The Best All-in-One Computer

Dave Gershgorn has reviewed and covered technology since 2015 at publications such as Popular Science, Quartz, Medium, and now Wirecutter. As a senior staff writer, he covers PCs, Macs, and all computer displays for Wirecutter; he is also a certified display calibrator through the Imaging Science Foundation. He has built, repaired, and largely avoided frying his own computers since 2006.

An all-in-one computer combines a PC, monitor, speakers, and webcam into one streamlined device that has fewer cords and is typically a bit more aesthetically pleasing than a traditional desktop. As a result, an all-in-one often works well as a family computer in a kitchen or other shared space, an office computer at reception desks or service desks, or in areas that have limited outlets.

All-in-ones are also the simplest computers available. If you don’t want to make a bunch of purchasing decisions on your computer, monitor, webcam, and peripherals, our top pick is a great computer that includes all of those components.

But if you don’t mind making those purchases separately, it’s more cost-effective to buy a mini PC and a monitor instead of an all-in-one. For instance, Apple’s M4 Mac mini and our top-pick 27-inch monitor would together cost about $900 before tax, and they would provide far better performance than a budget all-in-one. You could even upgrade to a 4K monitor and still spend a few hundred dollars less in total than you would on the Apple iMac. Separate components are also easier to upgrade in the future, because the display or webcam isn’t physically attached to a mini PC as in an all-in-one—though combining separate components involves more unruly wires and requires more power outlets.

Most all-in-ones aren’t repairable, if that’s important to you. Since the computer’s components are packed tightly into the display, these machines are typically held together with glue and other bits of manufacturing trickery that make them difficult to open, clean, and fix.

A good all-in-one PC should have a nice-looking screen that’s colorful and reasonably sharp, and it should be fast enough to handle web browsing, work and school assignments, and some light gaming in a pinch. We use the following criteria while sifting through the dozens of all-in-ones available from Acer, Apple, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other PC makers:

• Screen: An all-in-one is mostly screen, and we apply the same criteria to all-in-one displays as we do when writing our guides to standalone computer monitors.
  • Size: When researching all-in-ones, we stick to the same screen sizes that we recommend in most of our monitor guides: 24 and 27 inches, with some exceptions for larger displays.
  • Resolution: A 24-inch all-in-one screen should have 1080p resolution (1920×1080 pixels), and a 27-inch display should have 1440p resolution (2560×1440 pixels, sometimes called QHD or 2K).
  • Contrast ratio: The difference between the brightest white and the darkest black that a screen can display is especially noticeable when you’re watching movies or playing games with lots of dark scenes. A ratio of 1000:1 is typical of IPS displays, and the higher that first number is, the better.
• Processor: A six-core (or higher) processor from Intel or AMD should be enough to keep your computer feeling fast for years to come. Look for Intel Core Ultra processors or AMD Ryzen 7000–series or 9000–series processors. As for Apple processors, the M4 processor is great for most people.
• Memory: We recommend at least 16 GB of memory, which is enough for browsing the web, editing documents, chatting in apps such as Slack or Microsoft Teams, and playing light games. If you edit photos or videos or regularly open dozens of browser tabs at a time, consider upgrading to 24 GB or 32 GB (or buying extra memory later and installing it yourself, when possible).
• Storage: A 256 GB solid-state drive (SSD) is the bare minimum you should look for in an all-in-one. A smaller drive leaves you with very little room for apps, games, photos, and videos, and using a standard hard drive instead of an SSD would make your computer feel frustratingly slow. Many all-in-ones pair an SSD with a larger hard drive, relying on the former for speed and the latter for large-file storage.
• Graphics: Many all-in-ones use the processor to handle video output as well, rather than the high-end dedicated GPUs included in typical desktops or gaming laptops. All-in-one models with Intel’s Iris Xe graphics or AMD’s Radeon graphics can’t play hyper-realistic 3D games with all the settings turned up, but they’re fine for playing less-demanding online multiplayer titles and last-generation PC games at 720p or 1080p at low or medium settings. Apple’s processors have similar built-in graphics, though fewer games are supported on macOS.
• Webcam: A basic webcam has become a must-have accessory as many people continue to work or attend school from home. An all-in-one computer should have a built-in camera and microphone that are good enough for basic video chatting.
• Wi-Fi and Bluetooth: One advantage of an all-in-one is that you can plunk it down anywhere and plug it in without worrying about lots of cables. To that end, an all-in-one should include Wi-Fi 6 support so that it can always reach the internet, as well as Bluetooth for you to pair the computer with wireless keyboards, mice, game controllers, and other accessories.
• Price: Some all-in-ones cost a bit more than you would pay for a separate desktop PC and monitor. But we try to find models that provide better value than buying a basic desktop PC ($400 or $500) plus one of our monitor picks (another $200 or $300). You can expect to pay somewhere between $800 and $1,000 for a decent 24-inch all-in-one and $1,800 and up for a higher-end version.
• Ports: An all-in-one should include at least two USB ports, as well as an HDMI or DisplayPort connection or USB-C/Thunderbolt port for connecting external monitors.
• Keyboard and mouse (or trackpad): The keyboards and mice that accompany most all-in-ones are rarely great, but they should be functional and designed to match the look of the PC.
• Warranty: A one-year warranty is typical for most computers, though extra coverage is usually available if you’re willing to pay more. When possible, buy extended warranty coverage directly from the computer’s manufacturer, not from a third party.
• Extra features: Some all-in-ones still include DVD burners, and others have features such as HDMI inputs (so that you can use the all-in-one’s screen and speakers for another computer or a game console) or face-scanning IR cameras (for faster logins).

