Dell Studio Hybrid line of PCs and Laptops

With its cylindrical design, the Dell Studio Hybrid ($874 direct, $1,064 with 19-inch widescreen monitor) is a new comer on the small-form-factor PC. Its size, though, is comparable to that of the same sector like the Apple Mac mini, and HP's Slimline PCs like the s3330f. No doubt, the Studio Hybrid is an energy-efficient and environment-friendly design (hence the "hybrid" tag), but thanks to its Intel Core 2 Duo T8100 Penryn-based processor, it can keep up not only with the other systems in the compact space but with performance PCs as well. The drawback is that it suffers from weak 3D performance obviously due to the system's integrated graphics. But if you are not the gaming maniac who cant live without playing 3D games, the Studio Hybrid is a good alternative to the boxy mainstream PCs


Studio Hybrid is customizable with different-colored translucent sleeves. The system also comes with a 1.1-inch-high stand to use to make the system stand vertically on your desk. Remove the stand and you can have the system lying flat on your desk.The innovative design touch is that the Hybrid name switches orientation when you turn the system on its side.

Since the system is so small, it fits wherever systems like the HP Slimline and Mac mini work: studio apartments, dorm rooms, small dens, home offices, and bedrooms. Like most compact systems, the Hybrid uses a mobile-based Penryn T8100 processor and a slot-loading DVD burner. Blu-ray reader drives (which can make you poorer by a little more amount) will be available in August 2008. The system uses a 250GB notebook-class, 5,400-rpm hard drive, which can be upgraded to 320GB if you build the system to order. The Hybrid's Intel Mobile 965 integrated graphics complete the notebook-based components.

The Hybrid is very energy efficient with its mobile components. The system uses only 1 watt of power when off or in hibernate mode, a frugal 26W while sitting idle, and 44W when the system is fully taxed, as on the CineBench R10 test. This is phenomenal power usage. The Hybrid rightfully earns the Energy Star 4.0 certification. It has also a system recycling kit (Dell will help you recycle the system when it is obsolete).

Other specifications include HDMI port, FireWire port, digital audio-out port (a standard TOSlink connector), an eight-in-one card reader on the front panel, 2GB of RAM.These scores show that the Hybrid is a more-than-capable system as long as you keep the workload two-dimensional (photos, videos, and the like).


If design is your priority, the Dell Studio Hybrid should be on the top of your list. The Hybrid also gets the approval if you're looking for an energy-efficient PC that occupies very little space and requires few raw materials to build. It will make you feel good to use if you're eco-conscious.