The pros and cons of using an all-in-one desktop computer

Be willing to trade flexibility for simplicity.

By Gabriela Vătu Oct. 31, 2026 8:30 am EST Steve Dent for Engadget Add Engadget on Google: Google Discover

All-in-one (AIO) PCs pack an entire computer into a monitor, so you don't need a tower, extra cables or the desk clutter of a traditional desktop setup. They're not the same as mini PCs, which are small boxes you still connect to a separate display. AIOs are their own category, a halfway point between a laptop and a desktop.