While it seems that many users are trading in their desktops for powerful laptops, Dell releases a new range of OptiPlex machines, with the OptiPlex 960 sporting a front grill that helps keep everything running cool within. Under the hood it features the latest Intel hardware that is said to be 43% more power efficient compared to the previous generation. Prices for these desktops start at $892 upwards. Some basic specs include an Intel Core 2 Duo 3GHz processor, 1GB RAM, an 80GB hard drive and Intel’s GMA 4500 graphics chipset. Dell is also rolling out a thin-client desktop, the OptiPlex 760 that runs on an Intel Celeron 2GHz processor, for a lower price starting at $630.

Dell just officially announced a new member of the Inspiron Mini family, the Inspiron Mini 12. This is either a 1.3GHz Atom Z520 or 1.6GHz Atom Z530 processor, up to an 80GB drive, 1GB of RAM, Bluetooth / WiFi, Windows Vista Home Basic, Webcam and a 12-inch, 1280 x 800 display. The whole deal weighs just 2.72-pounds and is less than one inch thick. Don’t get too excited just yet. It’s Japan-only for the moment, but late next month it will land in the States with a starting price under $600. At that price with it’s performance, it may just be able to snag sales from the Envy 133 and MacBook Air.

When customizing your PC at Dell, you can now click on a $19 option called “Iron Man movie with bonus content?” Say what? We love Iron Man, but surely it’s full of evil DRM. It’s what Dell’s Global Consumer Group Director is calling Dell’s “slow immersion into content as a major piece of the puzzle in terms of what consumers want from a PC.”

The flick can be had on the Inspiron, Studio, or XPS laptop or desktop, playable on that machine or your choice of Windows Media Extender. Dell will soon offer more movie preloads and eventually a whole iTunes type of download store. The move is a gutsy one and could let them get to customers first, before Apple. Customers getting movies when they purchase their PC should give them an advantage.

If you have ever worked with your laptop on an airplane, bus or in another crowded area you have probably glanced up to see someone nearby looking at whatever you are working on. This may not be a big deal if you are sitting at Starbucks writing, we all know you have to be seen writing to be a writer. However, if you are working on something confidential, nosey people can be a big problem.

Dell has addressed this problem for users of its Latitude E6400 notebook. Dell has announced that it is now offering software with the notebooks that reduces the viewing angles of the screen to keep people from the side from being able to read what is on the screen.

After the success of the Studio Hybrid mini PC, Dell today launched two new entries to the Studio line of desktops. The Studio Desktop and slimmer Studio Slim Desktop. Starting at $549, systems start out with 2.53GHz Core2Duo processors, 2GB of RAM and integrated graphics, but include HDMI out and are ready for Blu-ray. You have to hand it to Dell, at 4 inches tall on its side, a Studio Slim isn’t going to annoy you. You can order one today, but systems are listed as shipping only in early October.

Dell Studio’s 15″ and 17″ laptops have been worked over with Mike Ming’s abstract art, with new designs like “Red Swirl,” “Seaweed,” and “Sunburst,”. They previously released “Bunch O Surfers” and “Sea Sky.” Each piece of artwork is all about the vibrancy of individual colors and brushstrokes. They hope it will make a fashion statement in an otherwise boring world of somewhat plain devices. In other words, your laptop will be louder, colorwise. They are priced from $799 and up, depending on configuration.

Dell is rolling out three new color laser printers for home and office settings to address broader business needs. These new models – the 2135cn, 2130cn and 3130cn – should all be available shortly.

Dell said these new color laser printers are reportedly more energy efficient. Other than that, they are pretty standard printers for their class. Full details after the jump, directly from the mouth of Dell.

Google will be rolling out a new updated version of its hardware appliance. A device that helps companies and government organizations search through office documents on Google while attracting rats and cheese connoisseurs. The latest version of their Google Search Appliance can store up to 10 million documents in one box, with storage hardware from Dell.

