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all-in-ones

More than a calendar

Most calendar software is designed to help you get organized. All-In-One Desktop Calendar aims to go a step further by organizing and replacing your computer's desktop. While this is certainly a unique approach, we were left wondering if it's really necessary.

This program's interface presents a bold default background image of a nature scene. This customizable background is a sign of things to come as All-In-One attempts to provide a service unlike other calendar programs. Still, users familiar with Microsoft Outlook will find this calendar and address book mimics the more popular program almost perfectly. One interesting … Read more

All-in-one MP3 player headphones

Headphones with an MP3 player built in aren't a new concept by any means, but they haven't gained much ground in the market. It's a bit of a shame, really, as this form factor allows users to do away with the wires that are necessary to connect a standard pair of headphones to an MP3 player. However, many models have failed to offer superior sound quality or comfort, so perhaps it shouldn't come as a surprise that the concept hasn't caught on that well. Still, the appeal of an all-in-one design may be enough to … Read more

All-in-one Nettops resurrecting desktop market

Note: This article has been corrected to reflect that the Dell Studio One 19 cannot be configured with an Atom processor.

Just a year ago, this category didn't exist. But after several Atom-powered all-in-one PCs debuted at CES in January, it's officially the hottest grouping of desktops on the market.

A category long dominated by Apple's $1,200 iMac is suddenly rife with nice-looking imitators that pack less power than traditional Windows desktops, but are also gentler on the wallet. They're a subcategory of desktop PCs called Nettops, and, like Netbooks, they're generally defined as a computing platform powered by the Atom processor that runs either Windows XP or a version of Linux. Combined with the all-in-one form factor and a smaller screen than most desktops (between 15 inches and 19 inches), they're essentially the Netbooks of the desktop category.

"A year ago I would have said Netbooks are not going to cannibalize the notebook market. Then the economy went kablooey," said John Jacobs, director of notebook market research for DisplaySearch. Since then, many people who needed a notebook have chosen to spend $400 on a Netbook instead of the typical $800 on a full-size notebook.

"I think we'll see something like that for Nettops," he said. "Either for retirees or younger folks who don't need the portability of a notebook, and just need something to get on the Internet and do basic computing. Nettops, and all-in-ones will be very attractive devices, and we expect to see a lot of retailers who have stayed out of it will jump into it."

The all-in-one category as a whole is expected to grow to more than 6 million units in 2009, and to over 7 million in 2010, according to DisplaySearch. That's almost an 80 percent spike in shipments, which was unexpected at the end of 2008.

Reinvigorating a tired category In fact, the rise of all-in-one Nettops looks to be the most interesting thing to happen to desktop PCs in years. And, just as the economy helped bolster Netbooks' appeal, so too will it make Nettops more attractive to buyers, industry watchers believe. … Read more

A touching update to Dell's all-in-one desktop

The Studio One 19, announced Thursday, is the newest incarnation of Dell's all-in-one desktop.

The Studio One, has been given a slight cosmetic makeover, but the biggest change is inside, where the company has added a touch screen and multitouch software.

With the touch screen, Dell hopes consumers will use the desktop as a family PC in a common room, like the kitchen or living room, said Alex Gruzen, Dell's senior vice president of consumer products, in an interview earlier this week. "It's also a chance for parents to see what kids are doing on the computer again," he added.

Desktops are rapidly shrinking category, and all the PC makers are trying to find ways to get consumers excited about them. All-in-one devices are apparently what the industry has settled on. Most of the biggest PC makers offer one, though the feature levels vary between the Apple iMac, Hewlett-Packard TouchSmart PC, Lenovo IdeaCentre A600, Gateway One, Sony Vaio LT, and Asus Eee Top. … Read more