Dell Studio Hybrid Compact Desktop Computer

Written by Simon Barker on August 14, 2008 · Filed under Tech 

The Dell Studio Hybrid is the latest new Dell product range being released – I got to take a sneak-peek at it at the recent Dell Studio Laptop launch at Silverstone, so here’s what I thought to it…

Do you still have one of those large, noisy, beige boxes of a computer sat on your desk? Do you like the idea of minimalist computing like you often see with Apple Macs? The Studio Hybrid is a new breed of computer from Dell.

The Dell Hybrid is a highly compact desktop computer which Dell has really tried to make as green as possible – in the environmental sense at least, the actual case features an interchangeable ‘shell’ casing that comes in a variety of colours see-through colours as well as a bamboo casing which gives it a real distinctive look – it certainly fits well in with their design-conscious Dell Studio Laptop range.

The Hybrid is quieter and cooler than a standard desktop computer, it is 80% smaller in size and uses around 70% less power than a typical desktop PC. With these selling points, it would make for a useful alternative to a laptop to carry around if you work from more than one desk/office. It can then be easily connected to your TV in your living room and be used as the centre of your home entertainment system – useful for relaxing with at the end of a long day as it’s got all the required connections you might need including a HDMI port.

Dell have also made a real effort to emphasise the environmental concerns of consumers with this product and as such not only does it use far less power, but it also features 75% less printed documentation with most manuals coming in electronic format as well as the packaging itself being 95% recyclable.

The Dell Hybrid really reminds me of a Mac Mini in terms of it’s general size, however given the Mac Mini has been out for what seems like ages now, you don’t tend to hear or see that much of them? Perhaps it’s because most Mac users go for a full desktop or laptop machine?

You could therefore assume that it’s a small market for these machines, however with faster, more compact components that are cooler and quieter in operation, perhaps the time has come for smaller computing? I mean for the typical computer user who doesn’t a require high-powered gaming pc, who wouldn’t want a small computer on their desk? After all, Apple Macs have shown that people value their desk space and like minimalist style to their computing environment.

What do you think? Would you get a Dell Studio Hybrid of these computers? Or would you rather go down the route of having a laptop, which themselves are becoming increasingly more compact and affordable?