Dell Studio Hybrid 140G review

Dell's stylish new desktop PC achieves its compact dimensions, which are just 72x212x197mm, by using laptop components.

The Intel Core 2 Duo T5750 processor runs at 2GHz and, along with the 3GB of RAM, produced a respectable score of 2,612 in PCMark Vantage. The integrated Intel GMA X3100 graphics chip isn't quick enough to run our gaming benchmarks, though. We managed only 4.4fps in Call of Duty 4 with the resolution reduced to 1,024x768 and anti-aliasing disabled.

The supplied stand lets you position the Hybrid vertically, or you can split the stand in two to support it horizontally. Cleverly, the illuminated Hybrid logo on the front detects the PCs orientation and rotates to match it. To further enhance its curvaceous good looks, you can choose from a series of coloured shells to match your decor. However, you only get a grey shell in the box, and alternative colours cost £29 including VAT each.

The front panel has everything you'd expect from a compact desktop PC, including an optical drive - in this case, a slot-loading DVD writer. There's also a memory card reader and two USB2 ports. There are a further three USB2 ports on the rear, plus FireWire and Gigabit Ethernet. HDMI and DVI outputs mean that you can easily connect the Studio Hybrid to a HD TV, or use both to drive a pair of monitors.

It comes with a 250GB hard disk, which means there's plenty of space for storing your photos and videos. It also has Draft-N WiFi built-in, with internal antennas to keep everything neat and tidy. The translucent cover extends 25mm past the back of the unit. This helps keep the cables out of sight, making the Hybrid appear neater. There's an external power supply, but it's one of the smallest we've seen, measuring 16x64x165mm.

The Studio Hybrid 140G costs £529 including VAT when specified on Dell's website, although you'd have to add £29 if you wanted the red shell pictured here. You get a basic wired mouse and keyboard for this price, but no monitor. It's more than twice the price of the Atom-powered Asus Eee Box, but the 140G is far more powerful, and can handle tasks such as video editing.

As a desktop PC that uses laptop components, the Dell Studio Hybrid sits somewhere between the two. Compared to most desktops, it's a more compact, attractive and power-efficient computer. However, it lacks the upgrade potential and games-playing abilities of a PC. Similarly specified laptops are available for the same price, but have the benefit of a screen. Despite its pleasing design, it's expensive for what you get.