​More cheap computing

Some of you may know that I am into education. I taught for thirty years and I believe that education is the best thing that you can do for yourself. This includes those of us who grew up before computers. That is why this weeks column is about cheap computing. I did mention it in a previous column but now is your chance to get into computing on the cheap.

They call them AIO's: All-in-one PCs. They are really great when you need nothing more than a basic, snap-simple-setup PC to surf the Web and keep up with the swirl of chatter on Facebook. They include all the necessary parts, including a built-in monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse—you just connect one power cable, plug in the peripherals, and you’re online in minutes.

For the most part, these are computers for beginners. If you have been computing for several years and you want to expand your knowledge, perhaps get into programming or web sites, this is not the machine for you. Often, even though these machines sit on a desktop, their internal parts are actually the kind made for a laptop. So, especially if you're looking at low-end models, they’re typically not the fastest machines around.

The model I am thinking of is an HP All In One Desktop 20-c010 at $349. I saw a reasonable review of this machine on the Internet. There are others. Do your due diligence. That’s about as low a price as you’ll find for any decent desktop PC, whether a small stand-alone tower or an AIO. If you need a simple, occasional-use machine for a family member who will just use it for the basics, this is a satisfactory option—so long as your (and their) expectations stay in line with its price. It's about the cheapest AIO on the market at this writing that you can buy new.

One key thing to keep in mind when shopping AIOs: the succinctly named HP All-in-One Desktop 20-c010, is just one example of many of the AIO options that are available. This one falls under the category of "as inexpensive as is humanly possible," thanks to its $349 retail price.

One important caveat here, if you want to run a muscular program like Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro, be aware that the typical AIO only has 4GB of memory. This is the bare minimum for Windows 10.

"Oh no problem" you say, "I'll just open the case and add more memory." I don't think so... The machines are so small that there is no room for anything to be added. There are no screws or bolts to remove. The case is sealed. Please remember that six months after your purchase.

When it comes to Internet access, you can do so either with a wired connection or wirelessly. There’s a Gigabit Ethernet port on the back of the machine, and an internal wireless card that supports the older, if adequate, protocols: 802.11a/b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0. This machine does not offer dual-band or 802.11ac support. without a 802.11c support it would not work well in a busy office. There is one option that you can order for this machine. You have your choice of either a 1TB hard drive or a 500GB drive. If you are a beginner, there isn't much difference.

The center of focus on this unit is the screen, a bright 19.5-inch panel. It runs at a 1,600x900 native resolution. That’s a strange resolution between 720p and 1080p, and one I haven’t seen, but it’s great for wide-screen movies. The off-dead-center viewing angles were not very good, with posterization and color shifts evident. This means that you have to sit directly in front of the screen. if you sit off to the side slightly, the screen will not look right.

All of the HP models include a one-year warranty.

Don't use this semi-review as your final choice. Get on the Internet, go to Best Buy or Walmart. Spend money on your first machine and learn it.