Now that Dell's Studio Hybrid has gone on sale for the adoring public, you're probably trying to talk yourself into buying one. Not so fast, buckaroo. According to a review just posted by PC Magazine, this mini PC is probably only right for a certain sect of folks. On the upside, the unit arrives practically devoid of bloatware, which is astonishing and wonderful in its own right. Still, the Penryn T8100 CPU jammed within wasn't a top performer, so those looking for lighting fast performance will likely be disappointed. Furthermore, the lack of expansion options and weak integrated graphics were also frowned upon, but we wouldn't expect anything different given the design. In the end, critics deemed it a great buy for style-conscience consumers, but it couldn't help but mention that there "are more-powerful and more-expandable choices out there if you're less concerned about design."

Well, what do you know? Those rumored specifications for ASUS' not-secret-at-all Eee Box were spot on. The outfit has just now gotten around to getting official with said mini PC, which checks in with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, 1GB of DDR2 RAM, an 80GB hard drive, multicard reader, 802.11n WiFi and gigabit Ethernet. As predicted, you'll find Windows XP Home running the show, and ASUS is spicing things up by tossing its newly unveiled Express Gate fast boot technology on here too. There's nary a mention of a price or release date, but that's pretty much par for the course with this company.

It looks like ultraportable laptops are the new generic PMPs, and we couldn't be happier about it -- especially if we keep seeing units like the Yinlips Micro PC YDP-G77 here. While the spec list is pretty average -- 7-inch screen, 400MHz CPU (we don't know what kind), WiFi, Linux, 500MB or 1GB flash drive -- what's really getting us is the old-school TI-99 looks. All we need now is a speech synthesizer module and we'll be all set.

[Via MP4 Nation]

Trust us, we've seen a smorgasbord of smallish PCs designed to reside in places humans aren't fond of visiting, and ICI Controls is making no bones about the ruggedness of its latest alternative. The fanless SC240M is a relatively small, completely sealed PC designed for "embedded and industrial applications in wet and dirty environments." Packed within the rough and tough exterior is a 1.2GHz VIA, 1.6GHz Pentium M or 1.6GHz / 2.0GHz Core 2 Duo CPU, up to 2GB of RAM, a 40GB hard drive, WiFi and a slew of ports including Ethernet, four USB 2.0 sockets, audio in / out, RS-232, FireWire and S-Video. Notably, users can customize the innards to their heart's content, but the basic configurations start at $1,695, and you can even add in a backlit sealed keyboard for just $250 more. You know, for your upcoming stay in an underwater hotel, or whatever.

[Via LinuxDevices]

Unfortunately, the wee US110 isn't a full-fledged PC, but it should perform quite nicely as a thin-client machine. Measuring in at just 5.9- x 3.7- x 1.2-inches and weighing 0.77-pounds, this device features a fanless design, 128MB of RAM, 128MB of NAND flash memory, five USB 2.0 ports, a VGA connector, resolution support up to 1,600 x 1,200, gigabit Ethernet, audio in / out and support for RDP5.5 / ICA10.0. Those interested can pick one up at the month's end for around ¥49,000 ($417).

[Via AkihabaraNews]

It's not unusual to find pre-fabricated rigs with game-specific paint jobs here in the US, but Trigem is looking to pique South Korea's interest with its Lineage 2 Dreamsys STWT. The glossy white tower sports some fairly impressive artwork on the front panel, and while your attachment to the game may draw you in, it's the innards that will make or break the deal. Specs wise, you'll find a 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 processor, 2GB of DDR2 RAM, a 320GB SATA hard drive, a DVD burner, 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 7650GS GPU, gigabit Ethernet, a slew of USB 2.0 ports, nine-in-one multicard reader, audio in / out, FireWire, and VGA / DVI outputs to boot. No word on when this gem will be available to fanboys (and gals), but you'll be looking at a ₩1,249,000 ($1,356) pricetag whenever it does.

MSI isn't stopping with a longevous DAP at Computex, as the firm is also taking the opportunity to announce a new desktop and HTPC. The compact Hetis 965 offers your choice of Intel's Core 2 Duo, Core 2 Extreme, or Core 2 Quad processors, handles up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM, touts Intel's GMA X3000 integrated graphics set, and also includes MSI's Specific Linear Fan Speed Control to intelligently vary fan speeds based on current cooling needs. For the AV crowd, the Media Center PC is powered by AMD64 dual-core processors, features AMD's Cool 'n Quiet and AMD Live! technology, and includes a mysterious NVIDIA integrated graphics set, HDMI output, 7.1-channel surround sound, 12-in-1 card reader, built-in DVD optical drive, and a host of USB 2.0 ports as well. Per usual, there's no word on price nor availability at the moment.

[Via 64-Bit-Computers]
Read - MSI Hetis 965
Read - MSI Media Center PC

While Itronix's latest GoBook should handle your workload whilst on the go, Tangent is hoping that you'll look its direction for a rugged PC in your home or underground bunker. Quite frankly, the company claims that its Rugged Mini Fanless machine is "designed to take a beating," which apparently includes the ability to withstand "shock, dust, vibration, humidity, extreme cold and heat, and even electromagnetic interference." Externally, this thing is certainly on the opposite end of sexy, but it's the inside that counts; packed within is your choice of an Intel Celeron M, Core Solo, or Core Duo processor, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics set, up to 120GB of hard drive space, optional external DVD writer, 802.11a/b/g, FireWire, a pair of PS/2 ports, six USB 2.0 connectors, VGA / DVI outputs, audio in / out, and Ethernet. Furthermore, you'll purportedly find "no moving parts" (aside from that HDD spindle, eh?) as its cooled by a passive convection-based system, and you can snag one right now with Windows XP Pro for $1,195.

