Intel Core 2 Quad processor. The system also includes Nvidia Graphics with 512MB of VRAM, HDMI input and output, TV tuners, a keyboard with an integrated touch-pad, and Windows Vista Ultimate. Not surprisingly, the pricing for the VAIO RT starts at about $3,299. Sony is accepting pre-orders for this system now at sonystyle.com.