All-in-One Computer

[reible]

Now, many years ago I got a batch of the all-in-one Gateway computers for our labs. Taking up space was a major factor in the decision to go this way. They worked quite well for that purpose as they did have two PCMCIA slots. I also got a few for desktop use but they lacked to horse power to do some tasks so they became a secondary which defeated the space savings.

When we started to retire them after about 5 years they were all still running but by then far out of date hardware wise and was noted they are not designed to have much upgrade-ablity. I kept one for a bit longer but the fan went south and I could not get a replacement so had to cut a hole in the back of the case to install an available fan.

When I retired we still had a few in the labs yet but by then I had started to get lap tops for replacements. With the all-in-one you needed one for each station but with lap tops it was simpler to have a pool of them and then grab one to use where ever. Lap tops are not for the most part good for upgrades either, but, were a lot more portable then the other options.

Before all this we had these rolling carts with a monitor, a work area for the keyboard, and basket for the PC that could be rolled up to be used. Well you add a scope, maybe a data logger or other instruments, all on carts and who knows what else and this one little test bed became an island on to itself.

So from my perspective they are nice for space savings but that is about it.

Ed

[JPG]

Says the man who built 'one' from separate components that he mounted on the back of a screen! I like that approach!!!!

[ERLover]

Sounds Just Like Shop Smith to Me!!!

[BuckeyeDennis]

My opinion unless you can specifically identify a program that you need to use frequently that will not work on an iPad you would be better served buying a new/used refurbished iPad.

The more I use the thing the less and less I use my "computers". I bought it for my wife so she could surf the web and not worry about viruses and such. When I first got it I was frustrated and hated it. Today my wife has to fight for it and usually loses. I use the cloud, wireless HD and self control to manage my files.

I watch YouTube videos on woodworking, my cable providers app to watch TV and specials, I stream movies. I also surf the web and since nothing is stored on the iPad itself except apps. I was told if I only load apps from the Apple site there is no way virsus or malware can get on my iPad.

Almost every program I used on a desktop or lap is now available as an app for the iPad. Apps are almost automatically updated and I don,t have to worry a out missing code, missing driver, missing anything.

I have dropped it and abused it and it keeps on ticking. It uses little power and generates almost no heat. I can be used with large screen monitor, wireless disk drives, printers, keyboards. The touch screen once you get used to it works flawlessly and the more I do on it the more I find I can do.

I use Microsoft Office on it, doing Excell, PowerPoint, and Word tasks. Unless you do heavy graphic or speciality work the iPad can probably do it.

I can use it to call via my iPhone, message, control my TV, watch video on my TV, print to almost any wifi printer.

My grandson who is 6-7 has had one for over a year now. It is in a very protective case but he uses it daily, drops it, slams it and loves it. Got an award in school for superior math abilities that we contribute to his iPad apps that teach him math, logic, and even engineering. Along with reading, history and art appreciation.

Now that Apple intends to put free programs teaching apps oriented toward children on IOS I expect to see young people getting programming far younger than ever before. Imagine what programs can come from the imagination of a child.

I can drag it out of the workshop (no fan) no dust problems, I can carry it to the family room, den, bathroom. To read books, read forums,do my Check book, track my health, review a woodworking video, order a part a tool, pay my bills, check my bank balances, order prescriptions, order gifts, track new roofing estimates, watch baseball, NASCAR, Indycar racing, watch movies, first run or oldies and the goodies, listen to radio stations around the world, FaceTime loved ones that live far away, start stop my mail, report power outages, estimate supplies, order them, check my math, find out how to figure a complex math problem, watch educational sows that teach just about anything.

Computer? All in one computer? Why bother get an IPAD!

I totally agree on all the packaging benefits. I've had an iPad since Gen 1, and I'm using an Air II right now. I think of it as my "leisure machine", and it's brilliant for consuming content of most any type.

But when I got my first iPad, I was bound and determined to load it with "productivity" apps, including one that let me run my desktop PC at work by remote control. But all that was ultimately an exercise in frustration. As brilliant as it is for viewing content, I've never found it very good for creating content. Matter of fact, I'd be long done with this post if I wasn't do lazy to get up off the couch and use a PC with a proper keyboard. I can and do edit and post photos on it, but again I find it much slower than a PC. At least, if you don't count the time spent fighting problems caused by Microsoft "upgrades". :rolleyes

And Dusty, if you like your dual monitors, you really oughta check out the new 4k monitors. I got a 25" (IIRC) one for work, about $500 from Amazon. It makes my dual 21" monitor setup in my home office seem almost primitive. It's awesome for CAD drawings, of course. But it's simply incredible for creating or reviewing text documents. I can put two full-page poitrait-mode documents side by side on the screen, and read both as easily as hardcopy. Way more bang for the buck than a faster PC, in my opinion. It's hooked to my laptop via a docking station. I can flip open my laptop and get another screen anytime I want, but I never need to.