It can be taken from room to room and even across town without shutting it off

Dec 5, 2013 08:19 GMT  ·  By

All-in-one personal computers don't really qualify as more than ultra-compact desktops, but some weird ones show up from time to time, like Acer's new Aspire Z3-600 system.

You wouldn't know it just from looking at it, although the screen size of 21.5 inches does make it about as large as a laptop.

Given that we saw even 20-inch tablets in the past (convertible AiOs as it were), that's not really something that stands out anymore, even if the stand holding it up can be pulled close to the back.

No, what's important here is that the Acer Aspire Z3-600 has an integrated battery pack, capable of keeping it on for 2.5 hours.

So while you do have to keep it plugged in most of the time, you can take it along with you to another room or a friend's place whenever you want.

2.5 hours might not seem like a long time, but that's only because notebooks, tablets and smartphones last so much longer now. Not too much time ago, notebooks, too, only lasted for 3 hours on average.

That said, we may as well mention the rest of the technical specifications. To start with, an Intel Pentium J2580 quad-core central processing unit runs everything (features integrated HD graphics), backed by 4 GB of DDR3 RAM.

A hard disk drive (HDD) provides the PC with 750 GB of storage space, while a pair of USB 3.0 ports enable external storage support as well (flash drives, portable HDDs/SSDs, USB-connected optical drives, etc.).

Acer also installed Harman Kardon speakers, plus a webcam and an HDMI output that can stream anything to TVs, or a larger monitor if you have it. Good for playing a movie, especially since you can take the computer and put it next to the HDTV without worry. Even if you don't have a free power socket, the battery will last you through a film.

As for the price, Acer will want $779 / €779 for the Aspire Z3-600 when it comes out later this month.