When it comes to PCs, gone are the old beige boxes, with their big, heavy parts and messy cables. Thankfully, we have the all-in-one PC form factor, which is a breath of fresh air for the modern office, writes Kochie’s Business Builders’ tech correspondent Valens Quinn.

What’s an all-in-one PC?

An ‘all-in-one’ is just as it sounds: it’s a fully featured computer where all its bits – including screen, tower, speakers and web camera, fit into one compact, self-standing unit.

It’s sort of like the computer monitor part of a traditional PC, only the desktop or tower box are missing, as the entire computer fits into the screen.

Apart from looking sleek and stylish, all-in-ones take up much less space, meaning smaller desks, or just more room on your desk for other things. Who wouldn’t want that?

An all-in-one PC’s screen dictates its overall size, and they usually start from about 24 inches and go up to a roomy 27 inches. Displays can range from full HD to very high quality 4K resolution, even with High Dynamic Range (HDR) for creative types.

Watch: All you need to know about all-in-ones

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Slim design, powerful performance

Given their small size, many all-in-ones are designed with similar components found in laptops. Generally, this means that they require less power and have more efficient heat dissipation, so they run cooler and stay nice and quiet.

While an all-in-one PC will have just about everything you need built in, they can still connect to all sorts of external devices around your office. This could be printers, hard drives, headphones, network cables and more.

Most will have an assortment of ports on the back of the display including USB-C and USB-A plugs, Ethernet, HDMI and even 3.5mm audio jacks.

Still, a slim package doesn’t mean compromises on performance, connectivity, or quality either.

Dell’s all-in-one PCs can be configured with powerful Intel 12^th Gen processors, loads of internal and external storage, high-speed ports and the latest Wi-Fi 6 capability. When you’re purchasing online, you just pick your model and the features you want before you order.

A Dell Inspiron 24 with a pop-up webcam on top. Image: Dell.

Other ways to customise your all-in-one

For graphic design, video editing and even gaming, you can choose from integrated Intel based graphics to more powerful discrete cards such as NVIDIA’s GeForce models. Dell’s all-in-ones also run Windows 11 Pro, which is more secure and productive than ever.

Dell’s Inspiron 24 all-in-one, for example, also comes equipped with a wireless keyboard and mouse (so there’s no messy cables), SD card reader and pop-up HD web camera. This even slides out of view when you’re not using it to protect your privacy. And there are Dark Shadow Grey or Pearl White case colours to match your office or home décor.

For most office tasks, an all-in-one has you covered. However, if you need to add PCI-type expansion cards, or require specialist-level performance, then it’s worth looking at what’s new in modern workstation PCs, such as Dell’s Precision Compact Workstations.

Otherwise, with all the space-saving, good looks and performance benefits, an all-in-one PC upgrade is a great office fit – and leaves the beige behind.

For more info, head to dell.com.au/SmallBiz.

This article is brought to you by Kochie’s Business Builders in partnership with Dell.