Best all-in-one PCs 2024: Ideal for both home and work use
Upgrade your computer setup with our roundup of the best all-in-one PCs
While we’ve fallen in love with sleek, slimline laptops, opting for the best all-in-one PCs can be a smarter choice. Sure, you’ll be tethered to one desk and need a bit more space, but you’ll get all the benefits of a bigger screen, a full-sized keyboard, improved sound, a wider range of connections and a super stylish appearance.
That means a lot when you work from home or want a computer for homework, entertainment and casual browsing that’s kept permanently in a quiet corner. And although a traditional desktop PC can give you more performance, an all-in-one will take up less space and run quieter.
All-in-ones do tend to come with a price premium, often costing more than the equivalent desktop PC and monitor combo. And performance can be limited as they tend to use repurposed laptop parts. All the same, the best all-in-ones are faster and more versatile than ever before and ready to take on almost any home or office role.
Best all-in-one PCs: At a glance
Best budget all-in-one PC | Acer Aspire C27-1800 (~£799) | Check price at Currys |
Best all-in-one PC for work and entertainment | Apple M3 iMac 24in (~£1349) | Check price at John Lewis |
Best all-in-one PC for business | Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 4 (~£1079) | Check price at Lenovo |
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How we test all-in-one PCs
We test all-in-one PCs against our own in-house 4K media benchmarks, plus a collection of synthetic benchmarks, including Geekbench 5 and 6, GFXBench, and Maxon’s Cinebench 3D rendering benchmark. We also use a combination of the AS-SSD and BlackMagic disk benchmarks to measure storage performance. Where possible, we also test by running a series of games, including Doom (2016), Hitman 2, Metro Exodus, Cyberpunk 2077, and Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
Having completed these performance tests, we evaluate all-in-one PCs over the course of up to a week of real-world use, paying particular attention to the ergonomics of the screen, mouse, and keyboard, as well as the capabilities of any built-in audio systems. We also measure screen brightness and colour reproduction using a colorimeter, and take a look at the performance of any built-in webcams for video-chats and meetings.
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The best all-in-one PCs you can buy in 2024
1. HP ENVY 34-c1004na: Best big screen AIO
Price when reviewed: £2,300 | Check price at HPHP’s luxury all-in-one has it all: a massive 34in ultrawide 4K screen, a powerful Intel Core i7 CPU and a choice of Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs, giving you all the performance you need to run demanding creative applications or play today’s blockbuster games. We originally reviewed the Envy 34-c0005na, with an 11th-gen Core i7 11700, but we’ve since tested an updated model with a 12th-generation Core i5 12500 CPU, which offers significantly better performance. This version is even better, packing in a Core i7 12700, with eight performance cores and four efficient cores running 20 threads at speeds of up to 4.9GHz. It’s a monstrously speedy AIO, and the RTX 3060 GPU provides enough speed for AAA gaming as long as you’re realistic about your resolution and quality settings.
The screen is height-adjustable for comfort and extremely bright with excellent colour reproduction. The sound is almost as impressive, with a wider soundstage and more bass than most rivals can muster. You won’t struggle for connectivity either, with Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Bluetooth 5.2 all on board. There’s even scope to upgrade the RAM and add an extra SSD. We also like the built-in QI wireless charger in the stand and the bundled magnetic webcam. The only serious issue with the Envy 34 is the cost, but if you want the best Windows AIO, then this is it.
Key specs – Display size: 34in; Resolution: 5,120 x 2,160; Type: IPS; CPU: Intel Core i7-12700 (2.5GHz to 4.9GHz, 12C/20T); Graphics: Nvidia RTX 3060 6GB; RAM: 32GB; Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD; Dimensions: 817 x 368 x 223mm (WDH); Weight: 11.05kg
2. Apple M3 iMac 24in: Best AIO for work and entertainment
Price when reviewed: £1,349 | Check price at John Lewis
The latest iMac retains the sleek design and fantastic 4.5K screen of the 2021 M1 version, but with the added performance of the new M3 chip, giving you a system that can cope with the most demanding video and image-editing or design applications and looks fantastic while it’s doing so.
The chassis comes in various colours, while the 24in 4.5K retina screen is beautiful, with 500nits of brightness and True Tone tech for vibrant but accurate colours. The magic keyboard is exceptional, with an optional integrated Touch ID fingerprint scanner for speedy sign-in, and the built-in 1080p FaceTime HD camera and three-mic array are perfect for video calls and meetings. Even the Dolby Atmos audio is superb.
