All-in-one pc recommendations

[dtaai-maai]

I wouldn't normally bother you with this, but since all members (with the possible exception of lomu ) are undoubtedly more knowledgeable than me on the subject of computers, and since most of you have time on your hands, I thought I'd throw this open to the forum.

I use my computer for work as well as pleasure, and when I came back to the UK 3 years ago (tempus fugit! ) I bought a refurbished laptop for £90 as a stopgap (specs: AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics, 1.40 GHz). With 2 monitors attached (1 of which is a 32" TV), and of course a keyboard and mouse, it worked so well that the stopgap became permanent.

However, I often have several apps running simultaneously, and although there is still plenty of space (325 GB of 464) available, it has been slowing down lately and I'm thinking of buying an All-in-one (and attaching my TV as a 2nd screen).

I think back to my first PC in 1997, which cost around £1400, and was quite surprised to find that there is a range of very reasonably priced all-in-ones, even with a larger screen (I'm looking at 27").

I've narrowed it down to 3 options within my price range (unless any better suggestions are forthcoming), for now at least, and I'm hoping one or two of you will cast an eye over them and give me your views, if you have a few minutes to spare.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing ... 4-pdt.html

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing ... display~RR

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing ... 1-pdt.html

[Dannie Boy]

I wouldn't normally bother you with this, but since all members (with the possible exception of lomu ) are undoubtedly more knowledgeable than me on the subject of computers, and since most of you have time on your hands, I thought I'd throw this open to the forum.

I use my computer for work as well as pleasure, and when I came back to the UK 3 years ago (tempus fugit! ) I bought a refurbished laptop for £90 as a stopgap (specs: AMD E1-1200 APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics, 1.40 GHz). With 2 monitors attached (1 of which is a 32" TV), and of course a keyboard and mouse, it worked so well that the stopgap became permanent.

However, I often have several apps running simultaneously, and although there is still plenty of space (325 GB of 464) available, it has been slowing down lately and I'm thinking of buying an All-in-one (and attaching my TV as a 2nd screen).

I think back to my first PC in 1997, which cost around £1400, and was quite surprised to find that there is a range of very reasonably priced all-in-ones, even with a larger screen (I'm looking at 27").

I've narrowed it down to 3 options within my price range (unless any better suggestions are forthcoming), for now at least, and I'm hoping one or two of you will cast an eye over them and give me your views, if you have a few minutes to spare.

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing ... 4-pdt.html

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing ... display~RR

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing ... 1-pdt.html

I’m sure there are more knowledgeable people than me on this subject, but the HP Pavilion has the best spec, so would get my recommendation


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[pharvey]

I’m sure there are more knowledgeable people than me on this subject, but the HP Pavilion has the best spec, so would get my recommendation

From the three that you've posted DM, I'd go along with DB in that the HP Pavilion seems to have the best spec, but TBH I've limited experience with HP.

You need to be clear on what you need in the first instance - none of the screens are touch screen, so obviously you'll need a mouse and keyboard (2 out of 3 have them) - together both could cost £100 plus. All have 8GB RAM and upgradable - no issues. HDD not a worry and if like me where you download a deal of movies/shows etc., an external drive is easy and convenient. All new models will operate on Windows 10 which I have no real issues with, but look at what you need with regards to Windows Office software - can add significant cost.

Plenty of sites/companies will give you the option of "Build Your Own" - perhaps not "All-in-One", but well worth looking at the options. You have things like "Conference Monitors" which may appeal if you have family & friends in distant corners of the world.

Rather than look at certain deals, firstly sit down and think exactly what you need from the system, what you will use it for and go from there.

[buksida]

As mentioned above, the HP has a better spec (more storage and a slightly faster CPU) but it is also the dearest. You're paying over 200 quid above the Asus for a 6 core processor over a 4 core and a bit more storage, is it worth the extra?

