An affordable all-in-one with a Full HD touchscreen
Once upon a time, every computer was a big box with a screen on the front and the electronics stuffed behind. Then everything got separated into different parts, so you could choose which elements you wanted to combine. And now we’ve come full circle. One way or another, most computers you buy today are in once piece (give or take the odd keyboard, mouse or stylus).
When you compare them to a desktop tower system PC, all-in-ones have both pros and cons. While the Ideacentre AIO 700 doesn’t avoid all the cons - this isn’t the PC to pick if you want room to upgrade its components in the future, for example - it makes the most of the pros. The matt white plastic finish looks decent and the design is quite elegant. A one-piece stand attaches with thumbscrews and provides easy tilt adjustment.
If the thick edges feel chunky, there are benefits: two USB 3.0 ports, a headphone jack and an SD card slot are easily reachable on the left edge, rather than being hidden round the back. Another USB 3.0 and two slower USB 2.0 ports are also available on the rear, along with an HDMI connector for a second monitor and another that lets you use the Ideacentre as a screen for another PC or device. That’s a very handy option that the more expensive iMac lacks.
There’s a Gigabit Ethernet socket so you can connect directly to your broadband router, but with 801.11ac Wi-Fi built in, wireless is just as good. Finally, on the right-hand side is a DVD drive, another iMac-beating feature that’ll be handy for installing older software or watching your film collection. 'I he speakers on the front are loud and clear, once you turn off the unnecessary Dynamic setting In the Dolby Audio app.
The Ideacentre is well equipped on the inside, too. Its Intel 15 processor comes from the latest ‘Skylake’ range, and with a sensible 8GB of memory it flies through most tasks. Photo- and HD video-editing will be no problem, and the 2TB hard drive guarantees plenty of room for all your flies. The Nvidia GeForce GT 930A graphics card isn’t amazing, but you’ll be able to play 3D games with some of the settings turned down.
An unexpected feature is a RealSense webcam. This new technology from Intel enables Windows 10’s ‘Hello’ feature, which unlocks your PC when it recognises your face, and works with a small but growing number of games and graphics programs, several of which are included for free. It’s great fun, and means you won’t miss out if more interesting uses for RealSense come along later.
The biggest catch of an all-in-one is that the computer will only be as good as the screen, and the Ideacentre AIO 700’s screen could be better. It’s touch-sensitive so you can scroll down with your Angers. While this isn’t essential In a desktop PC, it's certainly a bonus, and its Full HD (1920x1080-pixel) resolution is adequate for a 24in display. But contrast is low, and at 92 per cent of the sRGB range its colour reproduction is only just acceptable for graphics tasks. Still, it’s better than the rival HP Pavilion 23, and if you feel the need for a higher-quality monitor you can add one, giving you more space to work.
The new Ideacentre AIO 700 (not to be confused with the older model, which used an AMD processor, or Lenovo’s similar-looking С series) is a very good all-in-one PC. You could buy a comparable tower system and a budget monitor for anything up to £100 less, but this is a much neater arrangement.
VERDICT
Although the screen’s nothing special, this capable all-in-one is a good buy.
SPECIFICATIONS
Intel Core i5-6400 processor • 8GB memory • 2TB hard drive • Nvldla GeForce GT 930A graphics • 23.8in 1920x1080 pixel touchscreen • 3x USB 3.0 • 3x USB 2.0 • HDMI output • HDMI input • SD card slot • 802.11ac W-Fi • Gigabit Ethernet • Windows 10 • 461x579x210mm (HxWxD) • 7.5kg • One-year warranty