When it is time to refresh office, school or retail computers, the big question is whether to buy traditional desktop towers or all-in-one PCs. Both have their place. This all-in-one PC vs desktop guide compares the two so you can choose the right fit for every desk.
What is an all-in-one PC?
An all-in-one PC (AIO) builds the computer into the back of the monitor. There is no separate tower, just one unit with a single power cable, plus a keyboard and mouse. Many business AIOs also offer touch screens, built-in webcams and VESA mounting.
All-in-one PC vs desktop: head to head
- Desk space: AIOs win, with no tower under the desk and far fewer cables.
- Appearance: AIOs give receptions, offices and classrooms a clean, modern look.
- Installation: AIOs are quicker to deploy, with one unit to unpack and plug in.
- Upgrades: towers have traditionally been easier to upgrade, but upgradeable Thin Mini-ITX AIOs close the gap.
- Power: towers suit heavy workstation tasks; business AIOs handle office, EPOS and education work with ease.
- Screen choice: towers let you pick any monitor, while AIOs come in set sizes such as 20, 22, 24 and 27 inches.
The sealed AIO problem, and the solution
Many consumer and high-street AIOs are sealed, so you cannot change the processor, memory or storage. HiStone’s Thin Mini-ITX all-in-one PCs, including the GI24, GI27, U24 and BG24, use a standard motherboard format with Intel Core processor options, so they can be specified and upgraded like a desktop.
Touch screen all-in-one PCs
For receptions, retail counters, pharmacies and classrooms, a touch screen makes AIOs even more useful. The AIO touch screen PC range includes the Hibertek T20, T22, E24 and BF24.
When to choose a desktop tower
- Heavy CAD, video editing or engineering workloads that need a high-end graphics card.
- Users who need three or more monitors.
- Sites where you want to reuse existing monitors.
When to choose an all-in-one PC
- Offices, hot desks and receptions where space and looks matter.
- Schools, colleges and libraries that need tidy, easy-to-manage rooms.
- GP surgeries, pharmacies and clinics.
- Retail and hospitality back offices, stock rooms and click and collect points.
All-in-one PC vs desktop FAQs
Are all-in-one PCs good for business?
Yes. In the all-in-one PC vs desktop decision, AIOs save space, look tidier and are quicker to install, which makes them a strong choice for offices, schools, healthcare and retail.
Can you upgrade an all-in-one PC?
Many consumer AIOs are sealed. HiStone Thin Mini-ITX all-in-one PCs use a standard motherboard format, so they can be specified and upgraded more like a desktop.
Are all-in-one PCs more expensive than desktops?
An all-in-one PC can cost more than a tower on its own, but often costs about the same as a tower plus a separate monitor, cables and installation time.
Can all-in-one PCs be wall mounted?
Yes. Many business all-in-one PCs support VESA mounting, so they can be fixed to walls, arms or stands to free up desk space.
Buying AIOs for multiple sites
B-Spoke Systems supplies business all-in-one PCs to resellers and organisations across the UK, and can image, configure, test and asset-tag every unit before dispatch. Browse the all-in-one PC range or contact our team for trade pricing.