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The best all-in-one computers you can buy: Expert tested
All-in-one (AIO) computers can do it all, without sacrificing valuable desk space. These often-stylish AIO systems build the processor, storage, and other components directly into the display, so you don't need a separate desktop tower, and you have fewer cables cluttering up your work area.
While AIO computers are convenient, they have a few drawbacks compared with a traditional desktop PC. Such systems often include less powerful components, with few (or no) upgrade options and reduced repairability -- so it's important to buy the right AIO computer at the outset. An AIO computer is a great fit for households and remote workers who need a space-efficient computer with a decent-sized screen, and who won't miss the portability of a laptop.
Also: The best laptops you can buy: Expert tested
What is the best all-in-one computer you can buy right now?
We went hands-on with several all-in-one computers across various categories, covering different price points, use cases, and operating systems. Our top pick is Apple's 24-inch iMac, which was chosen for its strong performance, high-resolution display, and eye-catching design. Of course, the iMac is not the only option out there, and we found plenty of appealing Windows-based choices for different needs. Read on for the rest of our picks to help you find the best AIO computer for you.
The best all-in-one computers of 2024
- Striking, sleek design
- Powerful performance
- Great webcam and speakers
- Stunning 4.5K Retina screen
- Available in only one screen size
- Lacks upgradability
- No options for discrete or external GPUs
Among all the AIOs on this list, the 2023 iteration of the 24-inch Apple iMac earns our top pick. This model runs on the company's M3 chip which the company touts as twice as fast as the M1 processor found in the 2021 version of the iMac. The M3 has comprised four performance cores and four efficiency cores, and it comes with a minimum of 8GB of unified memory -- a term Apple uses to describe memory shared among the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine.
Of course, it wouldn't be an iMac without a gorgeous screen. Apple didn't reinvent the wheel here: This model uses a 24-inch 4.5K Retina display capable of supporting a billion colors on screen, same as the one found on the 2021 iMac. It also still has a 1080p HD webcam, six speakers, and the same colorways as before (blue, pink, silver, and orange).
Also: Apple's M3 iMac disappoints 27-inch display devotees, but does anyone really need that?
The iMac comes in three main configurations, starting at $1,299 for an 8-core CPU and GPU combo with two Thunderbolt ports, 256GB of storage, and a Magic Keyboard. From here, each subsequent model adds more to the pile. The $1,499 iMac bumps the processor to a 10-core GPU, adds an extra pair of USB 3.0 Type-C ports, and it supports gigabit ethernet. The top-tier $1,699 iMac doubles the storage of the mid-tier model to 512GB. Each model has memory and storage upgrade options as well. Choose wisely, since the machine can't be upgraded after purchase.
We're not the only ones bullish on the 24-inch Apple iMac. Amazon customers praise the M3 iMac for its easy setup, speed, and design.
Apple iMac 24-inch (M3, 2023) specs: OS: MacOS Sonoma (MacOS 14) | CPU: Apple M3 (8-core) | GPU: Apple M3 (10-core) | RAM: 8GB, 16GB (unified memory), 24GB (unified memory) | Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB | Camera: 1080p FaceTime HD | Audio: 3 mic array, 6 speakers | Dimensions: 21.5 x 18.1 x 5.8 inches | Weight: 9.87 lbs
- Reliable performance
- Highly configurable
- 27-inch screen
- Single base stand
- Very expensive
The HP EliteOne 870 G9 is the rare AIO computer with a ridiculous number of ways you can customize your unit. Its high degree of customizability makes this business-centric model stand out from the crowd. As noted earlier, AIO computers are not easy to fix or upgrade, so it's important you pick a system with everything you need from the get-go.
Also: How much RAM does your Windows 11 PC need?
The base model starts with a modest Intel Core i3-12100 CPU, but you can choose from several options, including upgrading to a 13th-generation Intel Core i7-13700 processor. You can also upgrade from a 1080p display to a 2K pixel display, with or without a touchscreen. Memory starts at 8GB of RAM and scales up to a massive 64GB. You can purchase up to three separate M.2 SSDs if you purchase Windows 11 Pro, for a total of 4TB of storage (at a significant premium over the base price, of course). Also, the adjustable stand can have a VESA cover plate instead of a clutch.
Further customizations include adding a fingerprint reader, speakers, and integrated wireless (Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3). Because you can customize so much, the price for the EliteOne varies wildly. A baseline pre-configured model starts at just under $2,000, though some configs can sell for less, and most will sell for more.
