Best All in One touchscreen computers

It’s clear that the future belongs to touch screen devices and manufacturers are planning their next products accordingly. Almost all big names have in their offer All in One touchscreen computers, fully fledged computers mounted inside the monitor which is touchscreen capable, thus taking advantage of the features build in into the OS (mostly Windows 7). There also variants of all in one touch screen desktops called nettops, based on netbook hardware, just like there are convertible netbook tablets, variants of tablet PCs with netbook guts.

But let’s not talk too much beside the real scope of this article, which is to present you with the best All in One touchscreen computers found in stores right now, and by best I mean the ones that have the best combination of features, price and construction. Of course, depending on your taste and needs, we may miss the product that is right for you, but remember it is always your duty to get info about what you’re going to buy. We will try and present you with the best options from our point of view. All you have to do is decide if you can live with the cons and if the pros are good enough for you. So here’s the top of the best all in one touchscreen computers (or all in once desktop as they are often referred to).

HP TouchSmart 600 – 999$

Even if you might think that an All in One Desktop can’t be that powerful compared to your typical desktop computer then it’s time to disagree with you, as the HP TouchSmart 600 is one powerful AiO with all the bells and whistles you might want from such a device. Here are the quick specs:

• Intel Core i5-460M Processor @2.53 GHz
• 4GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM memory (2x2GB) (expandable to 8GB)
• 1TB  7200 RPM Serial ATA hard drive
• Touch-enabled 23 Inch diagonal Full HD 1080p LCD Display with Brightview technology
• NVIDIA GeForce G210M with 512MB dedicated graphics memory
• Slot-load combo Blu-ray player
• HP wireless keyboard and wireless optical mouse
• Built in HDTV Tuner with HP TouchSmart remote control
• Beats Audio Studio Quality Sound

HP TouchSmart 600

Let’s face it, there’s nothing you want and the HP TouchSmart 600 doesn’t have it. It’s based on laptop hardware, sure, but it’s focused on multimedia so that you can perform any task you might think of without breaking a sweat. Here’s a video review of the HP TouchSmart 600 All in One Touchscreen computer:

ASUS EEE Top ET2400 – 1051$

Unlike most models from the ASUS EEE series, this all in one touchscreen desktop packs a lot of punch. And to understand what I’m talking about take a look at the ASUS EEE Top ET2400 quick specs:

• Intel Core i5-650 (3.2Ghz)
• 4GB DDR3 RAM
• NVidia GF310M Graphics with 512MB VRAM
• 23.6″ Multi-Touch Touchscreen Display with Full HD (1920×1080) resolution
• ATSC Digital TV Tuner
• 500GB SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
• Super Multi DVD; Gigabit LAN; 802.11 b/g/n
• 2x 5W Speakers with Sonic Master Sound System
• Windows 7 Home Premium (64 bit)
• Keyboard and Mouse
• Remote Control

The only thing that’s missing to make the EEE Top ET2400 a complete desktop is a Blu ray player, but considering the price there isn’t much to complain about. Plus you can always buy an external model or use all those online streaming services that are available today, so why invest more into a pretty useless optical drive (that’s what I would do).

ASUS EEE Top ET2400

Gateway One ZX6900 – 829$

With this one we get back to good old’ all in ones with desktop hardware and a biggish 23 inch touscreen with Full HD resolution.

• 3.2 GHz Intel Core i3-550 dual-core processor
• 23-inch multi-gesture touchscreen display (1920 x 1080 resolution; 16:9 aspect ratio)
• 4GB DDR2 Memory
• 1TB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
• Bly-ray/DVD Writer combo drive
• Integrated Intel HD Graphics
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• 6 USB ports, Gigabit LAN, WiFi 802.11n, HD audio
• Wireless keyboard, Wireless mouse and remote control

As with other All In One computers this one is not top notch when it comes to hardware but it offers plenty of punch to get things done, has a great screen and plenty of storage for your files. Plus it comes optimized with a few software apps that makes touch interactions more pleasant like: TouchMusic, TouchPhone, TouchMediaShare, TouchFriends, TouchMemo. In the packaged that’s being shipped by Gateway you’ll find the Gateway One ZX6900 desktop PC, a power cord, wireless mouse & keyboard and printed documentation. All you need for a good price.

