The last two Dell OptiPlex all-in-ones (AIOs) to enter PC Labs left with Editors' Choice awards.
The latest, the Dell OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One (starts at $1,289; $1,983 as tested), continues Dell's dominant run of AIO business desktops.
For roughly the same price as last year's award-winning 24-inch model, the OptiPlex 7760 serves up a larger 27-inch display and better performance.
The OptiPlex 7760, as we tested it, boasts an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor and an ample 16GB of RAM, while entry-level Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics power the 4K display.
With its compact chassis, stellar display, and strong performance, it's a smart choice for Windows-based creative departments short on space.
Hip, Hip...4K!
The OptiPlex 7760 won't wow you with its staid corporate looks, but its functional design should have you working merrily and comfortably in front of it for years.
The system is decked out in dark gray and black plastic; no brushed-aluminum or chrome highlights brighten the body.
In place of such attention-grabbing details is pure utilitarian design: a plain-looking stand that holds the system's large, 27-inch 4K display.
The stand may not stand out, but it offers a great degree of flexibility to let creative types position the panel just so for detailed graphics work.
The stand offers 4 inches of height adjustment, tilts 30 degrees back and 5 degrees forward, and swivels 45 degrees in either direction.
Most AIO display stands provide only tilt adjustment.
You can also rotate the display 90 degrees into portrait mode.
The system measures 15.3 by 24.2 by 2.3 inches (HWD) without the stand, and the stand itself is 11.3 inches wide by 10 inches deep.
Without any design flourishes (unless you count "flexibility" as a flourish), the star of the show is the large, 27-inch 4K display.
The 3,840-by-2,160-pixel panel delivers four times the resolution of a full HD (1080p) panel; those added pixels provide more screen real estate, smoother text, and more detailed graphics.
Photos and other graphics looked razor-sharp and stayed crisp even when zoomed in a good bit on a photo for detailed editing.
That said, if having the maximum possible pixels is necessary for how you work, the 27-inch Apple iMac (5,210 by 2,880 pixels) and Microsoft Surface Studio( at Microsoft Store) (4,500 by 3,000) both have higher-resolution panels.
Another distinction to note: touch, or no touch.
Dell offers touch support on some OptiPlex 7760 models with 1080p-native panels, but the 4K-panel models lack touch.
Anyone who works in a brightly lit office environment will appreciate the anti-glare screen coating and wide viewing angles, however, on this non-touch IPS panel.
(Dell also offers a non-touch 1080p screen option.)
A speaker bar runs the width of the system below the display, behind which two stereo speakers produce surprisingly dynamic sound.
Bass response is a bit lacking, but low frequencies are present enough to help you enjoy music when seated in front of the system.
The audio output more than suffices for video conferences.
Speaking of which, a 2-megapixel infrared (IR) webcam sits above the display in a pop-up module; it lets you hide the camera when not in use to ensure your privacy.
Repositioned Ports, Single-Minded Storage
Ports and connections abound on the OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One.
Conveniently located on the left edge are an SD-card slot, a headphone jack, and two USB 3.1 ports, of both kinds: an older Type-A, and a newer, smaller Type-C that supports USB 3.1 Gen 2.
Last year's 24-inch OptiPlex all-in-one had rear-panel ports that were difficult to reach, tucked out of the way and downward-facing.
The rear ports on the OptiPlex 7760 are much easier to access.
They don't face downward, but instead run horizontally across the back panel.
The array includes both DisplayPort and HDMI ports, four USB 3.1 ports (all of them Type-A), an Ethernet jack, an audio-out jack, and the power connection.
Unlike last year's 24-inch OptiPlex all-in-one, the OptiPlex 7760 does not feature an optical drive.
Dell, however, lets you add an external DVD burner for about $35 when configuring the system.
It's true that the system offers tool-less entry, but the back panel is difficult to pry off.
I've opened oysters that put up less of a fight.
I managed to remove the back panel, but not without some fingertip pain.
I was just happy I managed to do so without breaking off any of the stubborn plastic tabs that hold the back panel in place.
[Dell later reached out to us to explain that there's a method to getting the back panel off more easily: Remove the stand, then press the tab located in the metal plate, which lets you slide off the cover in an upward motion.
- Ed.]
Dell offers a number of storage options for the OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One; the review unit I have on hand features an M.2 256GB PCI Express NVMe SSD, which prioritizes speed over capacity.
Other options include traditional hard drives up to 2TB and hybrid arrangements with up to a 2TB hard drive accelerated by 16GB of M.2 Intel Optane Memory serving as a cache.
