Earlier this month, we discussed how and why Dell was looking beyond the traditional desktop and notebook PC markets.
Indeed, the industry heavyweight is currently prepping an Android-powered mini-PC known as Project Ophelia.
We previously reported that the uber-mini PC would weigh in at around $50, although new details point to a price tag just under $99. However, it still seems as if the device – which measures 3.5-inches long and 1.5-inches wide – remains set to launch in mid-2013.
Additional specs? Integrated Bluetooth, Android Jelly Bean, 8 GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot that supports up to 32 GB of additional storage.
As expected, the unit is designed to plug-in directly into a display or TV, meaning, an HDMI port will likely be sticking out of one end or the other.
The device supports full HD resolution, along with touchscreens. Other hardware features include dual USB ports, allowing you to easily hook up a keyboard and mouse. Opehelia is said to to run both local applications natively, as well as software residing in the cloud.
Meanwhile, PC World reports that Ophelia could potentially help redefine computing.
“It’s a radical rethinking of how best to support end user computing,” Charles King, an analyst at Pund-IT told the publication. It’s not simply a thin client device, he says – “it’s steps beyond that.”
However, King believes Dell could have somewhat of a difficult time marketing project Ophelia. Personally, I don’t think it will be difficult for people to understand what this particular PC-on-a-stick is all about, as similar Android-powered mini PCs have proven to be very popular at very reasonable price points.