To test each computer, we use each one for a couple of days of work. This process includes browsing the web and communicating through email, Slack, and Discord, video-chatting over Zoom and Google Meet, and editing documents and other files. We run performance benchmarks and encode some video files to see how each computer would fare on heavier work, and we play a handful of older or less-demanding games (such as Fortnite, Bioshock Infinite, and Valorant) to get a sense of how each one would handle the sort of casual gaming that a family PC might be called upon to do.

The Apple 24-inch iMac is a fast, well-designed computer that comes in a bunch of fun color options. It has the same M4 processor that powers the company’s MacBook Pro, Mac mini, and iPad Pro, and it has a few upgrades that make it worth buying. Apple has updated the webcam to a new 12-megapixel sensor that performs far better in low light than previous iMac cameras. This model also has a gorgeous high-resolution display, so text is crisp and clear while you’re working, and it’s great for watching movies or TV shows. The optional nano-textured display is very effective at diffusing glare rather than reflecting it back at you, and worth considering if you work near a window and struggle with reflections on your screen. And the iMac comes in seven colors: blue, green, pink, silver, yellow, orange, and purple.

The iMac is more expensive than other all-in-ones, but it offers an outsized value. Many competitors try to build their all-in-ones to compete against budget monitors and budget PCs, which give you low-resolution displays and underpowered processors. Apple’s version of an all-in-one is more expensive, but its combination of a high-resolution display, a quiet processor, and modern design makes it far more pleasurable to use. We recommend buying the version powered by the 10-core M4 processor as opposed to the cheaper eight-core model because the pricier iMac offers four USB-C ports instead of two, support for two external monitors instead of one, Gigabit Ethernet, a keyboard with Touch ID, and the option to upgrade to the nano-textured display.

The iMac’s screen is incredibly sharp. The iMac’s 24-inch display has a 4.5K resolution, which makes applications, icons, text, images, and video look crisp and clear. The display also gets bright enough for use in sunny rooms or around bright lights, since the screen can emit up to 500 nits of brightness. The M4 model offers a new nano-textured display option, which isn’t a coating but different glass that is made to diffuse, rather than reflect, external light. It’s very effective, significantly cutting down on visible reflections. iMac screens are already very bright, which helps battle the light of the sun, so we recommend getting the upgraded glass only if you’re already annoyed by glare or reflections on your screen. The one downside is that, with this screen’s maximum refresh rate of 60 Hz, this all-in-one computer isn’t meant for serious gaming.

