All-in-One PCs/Workstations Price Comparison 2026
Compare 569 all-in-one PCs and workstations from HP, Lenovo, Apple and Dell — find the best price across dozens of UK retailers in one place.
All-in-one PCs occupy a curious sweet spot in the computer market: they promise the clean desk of a laptop without the compromises of a tiny screen, yet they're often misunderstood as underpowered or overpriced. Our data tells a more nuanced story. With 569 models tracked across the UK market — ranging from 67 £ to 1,776 £ — there's a genuinely wide spread of capability here, and the gap between a mediocre purchase and a smart one can easily run to several hundred pounds.
HP dominates the catalogue with over 200 models, commanding a noticeably higher average price than rivals like Acer and MSI. That premium isn't always justified. Lenovo's ThinkCentre and IdeaCentre lines offer serious competition, particularly for business buyers who need Windows 11 Pro and robust build quality without paying Apple prices. Speaking of which, Apple's iMac sits firmly at the top of the price ladder — the brand's 49 models average well above the market median, and you're paying for the display quality and macOS ecosystem as much as raw compute power.
The professional workstation angle is worth flagging. Elo Touch Solutions' touchscreen-first machines are a different beast entirely — designed for retail kiosks, point-of-sale environments and industrial use rather than the home office. Their pricing reflects specialist engineering, not inflated margins. If you're comparing them against a standard desktop workstation, you're not really comparing like for like.
For most buyers, the action sits between 392 £ and 864 £. That range covers the bulk of current-generation Intel Core i5 and i7 machines with DDR5 RAM, NVMe SSDs and Wi-Fi 6E — the specs that actually matter for day-to-day productivity in 2026. Below 392 £, you'll find entry-level chips like the Intel N100 or older Core i3 hardware; perfectly usable for light tasks, but not something we'd recommend if you plan to keep the machine for five or more years.
One thing worth noting: all-in-one PCs are almost universally harder to upgrade than a traditional tower PC. RAM is often soldered, and swapping the storage requires dismantling the display assembly. Buy the spec you need now, not the spec you think you can upgrade into later. If flexibility matters more than desk space, a laptop or a barebones system might serve you better. But if you want a single, tidy unit that just works — and you're willing to compare prices carefully before buying — the all-in-one market has never been more competitive.
How to Choose an All-in-One PC or Workstation
HP alone lists over 200 models in this category — which makes choosing feel harder than it should be. The honest truth is that most buyers only need to answer three questions: what processor generation, how much RAM, and what screen size. Get those right and the rest falls into place.
Processor generation and class
This is the single most important decision. Current-generation chips — Intel Core Ultra 5/7 (Series 1 and 2), or Intel Core i5/i7 14th-gen — offer meaningfully better performance and efficiency than anything from the 10th or 11th generation. For everyday office use, a Core i5 is the sensible floor. For video editing, large spreadsheets or running virtual machines, step up to a Core i7 or Core Ultra 7.
Watch out for mobile-class processors in desktop machines. Suffixes matter: a Core i5-14500T is a low-power variant designed for thin chassis — it runs cooler and quieter, but it's noticeably slower under sustained load than the non-T version. Not a dealbreaker, but worth knowing before you buy.
RAM: how much and which type
8 GB is the minimum for Windows 11 to run without frustration, but we'd call it the absolute floor rather than a recommendation. 16 GB DDR5 is the sweet spot for most users in 2026 — it handles browser-heavy workflows, Microsoft 365, video calls and light creative work without breaking a sweat. 32 GB makes sense if you're running design software like Adobe Premiere or AutoCAD.
DDR5 is now standard on current-gen machines and offers significantly higher bandwidth than DDR4 — relevant if you're using integrated graphics, which share system memory. One critical caveat: check whether the RAM is soldered to the motherboard. On many all-in-ones it is, which means you can't upgrade later. If a machine ships with 8 GB soldered DDR5, that's what you'll have in five years' time.
Storage: capacity and speed
A 256 GB SSD is tight — Windows 11 alone eats around 30 GB, and a handful of applications will fill the rest quickly. We'd treat 512 GB as the sensible minimum for a primary machine, and 1 TB as the comfortable choice. The type matters too: NVMe SSDs are dramatically faster than SATA-based ones for boot times and large file transfers, though for most office tasks the difference is less dramatic in daily use.