What quibbles we have are relatively minor. Connectivity is limited, with only two to four USB Type-C/Thunderbolt 4 ports, an optional Ethernet port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. There are no USB Type-A ports. It’s also disappointing that versions with 16GB of RAM are so expensive, adding an extra £200 to the standard price. All the same, ‘Apple tax’ isn’t a new phenomenon, and the iMac is still the class leader for a reason. Until someone else comes out with something this slim, stylish and speedy, it will remain the all-in-one to beat.
Key specs – Display size: 24in; Resolution: 4,480 x 2,520; Type: IPS True Tone; CPU: Apple M3 (2.75 to 4.05GHz, 8C); Graphics: Apple M3; RAM: 8GB; Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD; Dimensions: 547 x 461 x 147mm (WHD); Weight: 4.48kg
3. Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 4: Best AIO for home working and business
Price when reviewed: £1,079 | Check price at Lenovo
With a choice of 13th-generation Intel Core processors and up to 32GB of RAM, the ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 4 has enough performance to cover almost anything, plus a 27in QHD screen ideal for multitasking. Yet it’s the practicalities that make this such a brilliant business all-in-one. It’s incredibly sturdy, with a weighty stand where the base doubles as a tray to stow the keyboard. You can raise and tilt the screen to find the perfect height and angle. There’s ample connectivity, including Thunderbolt 4 and HDMI 2.1, and there’s scope to upgrade the SSD and RAM.
Crucially, the peripherals are a cut above what you’ll find on other AIOs, with an excellent keyboard, a numeric pad and a small but comfortable ambidextrous mouse. The sound is also surprisingly powerful, while the webcam captures well-balanced and mostly noise-free video. It is expensive but is worth the extra if you want more space and comfort for the daily grind.
Read our full Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Pro Gen 4 review
Key specs – Display size: 27in; Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440; Type: IPS; CPU: Intel Core i7 13700 (1.5 to 5.2GHz, 16c); Graphics: Intel Iris Xe; RAM: 16GB; Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD; Dimensions: 660 x 545 x 238mm (WDH); Weight: 10.82kg
4. Acer Aspire C27-1800: Best budget AIO
Price when reviewed: £799 | Check price at Currys
Looking for a cost-conscious, big-screen AIO? You’ll have to make some compromises, but with the Acer Aspire C27-1800, you’re making them in the right places. The biggest is the bog-standard 1080p resolution, which gives you a slightly pixelated image on a 27-inch screen, but otherwise, the display is up to scratch, with decent brightness levels and a solid grasp of colour. The connectivity is basic but covers all the fundamentals and even gives you Wi-Fi 6E for faster wireless networking if you have a compatible router.
The performance, meanwhile, is pretty good for a budget AIO, and Intel’s Core i5-1335U processor is great for browsing and running everyday productivity apps, even if it doesn’t have the GPU horsepower for high-end creative apps or modern games. You’ll have to forgive the cheap-feeling peripherals, which are workable rather than great. However, this is a solid all-round AIO at a very competitive price point.
Read our full Acer Aspire C27-1800 review
Key specs – Display size: 27in; Resolution: 1,920 x 1,080; Type: IPS; CPU: Intel Core i5 1335U (3.4 to 4.6GHz, 10c); Graphics: Intel Iris Xe; RAM: 8GB; Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD; Dimensions: 612 x 445 x 373mm (WHD); Weight: 5.5kg
5. HP Envy Move 23.8: Most versatile AIO
Price when reviewed: £1,199 | Check price at Currys
This ingenious semi-portable PC redefines what an AIO can be, with a sleek design you can carry around the house. The 4.1kg weight and built-in handle make this easier, with two feet swivelling out to support the unit when you place it on a desk or table. There’s a built-in battery to keep the Envy Move running for over four hours while not plugged into the mains, and there’s even a pouch at the back to store the keyboard while in transit. It’s perfect if you’re stuck for space and need to stow away your PC at the end of a working day or need a halfway house between the convenience of a laptop and the ergonomics of a full-sized desktop PC.