Some other features are superior encryption for better security and Google Alerts will notify users when new documents are uploaded onto the network by others in the office. he dvice supports as many as 27 languages, with search results in 40 different languages. It takes up just a small two unit rack space.

Creative has contributed two different types of products – speakers and headphones -to Dell’s “Designed for Dell” program to match accessories from select manufacturers with Dell computers. These two products are the Inspire T10 speakers and EP-610 headphones, priced at around $40 and $24, respectively.

The Inspire T10 speakers are available in a variety of colors to pair with Dell computers. Key features on these include individual tweeters, bass enhancement, magnetic shielding and separate controls for volume and bass. A headphone connection is included as well.

Dell this week unveiled two new Inspiron PCs – one is a desktop for family activities and the other is a laptop geared towards students. The Inspiron 518 desktop prices at around $350 for a basic model, while the Inspiron 13 laptop costs around $700 at Wal-Mart.

Dell had this to say of its two computers, both of which are available now. “The Inspiron 13 laptop is a great choice for back to school shoppers looking for a small, light, highly efficient mobile PC. With a starting weight of just under 5 pounds, the Inspiron 13 combines a simple and clean design encased in glossy Pacific blue with black trim. Smart features include a 13-inch high definition display, capacitive touch media buttons, 8-in-1 media card reader and slot-load DVD drive. Optional features include built-in wireless networking, built-in webcam and Bluetooth connectivity.

Dell, thinking perhaps people have enough interest in its computers to want to accessorize them, teamed up last week with a number of accessories manufacturers to debut its Designed for Dell line up. Seven manufacturers are currently designing Dell products in this new category.

Dell specifically has enlisted the help of Belkin, Built, Creative Labs, Iomega, Logitech, Swiss Gear and Targus. Products being developed include backpacks, messenger cases, computer sleeves, cargo bags, portfolios, headphones, speakers, portable hard drives and mice.

Text chatting with friends and family around the world is a nice way to stay in touch, without racking up huge phone bills doing it. Typing isn’t as enjoyable as talking for most people and if you can actually see your friends or family when talking to them it is even better.

Yesterday Dell announced a new Studio series of notebooks and the notebooks are also bundled with a new video chat application called Dell Video Chat that is powered by SightSpeed. As you might guess from the name the application allows you to talk to people and see their faces as you talk using your Internet connection and a webcam.

Dell today launched the new “Studio” line of laptops following the trend of more consumers who would like a little more style and customization available for their portable computers. Kicking off the Studio laptops Dell launched the Dell Studio 15 and Dell Studio 17, which come with a 15.4″ and 17.1″ display, respectively.

Both notebooks carry the drop hinge and “wedge” shape seen in the XPS laptops from Dell and both come in a range of vibrant and loud colors, capacitve touchpad and multimedia buttons that light-up when pressed, and an optional backlit keyboard. They also have the option of built-in broadband connections through Sprint or Verizon, Blu-ray drive, slot-loading drives and you can even get a mercury-free LED display if you ask. Dell has put some thought to your laptop accessories as well, offering mice, backpacks, sleeves and earbuds that are colored to match.

At the All Things D conference, Gizmodo’s Brian Lam ran into Michael Dell and learned about a new prototype laptop that, until then was all very hush hush. It’s got a bright red candy shell, with the body being similar to an Asus Eee PC.

So those in the market for an Eee PC might want to sit back and wait a bit as it’s about to enter the sub-$500 mini-laptop world. It’s just pics at the moment, but specs will be coming soon. The pics do reveal three USB ports, a card reader, VGA out, and Ethernet.

When it comes to notebooks many users want a notebook that does more than simply work well. They want a notebook that works well and looks good doing it. Teens are especially looking for notebooks that have a sense of style and Dell is trying to deliver that style with its new Mike Ming Designs on the Inspiron 1525.

The same features and options for Inspiron 1525 hide underneath the new art on the top of the notebook case. Mike Ming made two designs exclusively for Dell. One is called “Bunch O Surfers” and the other is called “Sea Sky.” The surfers design is black line art style and the sky design is what you see pictured here.