Acer Aspire A7600U-UR308 Pro Reviews

Acer’s attempt to enter the premium all-in-one market doesn’t measure up. Performance, display quality, and value all come behind the competition, and these are the traits most important to an all-in-one. Dell’s XPS One, for example, starts at $1,599 with a 2560 x 1440 touchscreen and Core i5-3330s. In this configuration, the Dell has a much better display and offers better processor performance. Only graphics performance comes up short due to standard Intel HD 4000 in the base model. But gamers rarely buy all-in-one PCs, so that’s barely a knock. We can’t find any reason as to why consumers should buy Acer’s less impressive Aspire U at a $100 premium. That’s not to say this computer is a poor choice. Performance is adequate and some strengths, like connectivity, are exceptional for the category. The problem is value. At $1,299 the system’s flaws would be easy to excuse, but Acer has priced it to compete with the best in the category. And it simply can’t.

The 7600U is good for media, and you can play games on it. If it was a $1,300 system, this would be a far more positive review, but at $1,900 it costs too much for what you get. In terms of mid-high-end AIO design, it seems like Acer is still caught in the old AIO mentality from 3-4 years ago, which unapologetically emphasizes clever aesthetics and design over performance. Modern PC buyers are smarter than this now, particularly given the amount of time Microsoft has spent emphasizing the performance advantages of Windows 8. Finally a real-world test. Whenever we test and review an All in One, we place it front and center in the corner of our living rooms. For many of us, our significant others' reaction to the system is an important part of the process. In the case of the Acer PC? Well, they didn't care for the looks ("It's trying to hard."), and quite often they despised the performance. This doesn't count for everything, but it counts for a lot. The good news for Acer is that the path of redemption is relatively straightforward: Upgrade the CPU and hard drive in this system at the same price, and it immediately becomes an above average buy. Upgrading the display panel to IPS and moving into the performance range of GPUs moves this rig into legendary territory.

So with the Aspire 7600U, we have a computer that’s shooting for high-end but doesn’t quite make it. The screen is definitely the star of this show at 27-inches with 1080p HD and ten-point multitouch to boot. The whole unit looks great too; no cheap looking stand, a slim design despite the fact that Acer had to cram so much hardware behind that screen, and an overall look that does scream “high-end.” The problem, though, is with the hardware. With that $1899 price tag, it’s clear that you’re paying a lot of money for the screen, as the hardware on its own isn’t all that expensive. The Geforce GT 640M is definitely appreciated, but I feel that the Core i5 might hold it back in some instances. We’d really be rocking if the i5 had been swapped out for an i7, but that would have easily pushed the cost up above $2000, a price point Acer is clearly trying to stay under. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the time I spent with the 7600U. I just think there will be quite a few folks who will pass at the $1899 price point. Acer did a lot of cool things with this computer, but in the end, the Aspire 7600U falls short of greatness almost every time.

Acer's Aspire 7600U is certainly an eye-catching system, but don't be fooled by its initially mesmerizing appearance. This all-in-one has a big, attractive screen, a slim profile, and a modern glass form-factor, but it's not quite as powerful as it looks – or as the price tag might suggest. If you don't mind paying for looks, a big screen, and bells and whistle such as gesture controls, then the Aspire 7600U might be the system for you. Otherwise, you may want to hold out for a system with a better processor or a nicer (higher-res) screen.

The Acer Aspire 7600U might be the prettiest all-in-one desktop PC we've ever put our hands on, and a bevy of entertainment options will entice plenty of people, despite the steep price.

Acer’s Aspire 7600U is certainly an eye-catching system, but don’t be fooled by its initially mesmerizing appearance. This all-in-one has a big, attractive screen, a slim profile, and a modern glass form-factor, but it’s not quite as powerful as it looks – or as the price tag might suggest. If you don’t mind paying for looks, a big screen, and bells and whistle such as gesture controls, then the Aspire 7600U might be the system for you. Otherwise, you may want to hold out for a system with a better processor or a nicer (higher-res) screen.

Acer has clearly put some thought into the design and fit-and-finish of its new flagship all-in-one. And while Windows computing is definitely moving to elevate the importance of experiential factors like overall look-and-feel, executing well in that respect is not enough to justify a high price tag if a system is lacking in its core capabilities. With only mediocre performance for its price, and a second-best display resolution thanks to the Dell XPS One 27, the Acer Aspire 7600U doesn't compete strongly enough to justify a serious recommendation. If you want a big-screen PC primarily for show, you might consider the Acer. If you value a PC as a tool, rather than a lifestyle choice, the Dell is the better bet at this price.