All in one PC - wide screen, lots of storage for home use

[Speed.deman]

Weirdly, can't find a lot of good information on Google and few comparison articles.

Need a new PC for the following and would prefer an all in one as I like the look and it will go in to the living room.

1. Standard hi res video and youtube stuff

2. I do quite a lot of photo editing on Lightroom and Photoshop

3. Would like good internal speakers, but happy to attach good externals.

4. As large an SSD as possible to run Windows 10 off of (not interested in Mac)

5. Couple of TB by way of hard drive space.

6. Wide screen

7. Spare HDMI so that I can plug into a second screen or TV

8. DVD drive would be a big plus, just in case.

Edited by Speed.deman on Sunday 15th December 17:31

[mmm-five]

Something like this?

HP Envy 27-b212na 27" 4k £1700 (but no built-in optical drive)





...or this...

HP Envy 34-b103na 34" 4k

Edited by mmm-five on Sunday 15th December 18:39

[Speed.deman]

Both look great, thank you. Budget is fine too. Is there anything else you think I should be considering for the money?

Assume the 34" might be a bit overpowering? Is it something that is used for normal stuff or media professionals?

Edited by Speed.deman on Sunday 15th December 19:05

[mmm-five]

I don't know how simple either of these are to upgrade the memory/storage, so you may be stuck with whatever config they come in (without resorting to external add-ons like GPUs, HDDs).

Specs seem solid enough - with the exception of the graphics cards (both run 4gb Nvidia GTX 1050 cards), so I wouldn't expect to be able to run modern games at 4k Ultra settings (probably 1080p @ medium to high).

I guess the choice depends whether you want very wide, or just wide.

The 34" is an ultra-wide curved screen, so great for movies...but the 4k resolution is in '21:9' proportions (3440 x 1440), and has 4 x 4w speakers built in, and double the size SSD (512gb).

The 27" is normal 4k '16:9' resolution (3840 x 2160), has 2 x 8w speakers built in, and has half the size SSD (256gb).

The physical height of both is about the same, so no more vertical screen height, but you'll have an extra 8" of width over the 27".


Meant to add that I've no specific experience of these machines, but I have a HP workstation laptop and HP workstation desktop for work (neither have given me an issues in 3 years) - and use Macs for home (21.5" and 27" iMacs).

Edited by mmm-five on Monday 16th December 10:05

[anonymous-user]

I know why you are aming in this direction aesthetically, but you will be massively better off buying a Normal PC Tower (or mini ATX / Tower), hiding it at the back of your desk, and putting a smart monitor with a stylish stand on your desk.

If you can hide the PC (Mino ATX are tiny if you can cram a decent graphics card in them?) on the floor at the back fo your desk area you will get sooo much more for the same money. At your price point you shoudl be talking multiple Tb of SSD data, not 512Gb, and you should have a top end graphics card (don't go nuts, buy one just "before the curve").

Random "stylish" monitor option:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-S27R750-27-Inch-2...

p.s. I find 27" easily big enough at a coupel of feet away. I used 2.

[paulrockliffe]

If it were me I wouldn't look at the ultra wide stuff, it's so much better to keep the monitor the right shape and size for using a single program on, but have more than one. I have a 27" 4k display, then two 24" 1080p monitors sat one on top of the other to one side, I work on the big one, have music, youtube, whatsapp and various other bits and pieces on the other two.

If I had the budget I'd go for 5 4k displays, set out the same, but with a second pair on the other side. I'd go for a decent spec desktop, but hide it away and then I think you've enough left in your budget to get a server setup as well to cover the storage requirements in a way that gives you backup and redundancy - I use UnRaid, it's ace.

[Speed.deman]

Thanks all. Slightly dazzled by the last two posts! More than happy to consider an alternations set up.

Are there comparable mini towers or PCs out there?

I do like the aesthetic of the single all in one though... :-)

[paulrockliffe]

Those all in one PCs earlier in the thread look really good, will do everything you want (subject to having HDMI out?) and are simply a few button clicks away. The alternatives are more work to get the same effect, so the trade off is how important the clean look is vs how much time you're happy to spend hiding bits of kit and cables and setting things up.

For example, the setup I have is a £150 HP business machine that will cope with your described useage perfectly well, the tower is mounted under the desk, cables are run inside the stud wall and the secondary screens I made a bespoke frame in oak and ash that sits between the desktop and the shelf above. Sound is via an amplifier that's in a set of drawers to speakers on the shelves, or I can cast music to the house ceiling speakers too. The server is in the boiler cupboard and is an 8TB array that looks after storage but is also managing downloads and serving media all over the house.