It runs on Apple’s M4 processor. The iMac runs on Apple’s M4 chip, which is powerful enough to handle basic computing tasks such as web browsing, streaming, and light video editing and doesn’t generate a lot of heat. In our tests, the 10-core processor we recommend didn’t balk at opening dozens of tabs, streaming audio and video, or editing media.

You can add more RAM and storage, but the basic package is likely enough. The iMac configuration we recommend includes 16 GB of RAM and a 256 GB solid-state drive for storing files. Apple has upgraded the base memory on most Macs to 16 GB, which we think is enough for most people. . However, if your current computer is using more than 150 GB to 200 GB of storage, upgrading to a 512 GB drive or investing in an external hard drive for extra storage would be worthwhile.

The iMac’s built-in webcam represents a serious step up from previous iMacs and MacBooks. The iMac’s new 12-megapixel webcam looks far sharper and has more dynamic range than the 1080p webcams found in the last-gen iMac and MacBooks. The camera has a really wide angle, and we found that it looks best when used with Apple’s Center Stage software, which automatically crops the image to better frame your face in a video call. You can activate Center Stage anytime the camera is in use, on the right side of the macOS menu bar, along with automatically blurring or swapping your background. Center Stage can look a little goofy sometimes if you move your head around when you talk, but generally the results are a welcome improvement over those of the previous webcam.

The iMac we recommend has more ports and connects to more monitors. We recommend the iMac with a 10-core M4 processor, which comes with four USB-C ports capable of Thunderbolt 4 connectivity. This version also supports up to two external monitors, whereas the base-model version supports only one external monitor. If you plan on using the computer for basic tasks, with few accessories and no external monitor, and if you are going to connect the computer over Wi-Fi and don’t need the nano-texture display, the eight-core version will almost certainly be enough.

It ships with premium accessories. The iMac comes with Apple’s Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard, which are by far the best accessories shipped with any all-in-one we’ve tested. Most all-in-one manufacturers bundle in comparatively cheap and dinky peripherals, which we recommend replacing immediately. By contrast, the Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard are high-quality, feel great to use, and will last for years. These accessories certainly factor into the iMac’s high cost, but Apple’s decision to include about $180 worth of peripherals goes a long way toward ensuring that your experience with the computer is great from the first time you boot it up. The 10-core M4 model of the iMac comes with a keyboard with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which is a nice quality-of-life upgrade over having to type your password all the time.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

It’s expensive. Buying a mini PC and a nice monitor would be cheaper. But if you specifically want a high-quality computer with the aesthetics and simple design of an all-in-one, you don’t have many other great options. Competing all-in-ones generally have far worse screens, processors that require loud fans, and junky peripherals.

The HP Envy Move puts a fresh spin on the traditional all-in-one computer, with a handle and battery so you can unplug it from the wall, safely pick it up, and use it in a different room for a few hours. Though it sounds a little gimmicky at first, we found that this really did make the computer more flexible and useful. Even if you don’t move it, we think the Envy Move is a solid budget option due to its display, speakers, and webcam.

It has a sharp and responsive touchscreen display. The Envy Move has a 24-inch 1440p display, while most competitors only offer a 1080p display for a similar price. It can reach 300 nits of brightness, which is bright enough for home use but won’t look very bright in full, direct sunlight. It’s also a 10-point touchscreen, which we found was responsive and worked well. However, the display has a glossy finish, so you’ll want to keep a microfiber cloth in the computer’s back pocket to wipe it down.

It’s the rare desktop PC that has a battery, which is useful. The built-in battery allows you to unplug the computer from the wall and take it with you into another room for about four hours. We found that the portability was actually pretty helpful in certain situations, like setting it on the coffee table and doing a video call with friends from the couch.

It has a back pocket to hold the included keyboard. The keyboard that comes with the Envy Move has a trackpad built in, and we were comfortable using it at a desk or on the couch. The computer has a large back pocket to hold the keyboard when it’s not in use, and you could also stuff a cable or dongle in there, too.

