The Best All-in-One Computers
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The all-in-one computer category—nestled fitfully between the laptop and desktop worlds—seemingly gets little respect from everyone: consumers and manufacturers. Why purchase a machine that has limited upgradeability and isn’t portable, a shopper might ask. And why invest in a small category no one cares much about, a computer executive would probably retort.
Well, lots of reasons. First, because everything you need is packed into a single device—most all-in-one computers have only one cable (for power) to deal with. They don’t take up the space of traditional desktops, and they’re less complex. Setup is a snap: Pop it on the desk, plug it in, and you’re ready to go. Even a relatively low-end all-in-one is more attractive on the desk than a traditional desktop. There’s a reason you often see iMacs parked in front of receptionists. Compared to a laptop, an all-in-one offers a much more expansive screen and, usually, more power to boot. Yet they can often be considerably cheaper than a laptop despite being larger. Many all-in-ones are available for well under $1,000.
It’s a tragedy then that the category is often ignored and slow to be updated. While most all-in-ones use laptop parts, only one of the Intel-based machines I tested for this guide has been upgraded with its latest generation of CPUs (the Core Ultra line), and one is still using a processor from two generations ago. Nevertheless, there are so many pros to the all-in-one that the category merits attention. Here are our picks for the best all-in-one computers in various categories.
Be sure to read our other computing guides, including the Best Laptops, Best Cheap Laptops, Best Chromebooks, and Best MacBooks.
Updated November 2024: We've added the iMac M4 and HP OmniStudio X 31.5.
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How to Shop for an All-in-One Computer
Because all-in-ones vary so widely in size, power, and features, it can be a little daunting to pick the right one for your needs. Here’s a checklist that can help you navigate the shopping experience.
- Screen size: Start by figuring out how big of a screen can comfortably occupy your space. The 24- and 27-inch models are popular, and these usually come equipped with a touchscreen. Above the 30-inch size, you’ll lose the touch features but gain a much more expansive view. Make sure your desk can accommodate it.
- CPU and RAM: All-in-ones are usually built on laptop components, and almost all feature fairly dated CPU hardware. There’s no great guidance to offer on this front, as even a two-year-old processor can still perform well when paired with a good graphics card and plenty of RAM. But in general, we recommend opting for the most up-to-date processor you can find, which simply helps to avoid obsolescence. Try to go for 16 GB of RAM as a minimum; that's widely standard on these devices.
- Connectivity/Ports: The bigger the all-in-one, the more ports you’re going to find. If you like a clean desk, you may not want or need a lot of ports for extra gear, but at the very least you’ll want a couple of USB-C and USB-A ports for the occasional thumb drive, phone charging, or printer connection. Note that every all-in-one comes with a keyboard and mouse (or a pointing device of some kind), which is part of the reason why they’re called all-in-ones. Most connect wirelessly, but many require the use of an included USB-A dongle that will eat up one of your expansion ports. You can always add a hub or dock to expand your port selection.
- Wireless Connectivity: Ensure your all-in-one has Wi-Fi 6 (aka 802.11ax or AX) support or higher. This should be standard across the board, but it’s worth double-checking.
- Webcam: Like laptops, every all-in-one produced today includes a built-in webcam, and some are more impressive than others. If you plan on using your computer extensively for videoconferencing, look for a high-quality 5-MP camera, which is increasingly common.
- Adjustability: If you have the chance to check out your chosen all-in-one in person, I recommend doing so to ensure you can position the screen at the right angle. Some all-in-ones adjust vertically, but many are more limited and only tilt back and forth, and sometimes only a little.
- Photograph: Christopher Null
Best Overall
Apple iMac (M4, 2024)Apple continues to show off what 16 years of developing the iMac has gotten us—a refined, near-perfect all-in-one that looks as good as it performs (which, thanks to the new M4 CPU, is pretty darn good). You can easily be forgiven for assuming the new iMac M4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) is no different from the iMac M3 from 2023 because, in many ways, that’s the case. Changes for 2024 are nuanced and often invisible, regardless of which of the seven chassis colors you decide on.
But look closely and you’ll see how things have evolved for the better. A 12-megapixel webcam with Center Stage tracking is a radical upgrade over 2023. The nano-texture display makes for a viewing experience that is arguably unparalleled in this market. All peripherals are now fully upgraded to the USB-C standard—and the ports on the iMac itself are all on Thunderbolt 4, regardless of configuration.
The 23.5-inch system lacks a touchscreen, and Apple’s Magic Mouse remains a sore thumb in an otherwise beautiful configuration, but it’s the price that’s likely going to be the thing that holds most people back from choosing this machine. The $1,299 base configuration, now with double the RAM at 16 GB, is fine, but add a few extra USB-C ports, the screen upgrade, and a few other bells and whistles and you can quickly approach $3,000.
- Photograph: Christopher Null
Best Budget All-in-One Computer
HP Envy Move All-in-One 24With its 23.8-inch touchscreen, HP’s Envy Move is on the smaller side of all-in-one computers, but for basic needs—a computer in the kitchen, perhaps—it’s just about perfect. The stylish design is immediately head-turning, all white with a sophisticated fabric panel covering the front-mounted speaker grille. Smart little touches abound: a handle that hides behind the top of the screen, allowing for easy mobility; legs that swivel in and out automatically when you pick the system up, making for perhaps the most portable all-in-one on the market. And if space is a premium, you may especially appreciate the keyboard that comes with an integrated touchpad instead of a mouse. (You can always add a mouse separately if you need it.)
