All-in-one PC - 30 inch screen

[Deep Blue]

Hello,

Hope someone might know the answer to this - I am looking to get a new PC in a similar style to this:

http://www.sony.co.uk/product/vd-l-series/vpcl11m1e-s

i.e. the motherboard, CPU, PSU etc is all contained inside the same unit as the monitor and you just have a keyboard and mouse. I know they are not upgradeable but I would like something without cables and fuss for my living room.

My question - does anyone know any manufacturer offering a 30 inch LCD screen model? I read Apple have just come out with a 27 inch iMac but I don't want an Apple...

Cheers
Deep Blue

 

[Deep Blue]

I found this little beasty with a 25.5 inch screen, 1920x1200

http://www.shopaveratec.com/product.aspx?sku=10203521&section_id=21&culture=en-US

However it's US/Canada only and looks a bit underpowered.

 

[RebateMonger]

Earlier this decade, Gateway made a "Media PC" that was all-in-one. I had to take one apart to remove the failed hard drive. Disassembly took about six hours to get to the drive. Every single part and cable had to be removed to get to the drive. Hopefully, they are better now.

 

[TheStu]

If you want the absolute fastest all-in-one (except for graphics) and the highest res screen then you get the 27" iMac. With the exception of a stand-alone 30" monitor (which cost at least $1200 up to $1800) the 27" iMac has the highest resolution available. Plus it is an IPS panel with LED backlighting, so it apparently looks freaking gorgeous (I haven't had a chance to see one in person yet).

But, don't let the fact that it is a Mac turn you off. Using Boot Camp you can install Windows and run it natively and never even have to boot OS X. Not sure why you would do that, since OS X is awesome (disclaimer: I am a bit of a fanboy) but you can, and it will run just fine.

Oh and RebateMonger, once the screen is removed, the hard drive is located dead center in the system. Removing the screen is a bit of a chore, requiring magnets and suction cups, but once it is gone, everything is nicely laid out.

 

[Deep Blue]

Thanks for the info guys.

Rebate Monger - yep I accept they are as complicated as laptops to dissemble and it would be a complete PITA to change out components. Hopefully I won't need to!

TheStu - thanks for the info, but I will give it a miss I think... I'm not a fan of Apple's pricing nor their operating system. I would prefer to get a proper PC rather than pay extra and install Windows 7 myself. I would also need to buy a proper remote mouse + keyboard rather than the crap ones Apple ship.

I do agree Apple's design and screens are both stunning and are way out in front of anything produced by any other manufacturer.

I won't be buying until March (when I move) and the Sony is the current favourite... maybe a 24 inch screen is good enough (I use one happily at the moment). Will keep my eyes open though!

 

[mmntech]

For a screen that big, you're pretty much stuck with the iMac. $1999 is getting you a system with a quad-core i5 processor, a 1tb HDD, and a Radeon HD 4850 GPU.

I've looked at some of the others and they're fairly underpowered yet they're just as expensive. The Sony one only works out to be $400 cheaper but it's using a shared GPU, has a slower CPU, has a much smaller lower res screen, and used DDR2 instead of DDR3. Sony is also notorious for bloatware. I think the iMac is really the better deal.

 

[Zap]

What about getting a mini ITX system in a VESA chassis? It won't be completely cable-less, but most stuff can be hidden behind such a ginormous screen and you'll just have the power cord, network (if not using wireless) and keyboard/mouse (again if not using wireless) cables.

Here is one example

 

[mmntech]

What about getting a mini ITX system in a VESA chassis? It won't be completely cable-less, but most stuff can be hidden behind such a ginormous screen and you'll just have the power cord, network (if not using wireless) and keyboard/mouse (again if not using wireless) cables.

Here is one example

Interesting. I know a lot of nettops can do this. Problem is you still have all the wires.

 

[Zap]

Interesting. I know a lot of nettops can do this. Problem is you still have all the wires.

You're right, but this can be minimized so that almost all the cables hide behind the screen. Alternately, a mini ITX system can be hidden under/behind something.

I'm basically trying to suggest alternative solutions to the iMac 27". Since it does not appear that anything actually exists as the OP envisioned, perhaps these suggestions might bear fruition.

 

[mmntech]

You're right, but this can be minimized so that almost all the cables hide behind the screen. Alternately, a mini ITX system can be hidden under/behind something.

I'm basically trying to suggest alternative solutions to the iMac 27". Since it does not appear that anything actually exists as the OP envisioned, perhaps these suggestions might bear fruition.

