Dell recently announced the release of the Studio Hybrid PC, a small form-factor computer that industry analysts describe as a competitor to the Apple Mac Mini.
The Studio Hybrid is priced starting at $499. At that price level, the computer includes an Intel Pentium Dual-Core T2390 CPU running at 1.86GHz (533MHz FSB, 1MB Cache), Windows Vista Home Basic SP1 operating system, 8x slot-loading dual-layer CD/DVD burner, 1 GB of DDR2 memory (667 MHz), a 5400-rpm 160GB SATA hard drive, Intel GMA x3100 video card, stereo audio with 5.1 channel digital output, and a 1-year in-home service warranty.
Upgrade options include faster CPUs (up to 2.6 GHz Core 2 Duo), Vista Ultimate operating system, up to 4GB of RAM, a 6x slot-loading Blu-ray disc drive (DVD+/-RW and BD-ROM), Sound Blaster Audigy HD, a TV tuner, wireless-N networking, and more.
The system is offered in 7 colors: Slate, Emerald, Quartz, Ruby, Topaz, Sapphire, and Bamboo.
For those of you who are curious, here's how the Mac Mini and Studio Hybrid stack up to each other:
| Feature/Specification
| Apple Mac Mini | Dell Studio Hybrid |
| CPU | 1.83 GHz Core
2 Duo | 1.86 GHz Core 2 Duo |
| RAM | 1GB 667MHz DDR2 | 1GB 667MHz DDR2 |
| Hard
Disk Drive | 80GB Serial ATA Drive | 160GB Serial ATA Drive |
| Video | Intel GMA 950 | Intel GMA X3100 |
| Optical Drive | Slot-loading CD/DVD-ROM, reads DVDs at 8x, writes CD-Rs at 24x | Slot-loading CD/DVD, writes DVDs at 8x, writes CDs, reads CDs and DVDs |
| USB Ports | 4 USB 2.0 | 3 USB 2.0 |
| Network Interface | 10/100/1000 Base-T | 10/100/1000 Base-T |
| Video Connectors | DVI/VGA | DVI/VGA |
| FireWire | 1 FireWire 400 Port | 1 FireWire 400 Port |
| Size | 5.08cm x 16.51cm x 16.51cm | 19.65cm x 7.15cm x 21.15cm |
| Audio
Ports | Combined digital audio in/out ports | Analog
Audio Jack Digital Audio S/P DIF Out |
| Wireless Networking | Built-in 54-Mbps 802.11g | (optional) Built-in Draft-N |
| Remote
control | included | optional |
| Price | $599 | $499 |
For $100 less than the Mac Mini, Dell provides a system which offers a slightly faster CPU, larger hard disk, faster video card, DVD burner (versus DVD-ROM), HDMI video output, and color choices for the case.
Speaking in "green" terms, both systems meet Energy Star requirements. The Dell Studio Hybrid meets Energy Star 4.0 standards with an 87% efficient power supply (Apple doesn't publish similar specifications on its web site). The Studio Hybrid is packed in 95% recyclable materials, and comes with a system-recycling kit so that the unit itself can be recycled when no longer viable.
The Dell system includes an in-home warranty repair service, whereas the Mac Mini requires the unit to be returned to Apple or an Apple Store for service.
All things considered, the Dell
Studio Hybrid is a worthy competitor to Apple's Mac Mini.
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