Dell unveils tiny bamboo-cased eco-computer concept

Michael Dell spoke at Fortune's Brainstorm:Green conference today, and he took the wraps off this funky bamboo-encased eco-PC concept. Said to be Dell's smallest-ever computer, the machine is 81 percent smaller than a standard desktop and uses 70 percent less power. There's no word on what's inside yet, but Dell says the machine is due to be released later this year, and should cost between $500 and $700. Hit the read link for a couple more shots, and check out a render after the break.

[MeatyPi @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:44PM]

not too bad, wait that's a mini knock off!! how dare you dell

[Dan Z @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:53PM]

So a Mac mini knockoff is defined as any desktop computer which is of a small form factor?

[mike @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:54PM]

To Mac zealots anything is a Mac rip off!

[MeatyPi @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:59PM]

apparently neither of you geniuses understood my mockery of fanboys.

[Cal @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:04PM]

You also overlooked the use of an iPod colour!!

[Dave @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:19PM]

I am a huge mac fan and I'll admit design wise this is pretty amazing. It's exciting to see a company like Dell which isn't known for its aesthetics make a distinct and beautiful product like this. I really would like to see the specs. If they can match/beat the Mini(which isn't that hard) then hats off to Dell.

[YoMomma @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:26PM]

your face is a mac mini ripoff

[novel @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:36AM]

look up shuttlePCs, moron

[John @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:13PM]

that bamboo is facking sexy (also coming from a mac user).

I want to buy one and turn it into a PVR linux set up!

[Homeboy @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:46PM]

In other words an Eee dekstop knock off!!!

[Juaquin @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:48PM]

No...

[John Russell @ Apr 23rd 2008 1:16AM]

Mark hates the Earth. But this thing is pretty darn alluring. Now if only you could get a bamboo Mac Mini.

[Steve C @ Apr 23rd 2008 3:06AM]

Why? You like spending a veritable butt ton on your electric bill? That shit's expensive enough, thank you!

The green initiative means your devices consume less power, and encourage you to go off the power grid. Personally, I hate big power bills. But you can sit there with your inefficient devices and pay out the ass to use them if you like.

Enjoy refueling your 8mi/gal american land yacht, too. ;)

[Neebs @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:50PM]

Why not? Bamboo is a very resilient material and due to the fact the thing ravages North America it's in good supply.

[Brian Ketterer @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:51PM]

Is there an optical drive?

[andres @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:11PM]

no, but you can easily interface it with pandas

[Chris Macdonald @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:18PM]

man that was lame

[Eric @ Apr 22nd 2008 6:52PM]

I can see the bamboo model being used in living rooms, and in plain sight.

[Homeboy @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:02PM]

Or use it in the kitchen where it will also serve as a cutting board.

[Mischa G @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:02PM]

Sweet, now we just need to figure out how to make it run on cow crap.

[Mischa G @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:03PM]

Like this: http://impatientsufferance.com/2008/04/22/you-can-run-a-business-on-that-crap-184/

[me @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:38PM]

yes, it does run Vista.

[cydonia @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:04PM]

the stand they have there is so BAMF

[Ian @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:55PM]

wouldnt that just be BAM not BAMF cuz you dont really need the F. but then it would look like ur trying to be emeril. and that would just be weird

[John @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:28PM]

either that or he thinks it's a Bad-ass mother F%$#@r

[Carlos Fonseca @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:23PM]

Shits weak son. Looks like a fig newton/cigar box. The mac mini is still better looking, although neither is amazingly styled.

[Ian @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:00PM]

how the hell do u know if its any better? do u know the specs? and who makes you the queen about what looks better?

[Somatic @ Apr 23rd 2008 12:04PM]

Yep, Fig Newton, that's the first thing I thought of when I saw it.

[spuntyb @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:35PM]

wait. don't pandas rely on bamboo, and isn't their source of said bamboo currently being destroyed to the point that they are endangered?

i could be wrong, but how is this eco-friendly? i guess because it beats making them out of plastic and toxic metals?

[Paris @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:11PM]

Bamboo grows at a rate of 1 meter per day. If any Bamboo area is destroyed its certainly not for the Bamboo but for the land.

