Asus’ all-in-one V400 desktop is a potent iMac killer for PC fans

In today’s mobile-first computing world, the tried-and-true desktop PC has found itself increasingly on the brink of obsoletism. As a form factor, a computer that remains stationary on a desk might appear antiquated in an age of razor-thin laptops and tablet PCs, but that’s not to say that it can’t serve its own market niche.

These days, desktop PCs assume one of three distinct forms: the traditional tower PC, which is typical of desktop gaming rigs, the mini PC, of which Apple and Qualcomm are pushing the boundaries of in compactness, and, of course, the iMac-esque all-in-one.

All-in-one PCs (or AiOs) for short, are a ‘set it and forget it’ approach to desktop computing that consolidates the PC experience into a single, convenient package. An AiO’s monitor is also its tower, which is also its speakers, which is also its microphone, which is also its webcam…you get the idea.

There’s something pleasant and satisfying about plugging a single unit into the wall, and immediately having a full-fledged PC at your disposal. There’s no need to worry about additional wires, peripherals, clutter, batteries, or docking stations.

The Asus V400 AiO is an attractive proposition

While not perfect, the computer does offer a solid amount of tech within a streamlined package

With this in mind, and having been an iMac user for several years now, I decided to take Asus’ new V400 AiO series for a spin. Right away, I was both impressed by the product’s stylish appearance, and underwhelmed by its somewhat creaky build. For whatever reason, there still isn’t a viable Windows PC alternative to the iMac that offers a premium, all-aluminum enclosure, and Asus isn’t attempting to buck this status quo.

Thankfully, the V400’s super-slim NanoEdge display bezels are modern and minimalistic, with an impressive 93% screen-to-body ratio that, to emphasize, absolutely torches the iMac. The rest of the exterior is suitably clean, with few seams visible from the front and a solid, weighted base.

Unfortunately, the V400’s display is only just average. It’s 1920 x 1080 FHD resolution is reasonably pixel-dense on the 24-inch model, but not quite as sharp as I’d have liked when stretched out across a 27-inch canvas. It’s IPS LCD technology makes for good viewing angles, and its 250 nits of brightness (plus a matte display coating) is enough to combat glare in the average office setting. As someone who stares at my PC screen far too late into the evening, I do appreciate the TÜV Rheinland certification for eye comfort and blue-light reduction.

For the price, the V400 is a relative powerhouse in the computational department. It can be configured with up to an Intel Core i7-13620H processor, up to 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM, and up to 1TB of M.2 NVMe SSD-based internal storage. Other key built-in specs include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, and an included 90W AC adapter to power the entire thing.

The 1080p FHD webcam is fairly standard fare, though I appreciate that it can be retracted into the body of the unit when not in use for added security. Otherwise, the V400 lacks any other nicities like Windows Hello biometric authentication, presence detection, a touch screen, or the ability to pivot the display outside a rather limited range of motion.

In terms of in-box peripherals, the V400 ships with a wireless mouse and keyboard combo that connect via an included USB receiver dongle. The two are charged by AAA and AA batteries, respectively, and they certainly do get the job done. Of course, neither exudes a particularly strong sense of premium quality, and they by no means match up to, say, Apple’s Magic Mouse and Magic Keyboard equivalents.

Where Asus does vault ahead of the iMac is in port selection. The V400 is fairly I/O rich, with the following on deck:

• 1x HDMI 1.4 (out)
• 3x USB Type-A (3.2 Gen 1)
• 1x USB Type-C (3.2 Gen 1)
• 1x RJ45 LAN (Ethernet)
• 1x power output
• 1x USB Type-A (2.0)
• 1x microphone/headphone combo jack (3.5mm)
• 1x Kensington lock

This far outdoes the iMac’s meager port situation, though Apple’s USB-C ports do provide far more bandwidth due to their incorporation of Thunderbolt technology.

The iMac isn’t the only AiO in town

There’s still room in the market for a ‘set it and forget it’ desktop PC experience

For the most part, when I think of an all-in-one PC, I think of Apple’s iMac. Apple’s flagship AiO has been synonymous with the form factor for many years, owing to a legacy of exceptional build quality, high-quality display panels, and synergy with the wider ecosystem of Apple hardware products and services.

Of course, with the modern-day iMac, you have to settle for a 24-inch display size, and you also have to be on board with the macOS operating system. Gone are the days of a larger 27-inch iMac SKU, and the ability to dual-boot Windows on a Mac natively has become a footnote of history in the Apple Silicon era.

Within this context, Asus fills the void with its V400 AiO — a 27-inch all-in-one running Windows 11, offering a unit with slim bezels, an attractive exterior, and a healthy selection of ports and I/O connectivity. The product is far from perfect, with its liberal use of plastic, it’s relatively low-res screen, and its middling in-box peripherals, but it does pack a processing punch without breaking the bank in the process.

If you’re looking to streamline your workspace with a no-nonsense computer that runs Windows 11, then the Asus V400 is a solid choice indeed. The PC gets the job done without clutter or the need to set up and recharge a dozen external peripherals, which honestly feels like a breath of fresh air coming from the increasingly common paradigm of a laptop + dock + external monitor setup.

This device was provided to Pocket-lint by Asus.