HP EliteOne 870 G9 specs: OS: Windows 11 | CPU: Intel Core i3-12100 | GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 730 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Camera: 1080p | Audio: Internal Stereo Speakers | Dimensions: 24.17 x 9.72 x 23.6 in | Weight: 25.57 lb
- Configurable
- Affordable
- Solid performance
- Wide array of ports
- Single USB-C port
Buying an AIO computer can be an expensive endeavor, but it doesn't have to be -- as this Dell Inspiron 24 5420 shows. This Dell is one of the many inexpensive AIOs out there that deliver solid performance, and it stands out for its range of inputs.
Inexpensive models tend to cut corners by opting for smaller screen sizes, old hardware, and such. But not the Inspiron 5420. As its name suggests, it sports a 24-inch InfinityEdge display with 1,920 x 1080 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. InfinityEdge is Dell's term for its thin bezel design. The display also has an anti-glare coating ensuring the picture remains crystal clear even in bright environments.
Also: How much RAM does your Windows 11 PC need?
Inside, the Inspiron 5420 comes with a solid hardware configuration. The mid-range configuration listed here has a 13th-Gen Intel Core i5-1335U processor, an integrated Intel UHD graphics card, 8GB of memory, and 512GB of storage. You can adjust some of the components (which scales the price up or down accordingly), but keep in mind some upgrades are tied to one another. For example, step up to a beefier build with a 1TB SSD, and you also need to upgrade the graphics to an NVIDIA GeForce MX550 GPU, the processor an Intel Core i7-1355U, and the memory to 16GB.
One quirk worth noting: This AIO only comes with a single USB-C port. What's strange is that the Inspiron 5420 has an array of ports, including HDMI, RJ45, and USB-A. You'd think Dell would've added at least one more USB-C input to the setup.
Dell Inspiron 24 5420 specs: OS: Windows 11 | CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1335U | GPU: Intel UHD graphics card | RAM: 8GB | Storage 512GB | Camera: 1080p | Audio: Stereo speakers with Waves MaxxAUdio Pro | Dimensions: 21.36 x 1.58 x 16.21 in | Weight: 11.55 lbs
- Flexible screen hinge
- Excellent 28-inch 3:2 screen
- Good GPU performance
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports
- Processor is a little old
- Screen bezels could be narrower
The inclusion of the Surface Studio 2+ here may seem strange to some. It runs on an old 11th-Gen Intel Core i7 processor instead of the recent 12th-Gen version, and the bezels around the screen are pretty thick, robbing the display of its potential size. But Microsoft's computer has a lot of things going for it that still earn it a spot on this list. Chief among them is its Zero Gravity Hinge, which allows you to position the screen at an angle. Being able to adjust the screen in this manner is great for creative professionals who need to draw, but don't have a tablet. You can instead illustrate directly on the touchscreen.
Speaking of which, the touchscreen on the Surface Studio is fantastic. It has an image resolution of 4,500 x 3,000 pixels, which is better than 4K. This level of quality is further enhanced by its support for the DCI-P3 color gamut and Dolby Vision. What's more, it has a 1200:1 contrast ratio. Putting everything together results in a display capable of showing vibrant colors in stunning quality.
Review: Microsoft Surface Studio 2+: Elegant, flexible all-in-one PC gets an upgrade
Going back to the hardware, the computer can be surprisingly strong thanks to its Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphic card. it gives professionals a powerful enough GPU to render 3D objects. Plus, the 3060 model is quite good at meeting the performance requirements for video editing. That type of work can be tough on other AIOs, but the Surface Studio 2+ handles them with ease.
Other notable features include 1TB, 32GB of RAM, three USB-C ports, and a 1080p webcam.
Microsoft Surface Studio 2+ specs: OS: Windows 11 Pro | CPU: Intel Core i7-11370H | GPU: GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU, GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU (6GB) | RAM: 32GB (DDR4) | Storage: 1TB SSD | Camera: 1080p + IR for Windows Hello face authentication | Audio: stereo 2.1 speakers with Dolby Atmos, dual far-field studio mics, 3.5mm headphone jack | Dimensions: Base: 9.8 x 8.7 x 1.2 inches • Display: 25.1 x 17.3 x 0.5 inches | Weight: 21 lbs
- 34-inch 5K display
- Great performance
- up to 4TB SSD
- Ports are in tough-to-reach spot
- Expensive
HP is in a unique position among AIO manufacturers, as it has a huge presence on the market. The company makes a lot of great computers, to the point where you could arguably fill out this entire list with HP models. However, we decided to slim things down to one of its best offerings: the Envy 34.
