Are you tired of a bulky desktop computer taking up precious real estate on your desk? Do you want capable performance for everyday tasks without a towering PC case? The Dell Inspiron Small Desktop could be exactly what you‘re looking for. This ultra-compact Windows 11 PC delivers the essential computing power most users need – all while fitting easily in tight spaces.
Tiny Footprint, Mighty Capabilities
The Inspiron Small Desktop‘s most striking feature is its incredibly compact size. At a mere 11.42 x 3.65 x 12.77 inches, this mini PC has a volume of just 3.6 liters. That‘s over 75% smaller than a typical mid-tower desktop! But don‘t be fooled by its diminutive dimensions.
| Width | Depth | Height | Volume | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Inspiron Small | 11.42" | 3.65" | 12.77" | 3.6L |
| HP EliteDesk 400 G9 Mini | 12.4" | 4.5" | 13.5" | 4.1L |
| Acer Aspire Mini | 11.8" | 3.5" | 12.5" | 3.4L |
| Apple Mac mini | 12.6" | 2.0" | 12.6" | 2.9L |
| Typical Mid-Tower | 23.0" | 10.0" | 18.0" | 18.4L |
Comparison of small form factor desktop sizes
Inside the sleek black chassis, the latest Inspiron Small Desktop packs an impressive array of components:
- 12th Gen Intel Core i5-12400 6-Core Processor (up to 4.4 GHz)
- Intel UHD Graphics 730 integrated GPU
- 12GB DDR4 RAM (upgradeable to 64GB)
- 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD + 1TB 7200 RPM HDD
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) + Bluetooth 5.2 wireless
This hardware provides more than enough muscle for the computing needs of students, families, and professionals. The Inspiron Small can smoothly handle web browsing, HD streaming, MS Office, video calls, and other everyday tasks.
In benchmark tests, the Core i5-12400 trades blows with the best CPUs you‘d typically find in a mini PC:
| Processor | Geekbench 5 Single-Core Score | Geekbench 5 Multi-Core Score |
|---|---|---|
| Intel Core i5-12400 | 1650 | 7350 |
| AMD Ryzen 5 5600G | 1550 | 6800 |
| Intel Core i5-1240P | 1550 | 6650 |
| Apple M1 | 1750 | 7650 |
Geekbench 5 CPU performance scores
The integrated Intel UHD 730 graphics won‘t break any speed records, but they‘re perfectly adequate for streaming 4K video, basic photo/video editing, and casual gaming. In 3DMark Night Raid, the UHD 730 scored 8100 points – 5x higher than the UHD 630 found in previous-gen mini PCs.
Bigger Isn‘t Always Better
So why would you choose a small form factor (SFF) desktop over a standard tower? The main reason is the significant space savings. Whether you‘re working with limited space in a studio apartment, cramped dorm room, or crowded office, every square inch counts.
SFF desktops like the Inspiron Small can tuck away neatly in places a mid-tower simply won‘t fit. It can perch on a bookshelf, slide into a cabinet, or even attach to the back of a monitor with a VESA mount. This frees up valuable desk and floor space.
Another benefit of a smaller PC is it tends to operate more quietly. The Inspiron Small‘s tiny case leaves no room for loud cooling fans. You can work or play in peace without the typical background hum of a larger desktop.
Mini PCs are also generally more energy efficient than their full-size brethren. According to Dell, SFF desktops like the Inspiron Small use 30-65% less energy compared to traditional towers. This saves on your monthly electric bill and helps reduce your carbon footprint.
In addition, compact PCs produce less e-waste over time. HP estimates mini desktops generate 38% less physical waste than standard desktops at the end of their lifecycle. Considering the growing problem of e-waste, this is a notable environmental benefit.
Powered Up and Connected
The Dell Inspiron 3910 may be small, but it doesn‘t compromise on performance or connectivity. As configured, it compares favorably to other leading mini PCs:
| Dell Inspiron 3910 | HP EliteDesk 400 G9 | Lenovo ThinkCentre M75q | Acer Aspire Mini | Apple Mac mini | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | i5-12400 | i5-1240P | Ryzen 5 5600G | i5-1240P | Apple M1 |
| RAM | 12GB | 16GB | 16GB | 16GB | 8GB |
| SSD | 256GB | 512GB | 512GB | 256GB | 256GB |
| HDD | 1TB | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Price | $749 | $999 | $849 | $699 | $899 |
Specs comparison of popular small form factor desktops
On the front panel, you‘ll find convenient ports for headphones, a microphone, an SD card reader, and 2 SuperSpeed USB 10Gbps Type-A slots. Around back, there are 4 more USB-A ports (2 Gen 1, 2 Gen 2), 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 Type-C, 2x HDMI 2.0, 1 DisplayPort 1.4, and Gigabit Ethernet.
This wealth of modern and legacy ports lets you connect a wide variety of peripherals, new and old. The Inspiron Small can drive up to 3 external 4K displays simultaneously – perfect for ultra-productive multitasking.
Wireless connectivity is excellent, with Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) providing speedy, reliable internet access. Bluetooth 5.2 enables seamless pairing with wireless peripherals like keyboards, mice, headsets, and game controllers.
Flexible and Adaptable
Despite its small stature, the Inspiron 3000 offers surprising flexibility. The chassis is easily opened for service or upgrades (a welcome change from many mini PCs). Both SODIMM RAM slots can be accessed to boost the memory up to 64GB.
There‘s also a PCIe 3.0 x4 slot for adding an M.2 SSD to expand high-speed storage. However, the CPU and GPU are not user-replaceable – one of the few trade-offs for this system‘s compact size.
Still, the Inspiron Small can adapt to tackle a variety of scenarios. Its capable performance and space-efficient design make it ideal for:
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Home office workstation – With a small desk footprint and plenty of ports, the Inspiron makes a great WFH setup.
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Family PC – Fits easily in shared spaces and has ample power for homework, browsing, streaming.
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Dorm room desktop – Takes up minimal precious space and can be VESA mounted to a monitor or wall.
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Digital signage – Compact, mountable design is perfect for powering campus maps, event schedules, ads.
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Point-of-sale system – Small enough to hide away at a checkout counter and sufficient I/O for peripherals.
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Kiosks and self-service – Can be integrated into kiosks for retail, hospitality, government, and more.
It‘s a capable, versatile mini PC that can wear many hats for personal and business use.
Final Thoughts
The small form factor desktop market has seen steady growth in recent years. According to IDC, SFF desktops now account for 12% of the total desktop market. Gartner reports mini PC shipments grew 8% year-over-year in Q4 2021 alone.
It‘s easy to see why. In our space-constrained homes and offices, compact PCs like the Dell Inspiron Small Desktop deliver the essential performance we need while taking up minimal space. It‘s a welcome alternative to bulky, noisy towers.
The Inspiron 3910 is the latest evolution of Dell‘s long-running Inspiron desktop line. First launched in 1997, Inspiron PCs were designed to bring multimedia capabilities to mainstream home and office users. Over the years, Dell has continuously refined these systems to keep pace with changing needs.
The Inspiron Small carries on this legacy in an ultra-compact form factor. With a 12th Gen Intel CPU, Wi-Fi 6, and a ton of ports, it‘s proof that mini PCs are ready for prime time. This tiny desktop delivers very good bang for buck for the size.
Whether you‘re a student, professional, or casual user, the Dell Inspiron Small Desktop is a mighty mini PC that deserves your consideration. Its combination of capable performance, space-saving design, and affordable price hits the sweet spot for a wide audience. If you want to reclaim your desk space without sacrificing functionality, this small wonder is a big win.
