MSI Intros Two AIO PCs with Windows 8.1
These have special screens to reduce eye strain.
MSI has launched two new Windows 8.1 all-in-one (AIO) PCs, the 21.5 inch AE221 and the 27 inch AE270. Both feature the company's Flicker-Free and Blue Light Control technologies, which aim to protect users' eyes and drastically reduce the strain to the eyes caused by the long hours sitting in front of the screen. Both sport Haswell processors, Full HD resolutions, and optional 10 point touch input.
"The Flicker-free Technology embedded into the AE221 and AE270 stabilize the electric current and prevents flickering invisible to the bare eye under normal conditions," explains the company's announcement. "It effectively reduces eyestrain as well as improves productivity for those who have to use a PC everyday with long hours. In addition, the AE221 and AE270 also support the exclusive Blue Light Control Technology, which is able to effectively reduce the blue light emitted from the screen. According to TÜV tests, it can reduce blue light up to 75%, which drastically reduces strain and damage to the eyes."
According to the specs, the AIO PC's feature either an Intel Core i3-4130 processor clocked up to 3.4 GHz, or an Intel Core i5-4440S clocked up to 3.1 GHz. Memory span is up to 16 GB across two slots with DDR3 1333 MHz or 1600 MHz. Customers also have the option of adding Nvidia's GeForce GT 740M GPU with 2 GB of VRAM if the embedded Intel HD 4400/4600 aren't sufficient.
The AIO's can also be configured with either hard drives or SSDs and an optional TV tuner. MSI's new PCs also feature an optional Blu-ray combo optical drive, two 3 watt Creative Sound blaster cinema speakers, a 3-in-1 SD card reader, Wireless N connectivity, and a 2MP webcam. Ports include four USB 2.0, one HDMI output, one HDMI input, Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports on the side, and more.
"MSI's AE221 and AE270 use a projected capacitive touch panel, supporting up to 10 points of contact," reads the company's press release. "Maximizing Microsoft's latest Windows 8.1 features, the capabilities of the AE221 and AE270 are fully unleashed with the unique Windows 8 UI and wide range of Windows 8 Store apps. Users now have an even wider range of touch applications to use."
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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guvnaguy Enough with FHD already. At a distance close enough to use your arm, 1080 is not enough for a screen that bigReply -
falchard The graphics chip on that would not be good enough for anything over 1080. I am more looking forward to MSI's Temash based tablets.Reply -
razzb3d The guts of these AIO computers are the same as a laptop. Compact, inefficient when it comes to performance and heat dissipation, and more importantly, NON UPGRADABLE and twice as expensive.Reply
My hope for these machines was that they would at least use a desktop graphics card, but that's not the case for most of them.