New Windows 8 All-in-Ones from Asus and Samsung

Along with the announcement of their latest mobile PC portfolio, Samsung and Asus also launched their new Windows 8-powered All-In-One PCs. Let’s take a closer look at these to PCs and see which of the two will give consumers more bang for their buck.

First up is the Asus ET2300 (left). It has a 23.6-inch IPS FHD display with 10-finger support. Users can choose which of the three Ivy Bridge processors (i3-3230, i5-3330 or i7-3770) they’ll equip their unit with. The base configuration comes with 4GB of RAM, but users can opt to put up to 8GB should they wish to do so.

Unlike Samsung’s AIO, most of the ET2300’s components are situated at the base of the PC, enabling the panel to be as thin as possible and be tilted up to 180°. The only problem with this setup, however, is if the neck/brace is tough enough to withstand constant battering from tilting and carrying the big ass display. But from the looks of it, I think it should hold up quite nicely.

Key features of the Asus ET2300:
• 178° viewing angle through IPS display
• Display can be tilted up to 180°
• Two Thunderbolt ports on top of 4x USB 3.0 ports
• Superior audio through ASUS SonicMaster Premium technology and 4x 1.5W speakers + 1 3W Woofer setup.

Now let’s look in to the Samsung AIO PC Series 7. This bad boy’s main advantage over the other is its display which boasts a 2560×1440 (WQHD) resolution. Instead of IPS, the PC is outfitted with a TN (Twisted Nematic) PLS-type (Plane to Line) panel which offers faster response time and is more power efficient, but at the cost of viewing angles.

To deliver the best possible computing experience, the Samsung AIO PC Series 7 is only offered with quad-core configuration. User can choose between i5-3570T and i7-3770T 3rd Gen processors and pair it with an 8GB worth of RAM. This one may not have as many speakers as the ET2300, but it’s equipped with an enormous 14W Dolby Speaker that should be enough to satisfy any users aural needs.

Key features of the Samsung All-in-One PC Series 7:
• WQHD resolution
• 14W Dolby Speaker
• Pre-bundled with Wireless Mouse and Keyboard

Below is the specs comparison of the Asus ET2300 and Samsung All-in-One PC Series 7. We highlighted the aspect which we think the one has the advantage over the other. The ET2300 gains a slight edge over Samsung’s AIO. Not that significant, but every inch counts.

In terms of pricing, it’s a toss-up between the two. The base configuration of Asus ET2300 (dual-core i5, 4GB RAM, 1TB HDD 7200rpm, Intel HD 2500) costs PhP59,995 while the Samsung All-in-One PC Series 7’s base configuration (quad-core i5, 4GB RAM, 1TB HDD 7200rpm, Intel HD 4000) costs PhP69’990. The ET2300 will come with the External Sub-Woofer while Samsung’s AIO will be bundled with a wireless mouse and keyboard.

Verdict

It’s a close call, but in our opinion, the Asus ET2300 should give potential buyers a slightly better value for their money. In addition to its decent specs, the ET2300 also comes with a 3-year On-Site warranty. So instead of bringing your PC to the service center, a technician will come to your place to diagnose/troubleshoot your PC. A normal warranty would suffice, but having an on-site warranty definitely adds more value to the product.

If you’re willing to shell out an additional PhP10K for a better processor and higher screen resolution, Samsung’s AIO will be your best bet. However, if you don’t mind not having iMac-like display and a quad-core processor, then you’re better off with the ASUS ET2300.