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A few weeks before writing this review, my dad asked me for a recommendation on a new computer. He’s using an old Lenovo all-in-one (AIO) that’s still running Windows 10, and it’s clearly not as fast as it used to be. I told him I’d get back to him when I found something worthwhile, and I did: Dell’s new 2026 24-inch all-in-one desktop.
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I really enjoyed testing this Dell machine. No, it is not the most powerful computer in the world. A lot of systems will perform better than this, but as an accessible all-in-one, it’s easy to install, offers reliable performance, and comes with solid accessories. For all these reasons, it is suitable for those who want a no-fuss office computer.
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space saving design
I appreciate the design of the AIO. It is compact, has a neat physical structure and is particularly efficient in saving space. With a screen measuring 24 inches diagonally, it doesn’t take up much space on the desk, leaving plenty of room for accessories, personal items or a second monitor.
It’s also lightweight, weighing just under 15 pounds with the stand attached. You’ll be able to easily move the computer from one desk to another or rotate it to access ports on the back. Input selection includes a few HDMI ports, a headphone jack, and an Ethernet port on the back. There is a USB-C port on the side of the display.
In my experience AIOs tend to be heavier, usually weighing more than 20 pounds. Moving a desktop of this weight can be difficult. Imagine you’re trying to connect a USB drive or a new accessory to a port on the back. This is a little difficult. You don’t have this problem with Dell machines. It may seem strange that I’m talking about a positive aspect of weight for an AIO, but I’m sure it’s a practical detail that people will appreciate.
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Assembly is refreshingly simple. It comes together like a standard monitor: You slide the main arm onto the back of the screen, attach the base to the arm, and then tighten it down with a screw. Because the accessories that come with it are wireless (I’ll explain more about that later), there’s no real cable management to worry about beyond the power cord.
understanding boundaries
For my review unit, Dell sent the base model, which had an Intel Core Ultra 5 322 processor, integrated graphics card, and 16GB of RAM. The performance was solid and honestly met expectations. All-in-one PCs aren’t built to be powerhouses. I tested the system in a variety of everyday use cases, including web browsing, running multiple apps, and my day-to-day workflow. I also ran several benchmarks to get a clear picture of its capabilities.
The result was that it felt difficult to drive. Apps launched quickly and multitasking worked without any issues. I never encountered any noticeable stuttering or slowdown. The Dell 24 excels at handling general office tasks, school work, and casual browsing. However, it has its limitations. Heavy workloads like video editing and 3D rendering are out of its comfort zone. Not only because of the hardware, but also because of the constraints of the display.
sight and sound
The display tops out at 1920 x 1080 pixels. Like the hardware, it’s fine for casual use; However, I wouldn’t take it any further than that. Even at normal viewing distances, the display is prone to occasional artifacts. For example, the text inside notification bubbles looked a little blurry. The edges of some UI elements and app icons, such as the Google Chrome logo, appeared jagged, losing their smooth rounded shape.
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Plus, it’s a touchscreen, allowing users to tap and swipe through apps and windows. Frankly, I can’t imagine anyone using this feature seriously. The relatively low resolution makes the screen not a good candidate for illustration in my eyes. At best it’s a neat feature. Where the system redeems itself, however, is with its audio.
Below the display is a speaker bar that faces directly toward the user, and it delivers rich, vibrant sound. The audio output has a strong presence. The jazz tracks sounded full and catchy. The rap beats had a good punch, thanks to the weighty bass behind them. I watched some Bob Ross painting videos on YouTube during testing. There was warmth and clarity in his voice. For me, the speakers made up for the shortcomings of the display.
Main Accessories
Dell bundles the Pro 5 mouse and keyboard combo with AiO. Both accessories are finished in a light ash color that matches the system for a nice, harmonious look. The mouse is as basic as a computer mouse can be: lightweight with a few buttons and a scroll wheel. Easy to use, but not the most ergonomic. Its small size put my hand in an uncomfortable position, which is a far cry from the Logitech MX Master 3S I normally use.
I liked the keyboard more. Actually, I wrote this review on a Pro 5 keyboard. It uses plunger-style switches, which don’t provide the obvious tactility of a mechanical keyboard, but provide a better typing experience than the average budget keyboard. The keys have a good travel distance, so you won’t hit your fingers against hard metal. Furthermore, the key caps are soft and do not make any sound when pressed. You will not disturb the people around you.
Worth noting that both accessories rely on disposable batteries. Two AAAs for the keyboard and one AA for the mouse.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
Dell’s 2026 24-inch AiO Starts at $1,070 for the base model. You get a few configuration options, including the chance to upgrade the processor to an Intel Core Ultra 7 255. Fully specified, the PC reaches around $1,900.
I enjoyed this AiO very much. It’s a capable midrange desktop that’s easy to set up and use, offers reliable performance, boasts strong speakers, and comes with great accessories. I confidently recommended the Dell device to my dad as his next machine, knowing I had first-hand experience with it.
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If you want to save some money, Dell has one old 24 inch model For around $800 on its online store. It’s not as powerful, running on a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-1334U processor, but it’s a good option.