[Via Gearlog]

Itching for something to match real pretty with your $1,195 Stealth Computer keyboard? If so, the very same company has recently unveiled a miniature PC that costs just marginally more than the 'board itself, but the LPC-450 packs some pretty decent specs into a battle-ready 5.7- x 9.9- x 1.65-inch enclosure. The slightly unattractive case can pack a wide range of Intel's Core 2 Duo processors, up to 1GB of RAM, a DVD writer, between 80GB and 160GB of hard drive space (or an SSD for a serious upcharge), your choice of operating system, Intel's GMA950 integrated graphics set, gigabit Ethernet, and a plethora of ports including audio in / out, VGA out, a trio of USB 2.0 ports, RS232, FireWire, and even a parallel printer port for kickin' it like it's 1995. The case itself is said to be made of "rugged extruded aluminum," and the only fan noise should come from the one keeping the CPU from getting too toasty. Stealth's wee machine can be picked up now for just under $1,400 in the base configuration, but specing it out like you truly desire will push things quite a bit higher.

Ok, so it's not exactly a brand new Micro PC, but an upcoming issue of the UK edition of Stuff reveals that Sony is rolling out a new version of the Vaio UX for the European market. Dubbed the VGN-UX1XN, this new model runs Vista and has a 1.3GHz Intel Core Solo U1500 processor, a 4.5-inch, 1024 x 600 pixel display, 1GB of RAM, a 32GB solid state disk, a Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11g, USB 2.0, Firewire, and CompactFlash and Memory Stick Duo memory card slots. No word on wide-area-networking capabilities, but price is listed as an intimidating £2,000.

We know Epson's engineering team prides itself on cranking out the tiniest, most miniscule products they possibly can, and the company has veered from the printing / scanning world for a bit to unveil its Endeavor ST100 "micro PC." While the Endeavor NA101 did its wee thing on the laptop side, the ST100 packs an Intel Core 2 Duo (T7200, T7400, or T7600) processor, ATi's Radeon Xpress 200M graphics chipset, up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, 40GB to 160GB SATA drive options, and a dual-layer DVD burner. It also sports a ho hum port assortment including VGA, audio in / out, Ethernet, 56k modem, and six USB 2.0 ports with a pair of them being on the front panel. While it doesn't quite undercut the Mac Mini's 6.5- x 6.5- x 2-inch enclosure and 2.9-pound weight, this PC weighs in at just over five pounds while boasting a 7.28- x 7.68- x 2.95-inch package. Those looking for an ultraportable desktop on a budget shouldn't find much to complain about here, as the ST100 starts at just ¥59,850 ($508), but we're sure adding a speedier CPU and gobs of RAM will ratchet that right up.

[Via Akihabara News]

We know you're probably utterly sick of hearing about the UX50, but at this point Sony's probably not going to be able to milk many more stories out of us on the thing -- it's officially available for pre-order on their Sony Style store (or on Amazon -- or Dynamism if you want a Japanese version) for $1,800. Quite a bit of cash for a 1.2GHz, 512MB, 30GB Windows PC, but you know you're not buying this thing for its specs, you're buying it for its dashingly, erm, ok looks and head-turning portability. Not that you need to justify this thing to anyone (but your spouse), so enjoy.

[Via I4U]

We know, we know, it didn't exactly pull the best reviews, still there's something undeniably sexy about Sony's UX Micro PC. If you can live with the lackluster battery life and a keyboard void of tactile feedback, well, wait no more friend for that wee XP fix. Dynamism now has the Japanese version of the 1.06GHz Core Solo UX50 available for import for $1899 -- a full six weeks or so ahead of the mid-July US launch. Sure you could wait it out and nab the domestic version with 1.2GHz Core Solo, US keyboard, and EDGE while saving a Benjamin or more in the process. But go ahead, scratch that itch, we understand the need to bleed on the edge.

[Thanks, Scott J]

It's distinctly clear that whatever the hell's on the bottom of this portable is rather large, possibly keyboard-accommodating, and certainly does not match the shape of Sony's recently released and much-hyped UX50 Micro PC. Dug up from the FCC, it looks like Sony's got two new Vaio tags in the form of the PCG-1J1L and 1K1L, Windows machines with 802.11a/b/g, Bluetooth, and cellular data in US spectrum. That's about all we know for now though, so keep your eyes peeled, we'll let you know.

[Via UMPC News]

Update: Micro PC Talk hooked us up with some very enlightening images of the UX50 that we certainly wish we'd seen before -- this thing definitely looks to be the UX taken from an angle we weren't entirely expecting. Even though its badge states otherwise, the UX50's coming to America folks, so hold on to your wallets.

Even though Sony prematurely created -- then killed -- the UMPC market a couple years back  with their U-series ultramobiles. Many seemed stoked to learn that they're back at their old tricks with their Vaio UX "Micro PC," and none too soon with competition from Samsung, TabletKiosk, and Asus. DWT got their hands on a UX and gave it a thorough once-over; seems like they were quite enamored by the 4.5-inch 1024 x 600 display (that sometimes requires use of zoom keys to actually read that tiny, tiny text), and the Japanese version's IC-card reader for SuiCa. Unfortunately the keyboard is supposedly quite terrible, with "almost no tactile feedback from key presses and typing is a real chore," and the battery life wasn't doing much more than 2 hours, dropping out at 1.5 hours under relatively heavy use. Basically it doesn't sound like they're recommending the UX all that much, but as with any Micro / ultramobile PC, if you really want to pony up the couple of grand to get one you've probably got a very decent reason why.