Dell Launches Its Smallest Desktop Yet

[Jason Dunn]

<a href="http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,106406,tk,dn102802X,00.asp">http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,106406,tk,dn102802X,00.asp</a><br /><br />Dell has a history of waiting to enter a market until it has matured - they did so with their Pocket PC, and they're doing it again with their new line of mini-PCs. Tiny PCs have been available for several years from smaller manufacturers, but most of the major OEMs haven't ventured into the realm of truly mini computers - this new Dell is so small it doesn't even have expansion slots. No PCI or AGP slot means gamers won't be buying it, but if you're looking to save space, this could be a good solution.<br /><br />"Dell Computer launched Monday what it says is its smallest desktop computer yet. The OptiPlex SX260 is 50 percent smaller by volume than the company's current OptiPlex machines and comes with an LCD monitor. The machines, which were launched in Tokyo by Michael Dell but will go on sale worldwide, are designed to take up less space on the desk than current computers and can be placed either horizontally or vertically, the company says. Roughly square in shape measuring 9.7 inches by 9.5 inches and 3.3 inches thick, they weigh 7.7 pounds. Continuing with the space-saving theme, an optional LCD monitor is available with a companion bracket that acts as the monitor stand and does double duty as a stand for the main PC, meaning the two take up even less desk space."

[vincentsiaw]

wow small is good but without expantion capability? well if it have fast graphic processor, i might still buy it if it have like 6 usb 2.0 port, 6 firewire port and wi-fy or blutooth capability!

[Janak Parekh]

Here's a pic:
http://www.dell.com/images/us/segments/bsd/products/bsd_optixsx260_series.jpg

Looks a lot like the HP e-PC:
http://www.hp.com/desktops/professional/e-pc/e-pc_42/images/photo.jpg

... so it's not all that new. But as Jason points out, Dell tends to wait awhile before entering a market.

Vincent, these aren't targeted towards end-users; they're for corporate environments where they don't want people fiddling with the box. Jadetec makes a micro-PC with firewire, etc. built in: http://www.jadetec.co.uk/products/micropc4/index.htm

--bdj

[msprague]

wow small is good but without expantion capability? well if it have fast graphic processor, i might still buy it if it have like 6 usb 2.0 port, 6 firewire port and wi-fy or blutooth capability!
Well it has the 6 USB 2.0 ports, but no firewire.
<img align=left src=http://www.dell.com/images/global/products/optix/optix_sx260_front.jpg><img align=right src=http://www.dell.com/images/global/products/optix/optix_sx260_rear.jpg>
I/O Ports
6 USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 4 back)
1 serial port
1 parallel port
2 PS/2 ports (keyboard and mouse)
Microphone, stereo in, stereo out (back) &amp; stereo out (back) &amp; headphone (front)

1 RJ45 network port

Media Bay
Supports Dell Latitude notebook removable devices for a variety of configuration choices.

Chassis
Height: 9.72" (24.7cm)
Width: 3.35" (8.5cm)
Depth: 9.53" (24.2cm)

External Power Supply
150 watts adapter with power factor correction
<br clear=left>

[Foo Fighter]

As much as I have been a champion of the trend toward smaller, quieter, more stylish designs, these slimtops are typically little more than glorified laptops. The PC industry still hasn't bridged the gap between the desktop/tower, which embodies performance, expandability, and customization, to All-in-one systems which offer style, flexibility, and ergonomics.

[Jason Dunn]

Let me guess Foo, Apple has done this "bridging" that the PC industry hasn't? My laptop is more expandable than an iMac. :lol:

I'm less enthused about this than before after learning it has no Firewire port - Firewire rocks, and no PC I will buy will come without it.

[Foo Fighter]

Let me guess Foo, Apple has done this "bridging" that the PC industry hasn't? My laptop is more expandable than an iMac. :lol:

No, actually that includes Apple as well. My iMac doesn't have one tenth the performance of my Pentium 4 tower (but I'll save that for another debate) and there is no way to upgrade internal hardware (onboard video), at least not without voiding the warranty. So Apple is just as guilty of trading off performance for smaller form factors.

The only area where Apple has beaten the PC industry is style and "quieter" hardware. You can't even hear the iMac running at all, unlike my Boeing 777 Dell PC.

[Foo Fighter]

By the way, I think all of these all-in-one/slimtops (including the iMac) stink compared to the Sony Vaio W series. Has anyone see this?

http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/250x250/PCVW10.jpg

Still not a desktop performance class system, but damn is it sweet! 8O

[klinux]

By the way, I think all of these all-in-one/slimtops (including the iMac) stink compared to the Sony Vaio W series. Has anyone see this?

http://www.sonystyle.com/intershoproot/eCS/Store/en/imagesProducts/250x250/PCVW10.jpg

Still not a desktop performance class system, but damn is it sweet! 8O

I am all for SFF, dual platfform, etc but don't like the Sony W. One, I like my split ergonomic wireless KB and wireless mouse and two, that picture does not show its back side. From the side, W looks like the hunchback of Notre Dame computing.

I like SFF that uses standard PC componets like the Shuttle that Jason and i have. :)