Desktop computers are shedding their chunky, clunky towers for more slimming, stylish setups. The all-in-one systems popping up from a variety of PC makers pack all the inner components of the computer-including the processor, hard drive, and sound and graphics cards-into the monitor, usually a slim flat-panel LCD monitor at that.

People looking to save some desk space, or those who want a computer that looks more decorative and less like office equipment, should consider an all-in-one. But buyers should be aware of the limitations of all-in-ones. You can't easily upgrade or customize capabilities such as video performance, which means avid gamers might not be able to play really intense 3D games on these machines.

We took a first look at the Gateway One and the Dell XPS One, two of the newest all-in-one models (HP and Sony both offer all-in-ones; Apple users have the iMac). The new designs aren't just space-savers; manufacturers are trying to add a sense of style to these systems as well. Both systems run Windows Vista Home Premium and include an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB RAM, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 802.11n, a memory card reader, and a wireless keyboard and mouse.

The Gateway One's display is shiny, black, frameless glass, with a brushed aluminum back. Its speakers are integrated into a plastic covering at the bottom of the monitor. A removable webcam is plugged on top. The Gateway cost $1,500 as tested, with a 400GB hard drive, ATI Radeon HD2600 graphics, and a 19-inch screen with 1440x900 resolution.

The Dell XPS One is built into a black and aluminum case with a glass base. Speakers are built into the monitor's sides, and its webcam is behind the front panel. The Dell, $1,720, included 320GB of disk space, Bluetooth connectivity, ATI Radeon HD2400 graphics, and a 20-inch screen with 1680x1050 native resolution. A Blu-Ray drive is optional.


HIGHS

New design, new features. The challenge of building all the computing components into a monitor can result in innovative design. Dell makes multimedia controls invisible most of the time and accessible when you need them by using a proximity sensor that causes the buttons to light up when you pass your hand over them. There's a touchpad built into the keyboard as an alternative to the mouse. Like other desktops, the Dell's power supply is built in. On the Gateway One, ports usually located on the back of a desktop tower, such as Ethernet and some USB ports, are placed on the external, brick-sized power supply, and if placed on the floor, offer a neat way of keeping extra wires off your desk. A spring-loaded stand behind the screen adjusts the viewing angle, but it's smaller than most monitor stands, so the display could tend to tip if you push it back too hard.

Very good display. The Dell and Gateway had very good color and contrast, although the iMac's colors are a bit more accurate. You could gather a group of friends to watch videos on either screen without worrying about degraded image quality from different viewing angles. Both displays can be tilted vertically, but height is not adjustable. Neither PC has video-out ports, so you can't connect them to a TV or add another monitor. But the Dell includes a built-in digital TV tuner. It also includes Adobe Elements Studio as a platform for editing photos and videos.

Good sound on the Gateway. Speakers on the Gateway One were good, with stronger bass than the Dell. Sound on the iMacs was also good. The Dell's sound was fair, with a tinny quality and no bass. (Conventional desktop computers which often come with a dedicated subwoofer often sound better in our tests, however.) Both the Gateway and Dell include audio-out ports, so you can add a set of external speakers.


LOWS

There's a downside to an integrated display. Dell offers onsite service, so if the display malfunctions while your system is still under warranty, the company will send a technician to your home to troubleshoot the system. But if repair requires transferring your hard drive to another system, that can be a risky process that could endanger your data.

The Dell was not suitable for 3D gaming. Although it had a faster processor than the Gateway, the Dell won't appeal to gamers due to its lower-end graphics adapter. The Gateway was better equipped for graphics, comparable to some workhorse desktops.

Price. All-in-ones are more expensive than their conventional-styled cousins. A comparably equipped, traditional desktop setup costs around $1,000—or about a third less than Gateway's all-in-one.


BOTTOM LINE

You'll save space, eliminate the usual clutter of wires, and add a stylish touch to your home office or apartment with either of these systems, or with the iMac. The Gateway costs less than the Dell, with better sound and faster graphics. But for multimedia computing, the iMac is the best of the three. Configured with components similar to the Gateway, the iMac would cost about $1,500.