Dell introduces world's first fully functional mini PC

Dell presented its "world's first fully functional" mini PC, the Optiplex 780 USFF.

 The Optiplex 780 USFF has “ultra-small form-factor" that measures just 24 x 24 x 6.5cm. It’s actually bigger than Mac Mini, Apple’s product. However Dell claims its 870 USFF has power brick inside the chassis.

 New mini PC also utilizes desktop components with the exception of the optional Wi-Fi card and the storage, which is a 2.5in form-factor part: a 250GB HDD, 160GB fully encrypted HDD or 64GB SSD.

 Dell plans to speeded up 780 USFF with single- an dual-core Celeron, Pentium and Core 2 processors, all of which connect to the machine's Q45 chipset. Graphics are handled by the integrated GMA 4500 engine.

 There's also room in the casing for an optical drive.

 As the company announces, its new product’s on-board 180W PSU has a 90% efficiency rating. The 780 USFF's cooling system is well able to handle the heat the PSU generates in addition to what comes off the other components.

 Dell will supply the 780 USFF with a variety of optional mounts for connecting the machine to the rear of monitors and the underside of desks.

 Dell announced Thursday it upgraded its Optiplex 3 series, introducing the 380 range to replace the existing 360 set of machines. The new models use Intel's G41 chipset, allowing them to be specded with a choice of CPUs running from Celeron up to Core 2 Quad.

The Dell Optiplex 780 USFF can be ordered today at prices starting at £479/€569. Optiplex 380 prices start at £359/€399 for the desktop, £289/€329 for the minitower and £369/€419 for the SFF model.