All-In-One or tower PC?

Guy Martin.

Shopping for computers has changed immensely throughout the years.

Since the inception of the home Personal Computer (PC), most computer users were used to this setup: the tower computer, monitor, and of course, the different peripherals connected to the tower, i.e. keyboard, mouse, printer and such. When laptops became more affordable to everyday users, those became the way to go for portability and ease of use.

Over 10 years ago, the All-In-One Computer (AIO) was becoming more popular as an option from the traditional setup. It's called an All-In-One because the monitor and the complete computer is combined in the display. Hence, just one piece to the actual computer itself. Apple has produced iMac computers for years, which is an AIO computer. You still can use a wired or wireless keyboard and mouse, connect a printer via a USB cable and other items that require the USB connection. When the AIO PCs first came out, they were an extremely expensive option, so not as many people were switching over to them. Also, they were extremely heavy and bulky. If you had to take it in for a repair, it could be a bit of a chore for some.

Now, with the newest versions of the AIO, that has all changed. They are much lighter and thinner, making it much easier to move. They also are more energy efficient and have a more streamlined look to them. Most will come with a wireless keyboard and mouse, which of course cuts down on the clutter of "spaghetti" cables on the desk. Wireless and Bluetooth capabilities are built into all AIO computers for internet connection, and other Bluetooth devices. And the displays are modern LCD screens with amazing visuals available. And the best part is that most are in an affordable price range, anywhere from $450 to $1,000, depending on what you require. All come with the ultrafast SSD storage drives, and at least 8GB memory. There are many options to the configuration of the AIOs to tailor it to your specific needs.

With all that being said, there are some considerations to think about. Most of the AIOs do not have a CD/DVD drive in them, as CD/DVDs are almost a thing of the past. Most software/movies/music are now downloadable and streamed from the internet. They also come with less USB ports for things to be plugged in, as many options are now wireless. But that doesn't mean you don't have options to these limitations. First, you can get an external CD/DVD drive that plugs into a USB port and usually range from about $20 to $35. Also, is you need more ports to plug items into, you can get a USB Hub that plugs into 1 USB port, and then gives you four or more ports depending on what type of Hub you get. You can purchase these items at our local Walmart, or from your favorite shopping site.

The standard tower style PCs are still available, of course. However, the AIO has become much more popular as they have become more cost efficient and more streamlined. I have not found an AIO that would be good for gamers, as you just can't get the power needed for the graphics in them. You can play most card games, online type games, etc. But for the more graphic intense games, it's best to use a gaming tower type PC, as you can upgrade the various components that the games require.

Please, feel free to call, email or come in and visit my shop if you need help or have questions. I sure would love to meet you, even if just to shoot the breeze for a few.

For more information call Guy Martin at (661) 972-0448, email [email protected] or visit 20424 Brian Way, Unit 4 Tehachapi.