Alienware has put out their first small form factor gaming PC, which squeezes in a desktop performance spec into a chassis that’s about as large as a console system. Called the Alienware X51, the compact PC’s frame measures only 3.7 inches wide, but has enough interior space to pack in a spec that includes 2nd Gen Intel Core i processors, and a GeForce (up to GTX 555) graphics card.

While the interior features custom cooling solutions, the components are standard, allowing you to replace the processor, graphics card, hard drive and RAM when you need to. On the outside, the X51 comes with a number of features to make it stand out, including AlienFX System Lighting Technology that allows you to personalize the exterior lighting colors and effects (for up to 8,000 different combinations).

On the software side, it also comes with a new AlienAdrenaline feature that lets you set unique profiles for different games. The feature will let you disable unnecessary programs to free up memory for gaming, let you activate your music player while you play another game, or pull up a walkthrough, guide or wiki page for another. AlienFusion is a power management app that lets you tweak your settings for performance when needed, or for power efficiency when you’re just browsing playing media.

The X51 starts at $699, with a system that runs an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of memory, 1TB hard drive, and GeForce GT 545 graphics, and tops out with a 3.4GHz Core i7, 8GB memory and 1TB drive, and NVIDIA GTX 555 graphics for $1,149.

Lenovo has launched the IdeaCentre Q180, a desktop PC that’s being touted as the “world’s smallest desktop PC.” Exactly how small is it? The chassis measures 155 x 192 x 22mm, giving it the footprint of a paperback book (or a slim DVD player), but if you can’t spare the desktop space, the compact chassis can also be mounted behind the monitor for a clutter-free workspace.

The compact body basically packs in a nettop’s spec based on Intel’s new Cedar Trail platform, running on a dual-core 2.13GHz Atom D2700 processor that only uses 10W of power. The system offers considerably more performance for multimedia though, thanks to a Radeon HD 6450A graphics chip that can handle 3D content and HD movies and support for 7.1-channel audio. The PC also has an HDMI output for hooking up with a home theater system, but only comes with a very basic 500GB, 5400rpm hard drive for storage.

The $349 base configuration includes 2GB of RAM, Wi-fi connectivity, and a USB keyboard and mouse, while an upgraded $399 spec includes 4GB of RAM and a DVD burner (the optical drive matches the chassis design perfectly when stacked together, but doubles the PC’s overall width). For use as a multimedia machine, Lenovo also offers an optional wireless multimedia remote accessory with a keyboard and optical trackpad.

Full specs can be found here (PDF).

Shuttle has unveiled the XPC H7 5820S, a new small form factor PC that stands out thanks to its ability to run up to 16 displays at a time, thanks to a pro-grade graphics card, and a high-end spec that you’d expect to see in a rig twice its size.

Specifically, its talent for driving 16 displays comes from either a Matrox M9100-series graphics card for 2D uses, or NVIDIA’s Quadro cards for 3D applications. The rest of the spec includes an Intel X58 chipset, a quad- or hexa-core Intel Core i7 processor, 8 or 16GB DDR3 RAM, a DVD or Blu-ray drive, and space for two hard drives.  Everything’s installed into Shuttle’s SX58H7 Pro Barebone platform that features eSata and USB ports, a pair of USB 3.0, and 8-channel audio for hooking it up with a surround sound speaker set.

Currently available in Europe, the Shuttle XPC H7 5820S starts at 1,446 euros, or about $2,000.

Apple’s Mac mini desktop systems won’t ever impress power-users that much, since it has to make do with parts that fit into a really small space. But if you’re not really into power, or high-end gaming? This is simply impressive. Apple just introduced the 2011 Mac mini, freshly upgraded to run on Intel’s Core i5 or i7 processors, and either Intel HD Graphics 3000 or an AMD Radeon HD 6630 GPU.

Probably the most amazing thing they did here is fitting the power supply –as well as all the cooling solutions needed – inside what’s already a tight, 7.7-inch square block of aluminum that measures 1.4 inches thick. Thanks to that wonder of engineering, the Mac mini is a very neat kit that doesn’t even need a bulky power brick.

It’s basically a very mobile—or very simple desktop kit that includes Ethernet, Wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity, HDMI, FireWire and USB 2.0 ports, and an SDXC slot at the back. Thunderbolt also makes an appearance on this new Mac, giving it a high-speed connection that’s rated to give 20 times faster than USB 2.0 and up to 12 times faster than FireWire 800, for connecting high-speed drives and the Thunderbolt Display that Apple just launched.

The 2011 Mac mini comes in two configurations, starting at $599 for a system that packs in a 2.3GHz Core i5 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 500GB 5400rpm hard drive, and Intel HD 3000 graphics. The higher-end 2.5GHz Mac mini comes with a 2.5GHz Core i5, 4GB of RAM, and AMD Radeon HD 6630 graphics for $200 more.

Sony just announced an update to their VAIO L Series with a new all-in-one desktop that’s all set to ride the 3D video wave.  This one is highlighted by a 24-inch 3D-capable HD screen with touch support, plus enough muscle to keep all the 3D/HD content running smoothly. The system includes processor options that top out to an Intel Core i7 CPU and up to 8GB RAM, while a TV tuner with DVR functions and an integrated Blu-ray player takes care of your entertainment needs.

