Computer manufacturing company Dell has unveiled a new desktop PC model which is almost 80 percent smaller in size compared to the average desktop mini- tower. What’s more is that the new desktop is environment-friendly and saves up to 70 percent energy unlike other models.

The new Dell mini desktop is called the Dell Hybrid Studio and runs on Intel’s Core2Duo processor as well as Microsoft’s new OS, the Windows Vista. Computer experts have rated the new mini desktop high in style and basic functionality even as they agree that it is not built to offer a remarkable speed. However the mini desktop is powerful enough to drive DVDs as well as play Web audio and Video. The starting price of the mini PC has been pegged at US$499.

With its latest mini desktop, Dell hopes to take on the MacMini developed by Apple which is evident in the fact that the Studio has a bigger hard drive, larger memory and its standard configuration cost lesser. Dell’s eventual plan seems to make its presence felt in the market of family entertainment computers which is currently dominated by leaders like Hewlett Packard and Sony. The launch of Dell’s mini desktop comes in the wake of its plans to expand the company’s portfolio of both desktops and laptops in the coming months.

-Kalyani Mookherji