DELL HAS ANNOUNCED a new range of compact desktop machines under the Dell Studio Hybrid Desktop moniker.

Dell is marketing the Studio Hybrid based on its green(er) credentials claiming the new systems consume 70 per cent less power than standard desktops, and that 95 per cent of its packaging is recyclable.

The small-form desktops come in a wide range of colours, including grey, red, green, pink, orange, and even a bamboo-effect style.

The back IO plate offers HDMI, DVI, audio, gigabit ethernet, SPDIF, Firewire, and three USB ports. The front of the system has two further USB ports, a headphone jack and an 8-in-1 media card reader.

Optionally, the Hybrid can come specified with in-built Draft-N wireless and Creative Audigy based sound.

When customising the Hybrid we found the minimum entry price for a base system without a monitor was £398.99 and this contained a 2GHzCeleron, 1GB memory, 160GB hard-drive, DVD-RW, and Vista Home Premium.

A more reasonably specified system with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo T7250, 2GB memory, 320GB hard-drive, DVD-RW, and Vista Home Premium was quoted at £564.00.

There are no options to upgrade the hard-drive to a faster 7200rpm model, from the standard 5400rpm disks offered. On-board Intel graphics are the only video option for the Studio Hybrid.

Any colour other than grey is £10 more, where the bamboo effect will cost you an additional £70.

Unless you're a Panda, we'd give this option a miss. µ