A "Hybrid" Computer?

[boulder_bum]

So I caught wind of this, the other day. It's called the "Dell Studio Hybrid".



Sounds pretty cool! I've been considering getting rid of my current desktop for something more energy efficient, and from what I read, laptops are the most efficient computers if you really care about energy usage. The problem is that I want this as a permanent fixture apart from my laptop (one I can have a TV tuner and a bunch of USB devices and have it tucked into a nook in my computer desk).

I always thought it would be great to have a desktop made with the more efficient/expensive laptop parts and, well, I guess this is it.

70% lower energy consumption than the average PC, reduced pacakaging and all from a company that apparently declares itself carbon neutral now.

The main drawback is a wimpy graphics card (can't play 3D PC games) and any expandibility is through USB: there's not even a second hard drive bay, card slots or anything.

Really, I think that works okay for my needs, so I'm considering getting one eventually.

What does everyone think?

Also, I've heard the Mac Mini is similar. I have a question for the Mac people, though. Let's say I had a USB TV Tuner plugged into a Mac Mini that dual-booted OSX and Windows. Would I run into any problems when running OSX if the USB device only had Windows drivers (I wouldn't expect it to work, I just wouldn't want the OS barking at me about the incompatible device every time I started up).

[Jonnycat26]

Originally Posted by boulder_bum

What does everyone think?

Skip it.

Like you said, the video card is pretty wimpy. I'd point out the HP Slimline as an alternative. It's slightly bigger, but it has an available PCI slot and NVidia graphics (Plus an Athlon 64 X2).




Link: Buy the HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f Desktop Computer and other Desktop computers at circuitcity.com

[eagle33199]

Originally Posted by boulder_bum

Also, I've heard the Mac Mini is similar. I have a question for the Mac people, though. Let's say I had a USB TV Tuner plugged into a Mac Mini that dual-booted OSX and Windows. Would I run into any problems when running OSX if the USB device only had Windows drivers (I wouldn't expect it to work, I just wouldn't want the OS barking at me about the incompatible device every time I started up).

A Mac Mini is damn small... as for problems, i don't really know - i don't think i've ever plugged anything into my Mac that didn't just work. I'll try a few things when i get home tonight - I have an old web cam that i can probably try it with somewhere... It's so old, I can hardly even get it working with XP anymore :-p

[zugzugg]

You can get these refurbed from ubid at a very cheap price. I bought one for $283 and am using it right now. I love it.

It's not as small as the mini. About 4 times larger than the mac mini. But it's still smaller than your average tower, atleast by 50%.

Originally Posted by Jonnycat26

Skip it.

Like you said, the video card is pretty wimpy. I'd point out the HP Slimline as an alternative. It's slightly bigger, but it has an available PCI slot and NVidia graphics (Plus an Athlon 64 X2).




Link: Buy the HP Pavilion Slimline s3500f Desktop Computer and other Desktop computers at circuitcity.com

[boulder_bum]

Originally Posted by Jonnycat26

Skip it.

Like you said, the video card is pretty wimpy. I'd point out the HP Slimline as an alternative. It's slightly bigger, but it has an available PCI slot and NVidia graphics (Plus an Athlon 64 X2).

Yeah, but the HP Slimline doesn't emphasize power savings as much. I'm not sure how, in practice, the Slimline compares to the Studio Hybrid in terms of energy usage, but I know the Studio Hybrid is made of laptop parts and has a 65w power supply vs. the Slimline's 160-180w power supply!

The Studio Hybrid's power supply is apparently 89% efficient, also, which is ridiculously good (I have an "EarthWatts" PS that is about 83% efficient)!

Eagle, definately tell me the results! I'd love to have an Apple/Windows dual-boot system, but I'd be worried about leaving Windows-only components attached to it all the time.

[RonH]

pfft! I use to work on a real hybrid computer: univac 1108 mainframe and 6 DOF DE solver (analog computer). We're talking floor space.

[Jonnycat26]

Originally Posted by boulder_bum

Yeah, but the HP Slimline doesn't emphasize power savings as much. I'm not sure how, in practice, the Slimline compares to the Studio Hybrid in terms of energy usage, but I know the Studio Hybrid is made of laptop parts and has a 65w power supply vs. the Slimline's 160-180w power supply!

I think you'll find that the HP's Athlon 64 + NVidia combination draws about as much power as the Studio Hybrid's setup. The benefit to the HP solution is, you've got additional power to hook up external devices should you desire to do so.

[boulder_bum]

Originally Posted by Jonnycat26

I think you'll find that the HP's Athlon 64 + NVidia combination draws about as much power as the Studio Hybrid's setup. The benefit to the HP solution is, you've got additional power to hook up external devices should you desire to do so.

I don't know, man. The Slimline series doesn't even have an energy star rating (like the Studio Hybrid or HP's a6560t line) which at the very least suggests that they didn't go out of their way to give an 80+ power supply.

HP markets the Slimline series as small, not energy efficient, though I am curious to see the stats.

[boulder_bum]

Originally Posted by RonH

pfft! I use to work on a real hybrid computer: univac 1108 mainframe and 6 DOF DE solver (analog computer). We're talking floor space.

And by "hybrid" I assume you mean gets half of it's power from electricity and half from a large diesel engine?

[mingoglia]

Originally Posted by boulder_bum

And by "hybrid" I assume you mean gets half of it's power from electricity and half from a large diesel engine?

LOL!