Features
- Core 2 Duo processor (Extreme, or Quad optional)
- Intel X38 Express chipset
- 2GB of DDR2 800MHz RAM (upradable to 8GB)
- Integrated S-Video/Composite input and output ports
- Integrated 3"x2" LCD display
- Dedicated media decoding chip
- Adobe Photoshop Elements 6, Adobe Premier Elements, Soundbooth CS3
- Vista Home Premium
- Two 320GB 7200RPM hard drives in Raid 1 configuration
- Integrated Bluetooth and optional Bluetooth headphones
- Wireless A/B/G/N adapter
- Optional 2x Blu-Ray drive recorder ($350)
- Optional LCD remote control ($70)
The LCD screen is built into the chassis and runs off of Vista's SideShow technology. What this means is that you can interact with the computer while it's in sleep mode using a variety of widgets to access information such as your e-mail or stocks, or control the media player. New gadgets can be downloaded from Microsoft's website.
Dell is calling their media decoding chip the Dell Xcelerator. Marketing names aside, the decoding chip offloads video processing from the processor which decreases conversion times and speeds up overall performance. The chip doesn't get activated automatically with any decoding process, but instead has to be manually initialized using the bundled software. For people doing real-time transcoding to their Xbox 360's or PS3's the extra chip won't be a benefit with the current software.