Some machines in this category — particularly older Elo Touch units — still ship with 128 GB SSDs. That's only viable if the machine is running a locked-down kiosk OS with no user data stored locally.
Screen size and resolution
The 23.8-inch Full HD (1920×1080) panel is by far the most common configuration in this catalogue, and it's a reasonable choice for most desks. The pixel density is adequate at typical viewing distances, though it won't win any awards for sharpness. If you're doing detailed image work or spending long hours reading text, consider stepping up to a 27-inch QHD (2560×1440) display — the extra real estate and pixel density make a genuine difference to eye strain over a working day.
Touchscreen variants are available across several ranges (Dell OptiPlex, Elo Touch, some HP models). They're genuinely useful for annotation and casual navigation, but add cost and can introduce glare if your desk faces a window.
Windows 11 Home vs Pro — and why it matters for businesses
Home is fine for personal use. Pro is worth paying for if the machine will join a corporate domain, needs BitLocker encryption, requires Remote Desktop access, or will be managed via Microsoft Intune or Group Policy. Most business-oriented machines — ThinkCentre, Dell OptiPlex, Acer Veriton — ship with Pro as standard, which partly explains their higher price points versus consumer-facing ranges.
Windows 10 IoT Enterprise, which appears on several Elo Touch units, is a specialist embedded OS — not a standard desktop environment. Don't buy one of these expecting a normal Windows experience.
Connectivity: ports and wireless standards
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) is now the standard on mid-range and above — it offers lower latency and better performance in congested environments compared to Wi-Fi 5. For a machine that will sit on a desk near a router, a wired Gigabit Ethernet connection is still more reliable for video calls and large file transfers, so check that the model you're considering includes an RJ45 port (not all slim designs do).
USB port count and type is often overlooked until it's too late. Count how many peripherals you'll connect — keyboard, mouse, external drive, webcam, printer — and make sure the machine has enough USB-A ports. USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 are useful for future-proofing and connecting high-resolution external displays.
- Entry-level (From 67 £ to 392 £) : Intel N100 or older Core i3 processors, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, Full HD displays. Brands like Acer Aspire and Lenovo IdeaCentre at the lower end. Adequate for basic office tasks and web browsing, but limited longevity. Not recommended if you need the machine to last beyond three years.
- The sweet spot (From 392 £ to 646 £) : Current-gen Core i5 (13th or 14th gen), 16 GB DDR5 RAM, 512 GB SSD, Wi-Fi 6E. This is where HP, Lenovo ThinkCentre and Dell OptiPlex compete most fiercely. Strong value for small businesses and home offices. Windows 11 Pro often included.
- For demanding workloads (From 646 £ to 864 £) : Core i7 or Core Ultra 7 processors, 16–32 GB DDR5, 1 TB NVMe SSD, QHD or 4K displays. Apple iMac M-series starts appearing here, as do higher-spec Dell and HP commercial machines. Suitable for creative professionals, developers and power users.
- Specialist and premium (Over 864 £) : Apple iMac Pro configurations, Elo Touch industrial touchscreen workstations, and top-spec HP Z-series. At this level you're paying for specific professional capabilities — colour-accurate displays, industrial-grade durability, or enterprise support contracts. Not for general office use.
Top products
- HP 24-cr1007na Intel Core Ultra 5 125U 60.5 cm (23.8") 1920 x 1080 pixels All-in-One PC 8 GB DDR5-SDRAM 1 TB SSD Windows 11 Home Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) White (HP) : A current-gen Core Ultra 5 chip and a generous 1 TB SSD make this genuinely future-proof for home use. The 8 GB RAM is the one weak point — fine for now, but check whether it's upgradeable before buying.
- Lenovo ThinkCentre M90a Intel® Core™ i5 i5-14500 60.5 cm (23.8") 1920 x 1080 pixels All-in-One PC 16 GB DDR5-SDRAM 512 GB SSD Windows 11 Pro Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Black (Lenovo) : The standout business choice at this price point — 16 GB DDR5, Windows 11 Pro and Wi-Fi 6E in a well-built chassis. ThinkCentre reliability is well-established; this is the machine we'd recommend to most small business buyers.
