Dell debuts Studio Hybrid line of "petite" desktop PCs

Like most product from Dell these days, there's little surprise left in Dell's Studio Hybrid desktop lineup of eco-friendly little PCs. First unveiled as a bamboo-clad concept in April, the computer is finally being released by the hardware giant with a starting price of $499, with interchangeable sleeves of Bamboo, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Sapphire, Slate and Topaz -- the latter six being of the shiny plastic ilk. Dell isn't slouching on specs though, and seems to realize the potential of the Studio Hybrid -- which can be stood vertically or horizontally -- in the living room. There's an HDMI port standard, along with options for WiFi, a wireless keyboard and mouse, Blu-ray and a TV tuner. Dell doesn't ignore the "green" roots of this project, either, and is including a system recycling kit, along with the natural reduction in packing and manufacturing materials. The Studio Hybrid should be available today.

[someone @ Jul 29th 2008 12:04AM]

You know what else is petite? Hehe...

[Darth Abe @ Jul 29th 2008 12:07AM]

Your willy?
Where are you going with this?

[quomen @ Jul 29th 2008 12:49AM]

He's going where no man has ever gone before.

[neofolklore @ Jul 29th 2008 8:04AM]

yeh I dont know how you would leave a joke like that open ended

[Adam @ Jul 29th 2008 9:12AM]

I'll give him a + for having the balls (or not as the case seems to be!) for leaving himself wide-open in such a...diverse...internet community

[SneAKz @ Jul 29th 2008 12:04AM]

I love these things. I think I might pick one up.

[Darkroom @ Jul 29th 2008 1:08AM]

yeah, they're cute... i like them too...

[Haikibutsu @ Jul 29th 2008 12:05AM]

Wow. That sexy. I never knew wood/bamboo could look so great.

I am not liking the roundness, but thats just me. Id prefer rectangles, but its all good!

[Ash Leavenworth @ Jul 29th 2008 12:10AM]

This + XBMC = a fantastic living room setup.
I wonder what type of CPU its running.
I want more specs damnit!

-Ash-

[hazard @ Jul 29th 2008 6:21AM]

you could always use google .. "studio hybrid" site:dell.com

[farfisa @ Jul 29th 2008 8:38AM]

Check dell.com and customize your own (for fun! I got as far as step, like, 30 before it was no longer fun...)
Good processor options, but only X3100 integrated graphics--to be expected, I guess.
Slot-load Blu-ray combo drive is $250 more. Sounds about right, I guess?

[bebop @ Jul 29th 2008 12:12AM]

Credit where credit is due: Nice one, Dell.

[HeYo @ Jul 29th 2008 3:04AM]

Credit to iPod Mini's where credit is due.

[Marvin @ Jul 29th 2008 8:32PM]

Agreed That's a nice one
Too Bad no Bluetooth and wifi built in

[Bryan @ Jul 29th 2008 12:15AM]

Pretty cool. I really like the look of these "eco" computers and accessories. The bamboo/ aluminum combo is quiet awesome.

[quassum @ Jul 29th 2008 12:06PM]

How do you know it's quiet?

[marcin @ Jul 29th 2008 12:15AM]

F'n finally. Ive been waiting for this thing for so long. I was set on an EEE Box but that thing can barely play HD video so I think I'll settle with this.

Its so beautiful.

[quomen @ Jul 29th 2008 12:15AM]

Dell has worked really hard to change their image. It's working. I love Dell.

[Joshua.JWilliams @ Jul 29th 2008 12:57AM]

It has taken only 2 years to make a total change in image from their products .... I remember just 06 when no one really even cared about their laptop models.

Who would've thought this drastic of a change would have happened so fast.

For the price, these little Studio "Hybrid" are quite cool to look at, I would be interested at what specs you get for that price.

[Adam @ Jul 29th 2008 9:17AM]

I must say as well, I never really much cared for Dell products, but every time I see something new released on here I can't help but be distracted by it's innate prettiness! They keep it up, I might actually buy something! I figure by the time I ever have the cash (bad credit woohoo!) they should have some pretty decent stuff!

[Darth Abe @ Jul 29th 2008 12:26AM]

Anyone else reminded of the aperture science computers?

[Midnightblade @ Jul 29th 2008 12:34AM]

Now that you mention it...

[Josh @ Jul 29th 2008 12:46AM]

That was the first thought that popped into my head when I saw these! :-)

[Ethan @ Jul 29th 2008 12:48AM]

Dell: "We do what we must because we can"

[Ferny @ Jul 29th 2008 12:57AM]

since it has interchangeable sleeves couldn't someone just make one?

