Dell Studio Hybrid Mini-PC Officially Makes Hippies Smile for $499

Dell's Hybrid mini PC is pretty much their worst kept secret ever (which is kinda sayin' something!) but as of now it can officially adorn the desktop corners of eco- and space-conscious college freshmen or slip into entertainment centers for $499. It's 80 percent smaller than a standard desktop while slurping 70 percent less power, and 95 percent of the packaging is recyclable, plus it comes with a system recycling kit.

This seems like the future of traditional consumer desktops that aren't gaming/performance beasts or servers (since the desktop is otherwise being supplanted by laptops in the consumer space). Definitely a winner from Dell's design department—but let's see how well these sell.

The studio hybrid is about 80 percent smaller than the typical desktop minitower, and uses up to 70 percent less energy. In addition to being extremely energy efficient and Energy Star 4.0 compliant, the Studio Hybrid’s unique packaging was designed to be environmentally responsible:

· Reduced packing materials 30 percent by weight.

· Packing materials are also 95 percent recyclable.

· Reduced printed documentation 75 percent by weight.

· System recycling kit is included.

The Studio Hybrid is available today on www.dell.com/hybrid and will be featured in select retailers later this fall.

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Dell Introduces Their Smallest, Greenest PC Yet

Michael Dell, the king of Dell, just previewed his company's smallest and greenest desktop PC yet at FORTUNE Brainstorm: GREEN. There's no name for this mini green PC, shown rendered above, but it's 81% smaller than a mini tower and 70% less energy-consuming. It's also shipped in recycled and recyclable packaging, and look a whole lot like those cheapo Sun workstations that colleges love(d) to use. As long as this machine is at least as powerful as a laptop (we don't mean an Eee PC), we're all for Dell's enviro-conscious direction.

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ZPC-GX31 - The All In One Keyboard!

This one reminds me of the old Commodore 64 and 128 days when the CPU and all the core functions of the home computer used to be inside the keyboard itself. This one takes up very little desktop space and actually packs quite a punch with its Core 2 Quad processor. Still, it lacts a good 3d card but for that, provides a PCI-Express expansion slot if the need arises. I am not too impressed with the Realtek audio either, but I guess this was not supposed to be an enthusiast machine in the first place. Looks like the way ahead is to go retro!

Technical Specifications:

CPU SUPPORT
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo, Intel® Core™ 2 Quad @ 1066MHz FSB LGA775 up to 95W.
Intel® Pentium® D Processors with Hyper-Threading Technology, Intel® Celeron® D
processor, support from 1.3GHz ~ 3.4GHz 800/533/400MHz System Bus. Supporting
9x, 5x & 6x series processors with EM64.

MOTHERBOARD CORE LOGIC
Intel G31 Express Chipset

MEMORY
2xDDR2 240-pin sockets, up to 4GB. Supports PC2-5300 667MHz 240 PIN DIMMs.

HDD SUPPORT
Integrated Serial ATA controller facilitates high-speed transfers at up to 3Gbps for
each of the four ports. Allows easier hard drive upgrades and expansion for new SATA
optical drives. 2x SATA2 ports.

VIDEO & GRAPHICS
Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 3100. 3D enhancements enable greater flexibility
and scalability and improved realism with support for Microsoft DirectX 9.0c Shader
Model 2.0, OpenGL 1.4. Intel® Graphics also support the highest levels of the
Windows Vista Aero experience. Stunning media, incredible visuals and new 3D
capabilities. For business users, Intel validates the chipset, processor, graphics and
software stack to provide a well-tested platform with support for Microsoft* Windows
Vista, Windows* XP, Linux (top distributions) and OS/2 (SciTech). Dynamic Video
Memory Technology (DVMT) 3.0 supports up to 289MB of Shared Video Memory;
system memory is allocated where it is needed dynamically. Supports built-in
Dual/Multi-Monitor windows displays using LCD monitor & DVI external display.

