Dell unveils ultra-small OptiPlex desktop PC

 

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By Alun Williams

Posted on 25 Oct 2002 at 17:53

The ultra-small machine is described by Dell as 'the smallest and most flexible desktop computer' in the company's history. It does away with 'unnecessary' PCI slots completely and integrates many components onto the motherboard.

The machine measures 247mm x 84.7mm x 242mm (HxWxD) and weighs 3.5kg.

The small size is described as a feat of engineering by David Schwarzbach, Dell's Product Marketing Strategist for the OptiPlex: 'We've raised the bar on providing a small form factor'. He emphasised that performance has not been compromised by its size - the SX260 should deliver GX260 performance (the mainstream OptiPlex offering).

Places requiring 'stability, manageability, serviceability and reliability' will benefit from the SX260 said Pierre Vigna, Dell's Director of Desktops EMEA, previewing the new mnodel earlier this month.

Example environments for the SX260 include banks, shops, post offices and corporate cubicles - generally the 'managed PC' market.

With the 802.11b wireless capabilities of the SX260, Dell is also emphasising its role in quickly setting up networks - relevant, perhaps, to on-site developers and those in the construction industry.

Wherever possible - to help with the shrinking process - components are integrated onto the system board. For example, on-board audio and graphics functionality are sufficient for most purposes.

Deeming that most PCI slots are never used, Dell's line is that their absence can only reduce system complexity and improve IT management control. With users not introducing add-in boards and the drivers needed to support them, system administration becomes more straightforward...

The spec for the new OptiPlex is as follows. It runs on a 2.4GHz Pentium 4 (running on an Intel 845G motherboard) with a 533MHz FSB with 512Kb of cache, up to 1GB of DDR SDRAM. Celeron-based machines are optionally available, up to 2.0GHz. As mentioned, there are integrated Intel Extreme Graphics and audio capabilities. Finally, the system has six USB 2.0 ports. It runs Windows XP or 2000.

The systems should be generally available by mid-November. Pricing starts from £629 (including VAT).

A neat development is the modular nature of the product. The power supply, hard drive and optical drives can all be replaced without opening the chassis and are also hot-pluggable with Dell Latitude notebooks.

Various mounting options make it a flexible 'telephone directory-sized' beast, given its manoeuvrable 15in LCD panel.

You can find more OptiPlex info on the Dell Web site.

Compare and contrast with the IBM Net Vista S42 launched at the beginning of October.