Roundup: All-In-One PCs : MSI Wind Top AE1900
3. MSI Wind Top AE1900
Display
This touchscreen has an 18.8-inch diagonal measurement. It uses the same resolution as the Asus Eee Top's display - 1366x768 pixels. That means that in practice, you're displaying the same amount of information. But the MSI displays it a lot bigger. As for quality, it has the same problems as a lot of portable computers: a blue color shift, narrow viewing angles (especially vertically), and only average response. One positive point is the contrast ratio, which we measured at 944:1 (white 170 nits, black 0.18 nits).
MSI VS ASUS
The MSI Wind Top AE1900 is a direct competitor to the Asus Eee Top. It uses the same "iMac" design principle, with all the basic components built into the housing along with its 18-inch display. And that display is also a touchscreen, boasting two user interfaces - the classic keyboard and mouse, or direct contact with the screen.
First impressions, design
The MSI Wind Top was the second all-in-one computer we tested in our lab. It was preceded by the Asus Eee Top. Except for the difference in the size of the display and the DVD drive built into the MSI, the differences aren't all that evident. We were sent two units, dressed in white plastic with a transparent edge. Close inspection revealed a nicer finish on the Asus, specifically the stand and the control buttons, which are easier to reach and more pleasing on the Asus.
Keyboard and mouse need replacing
The keyboard and mouse that ship with the MSI use the same off-white color scheme. The keyboard works relatively well, which is more than you can say of the mouse. But in any case you'll want to replace both if you intend to use them regularly.
Webcam and sound too saturated
The webcam didn't impress us for two reasons; the images were hard-edged and the colors were too bright. The sound also left us unimpressed. Even pushed to the limit, the mic and speakers lacked the power to provide good sound quality.
Quiet
In the noise department, the Wind Top threw a scare into us - when we first turned it on, the fan cranked up at full speed. But fortunately, the noise went away and the unit was very quiet, even during processor-intensive calculations. As for the DVD drive, it's not inaudible but can be relatively quiet.
Connectivity
Here's the list of interfaces on the Wind Top: 4 USB (the Asus Eee Top has 6), 2 mini-jacks, and 1 RJ45 connector. What's missing? A video out for connecting a second display, e-SATA and FireWire connectors, an Express Card slot, etc.
Slow processor
The "Intel Atom" label, whether it's an N270, N280, or N230, is synonymous with slow performance with operations like file compression and video editing. The Atom's big advantage, on the other hand, is its low power consumption. This particular machine, not including the keyboard and mouse, draws between 30 and 35 Watts. That's a good score, about on a par with a good notebook computer.
Not up to heavy tasks
At the risk of being repetitive, we'll say that you can perform just about any type of operation with an Atom. You'll just have to be patient. Heavy operations, like photo retouching, can take 30 minutes where a good computer takes only 6. So you'll want to limit your use of this unit to office applications, Web surfing, and playing video - provided it's not in HD or heavily encoded. The machine doesn't have the processing power to play Blu-Ray video.
Games
The same remark we made about the Eee Top holds true here. The graphics circuitry just doesn't have the muscle to play recent 3D games. We advise you to stick to older games and lean towards 2D over 3D.
Low sound volume
We tried all the volume controls built into the MSI's keyboard and touchscreen, but couldn't manage to crank up the volume to acceptable levels. The maximum volume is just too low, to the point of being totally unusable, and the sound from the headphone/line out wasn't much better. So an external speaker kit is required - and even then, don't expect miracles.
