This ASUS All-In-One desktop PC does a good job of proving that it could be your go-to computer for daily tasks. Since this was my first experience with ASUS, the packaging and unboxing were my first impressions of this tech company. Inside the box, the PC was held in place with high-quality foam, the kind that doesn't break down immediately and crumble onto your floor. While this is a minor detail, it gave me a good feeling that I was about to unbox a well-made device.
With the computer came a keyboard (with a numerical keypad), a mouse, and warranty and instruction paperwork. The keyboard and mouse both came with their required batteries, so I didn't have to go searching for them. While the keyboard is fairly average, it does have a decent slant that provides some height to assist with typing, and the keys have a nice sense of travel when you use them. The mouse is also average and has left/right buttons and a scroll wheel. To link the mouse to the PC, it includes a wireless USB plug that goes directly into the back of the ASUS. I plan on using these included components, but they would be very easy to replace if they’re not your style.
The ASUS All-In-One A3402T comes with 3 standard USB ports, 1 USB-C port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, as well as 2 HDMI ports (In and Out) and a LAN port. While the majority of the build is high-quality plastic, the base of the ASUS is a beautiful aluminum that feels great. As this is an “All in one” computer, all of the hardware is contained behind the display, meaning this device won’t take up much room on your desk or table. I should note that to adjust the screen, you can only tilt the display up or down. While some may wish for height adjustment, I found the screen to sit at a natural height that is comfortable to use while I sit at my desk.
Setting up the PC was easy, and it took about a half hour for me to be on the home screen of my new computer. The settings section states that this PC is using the 12th generation Intel i5 Processor running at 1.3 GHz, with 8 gigs of RAM, and a 256 gig SSD. These specs have been absolutely great for running everyday programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and TurboTax, which run quickly with no hiccups. On websites like YouTube, the ASUS hasn't had any issues with streaming at high-quality settings. Windows 11 is a noticeable upgrade from previous versions I’ve used, and it runs so well on this computer. I have a feeling that for most common applications, this PC would be a great choice. However, if you're looking to do heavy-duty video editing or music production, this probably wouldn't be your first pick. Additionally, I do not think that this would be a good choice for a gaming PC, though I suspect it could play some less demanding titles. Still, I will definitely be using this computer for schoolwork, office work, browsing the web, and watching streaming content.
One feature that I surprisingly loved was the full touchscreen of the 24-inch display. I've gone back and forth between using the mouse and simply touching icons on the screen, and the response time is phenomenal – it really feels like you’re using a high-end tablet or phone in that regard. I don't know if it has a fingerprint-resistant coating, but I haven't noticed too many smudges on the matte-style screen (which is nice). Speaking of the screen, that is about the only real downside I have noticed on this otherwise excellent ASUS.
Despite having great brightness, and reasonably high contrast with a 1080p display, the picture on this model just does not look as sharp or vivid as many modern displays tend to. While most videos do look good with a 60hz refresh rate, this will simply not compare to something with 4k resolution and a higher refresh rate. Some colors look better than others, and overall, the image quality is just not as striking as I’d hoped it would be. That being said, this PC is not branding itself as having the absolute best picture quality, so I cannot fault it for being slightly lackluster. Still, the experience of using this PC feels so high-end, and the image on the screen can ultimately make that feeling fall a bit short.
I tested the webcam quality with Zoom, and the picture was just “okay”. However, this might not be the webcam's fault, as I have had issues with Zoom's picture quality in the past. The speakers sound pretty good with any music that doesn’t emphasize the bass frequencies, with a nice amount of detail and clarity. While the sound quality is surprisingly good, the volume doesn’t get very loud, but thankfully it doesn’t distort (even at full blast). Basically, it's good enough if you want to listen to music or watch movies but probably couldn't get loud enough to entertain during a party.
If you’re looking for a desktop PC that can handle all of your daily tasks and doesn’t take up too much space, then the ASUS All-In-One should definitely be considered. The list of things this computer gets right is extremely long, and only a few things could be improved upon in my opinion. ASUS has created an awesome AIO that I’m looking forward to using as my go-to computer for both work and entertainment purposes.