Dell Studio Hybrid - €199.97 - PC World

AlmightyCushion

As the title says. It's got a T3200 processor, I think it has 3GBs ram and a 250GB hard drive but I'm not too sure about the ram and hard drive. The graphics are pretty weak, it's using an intel 965 chipset but I've been testing it and it seems to handle HD content quite well. I had a terminator salvation 1080p mkv trailer looping for a few hours and I checked in on it every so often. I didn't notice any skipping or dropped frames.

Connections wise it's quite good with a HDMI, DVI and an optical output. This thing will make a pretty sweet HTPC. The fan isn't that loud either which is nice. The worst thing is that it comes with a wired keyboard and mouse. A wireless set would be savage especially if it was one of the ones with the touchpad built into the keyboard. It doesn't come with a monitor either.

Basq

Missed this when I was in there today. Might to pick one of these up tomorrow.

Many left in Sligo store?

Alanstrainor

That's a good deal right there.

Raiser

Thanks OP - People - Please post on availability if you see these in your local PC World so folks can take advantage?

- Am Limerick

AlmightyCushion

Sligo has about 5 or 6. Naas has about 3 if I remember correctly. I can't remember what other stores had them.

lindtee

Ok, so I'm just a girl, can anyone tell me what exactly this is? Would be interested in something that my son could play World of Warcraft on-instead of stealing my laptop all the time(:mad:) Would whatever this is be suitable?:o:o

ozt9vdujny3srf

his wouldn't be suitable for any kind of gaming going by the OP's description, because teh graphics chip isn't really up to it.

lindtee

Aminah Scary Neighbor wrote: »

his wouldn't be suitable for any kind of gaming going by the OP's description, because teh graphics chip isn't really up to it.

Thanks:):)

Wertz

Is this running vista?
What sort of comeback have you for a cut-price upgrade to W7 since we're so close to the launch date?

center15

Wertz wrote: »

Is this running vista?
What sort of comeback have you for a cut-price upgrade to W7 since we're so close to the launch date?

Reason there's so many cheap PC's around at the moment is they've been in stock before the windows 7 upgrade deal so they won't include 7.

Prenderb

Aminah Scary Neighbor wrote: »

his wouldn't be suitable for any kind of gaming going by the OP's description, because teh graphics chip isn't really up to it.

Surely you could pick up a decent graphics card for this pc, and it would still be good value?

center15

Prenderb wrote: »

Surely you could pick up a decent graphics card for this pc, and it would still be good value?

Because of its small size it's not possible to upgrade the gfx.

inforfun

Prenderb wrote: »

Surely you could pick up a decent graphics card for this pc, and it would still be good value?

Just look at the pic, take the size of a cd/dvd in mind and you ll see it will be impossible to upgrade any parts because there is just no space for it.
This is just what i am thinking, not based on experience with or knowledge of the "pc"

Prenderb

inforfun wrote: »

Just look at the pic, take the size of a cd/dvd in mind and you ll see it will be impossible to upgrade any parts because there is just no space for it.
This is just what i am thinking, not based on experience with or knowledge of the "pc"

Actually, yeah, that makes sense.... :sheepish:

Basq

Probably take a nip up to PC World about 12 to pick up one or two of these.

noodler

Anyone any diea how to get the complete specs for this? I have a fairly adaptable TV/monitor so for 200 wouldn't mind to give it a go.

far2gud

Was just in Carrickmines, yer man in the shop had never even heard of them. No sign on the shelves either

center15

They did have them in Cork but sold out now.

CombatCow

Only sligo, navan, and dundalk have them.

Would somebody pick one up for me, i'll pay for shipping and throw a few bob to yah too :P


CC

wiseolsham

center15 wrote: »

They did have them in Cork but sold out now.

FFS! Well, saves me a trip anyway

Basq

Cheers AC. Picked up 2 in Sligo after opening this morning. Was probably about 4 or 5 left.

Absolute steal to be honest!

Comes with Vista Home by the way.

Wertz

Just picked one up in Dundalk. About four boxes left that I could see...sales guy did a double take at the price and told me that this will qualify for the W7 upgrade when it launches.
According to the dell site any machine of theirs bought after 1st July 09 qualifies, so that makes it even more of a bargain...

AlmightyCushion

center15 wrote: »

Reason there's so many cheap PC's around at the moment is they've been in stock before the windows 7 upgrade deal so they won't include 7.

The windows 7 upgrade is applicable to all computers running vista home premium or higher bought after June 27th. This is running vista home premium so it should be fine for the upgrade regardless of when it was manufactured.

As for the upgradability of this machine. Ram and hard drive are relatively easy to upgrade. The processor should be aswell but I've found very little info about what processors will work with this. Graphics card is a definite no. Some of the higher end versions came with a wireless card built in so I imagine that can be added in but I haven't gotten around to opening mine up yet. I doubt I'd need wireless on mine but if I could get the card cheap I'd probably do it just because I can.

AlmightyCushion

Actually dell will probably use the service tag to determine whether it will be eligible for the upgrade. Even though this should (given the purchase date), dell might just go with the manufacturing date. I'll look into it.

Edit: When you try to register at https://win7.dell.com/ it gives you an error when you input your service tag (at least it did with mine). It says to contact customer services but I can't find an email address on their site. I did find a form for emailing customer services but they wanted an order number which obviously we don't have. I couldn't be arsed ringing them either.

davork

So we were told when I wandered there with the kids an hour ago..

