Ultrabooks are great, but it can also be super convenient to have a slimline All-In-One PC waiting on your bedroom or dorm desk to get stuff done. They’re a great family room shared PC option, too. We’ve already run you through our favourite ultrabooks, the hottest convertibles and the slickest gadgets, now it’s time to get your desk sorted with the perfect All-In-One.
[related title=”Best Back To School & Uni Gear” desc=”All the tech tools you need to stay ahead” cat=”Back To School” tag=”Back To School” items=”5″]We’ve listed some of our favourite Ultrabooks below, but you can find more over at Lasoo.
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Dell XPS One 27
The XPS badge means power, and the One 27 has it in spades. It packs a 2.7GHz Intel Core i5 processor, a super-high res 27-inch panel, 4GB of RAM a 1TB SATA drive, 2GB NVIDIA GeForce 640M and a slot-loading DVD+/-RW drive.
That spec will set you back $1599, but if you’re really looking for top of the class gear, look no further than the model up, which has a faster processor, double the RAM, double the storage with an additional SSD caching drive and a Blu-ray drive for your entertainment needs. For the supreme model, you’re looking at $2199. [Dell]
Sony VAIO Tap 20
Now for something a little different. A few of the All-In-Ones in our list boast touch capabilities, and the Acer Aspire U even tilts ergonomically. But only Sony has put together what amounts to a giant 20-inch Windows 8 touch tablet / All-In-One PC hybrid. It’s a really great idea for families.
The $1499 model packs an Intel Core i5 processor, 4GB RAM, 500GB hard disk and a 1600×900 screen supporting 10 points of touch. It also has the usual extras like integrated Webcam for Skype chats with grandparents overseas. [Sony]
Apple iMac (Late 2012)
The iMac is a stalwart of the all-in-one category. Powered by an Intel Core Ivy Bridge backbone, these machines will go on and on and look great while doing it. The latest edition of the all-in-one iMac gives you more power than ever before, paired with the smallest profile ever to be on an Apple all-in-one.
At it’s thinnest point, it’s smaller than an iPhone 5, but underneath the 21.5-inch scren you’ll find a 2.7GHz quad-core Intel Core i5, 8GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive and the NVIDIA GeForce GT 640M with 512MB. All that will set you back $1429, but for those after real power, head for the top-end 27-inch model with more processing power, more RAM and storage and better graphics grunt. [Apple]
Asus ET2701
Asus took its all-in-one line back to the drawing board for the release of Windows 8 and came up with a few spectacular models. The stand-out of these, however is its 27-inch powerhouse which is designed to scare your old desktop right out from under your desk and into the past where it belongs.
It’s by far the most powerful all-in-one of the models we love, with an Intel Core i7 3.1GHz processor, 8GB of DDR3 RAM and a 1GB NVIDIA GT640M processor. That sort of spec will set you back around $2699. [Asus]
Acer Aspire U
Acer has several All-In-One PC models, but it’s the Aspire U that gets our nod for its combination of features and style. The Windows 8 PC won a design award at CES 2012 and tilts 30 to 80 degrees for simple 10-point touch control.
The 23-inch model starts at $899 and features an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of memory and 1-terabyte storage. There are lots of price points in between all the way up to the 27-inch Core i5 model with 8GB memory. [Acer]
HP Envy 23 TouchSmart
The 23.6-inch Envy all-in-one is the more budget friendly model in our round-up. Just because it’s cheap, however, doesn’t mean you have to skimp on features.
Starting at $1299, the Envy 23 features a 3.3GHz Intel Core i3 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, all nestled under a touchscreen for your Windows 8 goodies.
You can get more power for an additional $400 with the Envy 23’s bigger, more muscle-bound brother.
Worth noting: We’d have preferred to recommend HP’s stylish Spectre One All-in-One, but it doesn’t look to be available in Australia just yet. Definitely one to look out for! [HP]