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July 28, 2008 1:57 PM PDT

Updated: Dell's minidesktop launching tomorrow

by Erica Ogg

Dell minidesktop PC(Credit: Dell)

This post has been updated with pricing info.

The small form factor PC that Dell was talking up earlier this year will be released tomorrow.

The company posted a teaser video to its blog today.

Dell says the new Studio Hybrid is 80 percent smaller than a traditional PC and it will come in seven different colors. But here's some stuff that's not in the video: It will retail for $699 with a monitor, and $499 without, according to sources familiar with the product. And, although it's a desktop, it'll have Intel's latest mobile processor in it.

In April, Dell pitched it as an environmentally friendly PC, and the video notes that it uses 70 percent less energy than a traditional desktop. The company also said then that the casing would be from totally recycled material, but the video doesn't indicate that, other than the still of what looks like bamboo casing--but that would make eight colors, not seven. We'll update as we get more information.

Here's the video:

Erica Ogg is a CNET News reporter who covers Apple, HP, Dell, and other PC makers, as well as the consumer electronics industry. She's also one of the hosts of CNET News' Daily Podcast. In her non-work life, she's a history geek, a loyal Dodgers fan, and a mac-and-cheese connoisseur. E-mail Erica.
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by trekston July 28, 2008 2:26 PM PDT
It's a bad attempt, and is ugly. Looks like a bazarro mini mac.
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by iamwho July 28, 2008 2:34 PM PDT
Disagree with trekston. I like it. The ability to mount it vertically or horizontally is nice, plus you can change colors to suit your mood --that's good. Glad to see Dell is thinking out of the box and not merely trying to emulate Apple.

Obviously, like the Mac Mini, expandability is absent, which is not good. This should really be addressed @ Dell's Ideastorm, but a matching expansion module (for storage, memory, additional connections, etc.) might be worthwhile.
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by o2bpitching July 28, 2008 3:28 PM PDT
Like hell they aren't trying to IMITATE Apple.
by gary85739 July 28, 2008 2:37 PM PDT
It should sell well! Small, powerful, most don't need more for internet surf'n/e-mail!
Reply to this comment
by alegr July 28, 2008 2:46 PM PDT
Folks, check HP TouchSmart all-in-one. It's pretty good, even though its crippled Vista Home is a pain in the assets.
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by stones732 July 28, 2008 3:10 PM PDT
I have a Dell XPS 410 and it is fantastic...if you can find one get it. But I sure like the looks and size of this new mini!
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by markntravis July 28, 2008 5:32 PM PDT
What video. You should update the article indicating that it is no longer available.
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by SlimGem July 28, 2008 5:47 PM PDT
If you need expandability, then this and the Mac Mini are not for you.
I don't understand why some people can't grasp this concept.
If necessary, you can use external peripherals via USB.
Reply to this comment
by DMBoricua July 28, 2008 10:10 PM PDT
I like how Dell is doing. Like a few months ago, Dell released the Studio line laptops which I think is awesome and thinking of getting one when I'd get a laptop.

The reason why people are hating Dell is because of its customer service. Just dont call for it. If you need help, do anything it takes than calling for customer service. Thats Dell's only weak point, for everything else, Dell is beautiful at. My family has been owning Dell computers for years and all are still kicking strong.

BTW this mini desktop line will be great for the mini desktop lines, or a great alt for the dell XPS small PCs.
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by oneoclock July 28, 2008 11:34 PM PDT
I don't like DELL, but this is a welcome development. I hope more computer vendors will release low power mini desktops. In fact, I'd hope that governments start taxing the **** out of PCs that consume energy irresponsibly.
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