Touchscreen: limited usefulness
To make tactile use easier, MSI has developed a simplified interface with big icons. It's divided into four categories - Work, Fun, Tool, and Web. You can see the broad outlines of what all-tactile computer use would be like. But the reality is still very far off - once you get past the initial interface, it quickly becomes obvious that the applications themselves just aren't designed to be finger-controlled. We're waiting to see if Windows 7 will take us farther in that direction; if it does, it'll be very good news for this type of computer.
| MSI Wind Top AE1900 | |
|---|---|
| Pros | Cons |
|
|
The touchscreen is fun to use but lacks real substance in the form of applications designed for it. Another limitation is the Intel Atom processor. It's fine for office-type use, but won't really keep up over time if you want to use this computer for other purposes (like video editing, photo retouching, etc).
| Processor | Intel Atom N230 1.6GHz |
| Memory | 1 GB |
| Graphics chipset | Intel GMA950 |
| Display | 18.5 inches (1366x768) |
| Hard disk | 160 GB |
| Optical drive | DVD burner |
| Dimensions | NC |
| Weight | 9.5 lbs |
- Wind Top AE1900-10SUS...
Interesting that you chose the higher spec'd Apple then gave it the higher rating. Well...duh! Perhaps the HP IQ800 series with similar size screen and the same 9400M graphics (available with a Blue Ray player, even) would have been a better fit. Or compare the 20" Apple with it's lower resolution, comparable to the HP.
And why is the HP noted to be difficult to move around, but the same comment is not made about the 24" screen Apple?
Since you were demonstrating an array of products, the rating should have reflected price. If one only has $800 to spend, it doesn't make any difference how good the Apple is, you can only compare the Atom machines.
Frankly, these machines serve different purposes. The Atom machines are what netbooks are to the laptop world. They are not intended for the power user, and that should be considered in their rating. My mother would be well served by a simple machine that does email and a few simple tasks well, without taking up much space or cost.
But I have no use for such a basic machine. The HP and Apple are desktop alternatives, and really cannot be directly compared to the Atom machines, because they are not marketed to the same user. But, they do have to compete for my dollars with a full desktop, and they fail miserably, even compared to my current machine with its 8800GTS 320 graphics. I'm looking at upgrading my machine, and I can upgrade my box to I7 920, GTX260, 6GB (and a smattering of other stuff) for about $800 (I roll my own, in an aluminum case that's seen about 3 MBs so far).
This article reeks of Apple favoritism.
The iMac is applauded for its low power consumption, while the Asus uses only 1/4 as much power. The Asus and MSI are criticized for a lack of ports, but the iMac has the same shortcomings. Every "con" for the HP is true for the iMac as well, so how did Apple earn that extra star?
It sounds like the only thing the iMac does better is look pretty on a desk, and pack a little more power for twice the cost.
"...but only recently have they become PCs."
Oh really? I can remember playing around with a Compaq 486SX integrated with a 14" color SVGA display in the early 1990s (a 1993 model it was, I think).
On the other hand, the Macintosh name actually started with an all-in-one in 1984...
When was this article written? August 3rd? Seriously?
You could only manage to find a measely four All-in-Ones? What about Dell's Studio One? Or Avaretec's 22" D1005 or budget-minded D1100? How about Lenovo's Idea Centre A600? These are major competitors, and deserve attention.
I wanted an article that could help me discern the possible uses and values of each of these All-in-Ones so I could weigh the merits of each and make logical assessments. I have been eagerly awaiting such even-handed benchmarking from TomsHardware...
Instead, I got a poorly written iMac ad.
Fanboy = Fail.
Mac > PC = True
Don't forget that the first mass selling all-in-one was the Commodore PET.
since all the others have touchscreen as a plus, shouldn't apple having no touch screen be a con?
I've always thought the huge bulky PC towers that people like myself love so much will be on their way out of the mainstream very soon. In fact, most people I know own micro-towers or laptops now. Even I haven't turned my own tower on in weeks, as my laptop works as a desktop replacement box.
Still though, not sure if I like the AIO PC concept, I'm gonna stick with my laptop.
There are quiet a few calls of Apple bias and on the surface it seems to be correct. There needs to be a weighing system that is clearly defined before hand so in the readers mind the comparison are oranges to oranges. Cause it is somewhat unfair to compare an atom and core duo on the same scale with out some de-rating concept as they really are two different types of CPU