This thing is a beast, measuring 34 inches diagonally and making one of, if not the, largest AIO machine out there. Most of these computers peak at around 24 to 27 inches, yet HP pushed the limits. So what do you get with this one? An outrageous 5K (5,120 x 2,160) WUHD display. It supports nearly the entirety of the DCI-P3 color gamut enabling eye-catching colors. Plus, it has a brightness configuration of 500 nits for crystal clear quality. HP even covered the glass with an anti-glare coating so you can continue seeing the screen even if the sun is peeking through the blinds.
Currently, there are two models available sporting different hardware configurations, and you can't go wrong with either one. They're both pretty powerful. The base version, which you can buy off HP's website, has a 12th-Gen Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD. The one on Amazon has an Intel i9 processor, a whopping 128GB of RAM for "supreme performance," and a huge 4TB SSD. As for the GPU, the pair have the same model: an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060.
User reviews on Amazon praise the computer for its performance with multiple people lauding the Envy 34 for its speed and consistent performance.
HP Envy 34 All-In-One (2022) specs: OS: Windows 11 | CPU: 12th-Gen Intel Core i7-12700, Intel Core i9-11900K | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 (6GB) | RAM: 16GB, 128GB| Storage: 1TB, 4TB | Camera 16MP moveable camera | Audio: Dual 2W Bang & Olufsen speakers | Dimensions 32.2 x 14.5 x 8.78 inches| Weight: 24.4 lbs, 45 lbs
- Stunning 32-inch 4K screen
- Four Harman Kardon-certified speakers
- Supports Wi-Fi 6E for fast connectivity
- Comes with wireless keyboard and mouse
- Limited performance from Iris Xe GPU
- Ports are in hard-to-reach spot
- Only one USB 4 port
After a long day's work, nothing beats kicking up your feet and watching a movie. If you're looking for an AIO computer to double as an entertainment center, then we strongly recommend the Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i from Lenovo. It has a stunning 32-inch Ultra HD 4K (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) display, making it perfect for viewing movies or editing 4K video. The screen produces vibrant colors and crisp detail.
Also: The best 4K monitors of 2023
This model has a Harmon Kardon-certified audio system comprised of a pair of tweeters and two woofers. And it supports Dolby Atmos audio. In our review of the Yoga AIO 9i, we noted how this AIO's speakers output immersive audio, with deep bass and powerful treble. Even dialogue in TV shows sounded crystal clear. The speakers are loud, which means you could keep the volume at a mere 30 percent and still feel enveloped by immersive audio.
The Yoga AIO 9i comes with a 13th-Gen Intel Core i9-13000H processor, 16GB of memory, and a 512GB SSD (if you're lucky, you can catch the 1TB version on sale on Lenovo's site for less than the 512GB version). When using this hardware for everyday work, it quickly becomes apparent that this was a powerful combination, enough so for keeping open multiple apps, windows, and browser tabs while also playing multiple videos -- all without suffering a significant slowdown. Plus, when we ran it through our benchmark tests, it scored high numbers.
As much as we like this computer, it's not perfect. It looks attractive, with a metal bar connecting the screen to the base. But it also has some awkward design elements, most notably that the ports are on the back of the base in a hard-to-reach place. The port location can make connecting accessories more difficult than it should be. Regardless of hiccups like that, this is still a great machine.
Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i specs: OS: Windows 11 | CPU: 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13900H | GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe | Storage: 512GB | Camera: 5MP RGB + IR | Audio: 2x 2W Harman Kardon-certified tweeters, 2x 5W Hardman Kardon-certified woofers | Dimensions: 21.19 x 28.50 x 9.96 inches | Weight: 18.01 lbs
What is the best all-in-one computer?
The Apple iMac 24-inch (M3, 2023) is ZDNET's top choice. But one size doesn't fit all. Check out our comparison chart below to see other worthy AIO PCs on our list.
| All-in-One Computer | Screen size | Price (starting at) | OS |
| Apple iMac 24-inch (M3, 2023) | 24 inches | $1,299 | MacOS |
| HP EliteOne 870 G9 | 27 inches | $1,989 | Windows |
| Dell Inspiron 24 5420 | 24 inches | $600 | Windows |
| Microsoft Surface Studio 2+ | 28 inches | $4,500 | Windows |
| HP Envy 34 All-In-One | 34 inches | $1,749 | Windows |
| Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i | 32 inches | $1,549 | Windows |
Which all-in-one computer is right for you?
All-in-one computers have a lot of features packed into a single package. But AIOs typically can't get upgraded after puchase, so you need to find the component mix and price that best matches your needs.
