MSI Modern AM242TP 11M AIO PC Review

How Much Does it Cost?

There are a few versions of this system available, so it’s hard to truly pin down the price as it does vary a lot. The lowered models with smaller storage options and the less powerful CPUs seem to be around £800, which is pretty reasonable. The more high-end models are around £900-100, and I’ve even seen a few over £1000 with much larger SSDs, the flagship i7 CPU option, and more RAM. Really, there’s a bit of something for everyone. However, unless you’re handling larger files in editing suites like Premiere or Photoshop, the more expensive i7 version likely isn’t needed. The i5 is a sweet spot for most, and the IRIS graphics are welcome. If you’re on a tighter budget, or just using this for Zoom, Edge, Google Docs, Plex, etc, then the base model is more than sufficient.

Overview

While there are a lot of versions of this PC, with mixtures of CPU, storage options, and RAM being made available, every model has the same core features that really make it stand out from the crowd. They all look the same, so that’s one thing. If you have the most expensive and the cheapest side by side, you simply cannot tell, as they all have the same premium aesthetic. From the bezel on the monitor section to the back panel, and even down to the stand, this is a very nice-looking monitor/PC that’s going to look great in your home, your office, or retail space.

Ergonomics are excellent on this system, partly due to the fact it has a nice quality stand. You can easily adjust the height and angle to suit your needs. It’s easy enough to turn the screen to show someone the meme you like or to tilt the panel away from a bright shaft of sunlight. However, the real ergonomic benefit is that there’s no additional tower to deal with. There are no extra cables from the computer to the monitor, and the whole thing only needs one power cable. Really, that kind of easy-of-use is hard to compete with, and I can certainly see the appeal. It’s an incredible space saver.

The performance is pretty decent, overall. Sure, it’s not the bleeding edge extreme PC of my dreams, but then again, it just doesn’t have to be. I have my main PC in the big office, and that’s where I do the bulk of my work and gaming. However, we have a mini office in the hall, used for homework, shopping, and light browsing, and something like this is ideal, as it’s fewer cables, takes up less space, and is just easier to deal with overall. I can’t say I ever felt like the system was holding me up in any way, it’s quick and responsive for daily work and personal tasks.

It’s not even completely useless for gaming either, but having the top i7 CPU in mine, it’s surprisingly potent for a low-power design CPU. The IRIS graphics are really impressive, so running Minecraft, Fortnite, Rocket League and similar is actually possible here, just don’t expect to max things out. Older and less GPU demanding indie games run just superbly and don’t forget the HDMI in, so you can also hook up your games console too if you so desire.

Should I Buy One?

It’s certainly not the PC for everyone, but I’m sure (most) of you can see the appeal. Stylish, compact, and very easy to set up make it well suited to a work-from-home environment, office spaces, and even retail environments. Which version is right for you is hard to say, but having tested one of the most potent models, I’m certainly impressed with what it can do. It’s basically a laptop in a monitor, but much more stylish and presentable in my opinion.