A Step in an Interesting Direction: Dell's Studio Hybrid Line-up

It’s been a pretty busy week for Dell – word is that they’re creating a new iPod killer.  And this fact might’ve slightly overshadowed a more immediate occurrence – the arrival of Dell’s new desktops: Dell’s family-friendly Inspiron 518 and its stylish Studio Hybrid.  I think that the Studio Hybrid is an excellent device to show off in your living room (as opposed to a clunky typical-looking computer).  And, the importance placed on form-factor is noted – a leaf taken out of Apple’s book, perhaps?

With computer makers stepping the form-factor up, I think that this can only be a positive for the integration of computers into living rooms – something that I thought would have happened a lot sooner.  It started with PS3′s and Xbox 360′s being “media centres”, but Dell steps it up by connecting an actual PC to the TV.  However, I’m certain that I missed something – where is the TV tuner card?  Without it, the Dell Studio Hybrid certainly misses one major convenience – the ability to schedule and record TV shows onto your computer.  Asides from that, I can see few appealing reasons to house a computer in the living room.

Starting at $499 USD and $529 CDN (reasonable dollar matching, I suppose), the Dell Studio Hybrid is an affordable and interesting product.  It’s extensible, but only through Dell – after all, you’re taking a huge risk if you’re going to personally try fitting something in such a tiny and unique machine.  And although I don’t guarantee its commercial success, I’m certain that it’s a step in an interesting direction.

Press Release: http://www1.ca.dell.com/content/topic…&s=corp