Packard Bell oneTwo M
All-in-one kitchenware?
Review As the world swings inexorably away from desktop PCs towards notebooks, netbooks and PMPs, the PC has to adapt or die. One way to go, as Packard Bell would have it, is the touchscreen media PC. It follows the iMac paradigm that the whole thing should be built into the back of a large-format LCD screen.
A nice touch? PackBell's oneTwo M includes a Freeview tuner
The concept of a media PC, for use in a living room or study/bedroom isn’t new and integrated computers built into LCD screens have been around a while now, but Packard Bell’s oneTwo machines have two extras to set them apart, namely, a touchscreen with support for Microsoft Surface apps, and a built-in Freeview DVB-T tuner.
There are two oneTwo models: M for the Medium 20in screen dual core CPU and L for Large 23in model with a quad core chip. The L version supports a full 1080i HD resolution, but the M, reviewed here, has to make do with a 1600 by 900 widescreen. Both models include wireless keyboard, mouse and remote, so they can be used as conventional large-screen desktops, as well as media centres.
The case of the oneTwo M is all gloss black plastic, apart from an insert of clear acrylic between the two case halves, which extends down to form the front feet of the device. On the back panel are sockets for Ethernet, TV tuner and line out, as well as four USBs, and there are a further two USBs on the left-hand edge. The right-hand edge offers a multi-format DVD rewriter, a 5-in-1 card reader, plus mic and headphone 3.5mm sockets.
There’s a VGA-resolution webcam set into the top of the screen surround and this is pre-configured for Cyberlink YouCam, so can be used immediately for video links or recordings.
The larger 23in model features a quad core processor
The PC internals are well integrated, so the case is only 50mm at its deepest. It doesn’t rely primarily on laptop components to do this, either. The processor is a Pentium Dual Core T4300 chip, coupled to 3GB of main memory and an Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD.
COMMENTS
Intel gfx boo hiss
I know that they're meant to have gotten better in recent years, but I've been lumped with too many machines in the past with Intel graphics which just couldn't do much of anything in the gaming department. This machine looks really nice, but for 600 squids it's not really an "all in one" if you can't fire up a bit of the online 3D rumpety pumpety every now and then, is it?
Mother is perfectly happy with hers
Wouldn't normally go down the route of buying HP but the parents (read mother) wanted a new computer as the old one was getting slow (it was 6 years old !?!)
She wanted something that look nice (read as few cables as possible) and these were the only real choices. I have no knowledge of Macs and given I have to provide support (remotely), apple was ruled out.
Installed and get it running quickly but agree with the review about the wireless mouse and keyboard dongle - very poor instructions on this.
First ever saint bill from me as the mother quite likes Windows 7
Windows 7 not yet there
I tested the sony and acer similar computers in Mediamarkt (to the exasperation of the personnel). Truth is, I was expecting more from the windows 7 tablet pc (touch) extensions. The biggest problem is it doesn't do anything about the size of the buttons (think photoshop tools' panel or zoom with the fingers, macbook style). So it's pretty hard to close an application. Or if the application is custom skinned it might be even impossible to do it by touch-click. I would have also expected that there are special gestures and things that are translated directly by the OS to clicks or keyboard events, whichever. But there doesn't seem to be.
As the author says, same problem is none of monitors can be laid down without some kind of self built contraption, and after about 20-30 minutes the RSS starts to manifest.
I was pondering to get one of these touch computers, but the software is not yet there. Maybe mac will bring a better thought alternative - I'll stay on the lookout. Maybe in support package 2 for w7.
Is the correct pronunciation...
"Packard Hell"? I shudder at the memories of skanky "all in one PCs" that you'd discover when managers went technology shopping for themselves.
PB, really?
Wow, i thought they passed on years ago (wish they had).