Despite the low cost—the unit starts at $680—it’s a fairly capable performer, courtesy of a 1.3-GHz 13th-generation Intel Core i5-1335U CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512-GB SSD (you'll pay a little more for these specs, but it's what I recommend). Alas, only three expansion ports are available: USB-C, USB-A, and an HDMI out. You won’t be gaming or rendering your next amination project on this system, but for casual web browsing and productivity work, maintaining the grocery shopping list, or even basic corporate tasks, it’ll get the job done.
- Photograph: Christopher Null
Best Luxe All-in-One
Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i 31.5You’ll first notice the striking design of the Lenovo Yoga AIO 9i, featuring an impossibly slim 31.5-inch screen perched atop a curving chrome bar, which in turn appears to be balanced on a circular graphite base. The secret sauce is that all the electronics for the computer are found in this thin disc, including a 2.6-GHz 13th-generation Intel Core i9-13900H CPU, 16 GB of RAM, and a 512-GB solid state drive. You’ll find all of the computer’s ports on the back of the base as well: two USB-C ports (one offering USB4), two USB-A ports, and an HDMI output.
The machine is best-in-breed across the all-in-one universe (at least the Windows-based version of it), with top-tier marks on benchmarks across the board, despite the lack of a discrete graphics processor. It’s hardly a gaming rig, but it’s about as close as you’ll get to one in today’s all-in-one ecosystem. If there’s another miss aside from graphics juice, it’s the lack of a touch-sensitive display. That said, you won’t find a brighter LCD on the market, which, when combined with its 3,840 x 2,160-pixel resolution, provides a breathtaking view. It might sound pricey, but you’ll pay more for many of Lenovo’s laptops.
- Photograph: Christopher Null
Best Widescreen All-in-One
HP Envy All-in-One 34The Envy 34 is an all-in-one unlike any other, featuring a 34-inch non-touch display with a jaw-dropping 5,120 x 2,160-pixel resolution screen, providing an (approximately) 21:9 aspect ratio that lets you easily put two full screens side by side. Performance is off the charts, despite the inclusion of an ancient (over two and a half years old!) 12th-generation Intel Core i7-12700 CPU running at 2.1 GHz. Fortunately, the inclusion of a fat 32 GB of RAM, a 1-TB SSD, and discrete graphics from an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 help overcome the machine’s outdated CPU—especially at graphics-related tasks, where the Envy 34 wholly rips up all of its competition.
The look of the machine is unique, its megascreen is mounted on a central pole, easily sliding up and down to adjust to your height needs. An included webcam mounts magnetically wherever you need it, and there’s even a wireless charging station for your phone in the center of the base. Merely counting the number of expansion ports is difficult, with a total of three USB-C ports, six USB-A ports, HDMI output, Ethernet, and an SD memory card slot split between the rear and the sides of the machine. When it comes to flexibility, nothing else on the market even comes close.
Naturally, this is all going to cost you: a hefty $2,469 as configured, though I tested a special order you can’t readily find. The high-end rack configuration (with 16 GB of RAM) is $2,150. Still worth it.
Other All-in-One Computers to Consider
HP OmniStudio X 31.5 for $1,450: This all-in-one computer has considerably better graphics performance thanks to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, and it’s the first Core Ultra-based all-in-one to hit the market. It’s almost a toss-up compared to the Lenovo above, but while it’s got plenty of power and scads of ports, the OmniStudio’s comparatively tame design left me dreaming of more eye-catching options.
Dell Inspiron 24 All-in-One ($950): While it’s a little more expensive, a little less sexy, and a little less powerful, this Dell AIO is nonetheless a reasonable alternative to HP’s Envy Move. The all-white but otherwise no-nonsense design feels particularly appropriate for corporate environments.
Avoid These AIOs
I've tested several more all-in-one computers but can't recommend the following. Stick with one of the models above.
Asus M3402 and A5702: Asus’ all-in-one lineup (available in both 24- and 27-inch versions) features dated, chunky, uninspired hardware and surprisingly lackluster performance. While the smaller M3402 is the cheapest all-in-one I’ve tested to date, the slow CPU and grainy LCD are both recipes for frustration.
Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 27ARR9: This 27-inch all-in-one is a reasonable pick if you’re trying to outfit the sleepiest corporate office on the block, its black monolithic design offering only a modicum of style over the aforementioned Asus machines. Though performance here isn’t outright bad, it simply has none of the panache of Lenovo’s Yoga AIO 9i, making for a bit of a letdown. My other low-cost all-in-one picks are just better options.
Microsoft Surface Studio 2+: I'm not entirely sure who this 28-inch, touch-centric all-in-one is supposed to be for. Microsoft perhaps doesn’t either, as the hardware is still running on a (discontinued) processor released at the beginning of 2021. While even a luxe all-in-one like the Yoga AIO 9i will cost you $1,800, the Studio 2+ runs a shocking $4,500. It’s an “avoid” based on price alone.