Brand names do not really matter too much when it comes to PCs as it is the internal components that make it perform, not the logo on the box. There is no mention of graphics processor on those specs (apart from the Acer) so it will be a low powered, low memory on-board one which will be no good for video editing or gaming or any graphics intensive processes.

Personally I hate those 'all-in-ones' as they are bitches to fix or upgrade should something go wrong. They're really designed for aesthetics and space saving over raw performance, but if those are the criteria you need go for it. You will get a much better spec for the same money or less on a 'build-your-own' however, especially if you already have a screen.

[laser]

Given the task to buy an all-in-one for general use, I'd prefer 23.8" screen size at 1080p resolution. It's better than 27" for work since has about 30% higher pixel density, pictures are sharper & texts are more readable. For movies the larger TV would be fine via HDMI. Therefore, I'd consider other models, such as
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/computing ... display~RR for 649
or
https://www.portusdigital.com/portus-ai ... 1735-p.asp for 700 or (better deal) the same with 16 GB memory and 1 year crapworks for 725.

The processors of these two boxes are newer and about 50% faster than the i5-8250U used in the 27" ACER and Asus models. The Portus model (OEM, probaly as just as good as brand names) also has the 1 TB HDD apart of the boot drive SSD. It is less decorative than the HP but has a swivel screen with landscape/portrait modes. Great if you also use the PC for word processing/writing, else just would be an unused feature.

I'd spend the leftover bucks on some backup hardware. A NAS would be too expensive + an overkill for a PC or two, so the way is yet another portable USB drive or or dedicated backup drive. My preferred/existing solution is a dual HDD docking bay (with direct copy function!) + new bare HDD(s) for disk mirroring and/or backup. The latter also can utilise old HDDs as external drives. Something like this:
https://www.lazada.co.th/products/orico ... d&search=1

[pharvey]

There is no mention of graphics processor on those specs (apart from the Acer) so it will be a low powered, low memory on-board one which will be no good for video editing or gaming or any graphics intensive processes.

Certainly worth knowing and something I'd not considered. I may well be looking at a new Desktop/Tower System, so thanks for the heads up

[dtaai-maai]

I'm digesting as much of this as I can with great interest, it's exactly the sort of advice I was hoping for. I feel I ought to be mildly embarrassed that I'm having to google much of the terminology, but I'm not really... I'm not having much joy with the delightful term "crapworks",mind you: can someone give me a simplified definition?

Personally I hate those 'all-in-ones' as they are bitches to fix or upgrade should something go wrong.

I knew you'd say that, buksi!

There is no mention of graphics processor on those specs (apart from the Acer) so it will be a low powered, low memory on-board one which will be no good for video editing or gaming or any graphics intensive processes.

That's interesting,and something I hadn't considered. Having said that, I don't do any video editing and although I have a Playstation 3, I rarely use it. (That might change over the next few months!)

You need to be clear on what you need in the first instance - none of the screens are touch screen, so obviously you'll need a mouse and keyboard (2 out of 3 have them) - together both could cost £100 plus. All have 8GB RAM and upgradable - no issues. HDD not a worry and if like me where you download a deal of movies/shows etc., an external drive is easy and convenient. All new models will operate on Windows 10 which I have no real issues with, but look at what you need with regards to Windows Office software - can add significant cost.

Touch screen isn't really an issue for me as I'd need 4ft long arms I have problems with my right eye and feel more comfortable with a larger screen further away than usual.

I can't imagine paying £100+ for a keyboard and mouse , and now I'm wondering whether I'm using substandard equipment - am I missing something? (Mine cost a total of around £25-30)

I have Office on the laptop, paying c. £6 per month, so I could add it to another device without a problem. Having said that, see below...

Given the task to buy an all-in-one for general use, I'd prefer 23.8" screen size at 1080p resolution. It's better than 27" for work since has about 30% higher pixel density, pictures are sharper & texts are more readable. For movies the larger TV would be fine via HDMI.