Dell also offers dual-drive arrangements with a full boot-drive SSD paired with a discrete mass-storage hard drive, though you'll have to do some careful navigating in the configurator to see them; first, choose an M.2 drive as the primary drive, and you'll see the option to add a secondary hard drive.
(You could also effect such an upgrade yourself.)
The test system Dell sent features 16GB of memory, which helped it blaze through our benchmarks and engage in multitasking without slowing down, and with rarely engaging the cooling fan.
Windows 10 Pro comes standard, as does a wireless keyboard and mouse combo.
Dell backs the system with a three-year warranty with onsite service offered after the Dell support team has tried a remote diagnosis.
(All in) One Powerful Performer
The component selection for the OptiPlex 7760 is a huge buffet, extending to the CPU choices.
Dell offers Core i3, i5, and i7 CPUs from Intel's eighth generation of Core processors.
Our test system features the Intel Core i7-8700, a six-core chip with a base frequency of 3.2GHz and a turbo frequency of 4.6GHz.
Our tester also features Dell's upgraded graphics for this model, in the form of the 4GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 GPU.
That's an entry-level graphics processor in Nvidia's lineup; gamers wouldn't drool over it, but it provides a substantial boost for business graphics over integrated Intel graphics on a 4K panel.
Compared with the other higher-end, business-focused all-in-ones here, the OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One was the only one to complete our Handbrake video-encoding test in less than a minute (and it did so comfortably, at 48 seconds).
It also placed first—by a long shot—on the Cinebench R15 CPU benchmark but had to settle for a second-place finish on our Photoshop benchmark behind last year's OptiPlex 7450 All-in-One($1,089.00 at Dell Technologies).
On the PCMark 8 Work Conventional test, the OptiPlex 7760 again took first place with a score of 3,414, an expected placement given that the OptiPlex 7450, the HP EliteOne 1000, and the Lenovo IdeaCentre 520 AIO all use seventh-generation quad-core CPUs.
The OptiPlex 7760 is built for business rather than gaming, but that doesn't mean it lacks the muscle for a bit of after-hours gaming if you keep your resolution, expectations, and settings in check.
It posted outstanding scores on our 3DMark tests, each of which more than doubled the scores of the OptiPlex 7450 All-in-One and its 4GB AMD Radeon R7 M465X GPU.
It also delivered high frame rates on the Heaven (95fps) and Valley (128fps) tests at medium quality settings at a resolution of 1,366 by 768.
Of course, frame rates crashed to earth when we ran the Unigine gaming simulations at the OptiPlex's native 4K resolution, but out of curiosity we ran the Ultra quality tests again at 1080p and can report that the system achieved just-playable frame rates on Heaven (32fps) and Valley (41fps).
Any result higher than 30fps shows smooth animation on average.
The GTX 1050 is really here to help power the 4K panel in everyday tasks and to provide for some modest GPU acceleration in enabled creative applications.
But light gaming is possible if you'll use this OptiPlex in a combined home and business environment.
Design in 4K the Win 10 Way?
The only barrier you are likely to encounter when making the case to your budget manager for an OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One (or justifying a purchase for yourself) is the price.
The test system discussed here is spendy for a Windows AIO, at nearly $2,000, but we would argue it's worth the outlay if you need a big-screen all-in-one for graphics work.
It boasts the latest Intel Core i7 processor, ample RAM, GeForce graphics, and a speedy SSD.
Put all of that behind a gorgeous 4K display, then put that on top of one of the better stands in the AIO business, and you've got yourself a bang-up business all-in-one.
Eyeing the 27-inch Apple iMac? We understand its allure, and if you're a design worker wedded to macOS, it will have its undeniable charms.
Plus, it's sleeker and prettier, with an even higher-resolution display.
Just know: You'll find yourself quickly topping the $2,000 mark when you configure a 27-inch iMac with a Core i7 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
Plus, Apple has yet to update the iMac with eighth-generation Intel silicon.
[Editors' Note: We updated this review on August 30, 2018, to note the availability of dual-storage options in the Dell configurator, as well as the proper way to remove the back panel.]
Dell OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One
Pros
Strong performance from Core i7 eighth-gen CPU and GeForce GPU.
Beautiful 4K display on sturdy, flexible stand.
Surprisingly strong audio output.
Connectivity options abound.
View More
The Bottom Line
A peppy CPU and dedicated GeForce graphics power the 4K display of the Dell OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One, a flexible business desktop for designers and creative types.
Plus, it packs one of the best AIO stands we've seen.
