Dell's New Hybrid Studio Desktops

Dell has launched its new line of colourful Studio Hybrid desktop PC that's meant to fit anywhere in the home, packing a small footprint, high-def video, and price tags starting at $499 stateside or £399 in the UK.

The company officially introduced on Tuesday an ultra-small desktop that the company says is 80 percent smaller than standard minitower desktops. It also uses 70 percent less power than a typical desktop.


Dell's New Hybrid range of desktop PCs

The Studio Hybrid will be available in six jewel-like colors (emerald, quartz, ruby, sapphire, slate, and topaz) plus bamboo.

The Hybrid will run Intel's Pentium dual-core and Core 2 Duo processors, and support up to 4GB of RAM and up to 320GB of hard drive storage.


Dell's Hybrid ports

It will also include five USB 2.0 ports, one IEEE 1394 (FireWire) port, either an 8? DVD±RW drive or 6x Blu-ray/DVD/CD combo drive (both slot-loading), optional 802.11n Wi-Fi, and gigabit Ethernet. The Hybrids will feature HDMI and DVI output, S/PDIF audio output, and an optional TV tuner. The systems will run Intel GMA X3100 graphics. It will come preloaded with the Windows Vista OS.

Priced starting at $499 in the States, £399 in the UK, Dell will first sell the desktop through its Web site ...although by the time customers trick one out with a 320 GB drive, 4 GB of RAM, a Blu-ray drive, and a 2.6 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, the price rapidly climbs above $1,500.. With a monitor, prices will start at $689.

Specs

Processors
Intel Pentium Dual Core, Intel Core 2 Duo

Operating System
Windows Vista Home Basic
Windows Vista Home Premium
Windows Vista Ultimate

Memory
Up to 4GB2 667MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drives
Up to 320GB3 Serial ATA Hard Drive (5400 RPM)

External Connections
Additional drives can connect to IEEE1394 and/or USB 2.0 ports

Optical Drives
8X Slot Load C D/DVD Writer (DVD+/-RW)
6X Slot Load Blu-ray/C D/DVD Combo Drive

Graphics
Intel Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

Audio
Intel High Definition Audio 2.0
Optional Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy Advanced HD Software Edition

Wireless

Integrated
10/100/1000 (Gigabit) Ethernet LAN on system board

Wi-Fi Options
Built-in Draft-N Wireless Networking (Optional)

Externally Accessible Ports
Five USB 2.0 compliant ports
IEEE1394a port (4-pin)
HDMI video connector
DVI video connector
Integrated network connector 10/100/1000 LAN (RJ45)
AC adapter connector
Digital Audio: S/P DIF Out
Analog Audio: Headphone (front); Line-in / Line-out (back)

Dimensions & Weight
Length: 196.5mm (with sleeve)
Height: 71.5mm (with sleeve)
Depth: 211.5mm (with sleeve)
Weight: 2.18kg (with stand)

Security
Cable lock chassis security slot