Dell rechristens the USFF with OptiPlex 780 mini PC

What's smaller than a small form factor PC? Frankly, a lot. Cells, shrimp, quarters -- you name it. That said, there aren't many bona fide PCs out there that can shrink down beyond the admittedly vague SSF dimensions, but Dell's making another push for its Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) as the "world's smallest fully functional commercial desktop PC with an integrated power supply and Intel vPro technology." Of course, there's quite a bit of qualification going on there (and rightfully so, given just how tiny the fit-PC2i is), but those interested in taking the plunge can order one with an Intel Core 2 Duo CPU, Windows 7 and a host of other run-of-the-mill amenities starting at $629.

Dell christens the USFF with OptiPlex 780 mini PC

[J D Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:21PM]

If you're going to try to go as small as possible, why have an integrated power supply? Why not separate it out (like xbox360) and shrink the system down even more?

[MRCUR Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:22PM]

@J D - Because that's annoying for IT people to deal with. I'd much rather they keep the PSU in the system, and not have to drag something else around with the computer if it's getting moved.

[Velorium Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:24PM]

@J D Because part of the idea of a workstation is to have one unit. Not a unit and a sub-unit.

[Banksta3 Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:24PM]

@MRCUR Tag, your IT.

[MRCUR Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:26PM]

@Banksta3 - Hahahahaha

[MRCUR Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:26PM]

@Banksta3 - Oh, and it's you're...

[Frith Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:42PM]

@J D Imagine every device followed the ridiculous principle of having an external power supply - you'd end up with a mess of power bricks for you TV, monitor, speakers, DVD player, cable box etc etc.

I've hated external power supplies since the Gamecube and having a single larger unit keeps things much neater than having power bricks all over the place.

[J D Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:59PM]

@J D
lol, okay okay, you guys win....

[Jubeh Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:06PM]

@MRCUR Aaahh, those IT guys; not not qualified enough to be a power-user, but smart enough to make the rest of the plain-clothes populace feel like they're computer wizards. Under-worked and overpaid, bound by lazy, redundant bureaucracy, where getting a replacement mouse requires as much paperwork as doing a full-company system change and takes just about as long.
I love you guys...

[MRCUR Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:20PM]

@Jubeh - Well, if you come to where I work/intern, I'll have you a new mouse in 5 mins. No paperwork required before hand, I'll fill out the (stupid) ticket afterwards.

Sorry you have to deal with an IT department of lazy people...

[SirNoDroin Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:41PM]

@Jubeh that has to be the most ignorant statement I have ever read.

[Grendel MTL Posted Dec 10th 2009 6:04PM]

@J D

Actually Dell's Previous model SFF systems had external power supplies. Well at least the Optiplex 620 670 and 680 (i'm sure there are other models but I don't use those on a daily basis)

However the external power supplies were not very convenient in a business environment.
The whole point of the SFF and USFF is to save space. not waste additional space for a large power block under the desk or behind the monitor.

This just looks like Dell has finally caught up to HP and Lenovo who have had USFF systems with integrated power supplies for a few years now.

-Jeff in MTL

[whiskers Posted Dec 10th 2009 6:38PM]

@Jubeh

Somebody's bitter. Did they take away your solitaire access?

/ Our IT department is awesome
// Admin access for most
/// Spare nVidia Quadro FX 1700 GPUs from the "random cards" box for others

[MRCUR Posted Dec 10th 2009 7:49PM]

@whiskers - Ha, you definitely wouldn't be getting admin access, or games for that matter, from us. First thing the new director did: take away admin access. Excellent decision, IMO.

[piere Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:23PM]

Ok apple please integrate mac mini's power supply

k thnx

[Banksta3 Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:24PM]

Joke.

[rojorojo Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:27PM]

It looks like crap. This must have been the summer project for their design interns.

[Stargate199 Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:27PM]

Go configure this with Mac Mini specs and this thing is over $1000. For desktops, I don't care about power bricks as the computer will most likely not move. However I like that monitor stand where you can pop the machine on the back. Makes a nice minimalist desktop.

[Gixser Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:38PM]

@Stargate199

I actually didn't believe you so I did go and price it out as best I could to match the Mini's specs. Certainly starts to get close to $1,000. Vista is standard and its costs another $100 to get Win 7 unless I'm seriously mistaken.

That's disappointing.

[NohOne1 Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:46PM]

@Stargate199

Optiplex computers are intended as enterprise-level workstations, not consumer-level computing. What you are doing is like comparing a Mac Mini to a Mac Pro. Do you think they would use a Mac Mini in a mission-critical enterprise, or would they use a Mac Pro?

[MRCUR Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:25PM]

@NohOne1 - I'd use whatever is best for the situation. There's nothing wrong with a Mac Mini running in an office. Look at MacMiniColo for instance.

[NohOne1 Posted Dec 10th 2009 6:34PM]

@MRCUR

I didn't say there was anything wrong with running a Mac Mini in an office. But many shops need enterprise level quality, so they are going to use enterprise workstation quality hardware, such as the Optiplex or Mac Pro, not a Mac Mini or a Dell Zino.

For you, the best for the situation may be a Mac Mini, but for some, they want something else.

