Computing goes sleeker

Lenovo IdeaCentre A600
Price: Rs 69,500

All-in-one PCs are basically desktop computers that have their central processing unit (CPU) integrated in the monitor. Result: they look much sleeker and have a lot less wires dangling from them.

Although these PCs have been around for over a year, it’s only now that we are seeing a rise in the number of such products at various price points and with compelling features.

Until now, the Apple iMac had an unbeatable position, thanks to its sleek look and compact design. Now Lenovo, perhaps taking a leaf out of Apple’s book, has worked hard to get a stylish look for its A600, an all-in-one PC. Complete with a black chassis, borderless 21.5 inch 1920x1080 TFT display, curved back and svelte form factor measuring 1 inch at its thinnest point, the A600 IdeaCentre stands out in the crowd. You can also drool over its built-in TV tuner, Wii-like remote-style gyroscopic controller (which also serves as a mouse and a VoIP handset), spacious 640 GB hard drive, 4 GB RAM and Intel Pentium dual core processor.

You may balk at the IdeaCentre A600’s Windows Vista Home Premium operating system, but it can be turned into your home entertainment hub with Vista. It has a rather large external power box that hinders the overall aesthetics. Since the optical drive is placed behind the screen, you need to set up the IdeaCentre A600 in an open space.

One of those versatile controllers that enable browsing channels and files, the remote can be used as a mouse on the screen while away from the desk and, most importantly, it plays a handful of Wii-like games (included) when you wave it around. In addition, the built-in speakers and microphone turn the remote into a wireless VoIP handset.

Also, there is a webcam on the A600, which is complemented by the VeriFace facial recognition utility that allows users to log in by sitting in front of the monitor.

The 21.5-inch screen maybe far from being an LCD TV replacement, but for desktop purpose, it’s great for practically anything— even for graphic design work. Overall, for Rs 69,500, Lenovo IdeaCentre A600 is a good buy.

PROs

 

Large and bright display 
 

Innovative software (bundled) enhance productivity

CONs

Odd location of the DVD drive 
 

Gets noisy (hard drive) during operation

Asus Eee Top ET1602
Price: Rs 44,000

Asus Eee Top ET1602 is a slightly cheaper version of Lenovo’s all-in-one PC. You may argue about the logic behind Eee Top when you can easily buy a desktop that’s both cheaper and more powerful. But then, you won’t find any that offers a touchscreen display and an all-in-one design.

With a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 CPU, 1GB RAM and a 160GB hard drive, Eee Top might not make for a powerful PC, but it does have a 16.5-inch widescreeen with 1366 x 768 pixel resistive touchscreen display, an ethernet jack, 6 USB ports and built-in Wi-Fi. The computer also has an integrated 1.3 megapixel webcam, microphone and speakers.

Being a resistive touchscreen display, it registers only one contact at a time. You can tap the screen to register a click, press and hold to register a right-click, and drag and drop your way throughout various programmes.

The Eee Top does not have an optical drive, so that means you will have to hook up one using the USB port. It runs on Windows XP Home Edition along with a few applications by Asus that facilitate the use of touchscreen. These applications include an on-screen keyboard, handwriting recognition software, a programme launcher and a touch-friendly media player. The touch-friendly Opera web browser on the Eee Top was a nice surprise, but we felt the need for a tighter integration between handwriting recognition and virtual keyboard with the Windows OS.

Quite clearly, the Eee Top isn’t meant to be a multimedia machine, but its touch-friendly games and applications such as Eee Memo, which lets you jot down notes using a stylus or your fingertip, are welcome inclusions.

At Rs 44,000, the Eee Top can be your answer for an affordable lifestyle PC.

PROs

An affordable all-in-one PC 
 

Touch interface is a helpful addition

CONs

No optical drive included 
 

A lower-power processor hampers the overall performance