That's interesting, and something else I hadn't taken into consideration. Thinking about it, I do most of my word processing on the 22" monitor without a problem, using the larger (TV) screen to display reference sites (I'm a translator, so I've usually got several on-line dictionaries and other resources on the go).

The TV needs to be replaced anyway, as it has developed a couple of large unsightly smudges on the screen (behind the glass). I'm considering replacing it with a 2nd monitor and having a separate larger TV for conventional use. The 22" monitor also needs to be replaced as it is old, heavily scratched, quite cumbersome and propped up by books (a gift to tide me over 3 years ago!)

Therefore, I'd consider other models, such as

https://www.portusdigital.com/portus-ai ... 1735-p.asp for 700 or (better deal) the same with 16 GB memory and 1 year crapworks for 725.

The processors of these two boxes are newer and about 50% faster than the i5-8250U used in the 27" ACER and Asus models. The Portus model (OEM, probably just as good as brand names) also has the 1 TB HDD apart of the boot drive SSD. It is less decorative than the HP but has a swivel screen with landscape/portrait modes. Great if you also use the PC for word processing/writing, else just would be an unused feature.

The processor info is very helpful. Speed and efficiency are what I'm after in particular. I don't really need 16 GB, but for an extra £25 I'm inclined to go for the slightly more expensive Portus, particularly if I can work out what "1 year crapworks" actually gives me! Also, I note it comes with Microsoft Office, which will save me the monthly fee I'm currently paying. And I quite like the swivel screen option - a bit gimmicky, but given what I do it might come in handy.

That's what I'm inclined to go for at the moment, although I'm going to take a look at some build-your-own options when my brain starts functioning again.

Again, my thanks to all of you for your input, it's very useful and much appreciated.

[lindosfan1]

I bought a wireless keyboard and mouse from amazon brilliant.

[dtaai-maai]

After a bit of umming and aahing I ordered the slightly more expensive Portus yesterday. I'll let you know how it works out.

Thanks again.

[dtaai-maai]

The PC arrived this afternoon, along with an unexpected wireless keyboard and mouse, a nice bonus. Nice for a technophobe like me to get something that just plugs in and gets started. It tried to start a conversation with me, but I'm not quite ready for that - I'm happy to communicate non-verbally...
The most time-consuming thing (apart from locating the bizarrely packaged USB connector for the mouse/keyboard) is getting browsers and apps sorted out, but it's not as if I have anything better to do for the foreseeable future.

It looks like just the ticket, thanks again for all the advice.

[dtaai-maai]

The first thing I've noticed is the astonishing difference in speed/performance. Not only in switching between programs/apps, but also in streaming, which has surprised me. BBC iPlayer (for example) is slow on the laptop, and playing short videos on the BBC website is virtually impossible. I always assumed this was because I wasn't getting the download speed I'm paying for from my ISP, but on the new PC there is no buffering and the streaming is immediate and uninterrupted.

Given the task to buy an all-in-one for general use, I'd prefer 23.8" screen size at 1080p resolution. It's better than 27" for work since has about 30% higher pixel density, pictures are sharper & texts are more readable.

Definitely, though I've had to enlarge the font size (as I did on the 22" screen), but that's due to my eyes rather than the computer.

I also have to say that I'm very impressed with the company (Portal Digital): email queries answered immediately and in person.

[pharvey]

I also have to say that I'm very impressed with the company (Portal Digital): email queries answered immediately and in person.

Glad you got sorted. As I'm also in the market for a new desktop, I was going to take a look at this lot. Couldn't find them through a Google search, do you have a link?

[dtaai-maai]

Link in posts above of 14/4, but the reason your google search was unsuccessful is that the company name is Portus Digital. I've fired my PA.

[pharvey]

Link in posts above of 14/4, but the reason your google search was unsuccessful is that the company name is Portus Digital. I've fired my PA.

Cheers - but what are you going to do for company now?

[dtaai-maai]

My PA...

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