NETWORKING
1 Gigabit (GbE) Fast Ethernet, using Realtek RTL 8168B/8111C.

REMOVABLE HDD
Optional removable 2.5" hard disk drive.

AUDIO
Realtek High Definition Audio enables premium digital surround sound and delivers
advanced features such as multiple audio streams and jack re-tasking. On-board
AC'97 2.2 compliant 3D audio, SoundBlaster Pro compatible. Two built-in 2.5watt
stereo speakers with three audio jacks for Audio Out, Line-in, and Microphone. Dolby
Digital 5.1 surround sound, delivering six channels of enhanced sound quality.
I/O PORTS 4 USB 2.0 Ports with transfer rate up to 480Mbps, 2 RS-232 Serial Ports, 1 Parallel
Port supporting SPP/EPP/ECP, 1 PS/2 mouse port, 1 POS or PS/2keyboard port, 1
DVI.

TOUCH PAD
Built-in Synaptic two-button touch-pad with vertical and horizontal scroll function.

OPTICAL DRIVE
One slim type Optical Drive, CDRW-DVD, or DVD+/-RW.

EXPANSION SLOTS
One PCI-e
One Mini PCI

SYSTEM BIOS
AMI Flash BIOS supports ACPI, API, DMI, Plug & Play, and security password.
Supports booting from HDD, PXE, LAN, CD-ROM, and ANY USB device.
KEYBOARD Full-Size Enhanced Windows keyboard, detachable keytop matrix.

LED INDICATIORS
On/Off LED, HDD, LAN Active.

HOTKEYS
WWW, Mail, Favorite, Log Off.

POWER SUPPLY
Uses 180Watt AC Adapter. Input: universal 100 ~ 240V AC, 50-60Hz. Output: 19V
DC, 9.48A, Controlled by Dual Mode Power button on the keyboard. Low power sleep
mode saves energy.

BIOS SECURITY
AMI BIOS
System POST and BIOS setup password protection. TCG/TPM version 1.2 support

SECURITY LOCK
Security lock slot located on the back of the system case

DIMENSIONS
18.5"W x 9.0"D x 0.5"H front, 2.5"H rear.

WEIGHT
Unit: 7.4 lbs (3.4kg), Power Adapter: 1.1lbs (0.5kg).

OPERATING ENVIRONMENT
Ambient Temperature: 0°C ~ 50°C (operating).

RELATIVE HUMIDITY
10% ~ 90% (non-condensing)

OPERATING SYSTEM COMPLIANCE
Microsoft Windows Vista/XP/2000, LINUX.

AVAILABLE COLORS
Silver/Black

CERTIFICATIONS
FCC Class A, CE

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Lenovo 3000 K100 57068352 Intel Desktop PC

Lenovo 3000 K100 desktops include the latest technology for an amazing audio visual experience and enhanced game play and game compatibility. Get more detailed 3D effects and performance thanks to Intel GMA 3100 graphics with advanced high-definition video playback capability. Running with the Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 processor, 3GB of PC5300 memory, 500GB SATA II hard drive and a SATA DVDRW. The Intel ICH9R chip boasts a SATA 300 controller and supports RAID 0,1,5, and 10. Plus, it comes with a TV tuner and remote and Microsoft's Windows Vista Home Premium operating system to help you organize and play with all of your multimedia stuff. The Lenovo 3000 K100 57068352 desktop PC with the Intel G33 Express chipset is perfect for the present and ready for the future.

Cutting-edge capabilities
The Lenovo 3000 K100 desktop empowers home/home office users to be more clever, creative, and productive, with new features that allow them to take greater control of their system's power and performance. These include a new Power Dial which allows you to adjust system performance and energy consumption as necessary. 'Turbo' mode for more power when you need it, ideal for 3D games or complex programs. 'Auto' mode to allow the PC to automatically adjust power, ideal when switching between several different programs. 'Cool' mode for low power consumption and a quiet computing experience, ideal when downloading large files.