- DELL OptiPlex 7420 Intel® Core™ i5 i5-14500T 60.5 cm (23.8") 1920 x 1080 pixels All-in-One PC 16 GB DDR5-SDRAM 512 GB SSD Windows 11 Pro Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) Grey (DELL) : Solid enterprise credentials with 16 GB DDR5 and Windows 11 Pro at a competitive price. Note the 'T' suffix on the processor — it's a low-power variant, which means quieter operation but slightly reduced sustained performance versus the standard i5-14500.
- Acer Aspire C22-1610 All-in-One desktop - Intel N100, 8GB, 256GB SSD, 21.5″ Full HD display, Windows 11 (Acer) : The most affordable entry point in the top 15, and honest about what it is. The Intel N100 is a capable light-use chip, but 256 GB storage fills up fast. Best suited to a secondary machine, a student, or very light home use — don't expect it to handle demanding workloads.
- Lenovo IdeaCentre AIO 27IRH9 Intel® Core™ i7 i7-13620H 68.6 cm (27") 2560 x 1440 pixels All-in-One PC 16 GB DDR5-SDRAM 1 TB SSD Windows 11 Home Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) Grey (Lenovo) : The best screen in the top 15 — a 27-inch QHD panel paired with a Core i7 and 1 TB SSD. This is the machine for creative professionals who want a proper display without paying iMac prices. Windows 11 Home rather than Pro is the only compromise.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an all-in-one PC and a regular desktop?
An all-in-one PC integrates the computer hardware directly into the monitor housing, eliminating the separate tower unit and most of the cable clutter. The trade-off is that all-in-ones use mobile-class or low-power components rather than full desktop parts, which limits both raw performance and upgradeability. A traditional desktop tower is easier to repair, upgrade and cool — but takes up considerably more desk space.
Is 8 GB RAM enough for an all-in-one PC in 2026?
8 GB is workable but increasingly tight for Windows 11, particularly if you run multiple browser tabs, Teams or Zoom calls alongside Office applications. We'd recommend 16 GB as the practical minimum for a machine you intend to use productively for several years. If the 8 GB is soldered (non-upgradeable), that limitation is permanent — factor it into your decision before buying.
Can you upgrade the RAM or storage in an all-in-one PC?
Usually not easily, and sometimes not at all. Many all-in-one designs solder the RAM directly to the motherboard, making upgrades impossible without specialist equipment. Storage is more often replaceable, but accessing it typically requires removing the display panel — a fiddly process that voids some warranties. Always check the manufacturer's specification sheet before assuming you can upgrade later.
Are Elo Touch Solutions all-in-ones worth buying for a home office?
No — Elo Touch machines are purpose-built for commercial and industrial environments such as retail point-of-sale, self-service kiosks and factory floors. They run Windows IoT Enterprise rather than standard Windows, carry a significant price premium for their ruggedised touchscreens, and are not designed for general desktop use. Comparing their price to a standard HP or Lenovo all-in-one is misleading; they serve an entirely different market.
Which brands offer the best value in this category?
Lenovo and Acer consistently offer the strongest value, with average prices well below the market mean while still covering current-generation hardware. HP has the widest range but also the highest average price — you're not always getting more for the extra spend. Dell's OptiPlex line is excellent for business buyers who need Windows 11 Pro and solid build quality. Apple's iMac is the premium outlier: genuinely excellent display and performance, but at a price that only makes sense if you're committed to macOS.
What should I watch out for when buying a cheap all-in-one PC?
The biggest pitfall is buying a machine with a soldered 8 GB RAM configuration and a 256 GB SSD at a price that seems reasonable today but leaves you with an underpowered system in two years. Also watch for older processor generations dressed up with modern branding — an Intel N100 or a 10th-gen Core i3 is not the same as a current Core i5, regardless of how the listing is worded. Always check the CPU generation, RAM type (DDR4 vs DDR5) and whether storage is NVMe or SATA before committing.
Is it worth buying an all-in-one with a touchscreen?
It depends entirely on how you work. Touchscreens add cost and can introduce reflective glare on the display — a real issue if your desk is near a window. For annotation, creative work or casual navigation they're genuinely useful; for standard office productivity they're largely redundant. If you're buying for a retail or hospitality environment, a touchscreen all-in-one (or a dedicated Elo Touch unit) makes obvious sense. For a home office, we'd only pay the premium if touch interaction is a deliberate part of your workflow.