|
|
|
 |
| |
| The Fundamental
Problem with All-in-One Computers (AIO's) |
|
| |
| Back in the
80’s someone had the idea that a television (TV) and
a video recorder (VCR) should be combined into a
single, compact unit. The problem was that TV’s have
a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. VCR’s, on the
other hand, had a life expectancy of 3 to 5 years.
So for most of the life of the TV the VCR was
nothing more than an eyesore, but at least the TV
continued to work. |
| |
 |
|
I have
(4) AIO’s, (2) Sony’s, and (2) HP’s. Both Sony’s
have had the surface mount video chip become
un-soldered from the motherboard. With a
normal computer, it would be a simple case
of replacing the video card and salvaging a
perfectly good computer. In the end I used a
method called ‘reflowing’ to heat the video
chip, re-soldering it to the motherboard. I
was able to salvage one of the Sony’s in
this manner; the other will be kept for
spare parts. If this had not worked I would
have had to trash 2 otherwise perfectly good
computers. |
|
| |
One of my other
AIO’s is an HP Z1 workstation with a 27 inch
display. At about 18 month’s into the warranty
period the monitor went dark on one side. HP
replaced the LCD display panel under warranty. The
second LCD display panel lasted for 2 years before
it also went dark on one side. This was outside the
3 year warranty period. HP refused to acknowledge a
problem with the 27 inch LCD display panels and
suggested that I purchase a replacement unit for
$1,500.00 (at this time they have none in stock – I
wonder why?). With tax and shipping this would have
been as much as I paid for the complete system originally.
The 27 inch LCD display panel used in the HP Z1 is
the same as the ones used in the Apple IMac’s of the
same vintage. These LG panels have known problems
which can easily be search for on YouTube and Google
(and even a class action lawsuit!). An HP tech. told
me that it would be bad business for HP to replace
the panel outside of warranty. Replacing the panel
means less profits, eliminating the customer means
no profits - its all about choices.
HP announced last
week that they are laying off an additional 5,000
people (3,000 were announced earlier this year). Bad
customer service and excessive parts pricing would
be my guess as principle reasons for HP's slowdown.
With the recent attempt by HP to lock existing
customers into high price ink cartridges with a
security update, I would say that trust is high on
the list of HP's troubles. |
| |
 |
|
The point is I would never buy anther AIO computer.
My HP Z1 a perfectly good
XEON class workstation may be scrapped due to the AIO
design. If I need a computer with a very
small footprint in the future, I will purchase an HP
Z2 Mini, or
similarly designed computer, with a separate monitor
and then purchase a ‘best in class’ keyboard and
mouse. If one part fails it can be replaced for a
few dollars instead of a couple thousand dollars as
in the case of the HP Z1 workstation. |
|
|
If you decide that
an AIO fits a need, make sure that it has a very
good warranty; I would say 3-5 years minimum. If its
a high dollar AIO, then consider leasing; if it
breaks, then its someone else's problem. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
