Dell Launches Studio Hybrid Desktops

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/desktop-studio-hybrid?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&ref=homepg' target='_blank'>http://www.dell.com/content/product...=dhs&ref=homepg</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"More flexible than a typical PC, the Dell Studio Hybrid is an anywhere-you-want-it-desktop. Our smallest desktop, it looks great in the living room, on the desk, or anywhere else space is at a premium. And because sleeves are available in 6 colors or Bamboo, you know it'll match your sense of style. Best of all, it uses energy-efficient components, so you'll enjoy its power while helping to preserve the planet."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1217340804.usr1.jpg" border="0" /></p><p>Dell's "bamboo PC" that we posted on a few months back is now a reality, and it's called the Studio Hybrid Desktop. I think the design is superb, but the name is ridiculous - how is this using any sort of hybrid power? This is clearly just a marketing gimmick to bring to mind the 70% power savings over a typical desktop PC - but if they wanted to do that, they should have called it the ecoPC or something similar. Beyond the completely dishonest name, the Studio Hybrid Desktop has a lot to offer: systems come equipped with three USB ports on the back, two on the front, DVI, HDMI, SPDIF (audio), even a Firewire port. They're Energy Star 4.0 compliant, and 80% smaller than your typical desktop computer, but can still be loaded to bear with up to 4 GB of RAM, an Intel Core 2 Duo 2.6 Ghz CPU, 320 GB hard drive, and even a Blu-Ray drive. They come in a variety of colours (pictured above) - and even bamboo for an extra $100 (you'd think bamboo would have the worst thermals, wouldn't you?). Prices start at $499 USD.</p><p>I've been looking for a small PC for my <a href="http://www.digitalhomethoughts.com/news/show/89831/i-m-doing-a-digital-wall-upgrade-suggestions-welcome.html" target="_blank">digital wall project</a>, and I dare say that this is exactly what I'm looking for, with one exception: I'm not sure if the Intel X3100 can do HD decoding. One assumes it can, because Dell is selling the system with a Blu-Ray drive option, but I wasn't able to find a decisive answer in a quick online search. I think I'll order one today and rely on Dell's return policy to save me if I'm wrong. I wonder if I should spring for the Blu-Ray drive though? It's a $300 option, which is quite pricey in comparison to the whole machine, and my digital wall won't be our primary location for watching movies...so would it be a waste? Should I wait a year or two until Blu-Ray drives are $50, then replace the whole computer? Opinions?</p><p>Lots more pictures after the break! <MORE /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1217340840.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1217344129.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1217340853.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1217340866.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1217340875.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1217340884.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1217340906.usr1.jpg" border="1" /></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

[Darius Wey]

Sweet design. The black, blue, and green ones are droolworthy.

I'm not sure if the Intel X1300 can do HD decoding.

I assume you mean the X3100? It handles HD decoding just fine. I've got one and have tested it out numerous times without disappointment. :)

It's a $300 option, which is quite pricey in comparison to the whole machine, and my digital wall won't be our primary location for watching movies...so would it be a waste? Should I wait a year or two until Blu-Ray drives are $50, then replace the whole computer? Opinions?

Unless you really need that Blu-ray drive, I'd say wait. I still recall how expensive CD and DVD drives used to be. Now, they're cheap as chips. I can't see Blu-ray deviating from the trend, but I don't have a crystal ball, so take my advice with a grain of salt. ;)

[Jason Dunn]

Sweet design. The black, blue, and green ones are droolworthy.

I ended up going for the red one...I love red. :)

I assume you mean the X3100? It handles HD decoding just fine. I've got one and have tested it out numerous times without disappointment. :)

Hah! Updated my post. I guess that's why I couldn't find much in Google when I was searching for the X1300. :rolleyes: Good to know.

Unless you really need that Blu-ray drive, I'd say wait.

Yeah, I skipped it.

The system I got came out to be $699: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 Ghz, Ruby in colour, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, 8x DVD burner. Hopefully it ships fast!

[Darius Wey]

The system I got came out to be $699: Intel Core 2 Duo 1.86 Ghz, Ruby in colour, 3 GB RAM, 250 GB hard drive, 8x DVD burner. Hopefully it ships fast!

Fast purchase! Can't wait to see an unboxing. :D

[Jason Dunn]

Fast purchase! Can't wait to see an unboxing. :D

Yeah, I'm hoping because I ordered fast this morning I'll be able to get one fast. :D

[Stinger]

I wish one of the big companies would release a small form-factor PC like this with the option of a 1TB drive. NAS is expensive and streaming HD material requires a reliable network connection. A built-in 1TB drive would turn this Dell into the perfect Media Centre PC.

[Jason Dunn]

I wish one of the big companies would release a small form-factor PC like this with the option of a 1TB drive.

That would be cool, but it's hard to do a system this small with a full-sized 3.5" drive, which is what you'd need to get up to 1 TB in a single-drive system. I'm sure the 2.5" drives will continue to get bigger, and eventually we'll have laptop drives at 1 TB, but not for a while longer (I'd say 2011).

NAS is expensive and streaming HD material requires a reliable network connection. A built-in 1TB drive would turn this Dell into the perfect Media Centre PC.

I'm not too worried because I have wired Ethernet to connect it to. I think what I'm going to do is put my photos on the hard drive, and access everything else from my Windows Home Server.

[Felix Torres]

About the Hybrid name: maybe they're referring to the fact that they're using laptop components and tech to make a desktop?
Or maybe they hired a focus-group consultant to come up with the name for them... :rolleyes:

Anyway, it seems like an interesting box.
A bit pricey for a desktop but interesting nontheless.
I'll have to look into it for a future HTPC application I'm thinking of...
(But first they'll have to add a Black Sleeve.);)

[Jason Dunn]

About the Hybrid name: maybe they're referring to the fact that they're using laptop components and tech to make a desktop?

Heh. Maybe. Still seems silly. :rolleyes:

A bit pricey for a desktop but interesting nonetheless.

Doesn't seem too pricey to me actually...compared to an HP Slimline PC, it's maybe $100 more for nearly identical hardware, but much smaller size.

(But first they'll have to add a Black Sleeve.);)

Well, they've got "slate" that that looks pretty black to me. :)

[Darius Wey]

Doesn't seem too pricey to me actually...compared to an HP Slimline PC, it's maybe $100 more for nearly identical hardware, but much smaller size.

Dell US' starting price is $499 USD. Dell Australia's starting price is $1,399 AUD?! I don't get how they came up with that figure, especially since the two dollars are almost 1:1. Computer hardware is relatively inexpensive in Australia. Who are they kidding? :confused:

Edit: Okay, I see the base specs are a little different in the two countries, but even if you bump up the US model to match the Australian model, there's still a price gap of a few hundred dollars.

[Jason Dunn]

Dell US' starting price is $499 USD. Dell Australia's starting price is $1,399 AUD?

Ouch! Everything is more expensive down there Darius. Time to move. :D

[Darius Wey]

Ouch! Everything is more expensive down there Darius. Time to move. :D

Hey, wheat is cheap. Want some? :D

[Felix Torres]

Well, they've got "slate" that that looks pretty black to me. :)

Slate looks grayish to me.
Maybe its the lighting in the photos...

Anway, I suspect the name come from a very pricey consultancy. And, yes it is silly. But as some dead dude said "A rose by any bother name will still prick your thumb..." or some such.;)