Yep, I know. I just didn't know cases like that existed. Not a bad idea. Would make a great HD media server. Pair it with this mobo so you could use any Core 2 CPU.
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product...82E16813500035

 

[Deep Blue]

What about getting a mini ITX system in a VESA chassis? It won't be completely cable-less, but most stuff can be hidden behind such a ginormous screen and you'll just have the power cord, network (if not using wireless) and keyboard/mouse (again if not using wireless) cables.

Here is one example

Zap,

That is a fantastic idea - thanks! I had not heard of either mini-ITX or VESA mounting before. It looks like I can build my own spec mini-ITX system then simply clip it to the back of a VESA compatible 30 inch monitor. Would probably need a decent stand too I think.

Will go and have a hunt for some decent 30 inch monitors with VESA mount capability.....

Thanks a lot!

Cheers
Deep Blue

 

[Deep Blue]

One more question - probably an easy one! I want to have wifi for my wife's laptop, my iPhone and my QNAP NMP-1000 to connect up.

Am I right in saying I can configure most router/wifi combos to "stand alone".. i.e. just have the router/wifi hub connected to the broadband socket and then have the PC connect to it and the internet via wifi?

I suspect I might have to configure when it is attached with a network cable, but then I could move it and have it tucked away in a corner?

Cheers,
Deep Blue.

 

[Deep Blue]

Hmmm... seems most monitors have a stand that precludes mounting a mini PC to the VESA mounting chassis.... I think most are design to have the stand removed and they use the VESA system to mount to a wall...

Also struggling to find a mini-ITX system capable of running 2560x1600.

 

[n7]

I have nothing to say but profanity regarding the All-in-One PCs, sorry.

I highly recommend against them if at all possible...

 

[Deep Blue]

This one can have a 27 inch monitor switched in, as well as a bunch of other upgrades

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...Cs/600t_series

Configured with

Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Core 2 Duo P7450 (2.13GHz)
4Gb DRR3
1Tb HDD
Integrated G200 Nvidia graphics
Wireless LAN N
27 inch HP2709m monitor (1920x1080)

it comes to $1580 which seems fine to me.

I hear everyone who advises against All-in-One's but I am just looking for something simple and easy to use for my living room - no cables. I won't use it for overclocking, gaming, extending, rebuilding or upgrading....

In this light, I really can't see a big issue with using them - the only valid one is they are difficult to take apart and replace parts... well, so be it - if I have a HDD failure I'll suck it up and either get the manufacturer to replace it or waste a few hours of my time dissembling and reassembling....

 

[Winterpool]

Wait, how is this preferable to a 27-inch iMac (I mean if one isn't an inveterate Apple / MacOS X hater)? I paid about $1550 after rebates for my iMac. And the HP 2709m is a TN panel, no? The iMac is IPS and offers 2560x1440 res (the HP despite its size is a '1080' display); 3 GHz Core 2 Duo and Radeon HD 4670.

...Oh, this is one of those touchscreen HPs. I think that 27-inch monitor is an additional display, that it doesn't replace the 23-inch integral touchscreen of the base config? There is a 'none' option, which makes no sense otherwise. I could be wrong, the selection process is a bit confusing.

I feel rather sceptical about current implementations of touchscreen technology on desktop computers (other than rather specialised applications), though that's not to say it won't be implemented in some more compelling fashion in the near future.

 

[Zebo]

This one can have a 27 inch monitor switched in, as well as a bunch of other upgrades

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/sh...Cs/600t_series

Configured with

Win 7 Home Premium 64 bit
Core 2 Duo P7450 (2.13GHz)
4Gb DRR3
1Tb HDD
Integrated G200 Nvidia graphics
Wireless LAN N
27 inch HP2709m monitor (1920x1080)

it comes to $1580 which seems fine to me.

I hear everyone who advises against All-in-One's but I am just looking for something simple and easy to use for my living room - no cables. I won't use it for overclocking, gaming, extending, rebuilding or upgrading....

In this light, I really can't see a big issue with using them - the only valid one is they are difficult to take apart and replace parts... well, so be it - if I have a HDD failure I'll suck it up and either get the manufacturer to replace it or waste a few hours of my time dissembling and reassembling....

The apple is a way better deal.

27-inch: Much Better monitor, better video card and 3.06GHz for $1700.

Plus it's apple elegant as hell dual OS with better resale.

I'm with you on these all in ones. Cables everywhere & boxes suck - very clean idea.