[Juicecan @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:32PM]

Yes, but said bamboo has already been destroyed to the point where all of the said pandas are locked up in zoos.

[Za @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:44PM]

Chief, there are multiple types of bamboo in the world. Pandas prefer one specific type, and that is likely not the type being used for this.

You know how there are different types of grasses? Same concept [actually, I think bamboo *is* a grass, for what it's worth]

[Resa @ Apr 24th 2008 12:23PM]

Pandas are endangered not because bamboo is in a general short supply but because, like someone mentioned before, so much of their -habitat- has been removed. and yes, bamboo is a grass.

I want a notebook computer with a bamboo casing! Come on, Dell! :D

[John @ Apr 22nd 2008 10:30PM]

Bamboo grows like a freakin' weed. The pandas aren't going to be running out anytime soon.

[aaron @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:23PM]

Part of me is very glad to see some environmental action.

The sysadmin part of me is shrieking in horror at a hard to work on overheating nightmare.

[Howard @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:56AM]

Hard to work on, yeah, but the whole "low power" thing should keep the heat down. It's probably going to be a mobile CPU.

[Zak @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:23PM]

The real problem will be the panda infestation. Man it's hard to get rid of those things.

[MeatyPi @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:28PM]

they can smell the menstruation!

[Samurai Jack @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:32PM]

So, which is more "green"? Bamboo, which is easily grown but only used once, or aluminium, which is produced once but infinitely recyclable? Hmm...

[andres @ Apr 22nd 2008 8:13PM]

i would think it would take less energy to grow bamboo than to run an aluminum forge

[Ian @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:03PM]

plus bamboo can grow i think like a foot a DAY. that in its self can make it an awesome resource i for one wish we would use more of it then other woods

[DESTOS @ Apr 22nd 2008 9:26PM]

Only used once?

I thought bamboo was like grass, and when you cut it, it just grows back.

[facebookfake @ Apr 22nd 2008 11:05PM]

well seeing as you have to actually mine aluminum, id have to say bamboo.

[Sma @ Apr 23rd 2008 9:35AM]

Not only do you have to mine aluminum, but getting aluminum isn't like mining coal. I think aluminum comes from bauxite ore, which then has to be processed either with chemicals, heat, or both. Then you have to consider the fuel used to mine and process the ore to get aluminum. Although fuel is also used to process bamboo i would think. Now if all the processing could be done with renewable electricity(solar, wind, geothermal or hydro-electric) then that would be better.One last thing is that there is a finite supply of ore to make aluminum, and other metals, where as things like bamboo can be grown indefinitely, so long as the environment of earth supports growing plants.

[Didier @ Apr 25th 2008 9:04AM]

Although aluminium can be recycled infinitely, it requires pure scrap to end up with the same quality. Remelting also takes quite some energy. As does the creation of the metal. That is why the Alu plants are moving to Qatar.
All taken into consideration, Aluminium is a much to precious metal to use for PC boxes. It should be more wisely used for construction and cars.

[Alex Voda @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:44PM]

Both the mini and this product look great.
But in terms of design i still thing the best looking computer was the Apple G4 Cube.

[Armoured @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:38PM]

That looks great!

The only problem I see is all the cables that will be connected into it. it will be a big mess seeing all those massive cables all lead to a tiny device.
Wireless keyboard and mouse is a must!

[Matt Keller @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:43PM]

Jeez, my WD eSata is bigger than that thing.

[Matt Keller @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:47PM]

Also, would this use laptop components? Or just small desktop doo-dads?

If this thing had a 100gb HDD, 2 gigs of RAM, and a mid-power (1.8-2ghZ) dual core processor, I'd be one happy guy.

[michaelportent @ Apr 22nd 2008 7:55PM]

It's about damn time somebody started making green computers, cuz the all those black, grey and white machines are just so blase.

*groan* Thanks ladies and gentleman, I'll be here all week.

No, seriously though, why aren't we making more computers worldwide that recycle parts from old machines (or at least the metal cases and plastics) and that use much less power?