We chose Apple's 24-inch M3-based iMac as the best AIO computer due to its great design and top-tier performance. But if you prefer a Windows AIO, we found plenty of options. See the comparison chart below to quickly see how the iMac differs from our other AIO picks.
| Choose this best AIO.... | If you want... |
| Apple iMac 24-inch (M3, 2023) | The best all-in-one computer. Equipped with a 4.5K Retina display and a striking design,the 2023 24-inch iMac delivers on all fronts for work, home, and school. |
| HP EliteOne 870 G9 | An all-in-one computer with a ton of configuration options available to you. Buyers can choose from five different processors, add a second SSD, and more. |
| Dell Inspiron 24 5420 | The best budget all-in-one computer. It offers a 24-inch 1080p display, a 13th-Gen Intel Core i5 processor, and a 512GB SSD for a reasonable price. |
| Microsft Surface Studio 2+ | The best all-in-one computer for creative purposes. Its Zero Gravity Hinge lets you reposition the computer for more comfortable drawing and its (slightly old) hardware still performs well. |
| HP Envy 34 All-In-One | The best large-screen all-in-one computer. With a 34-inch display outputting 5K resolution, this AIO can any image look gorgeous, plus it has a solid processor and graphics card pairing. |
| Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i | The best all-in-one computer for entertainment. It has a 32-inch Ultra HD display, a room-filling Harmon Kardon speaker system, and excellent performance. This is a perfect pick for a centerpiece computer. |
What are some factors to consider when choosing an AIO computer?
ZDNET experts conduct their own research and perform real-world testing by personally using these all-in-one computers. As part of our testing, we look for four major aspects and see if any of the devices meet our standards. Below is a list of the criteria the computers must meet.
- Design: We consider the size of an AIO computer, camera and speaker placement, location of ports, and its overall aesthetics. If you're going to spend money on something, it should at least look good.
- Performance: AIO computers, as a whole, don't have the best performance as they're meant to be easy-to-use, lightweight machines and often lack dedictated graphics processors. Still, we keep an eye out for models that balance hosting hardware and affordability.
- Display: Obviously, it's important to want and have an AIO computer with a great-looking screen since you'll be staring at one for hours. But we also consider unique capabilities like touchscreen functionality.
- Features: Lastly, we consider the AIO's full range of features, including its port options (does it have USB 4?) or display capabilities.
How did we choose these all-in-one computers?
At ZDNET, we occasionally receive AIO computers for reviews. We use the model for a while, running it through benchmark tests and seeing firsthand where it excels and where it stumbles. Information from personal usage is taken into account as well.
Once we've compiled a list, we separate the best of the best using the guidelines noted in the previous entry. We also consider the components the AIO has, available upgrades, how well it performs, the display's size and type, and any additional features and ports. Of course, there are certain factors we ignore. No point in taking portability into account when they commonly weigh over 20 pounds.
What is the average lifespan for AIO computers?
According to Lenovo, the average lifespan of an AIO computer is about five to eight years, but it depends on a variety of factors. It depends on how often you use it, if you take good care of the machine, and if you frequently install updates. It also depends on whether your needs change over time, and you need more powerful components the AIO lacks.
What is a disadvantage of an all-in-one computer?
Repairability is, by far, the biggest drawback to all-in-one computers. According to ZDNET's computer expert June Wan, "the internal parts are typically weaved into the chassis so that there's little room for modification." This is done to save as much space as possible. Additionally, this leads to a short life span. After about four to eight years, you may begin to experience performance problems and you'll have to bring the entire system to a professional technician to fix it -- if they can.
Another drawback is the lack of upgradability. That means you're out of luck if a year after you've bought the machine you want more memory or a larger SSD.
Of course, there's also the price point to consider. AIO computers are typically more expensive than traditional desktop computers.
Which is better: An all-in-one computer or a traditional desktop PC?
It all depends on your priorities. If you value having as few cables as possible, a degree of transportability, and space-saving and stylish design, AIOs are definitely for you. On the other hand, if powerful performance, upgradability, and repairability are what you're after, then a traditional desktop PC will generally offer more for your money.
Who would need an all-in-one computer?
AIO computers are ideal for users in confined spaces. The compact nature of the machines makes them perfect for receptionist desks, dorms, medical centers, and other settings that need desk space for other things.
Are there alternative AIO computers to consider?
While the curated AIO computers listed above will most likely suit your needs, there are alternatives with varying prices, sizes, and features that should be considered too. A few of them are listed below.
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3i Gen 7
Best budget alternative
Lenovo's seventh-generation IdeaCentre AIO 3i is super cheap, compact, and offers good performance with its 12th-Gen Intel Core processors.