ViewSonic VPC221

Viewsonic VPC221

Given the popularity of Apple's sleek all-in-one iMac desktops, it's not surprising that other manufacturers have been influenced by its design aesthetic. The Viewsonic VPC221 ($899 street), for instant, has a bezel that is practically a twin of Apple's bestseller. Unfortunately, it can't compete when it comes to features or performance. To its credit, the VPC221 supports full 1080p HD video, and it's chassis is nicely compact. But even compared with other all-in-one desktop PCs in this price range, such as the HP Omni 200-5380qd ($959.99 direct, 4 stars), which costs only $60 more, the VPC221 falls short. Except for the coloring (black frame and silver lining the sides) and the material (plastic rather than aluminum), the front of the VPC221 is nearly identical to that of the Apple iMac 21.5-inch (Thunderbolt) ($1,199 list, 4.5 stars). The back is also molded out of black plastic, as is the connecting arm, which can tilt, swivel pivot, and raise or lower so you can adjust the height of the 21.5-inch screen. The display's resolution is 1,920 by 1,080, but you'll be strictly limited to digital content if you want to take advantage of its full 1080p capability: The integrated optical drive plays only DVDs, not Blu-ray discs.