The Pro 24X comes in at $525.99, so it could be a viable second computer for school or work. It might also be a worthy replacement for your primary machine for those keeping a close eye on the bottom line. It’s not a new iMac, but it has plenty of compelling features. If you’re shopping for a PC that comes with a nice display in a plug-and-play design, then the Pro 24X from MSI should be on your list of considerations.
Design and Setup
Everything about the MSI PRO 24X PC is simple. From unboxing to opening your first browser window, setting up the desktop shouldn’t take more than 15-minutes. It’s simple to assemble and simple to use. The monitor connects to its stand with a single screw that can be tightened by hand. While the computer may look like it’s only a monitor from the front, its built-in computer in the back makes it act more like a large laptop.
Beyond the necessary power cable, the computer comes with a wired keyboard and mouse as accessories. You’ll definitely want to invest in a wireless mouse for convenience, but you’ll also want to spring for a new keyboard because the one it comes with feels terrible to type on. The cheap accessories included with it with are actually the worst aspects of the machine — something that can be easily solved by spending an extra $50 or so.
All you see of the computer is the front of the display and from that angle, the PC is attractive. It has thin bezels, so what’s on screen gets your full attention. From the side, there’s also not much to look at, either — the computer portion is small and inconspicuous. There are four USB ports spread across the back and side, an Ethernet port and a side slot for easy removal of the hard drive, if necessary.
One aspect that’s missing is a built-in webcam (and microphone). With its minimal bezel, MSI didn’t leave any place on the top of the monitor for a webcam. A third-party webcam can be added later, but it’s a little disappointing that it’s not integrated.
Features and Specs
MSI’s advertised features and specs:
Windows 10 Home23. 8-inch IPS Grade Panel LED Backlight (1920 x 1080 FHD)Intel Comet Lake – U processorsSilent PRO Cooling System: Server Grade Thermal ModuleMSI Anti-Flicker TechnologyMSI HDD Rapid Upgrade Design helps you to upgrade or maintain your 2. 5-inch storageDual LAN178-degree wide viewing angle screenMSI Super Charger technology, which supports fast USB Sleep-and-Charge with auto-detection
Performance
There are two types of performance analytics when it comes to evaluating an everyday, all-in-one PC. There are the raw numbers that benchmark tests can provide, and then there’s the real-world performance of daily work. In this day and age, the real-world apps that need to run well are ones like Microsoft Teams, Google Chrome, Zoom, Slack, Spotify and maybe Minecraft. In this regard, there’s some good news and bad news when it comes to the MSI Pro 24X.
The good news is that in daily use, I found the computer was able to hang with most of those popular, common apps. The bad news is that it’s not a great gaming machine. The benchmark tests back up the less than stellar gaming performance that point at the graphics as the weakest link. UserBenchmark, for one, indicated that the Intel UHD Graphics were not up to 3D gaming or using CAD packages. For everyday tasks that may need to be done for work or school, outside 3D graphics needs, the PRO 24X’s graphics are perfectly capable.
The hard drive speed is good. The included ram and processor are also fine for multitasking. I found the system to move through tasks quickly, even while multiple items were open and running. This, of course, will change over time and depend on the number of programs that are constantly working in the background. I would count on it feeling snappy enough for some time into the future while running your apps. I was continually impressed by the fast startup time for the computer.
The nearly 24-inch screen (technically 23.8-inch) features a 1920 x 1080 resolution that I thought was more than adequate. It has a kind of matte-finish look that I personally really like. It’s not as shiny and glossy as some monitors, but in practical use, it seems to cut down on unwanted glare. A matte finish will typically mute colors more, but it wasn’t something that was immediately obvious or noticeable.
The screen can be adjusted up and down so that it’s at a comfortable viewing angle. It doesn’t rotate to vertical or side to side, however. The stand is minimal but feels sturdy and secure. Having a fairly sleek and minimal all-in-one PC means that the wires from the included mouse and keyboard take away from the clean look. Speakers are built-in, so you don’t need to add them day one, but they aren’t very good for music, so you’ll want to upgrade if you plan on using Spotify regularly.
USB ports on the side are easily accessible, and Bluetooth connectivity worked fine. Using the computer, I found that it performed and looked as expected. It’s a midrange value machine that should work well for a large swath of people looking for a decent PC. Where it really succeeds is achieving a minimal footprint with the power of a full-size consumer PC.
Should You Buy the MSI PRO 24X PC?
As an all-in-one desktop computer for $530, the MSI 24X will make a great work-from-home PC. You’ll definitely want to replace the included mouse and keyboard, probably with wireless accessories, but other than that it’s ready to go out of the box.
The MSI PRO 24X isn’t exactly an exciting Windows PC, but it is a good value. It features a decent-size monitor, and the computer has respectable technical specs. It’s middle-of-the-road, but that’s not a bad thing. It mostly means you’re not paying for technical specs and features you probably don’t need.
Buy at Best Buy and B&H Photo.
Newsweek may earn a commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. We participate in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.