[Macbeth Posted Dec 11th 2009 8:49AM]

@Stargate199, Gixser

I am calling BS

Mac Mini - $749

# 2.53GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
# 2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x1GB
# 160GB Serial ATA Drive
# SuperDrive 8x (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)

Dell Optiplex 780 - $834

OptiPlex 780 Desktop Base Up to 88 Percent Efficient PSU
Genuine Windows® 7 Professional, with Media, 64-bit, English
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo E7500 with VT (2.93GHz, 3M, 1066MHz FSB)
2GB DDR3 Non-ECC SDRAM,1066MHz, (2 DIMM)
160GB SATA 3.0Gb/s and 8MB DataBurst Cache™
256MB ATI RADEON HD 3470 (2 DP or 1 DP / 1 DVI), Low Profile
16X DVD+/-RW SATA,
Dell USB 2-Button Entry Mouse with Scroll, Black
Dell USB Entry Keyboard
OptiPlex 780 Desktop Up to 88 Percent Efficient Power Supply

I have no idea what you guys are looking at.

[CEJ4 Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:30PM]

Wow, Dell is really on a roll lately! Good job Dell! I never thought I'd see the day when there would be more good news about Dell on this site than Apple.

[MrT Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:31PM]

Holy Hell. What crazy assed foo designed this piece of pity? I've seen better lookin things inside the backend of a horse. Them suckas are gonna pay!

[GingerFox Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:31PM]

@MrT

I admire the dedication to the Mr. T persona

[Macbeth Posted Dec 11th 2009 9:24AM]

@MrT

What were you doing looking inside a horses ass?

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:32PM]

Dell has been selling USFF Optiplex's for years - this is just the polished up, new-for-2009 version. Cmon engadget

[glamajamma Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:33PM]

Why doesn't Engadget gallery work in Chrome?

[NohOne1 Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:53PM]

@glamajamma

There are many bugs with all the browsers here on Enadget. When I tried to report some of them, I was first told to use FF or Safari (because Safari is ACID3 compliant, so that fixes all problems - and if you do see problems, you are just imagining the problem). Then I was banned for dissent.

Since Chrome uses WebKit (the same as the all powerful Safari), you are not really having problems - or it is a problem with your computer, probably that evil, evil Windows.

[(Unverified) Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:56PM]

@NohOne1 works here...

[Blacknimbus Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:59PM]

@glamajamma

Because Chrome is a terrible browser?

[glamajamma Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:19PM]

@glamajamma
To be specific, I can open the gallery I just cannot switch between images within the gallery. I have to exit out and click a new image from the blog post.

[Johanu Posted Dec 10th 2009 6:07PM]

@glamajamma Working here on Chrome Dev fourpointwhatever version..

[gadgetfanboy Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:35PM]

Dell has had this USFF form factor for years!

The only thing I see that's different about this one is that the PSU is integrated, the older ones had an external power brick.

Still, they've had these for years and have always called them Ultra Small Form Factor. Sheesh.

[Boyo Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:41PM]

Marketing just called...

yeah what'd they have to say?

They said they more we make these look like Mac the more they sell.

Get the Aluminum Mesh.

[MrBjorn Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:43PM]

ugggh, this was an ugly MF ... cant they even consider hire a designer Dell ...???

[brockorr Posted Dec 11th 2009 1:46AM]

@MrBjorn I respectfully disagree.

[psmeraldi Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:44PM]

Speaking about very small computers, I have found on the web Alix embedded pc (http://www.pcengines.ch/index.htm) They are useful if you plan to use them as router or similar tasks. They consume very little.

I also suggest Zeroshell (http://www.zeroshell.net/eng/) as a Linux distribution for router and the like.

Paolo
www.paolosmeraldi.com

[Parias Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:46PM]

You call that small!?

http://www.dell.com/us/en/business/desktops/desktop-optiplex-160/pd.aspx?refid=desktop-optiplex-160&s=bsd&cs=04

[writeinC Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:48PM]

What's with Dell and putting USB ports upside down? It's really irritating!

[EGOvoruhk Posted Dec 10th 2009 7:05PM]

It's sideways

[writeinC Posted Dec 10th 2009 10:19PM]

@EGOvoruhk
Yes, if placed upright, but when placed in the desktop position, the USB port is upside down. Even in the upright position, the top of the USB cable (or other peripheral) will be facing away from the user.

It's just that almost all dell PCs I've used tend to have the USB ports upside down.

[Macbeth Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:53PM]

I want to rip one apart just to see what the insides look like.

[skaterdude Posted Dec 10th 2009 4:54PM]

hey we're smart! lets put the stickers over the vent!

[SFgadgetman Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:12PM]

Boy those tacky MS and Intel stickers are really an eyesore.

[Dking7 Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:17PM]

@SFgadgetman that is for size comparison...........

[Michael Pollard Posted Dec 10th 2009 8:27PM]

@Dking7

Couldn't they just use the DVD drive, USB ports, or monitor for size comparison?

[Karate Tortoise Posted Dec 10th 2009 10:33PM]

@SFgadgetman

have you not seen a brand new hp recently? They litter those things with stickers.

[franktronic Posted Dec 10th 2009 5:15PM]

SFF PCs have enjoyed huge success in the business/enterprise market. I'm not sure there's any reason to market them to the consumer sector though. Like so many other "business" products that get covered on Engadget, the purpose is often misunderstood my most readers. I'm not saying this is or isn't targeted for business customers but it certainly makes a lot of sense in that context. Businesses seldom upgrade existing PCs with more than a RAM boost so the smaller the better. Having an integrated power supply would be a terrible idea since it would be one more non-standard item to manage/order/inevitably run out of in a corporate environment.