Maingear Debuts Powerful All-in-One Alpha 24 Super Stock Gaming PC

The hardest thing about successfully creating an all-in-one gaming PC is that there is a lot of powerful hardware that you have to try to fit into a small space. That is why most all-in-ones have typically been unsuccessful in their attempts to bring semi-portable, space-saving PC gaming to customers. However, that hasn't stopped Maingear from designing the Alpha 24 Super Stock, the first true boutique all-in-one gaming PC.

The highlights for the Alpha are pretty good. The device comes with an Intel Core i3 3240 3.4GHz, upgradeable to an Intel Core i7 3770K, as well as up to 256GB Crucial M4 mSATA SSD and up to 3TB mechanical HDD. In addition to that, the Alpha comes with a full-size Nvidia GeForce GTX 650Graphics, which can be enhanced to a GeForce GTX 680. Expansion slots also include two mini PCIe slots and one PCIe x 16 slot.

Of significance here is definitely the graphics card. You don't usually find full-sized graphics cards and PCIe expansion slots in an all-in-one PC. The display itself is a 24", 1,920 x 1,080 full HD touchscreen LCD monitor.Other features include an HDMI input, Nvidia's Synergy technology, power-saving Optimus tech and an optional CableCard tuner.

Despite all that, it is still hard to look past the graphics card. Some all-in-one vendors might throw in a laptop-quality graphics card, but Maingear is the only provider offering a full-fledged desktop 3D card in an all-in-one PC that is aimed right at the hearts of PC gamers. Adding that to the fact that you can upgrade that card further drastically increases the Alpha's race from extinction.

The Alpha 24 Super Stock from Maingear is currently available for purchase with Maingear estimating a two-week shipping time for special built-to-order units. Base price for the device before any customization options rounds out to $1,399, which isn't too bad for a gaming PC, especially one with 3D capabilities.

Source: CNET - Maingear introduces first boutique gaming all-in-one PC

HP Unveils New TouchSmart 620 All-in-One 3D PC

There are a lot of innovations in the computer world these days, two of the biggest being 3D and all-in-one devices. On the one hand, you have the option of playing games and watching movies and content in full 3D quality, on the other you have the convenience of having your tower and monitor all rolled into one device, freeing up a lot of space in your office or at your desk at home. However, HP thinks that these two innovations should become one and has created a device to make that happen. Meet the HP TouchSmart 620 3D Edition.

The TouchSmart 620 3D Edition is a tower-free desktop that HP is adding to its already populated lineup of all-in-one PCs. This device is the love child of the HP TouchSmart 610 and a 23" 3D touchscreen monitor, and inside the rather bulky (for an all-in-one) 4.1" thick display you'll find a 3.1GHz Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory, a 1.5TB hard drive, Blu-ray drive and an AMD Radeon HD 6650 (or 6670) graphics card. That is pretty good, especially if you consider the fact that the mid-range 6670 debuted in April and is capable of averaging frame rates in the low 30s on games like Crysis 2 on high settings in the device's native 1,920 x 1,080 resolution.

In addition to that, the TouchSmart 620 also keeps the flexible ergonomics of the TouchSmart 610. The screen is capable of swiveling up to 180 degrees and reclines up to 60 degrees (nearly flat), allowing you to have considerable leverage when moving things around to mitigate glare or other effects. Fire up 3D mode and you will be using software from TriDef designed to make accessing the 3D capabilities of the display more user-friendly.

The base model of the device, which will cost you $1,800, includes a dual-lens camera capable of grabbing 3D video as well as still shots, a TV tuner and also comes with a pair of active shutter glasses.

This isn't the first all-in-one PC to come with 3D capabilities, however. Sony, Lenovo, MSI and Asus have all debuted 3D all-in-ones as well. However, as far as pricing goes, the HP TouchSmart 620 is less expensive than Sony's Viao L-Series 3D Edition, which comes with an i7 processor and a 3TB hard drive for $2,300. On the other hand, the TouchSmart 620 is considerably more expensive than Lenovo's IdeaCenter B520 that offers an i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce GT 555M GPU for $1,300.

Nevertheless, people are, for some reason, obsessed with 3D these days, so this device will obviously find itself in more than a few homes, if only for the HP brand, not to mention the fact that this device is aimed at the holiday season. Whether or not people will care in a year or so is still up in the air.

Source: Techland - Hello, 3D PC! HP Unveils TouchSmart 620 All-in-One

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