Gateway One ZX6900

MSI Wind Top AE2220-25SUS – 899$

If you want Full HD, a normal price and a dedicated graphics card (for Full HD playback) there’s no better option than the MSI Wind Top AE2220, priced at 800$.

• Core 2 Duo T6600 2.2Ghz
• 21.6″ (1920 x 1080) 16:9 Display Multi Touch Screen
• NVIDIA GeForce 9300 Graphics
• 4GB RAM
• Keyboard and Mouse
• 500GB SATA Hard Drive,
• Blu-ray Drive
• Windows 7 Home Premium
• TV Tuner
• Wireless b/g/n
• 4-in-1 Card Reader
• 6 x USB Ports

I have to admit that that MSI Wind Top AE2220-25SUS is one of the most balanced All in One desktops out there, featuring a CPU powerful enough for multimedia applications and a nice Full HD screen, helped by the dedicated entry-level nVidia graphics card. But the story doesn’t end at the specs, as MSI managed to design a really nice transparent outside screen border and stand, something you’ll appreciate if you seek also form not just function.

MSI Wind Top AE2220

HP TouchSmart 300 – 799$

HP has a long tradition of building touch screen devices and All in One Touch desktops. The TouchSmart 300 is a new generation featuring powerful hardware, but with an architecture based on AMD, not Intel like almost all other competitors. That doesn’t mean it’s not good, but that it has a better price/performance ration, so let’s see what you get for almost 900 bucks:

• AMD Athlon II 235e Dual-Core Processor (2.7 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache, 4000 MHz System Bus)
• 4GB PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM memory
• 500GB 7200RPM Serial ATA hard drive; Slot-load SuperMulti DVD Burner
• Touch-enabled 20″ diagonal HD LCD Display with Brightview technology
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
• ATI RadeonTM HD 3200 Graphics with 320MB integrated shared graphics memory

Being last in the top doesn’t mean the worst, far from it, as this top is meant to present you alternatives, not give ratings. Those are given by consumers, and they love the HP TouchSmart 300, an All in One desktop with a business look and multimedia functionality.

HP TouchSmart 300

Acer AZ5700 – 879$

With the Acer AZ5700 we’re stepping up to quad core territory and serious computing power, but price is also affected, almost reaching the 1000$ mark.

• 2.8 GHz Intel Pentium G6950 dual-core processor
• 4GB DDR3 Memory
• 1TB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive
• 23″ Full HD Widescreen Multi-Touch Screen LCD (1920 x 1080)
• Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD Graphics 128 MB
• Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit
• Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Included, Hybrid analog/digital (NTSC/ATSC) TV-tuner with remote control
• 6 USB ports, Gigabit LAN, WiFi 802.11n, eSATA, card reader

Yes, the Acer AZ5700 is really that powerful: quad core, 1 TB storage, 4 GB RAM and Full HD screen. It only lacks a dedicated graphics card, but that would have raised the price too much plus it would have increased the heat output, endangering the other components on the long term. The Touch Gadgets custom UI from Acer let you instantly handwrite notes, start a photo slideshow, play/organize music and keep you connected with social networks. Nothing too special but it’s nice it’s here.

Acer AZ5600

The bottom line

I hope you realize this is just a list and you have to dig deeper if your needs are different, but I’m sure you can find something you like, even for a lower budget, as there’s always the alternative to go for a more price-friendly brand. Keep in mind that All in One touchscreen computers are nothing more that desktop with less powerful hardware (it’s not a rule) integrated on the back of the monitor. Usually All in Ones come with a keyboard and mouse to match the overall design, but you also have to check this out before buying. If you have any comments or questions please don’t hesitate to address them.