[UPDATE: Dell tells us they're "offering XP as part of the downgrade program for select systems, as per the global announcement made here:
http://yourblog.direct2dell.com/2008/05/12/life-after-windows-xp/"]Modders have been turning boring PCs into works of art for years, but it's only relatively recently that big-time PC brands have seriously turned their attention to it.
Dell has already grabbed attention in the US with the rather
Mac-like XPS One, a stunningly designed all-in-one PC that unfortunately is yet to make it to Australia (Dell, any word on this?)
The good - it's tiny, and looks stunningTiny desktop have been around for a while from Acer and others, but not like this. Dell's Studio Hybrid is tiny, measuring 196.5mm long, which is a little less than half the width of a 19inch (non-widescreen) LCD monitor. Dell says the Hybrid is 80% smaller than a "standard" desktop, and claim it uses 70% less power.
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| Looks like an external hard drive, is actually a PC. |
Amazingly the entire system weighs a touch over 2Kg, which almost puts it in the ultraportable notebook category. By comparison, the Mac mini is 1.31Kg.
The not so great - ok value, but not brilliantThe value's ok, though not as great as Dell's el-cheapo entry level systems. For $1399 you get Core 2 Duo 2GHz, Vista Home Premium, 2GB RAM, 320GB HDD. On the downside, that includes X3100 integrated graphics. You can also get a similar/better spec buy buying a standard Dell Inspiron desktop, for $999, with a 22in monitor (no monitor at that price with the Studio Hybrid).
Overall, we're not complaining about the price, but it's worth keeping in mind.
Does anyone other than Mac users care about how their desktop looks, and are they willing to pay for style? |
| The Dell Studio Hybrid in all its tiny glory |
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| Yes, that's a bamboo option. Great for that "fantasy island" interior design scheme you've been planning. |
