Continuing mini-PC trend, Dell rolls out Studio Hybrid 'ultracompact'
Dell today officially introduced two budget-oriented desktop PCs: the ergonomic and "ultracompact" Studio Hybrid, touted as 80 percent smaller than a typical desktop, and the Inspiron 518, a quad-core processor model featuring an optional removable hard drive.
Although both new products might be described as tower PCs, the Hybrid is a very small tower. Measuring only about 196.5mm by 71.5mm, the Studio Hybrid sports the same kinds of ports and connectors as a more conventional PC despite its size.
These include: five USB 2.0 ports; 4-pin FireWire port; an HDMI video connector; a DVI video connector; gigabit Ethernet port; an AC adapter connector; digital audio: S/PDIF Out; analog audio: line-in/line-out; and a front headphone jack.
Aimed at saving on energy costs as well as on both desktop and wallet space, the Hybrid also uses "energy-efficient components" to achieve a 70 percent power reduction over a standard desktop, Dell says.
Due to this combination of features, the Hybrid is suited to anyone ranging from busineses with green initiatives to households trying to cut down their electrical bills, according to the Dell execs BetaNews spoke with at a press event last month.
Hybrid Studio pricing on Dell Direct starts at $499 USD for an Intel Core 2 Duo processor model with an 8x slot load CD/DVD burner; 1 GB of memory; and a 160GB hard drive; and a sepeate keyboard, but without a display.
For $1,099 USD, you can get a fully outfitted system with a separate keyboard; a Dell E207WFP 20-inch flat panel display; a 6X slot load Blu-ray DVD combo; a 320GB hard drive; and 3GB of memory.
In keeping with PC makers' growing emphasis on design elements, the Hybrid can be personalized with a "bamboo" exterior or -- slightly reminiscent of a cell phone cover -- any of six interchangeable color sleeves.
Meanwhile, the larger and less colorful Inspiron 518/519 comes in "gloss black with chrome accents." One noteworthy new feature is an optional "flex dock" -- connectible via USB -- for removable hard drive storage.
As a new standard feature, the latest edition in the Inspiron line-up includes a top tray with two additional USB ports for synching up portable devices. Integrated FireWire is standard on the front.
The Inspiron 518 also provides a choice of a range of Intel and AMD processors, from single to quad core; built-in gigabit Ethernet; a dual-drive option; and a 15-month subscription to McAfee Security Center.
Pricing on Dell Direct ranges from $349 USD for an entry-level Inspiron 518 system without a display to $749 USD for a fully configured quad processor system.
As previously reported in BetaNews, also at the June press event, Dell previewed the since announced Studio 15 and 17 notebooks.
