Asus ET2701INKI-B046C

• Pros

  Large, clear screen. HD video. Blu-ray. USB 3.0 and eSATA. Has VGA-in and HDMI-in ports. Nice Price. Speedy 3rd generation quad core processor. Good 3D graphics.

• Cons

  Subwoofer must be plugged into side panel with exposed wiring. Audio is low out of box, even at "maximum" volume. Cluttered desktop shortcuts. Confusing sound settings.

• Bottom Line

  If you can forgive the Asus ET2701INKI-B046C a few quirks in its audio setup, you'll find an all-in-one desktop that can compete with systems costing $600 more.

• Design and Features
  The ET2701INKI-B046C's $1,281.92 at Amazon Marketplace design mirrors that of the HDTV-like styling of the previous model, the Asus ET2700INKS-B062C ($1,499 list, 3.5 stars), down to the 27-inch panel and row of I/O ports on the left side. The 27-inch panel dominates the system's looks, so it's a good thing that the display is bright and clear, with vibrant colors. The display is 1,920 by 1,080 (full 1080p), which is fine for watching movies, but for Web page creation and design work, a 2,560 by 1,440 screen—as seen on the high-end all-in-one desktop Editors' Choice Apple iMac 27-inch (Thunderbolt) ($1,999 list, 4 stars) or Dell XPS One 27 ($1,999 list, 4.5 stars)—makes better sense. You get more pixel real estate to work with on the Dell One or Apple iMac, which makes a difference if you're creating rather than just enjoying entertainment.