The entertainment part isn’t limited to whatever you can squeeze out of the Windows 7 OS though; an HDMI input will let you plug in a PS3 or another HD set-top box, while an HDMI out port will let you plug in a second HD display. The display also houses an HD webcam powered by Sony’s Exmor sensor that promises great low-light performance and features face tracking tech.

The new 3D-capable VAIO L All-in-One PC starts at $1,420, and ships with a wireless keyboard and mouse, plus a pair of active shutter 3D glasses to get you started with the 3D thing.

LG showed off a new all-in-one PC at Computex called the V300 that looks like it was inspired by the iMac. LG took a few more steps forward with the display though, featuring a 23-inch 1080p screen with multitouch input and 3D capabilities when viewed through a pair of passive 3D glasses.

The system runs on Windows 7, which LG added touchscreen apps to so that big touchscreen doesn’t go to waste. The rest of the specs include processor options that top out with Intel’s Core i7 and Radeon HD 6650M graphics, all packed into a frame that measures only 1.76 inches thick, or 65 percent thinner than “other leading models,” according to LG. They didn’t mention exactly who the “leading model” was, but we’re guessing that they’re talking about the iMac here. The slim frame probably explains the choice of fitting a 2.5-inch notebook hard drive that tops out at (only) 750GB. Of course, you can always add more storage with an external drive, but don’t expect top speed with your file transfers with a mobile drive.

No word on pricing yet, but the V300 is set to ship to Korea in July, followed by a launch in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

An ad campaign that pushes you towards buying a new product? The concept’s not that original. But the delivery’s certainly unconventional. Microsoft’s new ad campaign takes its aim at people who usually cling to their old, outdated PCs because… well, they still work. But since hardware and software companies don’t get anything if you don’t buy a new one (except for the satisfaction of delivering a product that lasted that long), they’d like you to check out all the cool new things modern computers bring to the table. In this first ad, they’re targeting “Julie,” who apparently hasn’t seen an iMac before. She never thought of buying a new PC because computers didn’t look like they were getting better. So what did Microsoft do? Oddly enough, instead of just giving this lady a spanking new PC, they set up a damn store inside her living room so they can sell her one. [video after the break]

Now, we have a feeling that this whole thing’s scripted anyway, but in the off-chance that Microsoft actually set up shop in Julie’s house and used the footage to make an ad? It’s a bit weird, to say the least. We just hope the HP Touchsmart all-in-one PC she ended up with was given to her for free. Because if they set up shop in her home and she had to pay for the new PC she never really planned to buy? That would be like having the cast of Queer Eye invade your home, teach you how to button a shirt and moisturize your face, tell you about new hair products, and remodel your bedroom… and then send you a bill for all the hair products they dumped on your head and the new furniture they shipped into your crib. Not cool at all.

She did mention that she was going to “kill” hubby at the end though, so this could be real. Hopefully,
Julie was just joking.

No big media event for this one, so in case you might have missed it, Apple just updated their website to show the new 2011 iMacs. They still basically look the same, but all the major updates happen on the inside, with changes on four areas. All iMac models now feature quad core Intel Core i5 processors, faster AMD Radeon HD graphics, high-speed 10Gbps Thunderbolt ports, and FaceTime HD cams.

Prices start at $1,199, which will net you the base 21.5-inch iMac fitted with a 2.5GHz Core i5 processor (quad-core, of course), 4GBs of memory, a 500GB hard drive, AMD Radeon HD 6750M graphics with 512MB of memory, a FaceTime HD cam that can support a 2560 x 1600 resolution, and a Thunderbolt port. The line tops out at $1,699, for the 27-inch model that rocks a 3.1GHz Core i5 processor, 1TB hard drive, Radeon 69970M graphics with 1GB memory and two Thunderbolt ports.

Upgrade options include a 3.4GHz Core i7 processor, up to 2TB hard drive capacities, a 256GB SSD add-on, and up to 16GB RAM.

All 2011 iMac models are available now from the online Apple Store.

Intel has started shipping their Oak Trail Atom processor earlier this week, so we should start seeing a number of Intel Inside-branded tablets by May. Like the rest of Intel’s Atom processors usually found on netbooks, the new Atom Z670 chip is designed to consume less power, while also emitting less heat, and take up less space compared to older models. It’s around 60 percent smaller, and shouldn’t need active cooling, for fitting into more compact tablet form factors.

Listed to run tablets based on Windows, Android and MeeGo, the Atom Z670 also features a deeper sleep state, which draws less power when the device is inactive to extend standby times. A new graphics core also adds 1080p HD video decoding and support for an HDMI out port.

The Oak Trail Atom chips are expected to make their first appearance under the hood of Asus’ Eee Slider and Samsung’s Sliding PC 7, due out in May.

The new processor also supports Intel’s Hyper-Threading tech, with support for four threads DDR3-667 memory, and packs 1MB of L2 cache. Asus, Lenovo and Samsung are expected to be one of the first companies to put out netbooks that rock the new chip (expected later this month), with demo units currently being displayed at CeBIT.