What’s more, the hardware itself is mostly great. The display could be brighter, but the QHD resolution means ample clarity and detail, while the B&O audio is top notch. The chiclet-style keyboard works well, as does its integrated touchpad, and the connectivity extends to an HDMI 1.4 input, enabling you to use the Envy Move as a screen for a streaming stick or gaming console. We’re also impressed by the 1440p webcam, which handles Windows Hello sign-in and puts the PC to sleep when you’re not in view. The only thing that lets this down is the limited performance. With an Intel Core i5-1335U CPU and just 8GB of RAM, it’s a little slower than the budget Acer Aspire C27-1800. If that’s not a big concern, buy away. It’s a brilliant and hugely versatile PC.
Read our full HP Envy Move review
Key specs – Display size: 23.8in; Resolution: 2,560 x 1,440; Type: IPS; CPU: Intel Core i5 1335U (3.4 to 4.6GHz, 10c); Graphics: Intel Iris Xe; RAM: 8GB; Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD; Dimensions: 552 x 367 x 149mm (WHD); Weight: 4.1kg
How to choose the best all-in-one PC for you
All-in-ones tend to follow the same basic design, with the system resembling a standard flat-screen monitor and the system components either situated in the casing behind the display or crammed into the stand below. They’re usually supplied with a matching mouse and keyboard and, bar a power cable or external power supply unit, that’s all you need to plug in. Everything should work out of the box, making all-in-ones extremely easy to set up and use.
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Perhaps the biggest advantage of the format is the bigger screen. Where laptops stop at 18in displays, all-in-ones come with screens of between 20in and 27in in size, with a few going even larger to 34in. This makes them much easier to work on, especially if you’re multitasking. Resolution and quality, however, vary. Cheaper models typically come with fairly bog standard 1080p Full HD (1,920 x 1,080) screens, while premium models will push that upwards to 1440p (2,560 x 1,440) or even 4K (3,840 x 2,160). Make sure you get the screen you want as, while you can usually add a second screen, you can’t upgrade the built-in display.
What kind of spec do you need?
After the screen and overall form factor, specification is your key concern. You should look for much the same stuff you would look for in any desktop or laptop: a fast CPU, a big SSD for storage and plenty of RAM. You can still get away with an 8GB system, but these days, we would urge you to move up to 16GB for the performance benefits and some future-proofing. For the same reasons, try not to get stuck with an SSD of less than 512GB in capacity, and think about upgrading to 1TB or more.
As we’ve already touched on, all-in-one PCs tend to use laptop rather than desktop components, so it’s worth double-checking the specs for the CPU and graphics processor (if any) to make sure they will cope with your workload.
Intel’s 13th generation Core i5 and Core i7 mobile CPUs offer formidable levels of horsepower, with the new Core Ultra processors going even further. The same goes for AMD’s Ryzen 5, Ryzen 7 and Ryzen 9 processors. However, you’ll still find all-in-ones promising cutting-edge performance when they’re actually based on older processors with fewer cores and last-generation technology. The latest iMac is more up to date, using the same M3 processor found in the latest MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops.
Mobile graphics processors may also have fewer cores or run at lower clock speeds than their desktop equivalents, so don’t expect the same performance. However, they are an improvement on the integrated graphics built into most Intel and AMD processors, which won’t be able to run most games from the last five years, let alone the most recent ‘AAA’ big-budget titles. It might change if we see all-in-ones carrying Intel’s Meteor Lake CPUs or AMD’s latest Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 APUs, but right now, you’ll need dedicated GPUs for gaming.
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Is there anything else worth looking out for?
You might be surprised how few USB ports some AIOs ship with, and how quickly these can fill up, so connectivity is crucial. USB-A ports come in handy for connecting legacy peripherals – wired keyboards and mice, for instance – while fast USB-C, Thunderbolt 3 or Thunderbolt 4 ports are a must for hooking up external storage should the internal SSD fill up.
An RJ45 port can come in handy for Ethernet or Powerline networking, while HDMI ports let you connect a second monitor. Some all-in-ones even let you use the screen as a display for a games console or streaming stick.
Most new AIOs support the newer Wi-Fi 6 or 6E standards and Bluetooth 5.0 or 5.2, but this is worth double-checking as you want a machine that’s as future-proof as possible and will play well with the latest peripherals and headsets.
Finally, don’t forget about audio. One of the joys of a good AIO is having decent speakers built in; if you get one with tinny or underpowered speakers, you’re not going to feel like using them.