Kotek Besar

AlmightyCushion wrote: »

Edit: When you try to register at https://win7.dell.com/ it gives you an error when you input your service tag (at least it did with mine).

According to this page, only the Dell Studio Hybrid 140G is eligible for the Windows 7 upgrade. Is this a 140G?

AdrianII

got one from Sligo, happy days, that is gonna be my media box, fed up with the apple tv i have.

AlmightyCushion

benifa wrote: »

According to this page, only the Dell Studio Hybrid 140G is eligible for the Windows 7 upgrade. Is this a 140G?

One of the software disks in the box says it's for studio hybrid 140g.

Kotek Besar

Can you see 140G printed anywhere on the unit itself, maybe on the back?

AlmightyCushion

Nope. Nothing about 140g on the box either.

Kotek Besar

That's weird. No model number at all, no? It's just that, the software discs maybe for the 140G, but also for other models, iyswim.

Strange there's no model number on the unit itself.

AlmightyCushion

benifa wrote: »

That's weird. No model number at all, no? It's just that, the software discs maybe for the 140G, but also for other models, iyswim.

Strange there's no model number on the unit itself.

Well from what I've seen the studios have a 4 digit numerical model number. This is Dell studio hybrid 4037. There is one on the pcworld website with 6222 (that one is eligible for the upgrade according to the pc world site). I think the 140g is just a model number for all of these different ones similar to how the Inspiron 1545 is the model number for a tonne of different inspirons with different configurations.

CombatCow

Anyone in sligo or dundalk care to pick one up for me

CC

Sherifu

I'd like to hear how these work out AC/Basq.

AlmightyCushion

Sherifu wrote: »

I'd like to hear how these work out AC/Basq.

What do you mean by work out? Anything imparticular you'd like to know that I can check out.

Sherifu

HD playback and upgradability mainly. Oh and if you manage to get the windows 7 free upgrade or not. Thanks.

Basq

benifa wrote:

Strange there's no model number on the unit itself.

Mine had 140g on the unit... hold me, let me get a photo..

EDIT: Can't even connect mine up.. my monitor has one VGA (used by Xbox 360) and one DVI connection (used by Mac Mini). So I've to look into a DVI switch or something like that.

Wertz

Studio Hybrid 140g is emblazoned on the back of the unit near the service tag sticker.
I too have tried validating the service tag and got an error...says to contact CS with a store receipt...according to the box shipping label PC world have had this batch since about last christmas, so I can see why it mightn't be on the Dell database.

Sherifu

basquille wrote: »

hold me, let me get a photo..

*double take*

AlmightyCushion

Sherifu wrote: »

HD playback and upgradability mainly. Oh and if you manage to get the windows 7 free upgrade or not. Thanks.

Like I said above HD playback seems to be fine. I had that 1080p trailer looping for a few hours on media player classic and I didn't notice any dropped frames or anything.

If you take off one screw it removes the plastic cover. Removing another screw seems to get you into the computer itself then. I can't get any forther than that though as I don't have the right sized screwdriver. From what I've seen the ram and hard drive are meant to be a bit tricky to upgrade but if you're comfortable with opening pcs you should be ok. Processor will be tricky I'd say and I can't seem to find a compatibility chart for this.

AlmightyCushion

Only seen the 140g now. Stupid dark grey text on black plastic.

Basq

Photo (not great picture quality) but you should be able to make out 140g.



Astounding range of connections on this (as you can see in the photo) - HDMI, DVI, FireWire, Optical etc.

coldfire1x

Anyone knows if ths available in Liffey Valley??

Basq

Be very interested in what's the story with the WIndows 7 upgrade alright.

If you find out more, do let me know AC.

AlmightyCushion

basquille wrote: »

Be very interested in what's the story with the WIndows 7 upgrade alright.

If you find out more, do let me know AC.

I've had no luck with registering it on their site. I assume that's because the shipping date is well before the date for eligibility. Calling dell to confirm receipt details and things like that would probably work but I really couldn't be arsed doing that now. Might try it another day though.

Wertz

basquille wrote: »

Photo (not great picture quality) but you should be able to make out 140g.



Astounding range of connections on this (as you can see in the photo) - HDMI, DVI, FireWire, Optical etc.

Maybe you should have bought a new camera instead

Yeah the connections are what sold it for me...the only thing I'd like to have seen is a coaxial SP/dif instead of the optical (for purely selfish reasons and lack of available optical ports on amp)...was about to buy a media HDD the other week for not much less, so this works out better, even if the OS upgrade doesn't work out...

coldfire1x

coldfire1x wrote: »

Anyone knows if ths available in Liffey Valley??

Just called, none available

AlmightyCushion

Wertz wrote: »

Maybe you should have bought a new camera instead

Yeah the connections are what sold it for me...the only thing I'd like to have seen is a coaxial SP/dif instead of the optical (for purely selfish reasons and lack of available optical ports on amp)...was about to buy a media HDD the other week for not much less, so this works out better, even if the OS upgrade doesn't work out...

A coax would be nice simply because I can't find my optical cable. So I can use this connected up to my 24" monitor but I have to lip read which really sucks for music.

Wertz

3.5mm audio jack up front until you get a cable sorted.

Basq

Hooked up the brothers one while I've to find a DVI Switch (not cheap) for mine.

Appears to only have 2GB's of RAM.. still enough for me. No wireless unfortunately but bought a D-Link wireless dongle on Ebay for a tenner recently so that'll do.

viking

Got the last one in Navan