Dell Studio Hybrid mini PC leak reveals specs, new casing

Remember that tidy little bamboo-encased mini PC Dell showed off in April? Well apparently the company is at work on a variant of the diminutive system, dubbed the Studio Hybrid. In addition to forgoing the eco-friendly wood for what appears to be a sleek, orange Plexiglas shell, the system boasts an Intel chipset, 4GB of RAM, a 320GB hard drive, WiFi, a DVD+R drive, five USB ports, an HDMI port, S/PDIF, DVI, and a memory card reader. We're not sure exactly when Dell plans to unleash these on consumers or what the final cost will be, though previously the company had stated plans to offer it later this year for between $500 and $700. Check the gallery below for a few more (blurry) shots of the device.

Gallery: Dell Studio Hybrid mini PC leak reveals specs, new casing

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

[cy21 @ Jun 20th 2008 9:38AM]

howly...... WAW :D.. very cool and nice looking too :)

[Sam Bambino @ Jun 20th 2008 11:21AM]

I agree, now i'm just awaiting the myriad of comments from all the idiots who will claim "but it's still a Dell".

[Pochi @ Jun 20th 2008 11:32AM]

I would, but I went blind trying to focus on the blur-fest taking place in the gallery.

[Grant @ Jun 20th 2008 1:18PM]

but it's still ugly burnt orange.

[ishism @ Jun 20th 2008 7:21PM]

Wonder if there is a pico-itx under there. Been wanting to build something with one of those but the price is still too much for just a hobby kind of thing.

[chris @ Jun 22nd 2008 5:57PM]

but it's still a dell

and i truly say that from experience...dell's customer service sucks in my opinion.

[WAJID @ Jul 18th 2008 8:41AM]

This is a peice of shit and it requires a lot to take the cd out and will take the cd out only in the Operating system

[Michael @ Jun 20th 2008 9:40AM]

Check out that beer belly!!!

[iatacs19 @ Jun 20th 2008 9:41AM]

I hope it can be used as a HTPC, should be able to playback 1080p, it does have HDMI, so that's a good start.

[retro77 @ Jun 20th 2008 9:42AM]

Buy this guy a real flippin camera!

Also I dig the bambo case 1000% more than the orange plastic one.

[Danakin @ Jun 20th 2008 9:49AM]

agreed

[saycheese @ Jun 20th 2008 9:54AM]

What that guy needs are photography skills more than a better camera.

[giovanni @ Jun 20th 2008 11:07AM]

Pity he cant buy that from itunes..

[Danakin @ Jun 20th 2008 9:48AM]

Good stuff! I'd pick one up for dollarsign500.

[ProjectGSX @ Jun 20th 2008 9:54AM]

I got to handle one of these a week or so ago. Its a really nice looking system - the pictures dont do it justice.

[iHoppipolla @ Jun 20th 2008 9:54AM]

Anything that could spur Apple to respond with an updated Mac mini, I approve of.

[retro77 @ Jun 20th 2008 9:56AM]

You think Apple can compete with the likes of Dell? [the preceding comment was signed by a Dell fanboy]

[Kaiser-Machead @ Jun 20th 2008 11:18AM]

@retro,

With over double the market value, I guess they can XD

But yeah, these specs are what the Mini should've been since the introduction of Core Solo, Duo and C2D chips. With the ATV out there, unfortunately, I suppose no Mini will ever see HDMI.

[G_ @ Jun 20th 2008 12:33PM]

actually a like mac mini a lot it is nice, but it did not get upgrade for more then 300 days and price remain same hight.

[iHoppipolla @ Jun 20th 2008 12:35PM]

"compete with the likes of Dell?"
In what regard?
That may be the vaguest challenge... ever.

If Apple released anything better than the current Mac mini and anything close to the Dell model, I would choose the Mac mini (the OS argument aside). But that's just me...

What I will say in laud of Dell comes from its ability to pick up on two trends that currently have found champions in lesser known companies.

The Netbook (If you prefer a different name insert instead) trend has gotten a boost from (MSI | Asus | Everex | And other EEEsters).
Dell's entrance into the ring seems to really give exposure to a more common non-IT demographic.

In my opinion, the Mac mini has a firm grasp of the mini PC trend (aside from theDYI PC option- Hail mini-ITX 2). Apple's lackadaisical stance as of late will allow Dell to gain ground in this area.

Apple had a chance to dominate the Netbook realm but its opt to the Air puts it in the same genre as what Lenovo and Voodoo have now entered. Let's just pray to the Great Apple (read: Steve Jobs) that they do not forget the mini.

... also iHoppipolla

[gabe @ Jun 20th 2008 9:56AM]

cant wait for this to come out. Well yes I can

[Dennis @ Jun 20th 2008 9:56AM]

Wonder why there is a DVI port on it. I thought DVI was on it's way out.

