All in One Computers
Jul 6, 2011 | 4:57 am
#16
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Right. And for the price of.an all in one you could buy a nice non touch monitor and an iPad or android tablet. With some change left 
Originally Posted by NC_Girl
I think what I liked about the all in one monitors were that they laid down kind of flat. They really were cool, LOL but in reality, I would probably use it upright like a normal monitor most of the time. I think I will probably just go with the new monitor/keyboard/mouse combo hooked up to my laptop. Maybe not quite as cool but much less expensive!
Jul 6, 2011 | 6:36 am
#17
Join Date: Mar 2008
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I have a 27" iMac in the home office, and it's fantastic. I don't really miss the upgradability of a more traditional tower, and the screen real estate is pretty wonderful to have (I also have a little 20" monitor off to the side.)
Jul 6, 2011 | 5:26 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2009
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Upgrade-ability isn't so much an issue as fix-ability. If a part goes out on a traditional tower then it is easy to fix, but with an all in one you may have to bring it to the manufacturer or order special expensive parts from them. Even if you don't know what you are doing you can call up a buddy that does know about computers and buy them booze/steak instead of paying big bucks to a repair facility.
Jul 9, 2011 | 12:30 pm
#19
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The main disadvantage of the all-in-one units is lack of changeability. You're pretty much stuff with what it comes with but you may not care if you're not into changing components.
A few caveats (as I type watching a 46" LCD TV that is also the monitor of the HTPC).
Know where the overscan/underscan adjustment is so you can see the full screen. ATI chips/drivers seem to want to underscan so the whole display isn't used and the adjustment is a PITA to find.
Not all PCs have HDMI outputs or if they do sometimes the sound component isn't all there (such as only stereo vs. not 5.1 or 7.1 sound) but you may not care.
For those contemplating using VGA to hook up their TVs, be aware that some TVs don't support full screen usage through the VGA port or even 16:9. Check the specs first.
A few caveats (as I type watching a 46" LCD TV that is also the monitor of the HTPC).
Know where the overscan/underscan adjustment is so you can see the full screen. ATI chips/drivers seem to want to underscan so the whole display isn't used and the adjustment is a PITA to find.
Not all PCs have HDMI outputs or if they do sometimes the sound component isn't all there (such as only stereo vs. not 5.1 or 7.1 sound) but you may not care.
For those contemplating using VGA to hook up their TVs, be aware that some TVs don't support full screen usage through the VGA port or even 16:9. Check the specs first.
Other than having to change my default audio to HDMI and a few mintues negotiating between NVIDIA and Windows 7 settings for the monitor locations, it configured perfectly with no need for scaling. Setting the HDMI port in the TV as a PC instantly sets the best image settings. This same laptop was a massive pain to get to work with my two year old Philips TV. I tried three or four drivers until I could finally get audio and scale it properly. Seems someone finally figured out how to get HDMI to be plug and play.
Jul 10, 2011 | 9:06 pm
#20
Join Date: Mar 2008
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Upgrade-ability isn't so much an issue as fix-ability. If a part goes out on a traditional tower then it is easy to fix, but with an all in one you may have to bring it to the manufacturer or order special expensive parts from them. Even if you don't know what you are doing you can call up a buddy that does know about computers and buy them booze/steak instead of paying big bucks to a repair facility.
Jul 12, 2011 | 11:08 am
#21
Join Date: Mar 2009
Programs: AGR,CO,PC,AA
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You just need to charge more. Maybe a case of beer instead of a six pack, possibly a better brand?
Jul 12, 2011 | 11:21 am
#22
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Make sure the all-in-one has a decent CPU otherwise you will be sitting for ages waiting for the computer to finish that cut of the movie or removing red eyes from your picture.