[Fanfoot @ Jul 29th 2008 12:33AM]

Cute enough. Somebody needs to build a small form factor machine to serve as a media center PC. I don't really care if it has BD. HDMI is good. Needs to have enough horsepower to play HD though, which could be an issue if its using embedded graphics. What about space for a tuner card of some kind? At least a digital cable QAM tuner should be available... I guess a USB version could work, but kind of clunky in your A/V setup. IR, remote, mouse/keyboard? Could work but we need more details...

[Midnightblade @ Jul 29th 2008 12:35AM]

Well they have shuttle boxes and the like that would be able to do those things. But personally if I had a HTPC I'd want it to be big, at least big enough to fit in with other AV equipment like a receiver and what not. I wouldn't want some dinky little thing sitting ontop of my TV or Receiver. It'd just look out of place

[Kinger @ Jul 29th 2008 12:53AM]

Oh come on.
You don't think that would make a slick looking Blu-ray player in your living room?!
I think it's got great pizazz!

[scott @ Jul 29th 2008 12:36AM]

I can say that i'm not a dell fan at all. but these are actually pretty nice. +1 to dell and its design crew.

[Armoured @ Jul 29th 2008 12:47AM]

wow is that real wood?

[Ryan @ Jul 29th 2008 12:58AM]

thats what.. she said???

[fyrefly @ Jul 29th 2008 12:48AM]

Ummm... you say Dell doesn't slouch on the specs, but what are the specs? Core2Duo? RAM? Video Card? Is there a link to a press-release or something? There's no "read" link in this article! :(

[Midnightblade @ Jul 29th 2008 1:10AM]

Link to specs and review:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2326614,00.asp

[Josh @ Jul 29th 2008 12:51AM]

I'm not a big fan of Dell, but these really are quite nice. I may end up buying one as a nice little media center in my living room.

[Ethan @ Jul 29th 2008 12:53AM]

Is Engadget going to provide some sort of reference link? What if we want more information? The tag links (that simply jump to another Engadget page) are annoying.

[Midnightblade @ Jul 29th 2008 1:05AM]

Get your full specs (and review!) here:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2326614,00.asp

[Zac @ Jul 29th 2008 1:04AM]

You know what? Good on them for actually making the effort to make a well designed, high margin machine. God knows Apple needs the competition in the field.

(This as an Apple fanboy, if someone has to buy a PC one, I like anyone bucking the cheaper-is-always-better trend).

[BobTurbo @ Jul 29th 2008 1:12AM]

Ugly.... Dell please... I will design your products if I have to.

[Colin @ Jul 29th 2008 1:58AM]

It's an oval. I distrust anyone offering design services if they don't have an appreciation for simple geometry.

[BobTurbo @ Jul 29th 2008 7:53AM]

I think your attention to detail is highly lacking. Maybe this is an american thing.. and is why your arses are being handed to you by Japan. Lol.. it's an oval. Good one.

[lowdef @ Jul 29th 2008 9:34AM]

yes d bag because toshiba satellites look just sooo damn sexy with their massive fingerprint collecting cases...stfu i think i can name an american manufacturer with arguably the best track record of designing sexy computers...apple anyone? even look at the new dells they beat the pants off of any toshiba

[Colin @ Jul 31st 2008 10:50PM]

BobTurbo:
*zoom*

[Justin lucke @ Jul 29th 2008 1:36AM]

can you take it off the stand and lay it flat?

[Midnightblade @ Jul 29th 2008 1:39AM]

yes

[Zeca @ Jul 29th 2008 1:59AM]

Too expensive. Too slow graphics. Too bad dell reputation. Fail.

[Zeca @ Jul 29th 2008 2:12AM]

I think it could be successful if dell sold at Ikea. It goes well with cheap pretentious furniture.

Only problem is that people there would have to change it something sweedish, like krapp or Uslesh.

[Dan @ Jul 29th 2008 5:30AM]

Did you just say 'Sweedish'? I think you did.

[Moose @ Jul 29th 2008 2:18AM]

Love it... I can totally see this on a high end piece of cabinetry flanked by a HDTV flatscreen running Media Center. Very very nice...

[jdclarke @ Jul 29th 2008 2:37AM]

Is the motherboard standard? That would be the best way to be green and allow the user to recycle (or I should say re-use) its parts.

[Jubei @ Jul 29th 2008 3:31AM]

For a moment I thought I saw a table lamp or speaker from the old Brady Bunch TV series. When all the guys one season got hair perms.