[Mam00th @ Jun 20th 2008 11:10AM]

Care to explain why you're saying this?

[Kaiser-Machead @ Jun 20th 2008 11:16AM]

I think you have it confused with VGA.

[RichardBronosky @ Jun 20th 2008 11:44AM]

Wrong, read http://www.bronosky.com/?p=54

[Harry @ Jun 20th 2008 1:27PM]

You guys are behind - I think he meant DisplayPort, which is purported to be a replacement for DVI and VGA.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/04/vesa-approves-displayport-1-1-kiss-those-dvi-and-vga-ports-good/

[Dennis @ Jun 20th 2008 11:22PM]

Thought I read somewhere that DVI output maxes out at 1080i and TV manufacturers were phasing out DVI ports for HDMI which allows 1080p and audio. Think I see an HDMI port on it though so I guess they can exist side by side. It would allow output to older TVs and monitors.

[rlc:tk @ Jun 21st 2008 1:37AM]

@ Dennis, I have 2 DVI ports running 2 24inch monitors at 1900x1200 (1200p)... so it can definitely handle more than 1080i... even a VGA cable can carry a 1080p signal. Where did you read that?!

[Dennis @ Jun 21st 2008 8:36AM]

Here is why I thought DVI was on it's way out. Read here:

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/dvi-hdmi,3856.html

As far as it only being capable of only 1080i output, I remember reading that as a comment by someone in a forum. Don't remember where though. And that is why you shouldn't believe everything you read.

[The 3rd Hot Dog @ Jun 20th 2008 9:56AM]

I can't wait until the new iMac comes out. I hear it come in teal, too.

[Jamie M @ Jun 20th 2008 10:05AM]

Because there are about 3 screens on the market that have displayport.

[Brian @ Jun 20th 2008 9:56AM]

why do spy shots always have to be so blurry?

[cosmohack @ Jun 20th 2008 10:07AM]

Never seen a James Bond movie have you?

[Nomi @ Jun 20th 2008 10:13AM]

Why does there have to be a comment about spy shots being blurry every time there is a spy shot that is blurry? I can see its blurry, you can see its blurry and noone has ever answered this question ever in the last 3 years I have been seeing this comment. So why ask it? Do you expect an answer? Really? Or are you trying to be funny? OR is that sarcasm?.... *sigh*

[applefan @ Jun 20th 2008 10:19AM]

@Nomi

The whole reason we ask it is because we really want someone to explain. There really is no reason why someone taking spy shots could spend an extra minute and make sure the photos look nice for our sake. Otherwise what's the point if you can't see the product?

Sure, no one has answered but that hasn't stopped our desire for an answer. So we continue to ask.

[happy_penguin @ Jun 20th 2008 10:49AM]

There is plenty of reasons why spy shots are blurry. Whoever took the pics was not supposed to be taking them. They were probably using a crap camera in a hurry.... They would have needed flash to get better pics with their crap camera but they can't flash and draw attention.... They probably used a camera phone....

[Jim @ Jun 20th 2008 10:01AM]

"The Enrichment Center is committed to the well being of all participants. Cake and grief counseling will be available at the conclusion of the test. Thank you for helping us help you help us all."

[ichandler73 @ Jun 20th 2008 5:05PM]

The cake is a lie.

[spellprince @ Jun 20th 2008 10:05AM]

On the bright side, at least it isn't another iPhone article.

[numbsock @ Jun 20th 2008 10:28AM]

but on the other it is another iphone comment ;)

[spellprince @ Jun 20th 2008 10:58AM]

hahaha touche'

[Larry @ Jun 20th 2008 10:05AM]

Yeah, but they are still going to force Vista down your throat.

Can I get this with XP or No OS at all?

[retro77 @ Jun 20th 2008 10:28AM]

No, June 18th was 2 days ago.

[Jamie M @ Jun 20th 2008 10:06AM]

whoops - meant for the one above (obviously)

[jinjo235 @ Jun 20th 2008 10:16AM]

I think that guy is wearing one of the current Apple employee shirts - same color blue, no?

[majortom1981 @ Jun 20th 2008 11:29AM]

Best buy employees shirts are also blue right?

[applefan @ Jun 20th 2008 10:20AM]

@ Jamie M

Say what?

[alex @ Jun 20th 2008 10:37AM]

No firewire. bummer.

[Mam00th @ Jun 20th 2008 11:13AM]

Firewhat?

[bob e @ Jun 20th 2008 10:47AM]

Dell is full of surprises these days.

I'll pick one up but hope they offer colors - I'd take a nice smoke acrylic to sit next to my xbox