The hardware can usually all be moved around to your heart's content. A standard desktop tower, on the other hand, can be opened and there is plenty of space inside. A lot of time the hardware inside is soldered down or unreachable. All-in-one PCs are harder to tinker withĪiO PCs are compact and attractive, but they're usually much harder to tinker with if you can get into them at all. Bottom line: if you're new to the PC game, an AiO is about as simple as it gets. A pre-built desktop PC isn't that much harder to set up - you have to plug in your monitor, speakers, and any other cables - and is also a decent option for a new user.Ī PC that comes in pieces that you have to put together will likely be way over the head of someone who hasn't spent a lot of time around the hardware. To set it up, you basically plug it into a power outlet, hit the power button, and watch Windows 10 boot.
If you're shopping for your first PC ever, you might be attracted to the simplicity of an AiO. Maybe they've used Apple products until now, or maybe they've just never taken time to get familiar with how a PC works.
#Shopping desktop pc upgrade#
If you've been using a tablet for a long time and now want to upgrade to a more robust PC, an AiO with a touchscreen will be immediately familiar and you won't miss the added functionality. There are also certain apps for Windows 10 that just work better with a touchscreen, and especially a pen. The touch feature is great for artwork and design, especially if you get something with pen support like the Microsoft Surface Studio (opens in new tab). Touchscreens have come a long way in the last few years, and many Windows laptops and AiO PCs now feature them.