There's maybe £500 in the server and £250 in the 3 PC monitors (Gumtree business closing down), so £900 all-in, but a lot more work. I enjoy DIY and computery stuff, so I'd rather spend less and do more, but I'm sure there's a middle-ground that gives you more screens and still a clean look.

My main point really is that multiple screens is easier to use than one big screen and if you have lots to store, it's better done away from your PC. Perhaps a NAS with RAID and a backup solution and spend some money on the right monitor mount for the wall and you'll get a good look for minimal effort, save money and have more data security.

[anonymous-user]

Speed.deman said:

Thanks all. Slightly dazzled by the last two posts! More than happy to consider an alternations set up.

Are there comparable mini towers or PCs out there?

I do like the aesthetic of the single all in one though... :-)

The advantage of an all in one computer is the screen should house the actual computer too, like Macs - sleek, and minimum wires. The two linked at the top don't. The computer is below them in the black bar thingy. They are close though.

The thing is, you can't easily upgrade them, and you are paying a massive premium for what you get.

Buy a regular computer, hide the actual computer, have a nice monitor, and you essentially have the same aesthetics, but with none of the price and performance penalties. You only need to run two wires to the monitor - power and video - and they hide in the stand of any half decent monitor arm.

You can then have a bluetooth keyboard and mouse and then you have a wireless desk with a monitor on an arm / stand. Looks 100% just like you'd get with a proper all in one computer (i.e. Mac look).

As for specs, well, that's another discussion, which you'll get load of help on here with, but if you are prepare to drop £1700 ish then you can afford well specced, known brand computers - so there is no hard work to do (system configuring). Buy the PC you wan't without monitor/s, Buy monitors you do wand and do like the look of. Plug them in,

[anonymous-user]

p.s. Currys have 3 pages of all-in-one PCs

https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/all-in-one-pcs/deskt...

Just whatever you do, make sure it is ALL SSD. Leave HDD storage to a remote disk (NAS / RAID NAS). Start fast and stay fast :-)

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 16th December 17:26

[anonymous-user]

My experience of all in ones

Dell Inspiron 2350 AIO
Computer element built into base(stand)
Visually great ideal for everyday computing and some mild games. Fast Zippy. Easy to upgrade RAM used a mechanical spinner 1GB with a boot up mini 32Gb SSD card set up and it was fast to boot and generally fast to use
BUT developed unusual fault after a recommended BIOS update (this fault is now ell commented on but was unique at the time) That fault meant that the fans in the base span like jet turbines and made the machine noisy and intrusive.

Lenovo IdeaCentre 520-24IKL AIO
Computer element built into area behind screen
Another Great looking machine slightly larger screen than the Dell but as it was a thin bezel design the screen when off looked smaller
Again worked well. fast and responsive surprisingly used a large 3.5" size western Digital drive as storage with an Optane Memory card for start up. Similar to the Dell arrangement.
Absolute bd to upgrade as whole rear of unit had to be removed not easy and you could easily damage the machine by trying

Both the models above were quite pricy for what they offered but the reality is I bought them as bankrupt office type stock things and got them at a steal (I never lose out on PC stuff) .

I now have a tower I simply bought off someone . Its conventional and sits under the desk. Its easy to upgrade and out performs either of the all in ones I had. I know this may sound unhelpful and more confusing but IMHO the premium you pay is absolutely massive compared to what you get.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with paying that premium but there are potential issues. If your monitor develops a fault you are stuffed to some extent. You are badly restricted with upgrade options.

[Speed.deman]

Thanks again guys. This is really helpful and I'm happy to be open minded. I started looking for the smallest form factor I could get as a PC, which I can combine with the sort of monitor that has been linked to above.

This looks interesting from Overclockers: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/primo-nano-i3-intel...

Are these good computers? Sorry, I appreciate how broad a question this is! I immediately note that there is only one HDMI port though, which is a problem unless I can spec it with two?

Appearance-wise, looks perfect and can be twineed with a slick screen?

[anonymous-user]

Speed.deman said:

Thanks again guys. This is really helpful and I'm happy to be open minded. I started looking for the smallest form factor I could get as a PC, which I can combine with the sort of monitor that has been linked to above.