The last two Dell OptiPlex all-in-ones (AIOs) to enter PC Labs left with Editors' Choice awards.
The latest, the Dell OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One (starts at $1,289; $1,983 as tested), continues Dell's dominant run of AIO business desktops.
For roughly the same price as last year's award-winning 24-inch model, the OptiPlex 7760 serves up a larger 27-inch display and better performance.
The OptiPlex 7760, as we tested it, boasts an eighth-generation Intel Core i7 processor and an ample 16GB of RAM, while entry-level Nvidia GeForce GTX graphics power the 4K display.
With its compact chassis, stellar display, and strong performance, it's a smart choice for Windows-based creative departments short on space.
Hip, Hip...4K!
The OptiPlex 7760 won't wow you with its staid corporate looks, but its functional design should have you working merrily and comfortably in front of it for years.
The system is decked out in dark gray and black plastic; no brushed-aluminum or chrome highlights brighten the body.
In place of such attention-grabbing details is pure utilitarian design: a plain-looking stand that holds the system's large, 27-inch 4K display.
The stand may not stand out, but it offers a great degree of flexibility to let creative types position the panel just so for detailed graphics work.
The stand offers 4 inches of height adjustment, tilts 30 degrees back and 5 degrees forward, and swivels 45 degrees in either direction.
Most AIO display stands provide only tilt adjustment.
You can also rotate the display 90 degrees into portrait mode.
The system measures 15.3 by 24.2 by 2.3 inches (HWD) without the stand, and the stand itself is 11.3 inches wide by 10 inches deep.
Without any design flourishes (unless you count "flexibility" as a flourish), the star of the show is the large, 27-inch 4K display.
The 3,840-by-2,160-pixel panel delivers four times the resolution of a full HD (1080p) panel; those added pixels provide more screen real estate, smoother text, and more detailed graphics.
Photos and other graphics looked razor-sharp and stayed crisp even when zoomed in a good bit on a photo for detailed editing.
That said, if having the maximum possible pixels is necessary for how you work, the 27-inch Apple iMac (5,210 by 2,880 pixels) and Microsoft Surface Studio( at Microsoft Store) (4,500 by 3,000) both have higher-resolution panels.
Another distinction to note: touch, or no touch.
Dell offers touch support on some OptiPlex 7760 models with 1080p-native panels, but the 4K-panel models lack touch.
Anyone who works in a brightly lit office environment will appreciate the anti-glare screen coating and wide viewing angles, however, on this non-touch IPS panel.
(Dell also offers a non-touch 1080p screen option.)
A speaker bar runs the width of the system below the display, behind which two stereo speakers produce surprisingly dynamic sound.
Bass response is a bit lacking, but low frequencies are present enough to help you enjoy music when seated in front of the system.
The audio output more than suffices for video conferences.
Speaking of which, a 2-megapixel infrared (IR) webcam sits above the display in a pop-up module; it lets you hide the camera when not in use to ensure your privacy.
Repositioned Ports, Single-Minded Storage
Ports and connections abound on the OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One.
Conveniently located on the left edge are an SD-card slot, a headphone jack, and two USB 3.1 ports, of both kinds: an older Type-A, and a newer, smaller Type-C that supports USB 3.1 Gen 2.
Last year's 24-inch OptiPlex all-in-one had rear-panel ports that were difficult to reach, tucked out of the way and downward-facing.
The rear ports on the OptiPlex 7760 are much easier to access.
They don't face downward, but instead run horizontally across the back panel.
The array includes both DisplayPort and HDMI ports, four USB 3.1 ports (all of them Type-A), an Ethernet jack, an audio-out jack, and the power connection.
Unlike last year's 24-inch OptiPlex all-in-one, the OptiPlex 7760 does not feature an optical drive.
Dell, however, lets you add an external DVD burner for about $35 when configuring the system.
It's true that the system offers tool-less entry, but the back panel is difficult to pry off.
I've opened oysters that put up less of a fight.
I managed to remove the back panel, but not without some fingertip pain.
I was just happy I managed to do so without breaking off any of the stubborn plastic tabs that hold the back panel in place.
[Dell later reached out to us to explain that there's a method to getting the back panel off more easily: Remove the stand, then press the tab located in the metal plate, which lets you slide off the cover in an upward motion.
- Ed.]
Dell offers a number of storage options for the OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One; the review unit I have on hand features an M.2 256GB PCI Express NVMe SSD, which prioritizes speed over capacity.
Other options include traditional hard drives up to 2TB and hybrid arrangements with up to a 2TB hard drive accelerated by 16GB of M.2 Intel Optane Memory serving as a cache.
