Integrated PCs - suggestions please

[amanoffewwords]

Has anyone got any suggestions/experience with regards to integrated PCs - that is to say those where the computer is integrated in the back of the monitor such as this one:

http://www.technomatic.co.uk//images/products/group/pelhampc.gif

This one is made by Pelham Sloane - I've never heard of them hence the question.

Any help would be appreciated - it's for a client so I don't need to know they'd be better off with a laptop etc... the customer is always right, right? :rolleyes:

Thanks
amofw

[ORAC]

Halfway house, they're more upgradeable than a laptop, less than a desktop. Smaller footprint than a desktop, more than a laptop. They just tend to have better multinedia inputs, capabilities and software than a laptop.

There are better, but I was sorely tempted by the Sony PCV-W1 (http://products.sony.co.uk/productdetail.asp?id=10_51_4438). You can get one at Unbeatable (www.unbeatable.co.uk/CatalogueItem_15262.html) for £1371. Zdnet review (http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/desktops/0,39023845,39116998,00.htm).

I decided against because of the limited upgrade capabilities, but I did love the looks and it would have looked great on the desk rather than have another box down the side. Depends how much looks and style come into it.

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

amanoffewwords,

Some of the early models of integrated PCs suffered from heat issues. I do not know if that is still the case or not.

If you are going to to put it on a desk, you are just as well off with a Desktop with an LCD Monitor and a Logitech Cordless MX Duo.

http://images10.newegg.com/productimage/23-126-124-04.JPG

You will end up with more room on your desk that with the integrated PC.

Take Care,

Richard

[Saab Dastard]

amanoffewwords,

You might also be interested in the following:

Cybernet zero footprint PC (http://www.cybernetman.com/default.cfm/DocId/602.htm)

The PC is integrated into the keyboard, saving deskspace.

Heating is overcome just as with laptops - chips optimised for low power consumption.

Upgrades of memory and hard disk are straightforward, I believe, but that's about it, although there is also limited expansion space for a PCI card. I'm suprised there's no PC Card slot, though.
However, with so many items built in, including optical drive, floppy drive, NIC, firewire and USB, it's hard to see what you would want to add. OK, it's not aimed at the gaming or high-end workstation users, but it looks pretty neat for what it is.

And you're not constrained in your choice of monitor.

SD

[PPRuNe Towers]

I've hands on experience of the Sony in the last 7 days. Photo's don't quite do it justice.

Rob

[osbo]

Just a note on the logitech keyboard - looks nice, but check out the similar microsoft offerings. Much better build quality from MS. Yes, I have used both.

[amanoffewwords]

I've had the Mark I of the Logitech keyboard/mouse combination for over two years now, never had a problem - looks well built to me..

But it doesn't fit the requirements of my customer - to expand on it she's having a kitchen tailored made for a house she's renovating - hence the integrated PC idea to fit in a purpose built unit of the kitchen.

I know Gateway had a model of two that were quite good - one my customers still has one running well since 2001.

I think the best solution for her would be to get a traditional laptop instead.

Thanks for all the suggestions - they were all quite helpful.

amofw

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

amanoffewwords,

Then maybe this is more like what you need for that kitchen:

http://www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/desk_pc/Caseclosed.jpg

http://www.silentpcreview.com/files/images/desk_pc/CaseOpen1.jpg

:ok: :ok: :ok: :ok:

Rusty's Quiet In-Desk PC (http://www.silentpcreview.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=44&page=1)

Just a little mod would get this to work for a kitchen. ;)

Take Care,

Richard

[ORAC]

If it's for a kitchen , why not a built in unit in an appliance - e.g. the Electrolux Screenfridge (http://www.electrolux.com/screenfridge/start.htm). There are other options such as those built into kitchen units or add-ons which have flip-down screens under kitchen units.

[WeatherJinx]

The original and the best (http://www.apple.com/imac/) ;-)