This looks interesting from Overclockers: https://www.overclockers.co.uk/primo-nano-i3-intel...

Are these good computers? Sorry, I appreciate how broad a question this is! I immediately note that there is only one HDMI port though, which is a problem unless I can spec it with two?

Appearance-wise, looks perfect and can be twineed with a slick screen?

I would look for an i5 over an i3
From a cursory look that looks overpriced to myself. Not really looked at all the specs though but I think its quite pricey

[The_Jackal]

All the pretty ones you see will be style over substance. Do you want pretty or power for your money.
If you want pretty, dont even worry about specs.
From what you say, you arent going to push any of these systems anyway.

[grumbledoak]

You can get tiny PCs from the big box shippers, e.g.
https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktops-and-all-in-o...

Dell certainly sell them too.

They are classed as "Tiny" or "Micro" or "1L" for "One Litre" if you want to google them.

[AlexC1981]

That Overclockers nano PC does look expensive to me. I have one of these HP mini PCs sitting behind my TV and it's more powerful than the Overclockers one and much cheaper (the one below is used, not sure what the new price would be). I believe you can attach a couple of 4K monitors to it. One through the HDMI port and one on the DisplayPort.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-EliteDesk-800-G2-Min...

It's not quite as small, but it is very slim and is designed so you can fix it to the back of a monitor/TV on the VESA wall mount fixings.

I use it mainly for films, youtube and web browsing on a standard HD TV. believe Lightroom might need something with a graphics card to run it well. Bear in mind that it is too small to fit in a dedicated card and there's only room for one SSD/hard drive.

Edited by AlexC1981 on Monday 16th December 20:34

[Speed.deman]

grumbledoak said:

You can get tiny PCs from the big box shippers, e.g.
https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/desktops-and-all-in-o...

Dell certainly sell them too.

They are classed as "Tiny" or "Micro" or "1L" for "One Litre" if you want to google them.

AlexC1981 said:

That Overclockers nano PC does look expensive to me. I have one of these HP mini PCs sitting behind my TV and it's more powerful than the Overclockers one and much cheaper (the one below is used, not sure what the new price would be). I believe you can attach a couple of 4K monitors to it. One through the HDMI port and one on the DisplayPort.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-EliteDesk-800-G2-Min...

It's not quite as small, but it is very slim and is designed so you can fix it to the back of a monitor/TV on the VESA wall mount fixings.

I use it mainly for films, youtube and web browsing on a standard HD TV. believe Lightroom might need something with a graphics card to run it well. Bear in mind that it is too small to fit in a dedicated card and there's only room for one SSD/hard drive.

Edited by AlexC1981 on Monday 16th December 20:34

Super helpful, thank you.

[anonymous-user]

AlexC1981 said:

That Overclockers nano PC does look expensive to me. I have one of these HP mini PCs sitting behind my TV and it's more powerful than the Overclockers one and much cheaper (the one below is used, not sure what the new price would be). I believe you can attach a couple of 4K monitors to it. One through the HDMI port and one on the DisplayPort.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-EliteDesk-800-G2-Min...

It's not quite as small, but it is very slim and is designed so you can fix it to the back of a monitor/TV on the VESA wall mount fixings.

I use it mainly for films, youtube and web browsing on a standard HD TV. believe Lightroom might need something with a graphics card to run it well. Bear in mind that it is too small to fit in a dedicated card and there's only room for one SSD/hard drive.

Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 16th December 20:34

I’ve got an i7 version of this pc with an ssd, mated up to a 32" monitor and it’s superb.

Previously had a Dell XPS27 at work and one at home, both still running well but wanted a bigger screen at work.

[Speed.deman]

Coin Slot. said:

I’ve got an i7 version of this pc with an ssd, mated up to a 32" monitor and it’s superb.

Previously had a Dell XPS27 at work and one at home, both still running well but wanted a bigger screen at work.

Hi there, good to hear you've got this! Is there the option of adding more ports at all? Especially HDMI? With just one how can you add another screen? Is a splitter the only option?

And just to confirm, you've got the HP or the overclockers?

[paulrockliffe]

If you have Display Port in theory you can buy monitors that support DP versionxx, you then plug one monitor into the other and daisy chain them from the one outlet. But I presume there's a hardware limit and I've not done it this way and I don't know if you can run DP over HDMI. But there might be a way to do it from the one port that way?