Acer Aspire 5700-U2112 review: Acer Aspire 5700-U2112

Acer's Aspire Z5700 all-in-one PC picks up where the older Z5600 model left off at the end of 2009. By offering a 23-inch, 1080p-capable all-in-one for $1,099, Acer can make a compelling argument against Apple's more expensive, entry-level 21.5-inch iMac on screen size alone. It also boasts generally faster performance than the $1,199 iMac, as well as better home entertainment versatility thanks to its HDMI port. Apple maintains a clear design lead over this Acer PC, and other all-in-ones in this price range feature Blu-ray, which the Aspire Z5700 lacks. We're willing to forgive the former, and the latter is easily remedied thanks to the HDMI port. We recommend this desktop to anyone looking for a versatile, large-screen all-in-one for a reasonable price.

7.2

Acer Aspire 5700-U2112

The Good

23-inch, 1080p display uncommon at this price; fast Intel Core i5 CPU; HDMI port lets you connect other video devices.

The Bad

Clunky design; no Blu-ray drive; obfuscated tech support phone number, and not-easy-to-use online support.

The Bottom Line

Acer's Aspire Z5700 is a fast, media-friendly all-in-one PC that would serve well as a media hub in a dorm or a den. We'd like to see a bit more polish in its design, and a Blu-ray drive would make it a home run, but on balance we can recommend this system for its speed, its large screen, and its digital media versatility.

Our gripe with the Acer's design has to do with its front support posts. They work as intended, but they look cheap, like the product of a homemade repair job. The rest of the system's design is fine, and, most importantly, the posts don't interfere with the overall functionality of the Aspire Z5700. We encourage Acer to pay greater heed to design in the future. Between this system and the similarly clunky Gateway One ZX6900-01e from Acer's Gateway subsidiary, Acer seems too willing to sacrifice visual appeal.

As with the Z5600, the Z5700 is a touch-screen all-in-one PC. You can still use the system with the included wireless mouse and keyboard, but Acer has updated the touch software this time around for the better. The big changes come with the home screen for the touch apps. Acer has done away with the animated "peel down" corner on the Windows desktops that brings you to a page with floating application icons. Instead you get a carousel-style home screen that makes it easier to sort through the various media players, games, and other programs. None of the touch applications applications is particularly revolutionary, and you won't likely spend much time with any but the media players. We're still glad to see an easier way to interact with them.