Dell also offers dual-drive arrangements with a full boot-drive SSD paired with a discrete mass-storage hard drive, though you'll have to do some careful navigating in the configurator to see them; first, choose an M.2 drive as the primary drive, and you'll see the option to add a secondary hard drive.
(You could also effect such an upgrade yourself.)
The test system Dell sent features 16GB of memory, which helped it blaze through our benchmarks and engage in multitasking without slowing down, and with rarely engaging the cooling fan.
Windows 10 Pro comes standard, as does a wireless keyboard and mouse combo.
Dell backs the system with a three-year warranty with onsite service offered after the Dell support team has tried a remote diagnosis.
(All in) One Powerful Performer
The component selection for the OptiPlex 7760 is a huge buffet, extending to the CPU choices.
Dell offers Core i3, i5, and i7 CPUs from Intel's eighth generation of Core processors.
Our test system features the Intel Core i7-8700, a six-core chip with a base frequency of 3.2GHz and a turbo frequency of 4.6GHz.
Our tester also features Dell's upgraded graphics for this model, in the form of the 4GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 GPU.
That's an entry-level graphics processor in Nvidia's lineup; gamers wouldn't drool over it, but it provides a substantial boost for business graphics over integrated Intel graphics on a 4K panel.
Compared with the other higher-end, business-focused all-in-ones here, the OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One was the only one to complete our Handbrake video-encoding test in less than a minute (and it did so comfortably, at 48 seconds).
It also placed first—by a long shot—on the Cinebench R15 CPU benchmark but had to settle for a second-place finish on our Photoshop benchmark behind last year's OptiPlex 7450 All-in-One($1,089.00 at Dell Technologies).
On the PCMark 8 Work Conventional test, the OptiPlex 7760 again took first place with a score of 3,414, an expected placement given that the OptiPlex 7450, the HP EliteOne 1000, and the Lenovo IdeaCentre 520 AIO all use seventh-generation quad-core CPUs.
The OptiPlex 7760 is built for business rather than gaming, but that doesn't mean it lacks the muscle for a bit of after-hours gaming if you keep your resolution, expectations, and settings in check.
It posted outstanding scores on our 3DMark tests, each of which more than doubled the scores of the OptiPlex 7450 All-in-One and its 4GB AMD Radeon R7 M465X GPU.
It also delivered high frame rates on the Heaven (95fps) and Valley (128fps) tests at medium quality settings at a resolution of 1,366 by 768.
Of course, frame rates crashed to earth when we ran the Unigine gaming simulations at the OptiPlex's native 4K resolution, but out of curiosity we ran the Ultra quality tests again at 1080p and can report that the system achieved just-playable frame rates on Heaven (32fps) and Valley (41fps).
Any result higher than 30fps shows smooth animation on average.
The GTX 1050 is really here to help power the 4K panel in everyday tasks and to provide for some modest GPU acceleration in enabled creative applications.
But light gaming is possible if you'll use this OptiPlex in a combined home and business environment.
Design in 4K the Win 10 Way?
The only barrier you are likely to encounter when making the case to your budget manager for an OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One (or justifying a purchase for yourself) is the price.
The test system discussed here is spendy for a Windows AIO, at nearly $2,000, but we would argue it's worth the outlay if you need a big-screen all-in-one for graphics work.
It boasts the latest Intel Core i7 processor, ample RAM, GeForce graphics, and a speedy SSD.
Put all of that behind a gorgeous 4K display, then put that on top of one of the better stands in the AIO business, and you've got yourself a bang-up business all-in-one.
Eyeing the 27-inch Apple iMac? We understand its allure, and if you're a design worker wedded to macOS, it will have its undeniable charms.
Plus, it's sleeker and prettier, with an even higher-resolution display.
Just know: You'll find yourself quickly topping the $2,000 mark when you configure a 27-inch iMac with a Core i7 chip, 16GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
Plus, Apple has yet to update the iMac with eighth-generation Intel silicon.
[Editors' Note: We updated this review on August 30, 2018, to note the availability of dual-storage options in the Dell configurator, as well as the proper way to remove the back panel.]
Dell OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One
Pros
Strong performance from Core i7 eighth-gen CPU and GeForce GPU.
Beautiful 4K display on sturdy, flexible stand.
Surprisingly strong audio output.
Connectivity options abound.
View More
The Bottom Line
A peppy CPU and dedicated GeForce graphics power the 4K display of the Dell OptiPlex 7760 All-in-One, a flexible business desktop for designers and creative types.
Plus, it packs one of the best AIO stands we've seen.