The unique design features automatically extending feet. When you pick up the Envy Move, its two feet rotate under the computer to stow themselves. When the feet are stowed, two small pins extend from the bottom of the computer; they get pushed back in by the weight of the computer when you place it down, deploying the feet. The mechanism works really well on hard surfaces, but it doesn’t work on carpet, since it’s too soft to fully press the pins and deploy the legs. The whole computer tilts backward a few degrees, but not forward or not far enough that we found it comfortable to use while sitting in front of it on the floor.

It’s powerful enough to get work done. The setup we recommend has an Intel Core i5-1335U processor and 16 GB of RAM, which is more than enough for surfing the web and working on documents, even while taking video calls. It’s also capable of some casual photo and video editing. A 256 GB hard drive will be enough for documents, pictures, and some home video, but you’ll want to back anything important up in the cloud or on a portable SSD.

The webcam, microphone, and speakers are all great. HP has upgraded the webcam on nearly all of its computers to 5-megapixel resolution, which looks great in most lighting situations. The webcam also has a physical privacy shutter. And we were pleasantly surprised by the quality of the Envy Move’s speakers, which are better than most on all-in-ones or monitors. The sound has really nice clarity, as well as discernible bass, mids, and treble; that might not sound impressive, but most monitors we test don’t meet that low threshold.

It’s got a few basic ports. The Envy Move has one USB-C and one USB-A, located on the left side of the computer. They’re a bit cramped in the bottom corner, and bulky accessories might not fit in the space between the port and your desk. But since the keyboard and touchpad are wireless, and what most people will be using most of the time, we don’t think it’s a dealbreaker. There’s an HDMI input and power jack on the right side, along with a button to switch between the internal computer and that HDMI.

Here’s what to look for if you’re shopping for a budget all-in-one.

First, make every effort to see the computer in person. Stores such as Best Buy, Costco, and Walmart have display setups of their computers, so you can see firsthand whether you like the PC. You likely won’t be able to test how fast the PC is or how well games run on it, but you can check other important factors. Look at the screen and determine whether it seems sharp enough for you to read small text. Check if the audio is playing, or if you can play a YouTube video to check the sound: Is it tinny, or does music sound natural to you? See if you can use the computer’s webcam to confirm that it’s sharp enough for you to make a video call; typically you can check the camera by opening the Start menu on Windows and finding the Camera application.

When it comes to specifications, we recommend a midrange Intel Core Ultra processor. You can identify a processor by its model number, which should start with “Ultra 5” or “Ultra 7.” Don’t buy anything with a model number like i5-11500 (an older processor), i5-10500 (an even older processor), or i3-13100 (a recent processor, but in a lower range).

The computer should also have at least 16 GB of RAM and at least 256 GB of storage, and the screen resolution should be at least 1080p. The webcam’s resolution should also be 1080p at a minimum.

We have a new Windows pick, the HP OmniStudio X. It’s the best all-in-one if you need a big 4K screen. The OmniStudio X starts at a much lower base price than our previous Windows pick, the Lenovo Yoga 9i, and has a few other key advantages. It offers a newer processor and more ports, and those ports are in a far more convenient location. The stand’s height is also adjustable, a key feature that our previous pick didn’t have. The unit we tested had the optional add-on of an Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card, but if you don’t play games or edit media, you can save some cash. We’ll update this guide with more details soon.

Generally we didn’t consider all-in-ones with older, 12th-generation Intel processors or models with AMD Ryzen 3000–series laptop processors. We skipped any all-in-ones that lacked SSDs and a handful that omitted webcams. And we decided not to test models with 27-inch 1080p screens because that resolution looks too large and visibly pixelated at that screen size.

The Dell Inspiron 24 All-in-One was previously a budget pick in this guide. We think the HP Envy Move, our new budget pick, is a better, more feature-packed computer, and it’s cheaper than the Dell.

This article was edited by Arthur Gies and Caitlin McGarry.