Best All-in-One Computers 2021 | All-in-One PCs and Macs

All-in-one computers are the perfect solution for users who want the power and screen size of a desktop computer combined with the tidiness of a laptop. These machines are great for small spaces and anyone who hates clutter. Just keep in mind that all-in-ones often lack the power and expandability of tower computers.

What to Look For

Screen

I always recommend people consider a computer’s display first because it goes a long way in dictating user experience. The models in this category have displays that range from 24 to 43 inches. The best pick for most people is a 27-inch model, which offers plenty of space to view documents and movies but isn’t so big that it will overwhelm your desk.

Size isn’t everything, though. Keep an eye on the screen’s resolution. The minimum resolution you should buy is 1920 x 1080 pixels, which is sometimes termed full HD. But high-end models like Apple’s iMac offer resolutions of 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) or higher.

Another consideration when it comes to displays is whether you want a touch screen. I find touch screens better for smaller computers like tablets, but some people like them for drawing on desktops or all-in-ones, too.

Browse Around: The Best Desktop Computers of 2021 | 7 Keyboards for More Comfortable Typing

Processing Power and Speed

Most computer configurations will do the job in terms of memory, but make sure the PC you choose has at least 8 gigabytes of RAM. In general, the more RAM your computer has, the more smoothly it will operate. You can get away with 8 GB, but a model with double that amount will allow you to run more programs at once.

As for the processor, look for at least a quad-core option, though higher-end computers will have Intel’s six-core Coffee Lake or 10-core Comet Lake CPUs. The better processors will help you speed through programs and run many applications at once.

How We Evaluated

I’ve used many all-in-one PCs in my 20-plus years as a technology journalist. My work has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, The Atlantic, and many other publications. I currently use the latest Apple iMac, which has a 24-inch screen that’s just big enough to get work done without taking up too much room in my tiny New York City apartment.

I spent nearly a dozen hours researching all-in-one computers for this review. For each model, I considered screen size and quality, processor speed, RAM, hard drive, and cost. I tried out many models in local stores and looked at hundreds of online reviews. Here’s a roundup of the best all-in-ones for a variety of price points.

Great for Everyday Use

Dell Inspiron 7700

Dell
amazon.com

$1,166.99

• Display: 27 in. full HD touch screen
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 12 GB 

The 7700 has a bright, crisp screen that’s big enough to look at several websites at once or work on a bunch of different spreadsheets. The touch screen is handy for marking up documents. It’s a stunner, too, with a sleek aluminum design that looks a little like Apple’s iMac lineup. The 7700 is powerful enough to run some PC games with a separate graphics processor. The discrete graphics card aids with gaming performance compared to the integrated graphics that come with many budget processors.

  • Good display
  • Powerful enough to handle some gaming

Best Value

Acer Aspire C27-962-UA91

• Display: 27 in. full HD
• Processor: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 12 GB 

Acer’s Aspire looks a lot like a computer display that has a PC hidden inside. That’s meant as a compliment because even in the field of sleek PCs, the Aspire is exceptionally elegant. The specs are remarkably decent, considering the low price tag. The Intel Core i5 processor is fast enough to blaze through word processing and web browsing, and the discrete graphics card means that the Acer is up for some light gaming. The 27-inch display is remarkably crisp and vibrant.

Best for Gaming

HP Envy All-in-One

• Display: 31.5 in. 4K
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 16 GB 

HP’s Envy lineup is meant to appeal to gamers, though this model isn’t particularly flashy. Instead, the company opted for a squarish, vaguely retro design with a speaker pointing at the user on the front of the display. That forward-spacing speaker makes for excellent sound quality, which is perfect for pumping up the atmosphere when playing your next first-person shooter.