Trendsetting design
Stylish and progressive, the Lenovo 3000 K100 desktop comes in a sharp, sleek and fashionable sterling silver. A 'Breathing' LED light where the color and brightness seem to 'breathe' or change based on the amount of power being used can be found on the front of this desktop. A toolless design, with buckle design entry, allows customers to easily upgrade graphics, sound, or modem cards. This makes the K100 easy to service, modify, or expand. Finally, a top-side handle makes the system easy to move, and the power button sits on top of the system for convenient access.

Peace of mind built-in
The Lenovo 3000 K100 is a high quality, dependable PC that allows users to focus on their applications rather than on how the computer works. With 'System Rescue', customers are one touch away from recovering their data from external viruses or software crashes. With a 'Front Door' that closes to cover up and protect the conveniently placed ports. No more reaching behind the system to plug in something. With an 'Anti-Bacterial Keyboard' and dust guard, a healthier computing experience has been created.

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Apple claims iMacs are outselling PCs

iMac sales have never been higher then PC sales. In fact the number of iMacs sold worldwide has always been tiny compared to that of the PC.

But now, Apple claims that this is no longer the case. According to Apple, iMac sales are now growing three times as much as PC sales. Granted, the growth rate is based on percentages, and there are far more PCs out there than iMacs. However this result still marks quite a milestone in Apples history.

And Apple appear to be heading for yet another rosy fiscal fourth quarter, with sales of iMacs and iPhones tracking way ahead of expectations. The release of the new desktop just in time for ‘back to school’ buying has definitely helped with this trend, as has the recent spurt of share gains from those who have switched from PC.

This ‘back to school’ buying period is only topped by the usual Christmas rush which is expected to be a good one for Apple this year.

The new iMac is apparently the best all-in-one computer that Apple has ever produced, meaning the monitor and the CPU are already integrated. It is made up of a single piece of aluminum with no screws. The new keyboard is also just one-third of the original size of the previous version. The new iMac line comes in 20- and 24-inch widescreen displays in professional-grade aluminum and glass enclosures and is powered by Intel Core 2 Duo processors and has a built in video camera for video conferencing. The ultra-thin aluminum Apple keyboard is also just 0.33 inches thin at its front edge.

The Apple iMac is available only for $1199.99.

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S3000, A6000 & M8000 Pavilion Slimline by HP

Three new models of desktop PC series have been launched into the market by HP. The three models of the Pavilion Slimline series are s3000, a6000 and m8000. The first one comes with 1GB of RAM, and you can pick either a AMD CPU or an Intel CPU, but for the later you have to pay an extra 50$. If not you can buy it for 500$. The PC can be set with a low graphic card, maybe a TV tuner and a Pocket Media Drive.

You can buy the a6000 at a lower price then the s3000. It’s just 330$ but you would be throwing off some memory because it has only 512 MB of RAM. But the bright side is that it comes with an Intel CPU, a Pocket Media Drive and a graphics card. But the “jewel of the crown” is the m8000. And the price says so to. At 950$ it has a DVD drive and again you can pick between a dual core AMD or Intel processor. All three models have Windows Vista preinstalled.

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High-End Workstation Works Hard, Plays Hard

You can party on your ThinkPad, but you perform serious work on your ThinkStation D10 from lenovo. It is a PC that is primarily intended for game designers, videographers and other high-end users, with powerful components and classy black styling. The D10 runs Windows Vista and has up to 750 gigabytes of hard-drive space. It can also hold up to 64 gigabytes of RAM — an impressive number for even high-end gaming machines — and has a powerful Nvidia Quadro graphics card and an optional Blu-ray disc burner.The D10, starting at about $1,740, is also Energy Star compliant, which means it runs at 80 percent energy efficiency and is cooled by an almost silent internal duct system. Special front and side service latches pop open for easy upgrades, and the built-in ThinkVantage system recovery and security software ensures that data does not go missing.

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