The HP Envy 32 is the ultimate all-in-one PC — here’s why
Source: Windows Central
Best All-in-One (AIO) PC Windows Central 2020
Having a desktop PC doesn’t have to mean having a separate box, monitor, and the endless cables that run between the two. Whether you’re tight on space or just looking for something simpler and more elegant, the all-in-one PC could be the right choice for you. And fortunately, there are some great all-in-one Windows PCs, like the HP Envy 32.
Best Overall: HP Envy 32
Source: Daniel Rubino/Windows Central
That includes a full-fat 65W Intel Core i7 CPU, not the slimmed-down versions you often find inside an all-in-one or a laptop, and its paired with either NVIDIA GTX or RTX dedicated graphics. You might not be buying one of these as a gaming rig, but you bet it can tear up the latest titles.
The Envy 32 also boasts a massive 32-inch display, with both 4K resolution and HDR and a neat anti-reflective finish, which makes it so much nicer to sit in front of for long periods.
Pros:
- 32-inch 4K anti-reflective HDR display.
- GTX or RTX graphics.
- 65-watt Core i7 CPU.
- Pop-up Windows Hello 5MP camera.
- Display input/output.
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi 6.
- Display limited to 60 Hz.
- SSD is just OK.
Best overall
HP ENVY 32 All-in-One
Real CPU, powerful GPU, and 4K
HP’s ENVY 32 AIO sets the bar for AIO PCs in 2020. It blows away the Apple iMac 27, and it can act as your TV, computer for work, and a gaming rig.
Runner-up: Lenovo Yoga A940
Source: Windows Central
It has an articulating hinge reminiscent of the Surface, which means for the creative folks out there, grab the pen and get to some comfortable drawing on a massive sketch pad. It’s not just creators and designers who will enjoy it, though.
The big, beautiful 4K display is attached to some pretty exciting hardware, including a full desktop-class Intel Core i7, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, and an AMD RX 560 GPU. It’s also got Thunderbolt 3, an essential desire in modern high-end computers. Perhaps most amazing, though, is that you can upgrade some components on this machine, meaning you can keep it up to scratch for much longer.
Pros
- Relatively affordable pricing.
- Plenty of ports, including Thunderbolt 3.
- 4K touch display with excellent color.
- Robust hardware options.
- Loud, full, front-firing audio.
Cons
- More powerful GPU options would be welcome.
- Fan is quite loud.
- Build quality lacking compared to other premium AIOs.
Runner-up
Lenogo Yoga A940
A more affordable Surface Studio-alike
Upgrade hardware, enjoy the included accessories and create to your heart’s content with this multipurpose all-in-one PC.
Best for creators: Microsoft Surface Studio 2
Source: Windows Central
The Surface Studio 2 is an amazing PC, but it comes alive when you’re a creator. That massive display is all-touch with pen support, so it’s an incredible digital canvas. Throw on the Surface Dial, and you’ve got a killer toolset at your fingertips. It isn’t cheap, but at the upper levels, you can get fairly capable dedicated graphics from NVIDIA that will even be OK for some modest gaming.
The real draw to the Studio 2 is the articulating display, though. It’s still largely unmatched, and the biggest drawback to it right now is that the Surface Studio 2 remains very expensive and, at this point, is probably due for a refresh. But the experience it delivers is still absolutely superb.
Pros:
- Unique drawing and touch experience.
- Gorgeous display.
- Decent graphics horsepower.
- Fast SSD storage.
Cons:
- Hardware starting to get outdated.
- Very expensive.
- No Thunderbolt 3.
Best for Creators
Microsoft Surface Studio 2
A unique and brilliant PC
It’s incredibly expensive, but with one of the best displays on any PC and a unique articulating hinge, this is a game-changing all-in-one.
Best for Family: Dell Inspiron 24 5000
Source: Dell
It’s not lacking on hardware, either. Inside, you’ll find a range of Intel 10th Gen processors, up to 16GB of RAM, options for speedy NVMe SSD storage, and even a front-facing soundbar to make your music and movies sound great. There’s also a pop-up webcam for those important calls to relatives. Or work colleagues.
There are options to suit all budgets, including a very affordable entry-level model, but you’ll have to make do with sluggish HDD storage at this level as a compromise. All spec levels come with a 1080p display, though, making for a well-equipped, stylish family computer.
Pros:
- Gorgeous design with almost no bezels.
- Space efficient stand.
- 10th Gen Intel processors.
- Options to suit all budgets.
- Pop up webcam.
Cons:
- Entry model fairly slow.
- No dedicated graphics.
- No Thunderbolt 3.
Best for Family
Dell Inspiron 24 5000
Something to offer the whole family
With a space-efficient design, great screen, a pop-up webcam, and a host of spec options, the Inspiron 24 5000 has something to offer the whole family.
Best Budget: HP All-in-One 24-f1055z
Source: HP
It’s got a 24-inch 1080p display, and inside, you’ll find an AMD Ryzen 5 with Vega 8 graphics, 8GB of RAM, which can be upgraded to 16GB, and 1TB of storage. The storage is HDD, not SSD, so performance takes a hit, but at this price, there will always be compromises.
The CPU is also a quad-core laptop-class AMD Ryzen 5, which might strike as an odd choice for a desktop PC, but performance isn’t bad, and the 8 Vega GPU cores deliver excellent graphics performance. It’s a reasonably solid, no-frills affair, but it’s an excellent PC with a great design and a super attractive price.
Pros:
- Compact design with skinny bezels.
- Solid graphics power.
- Fantastic price.
- Upgradeable RAM
Cons:
- Slow HDD Storage.
- Laptop CPU.
Best Budget
HP All-in-One 24-F1055z
An AIO that won’t break the bank
With an AMD Ryzen APU inside this AIO from HP has decent CPU and graphics performance at a really attractive price for the budget-conscious buyer.
The bottom line
Choosing an all-in-one PC can be difficult, not least because they’re not the most popular type of machine, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of hot hardware to choose from. HP’s new Envy 32 is the cream of the crop, and for many good reasons.
It ticks just about every box you could think of. You get a big, beautiful display, high-end hardware inside that includes actual gaming-class graphics from NVIDIA, a stunning design and some thoughtful features.
Not only does it include a webcam, but it pops out of sight when you don’t need it and it supports Windows Hello when you do. It’s also one of the only all-in-one PCs that can accept a display input as well, so you can also use it as a monitor for your laptop when you need to. It simply can’t be beaten right now.
Credits — The team that worked on this guide
Richard Devine is an Editor at Windows Central. A former Project Manager and long-term tech addict, he joined Mobile Nations in 2011 and has been found on Android Central and iMore as well as Windows Central. Currently, you’ll find him covering all manner of PC hardware and gaming, and you can follow him on Twitter and Instagram.
Daniel Rubino is the executive editor of Windows Central. He has been covering Microsoft since 2009 back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Surface, HoloLens, Xbox, and future computing visions. Follow him on Twitter: @daniel_rubino.
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