  • Excellent screen and sound quality
  • Robust processor can handle some gaming

All-Purpose Workhorse

HP Pavilion 24

HP
amazon.com

$1,279.99

$1,138.00 (11% off)

• Display: 24 in. full HD touch screen
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 16 GB 

The Pavilion 24 offers a little bit of everything at a price that’s not outrageous. Want a touch screen? Check. Plenty of storage? You got it with a 512 GB solid-state drive and 1 terabyte hard drive. It’s all packaged into an elegant, silvery design with a front-facing speaker that makes a bold statement you’ll either love or hate. This Pavilion offers a wide array of ports and an Intel i7 processor that should give you plenty of power to run most applications.

  • Good value
  • Lots of storage space
  • Display size is slightly small

Best Looking

HP 27 All-in-One

• Display: 27 in. full HD touch screen
• Processor: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 16 GB 

The HP 27 is a terrific value for a PC that boasts a wide, gorgeous screen and very decent specifications. Although the display is bright and crisp, keep in mind that it’s only full HD. Then again, you’ll save a few hundred dollars by forgoing the higher resolution 4K experience. The design is among the best-looking on the market, with a mid-century modern vibe that will blend in very well in many living rooms.

  • Attractive design
  • Value pick
  • Screen quality isn’t top of the line

Ultra-Fast Processing

Apple 24-Inch iMac (2021)

Apple
amazon.com

$1,249.99

• Display: 24 in. 4.5K
• Processor: Apple M1
• RAM: 8 GB 

I’m writing this article on Apple’s 2021 iMac and can’t recommend it highly enough. The screen is bright and has all the resolution you could want at 4.5K. Thanks to Apple’s new M1 processor, the iMac is one of the fastest computers I’ve ever used. The sound quality is excellent even though the speakers are hidden away. My only complaint is the dinky keyboard, but that’s easily replaced.

  • M1 chip delivers fast computing
  • High-resolution display is bright and crisp

Excellent Display

Apple 27-Inch iMac (2020)

Apple
amazon.com

$1,899.00

• Display: 27 in. 5K
• Processor: Intel Core i5
• RAM: 8 GB 

I owned an earlier version of this iMac and can vouch that it’s a powerhouse. The 5K screen blows past almost any competitor, as it should at this price tag. The iconic iMac design is solid and allows easy tilting of the display for your viewing pleasure. However, keep in mind that this model hasn’t yet been updated to the latest Apple M1 processor, which should make a big difference in terms of speed. 

Several Ports

Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 3

Lenovo
amazon.com

$690.01

• Display: 24 in. full HD
• Processor: Ryzen 5
• RAM: 16 GB 

Lenovo is a business brand that’s not known for its striking designs, but the IdeaCentre boasts one of the most unique looks of all the PCs in this roundup. A single curving leg holds the display up, and the all-black frame adds distinction. The 24-inch screen is on the smaller side, but it’s sharp and bright with full HD. It’s got a plethora of plug-in options with standard and high speed USB ports, as well as a 3-in-1 card reader and HDMI output to set up a second screen.

  • Affordable
  • Lots of ports for connecting devices
  • Display is on the small end

Best for Designers

Lenovo Yoga A940

Lenovo
amazon.com

$4,299.00

• Display: 27 in. 4K touch screen
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 32 GB 

This Lenovo Yoga is a beast of a machine with a price tag to match. Meant for graphics professionals, the Yoga looks like a giant tablet mashed into a keyboard. Inside, the Yoga is all business with an Intel Core i7 and 32 GB of RAM. The screen’s the star here with a touch screen and 4K resolution. 

  • Powerful processing
  • Excellent display

Professional-Level Display

Microsoft Surface Studio 2

Microsoft
amazon.com

$3,329.97

• Display: 28 in. touch screen
• Processor: Intel Core i7
• RAM: 32 GB 

Pro users are the intended audience for Surface Studio 2, but don’t let that stop you if you’ve got the cash to spare. The Surface features a glorious 28-inch touch screen display with 13.5 million pixels that Microsoft claims are highly accurate in terms of color reproduction. A tiltable screen allows you to use this computer almost flat and read or mark up documents with the stylus while standing up.

  • Professional-grade touch screen
  • Tilting display

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