Review: Averatec 18.4″ All-In-One PC

Call it the computer with no name. Averatec didn’t give it a name, or even a snazzy numerical model number. Its just called the 18.4″ All-In-One PC (AIO), but its like no other PC you’ve ever seen, unless you count Apple’s “Lamp Shade” iMac. That’s because the computer itself is in the base and its attached to a stunning 18.4″ 1,680×945 display (which I believe is 16:9). You can get all of this now for a mere US$550. You need, however, to know this systems place in the grand scheme of things before you rush out and get one.

This is not your standard desktop PC. It is, in reality, a netbook’s guts stuffed into a creative and attractive desktop display stand. Here, then, are the specs: Intel Atom 1.6GHz CPU, 1GB of RAM (upgradeable to 2GB in one slot), Intel GMA video with shared memory, 160GB hard drive, dual-layer CD/DVD-R/RW drive, integrated B/G wireless, 10/100 Ethernet, 5 USB 2.0 ports, an MS/MSPRO/MMC/SD card slot, a 1.3MP webcam in the display frame, and it all runs on Windows XP Home Edition.

So, if you haven’t figured out this systems place in the world yet, I’ll make it clear. This is not a gaming machine or one designed for use by graphics professionals, or anyone who needs a beefy machine. This is a webtop. This is a tight, clean, efficient, low-cost DVD player, email checker, webpage reader, and word processor. Its the perfect desktop for the luddite parents, the college or boarding school student, or as a second computer. Its compact, tidy and wireless.

The screen is clearly the largest and most visible component of the AIO. The strut behind the display allows you to position the screen as you like. The built-in microphone is oddly placed on the base of the unit instead of on the display frame. Another odd choice for Averatec was to not include a recovery partition on the large disk. They do include a USB mouse and keyboard. The keyboard is a love/hate kind of thing. If you like the new style flat keyboards, you might like this one. One thing I flat out did not like was the crappy in-built speakers. There was no reason to skimp there and decent in-case speakers don’t cost all that much.

Speed wise, the AIO is rather quick. Using the pre-installed Windows XP Home, I ran all Windows Update installs and then started using it. I installed FireFox and the complete iTunes/QuickTime/Safari package. The downloads were quick, but the installations took a while to process. Once installed, though, loading and using applications were reasonably quick. General use is nearly indistinguishable from faster machines. I did not, however, try to install anything which I knew would tax the system beyond its capabilities… Well…

After I’d had enough of Windows XP, I tried installing Windows Vista on it. As you may know from having read The Dojo for a while, I’m no fan of Vista. Despite Microsoft’s propaganda-like Mojave Project adverts trying to show people that they don’t really know how cool Vista really is, Vista is a landmine of difficulties, driver incompatibilities, and broken applications. Knowing this full well, I ventured there anyway. I’ll sum it up by saying that its on there, but I can’t install any drivers.

I’m going to try working on it some more and see what I can get out of it. The way it is now, with no network access and only being able to display 1024×768 its actually working pretty fast. I suspect, however, that its fast like the surprise we get when putting XP back on an old 750MHz lappy. It works and it goes but it just doesn’t have the headroom much faster systems do. My guess is that the next generation dual-core Atom processors from Intel will prove to be the real turning point for low cost, low power, compact desktop systems.

In the end, the AIO is quite a nice machine. Its very attractive. Its has 100mm VESA-spec screw holes on the back so it can mounted like a display. It weighs in a slight 9 pounds. Contrary to what detractors might say, the AIO is a quality machine which delivers exactly what it promises to deliver; modestly priced performance. Its not a kick ass gaming machine or a powerful video or film editing workstation. If you think you’re going to get a hi-end workstations for under six Benjamins you either don’t value your talent as an artist or you’re smoking something.

As such, I roundly endorse the Averatec 18.4″ AIO as long as you’re comfortable with its limitations.