Dell's "Invisible Computer"

The Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra is one of the best mini PCs we've ever reviewed, with a design that's much smaller than the likes of the Apple Mac mini, but without the compromises that come with a stick PC like the Azulle Access3. But what's most striking about this particular PC is how well the OptiPlex 7070 Ultra goes beyond being easy to hide, and simply disappears into your desktop setup.

When you think of innovative computer designs, mini PCs and all-in-one desktops probably aren't where your mind turns. But the Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra manages to do just that, remixing the all-in-one concept with a shockingly slim design that slots into a specially designed monitor stand, transforming the accompanying monitor into a highly capable office all-in-one. As you’ll discover in this Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra review, it reimagines the office PC as a system that is at once modular and exceedingly sleek and clean.

And while many mini PCs leverage their tiny size to offer some interesting mounting options, letting you stow the small box behind a monitor or under a desk, the 7070 Ultra takes this idea a step further, with a design that can actually be mounted inside a monitor stand. The result is something like a modular all-in-one desktop computer, where the stand is compact enough that you could easily overlook the PC inside.

Once the mini PC is properly seated and the cover attached to the stand, the whole package is slimmer and sleeker than many standalone monitors, and certainly more svelte than the majority of all-in-one computers I have reviewed. You could easily mistake the computer itself for a laptop battery.

(Image credit: Dell)

In addition to the stand and monitor, our review unit of the 7070 Ultra also came with the Dell KM636 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse, a wireless keyboard and mouse that share a single wireless USB dongle.

The lowest configuration we found for the 7070 Ultra was outfitted with an Intel Core i3-8145U dual-core processor with 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive, selling for $559.

The next step up has an Intel Core i5-8265U quad-core CPU, which adds $50 to the price, and above that, a configuration with a Core i7-8565U processor, which adds $126 to the base price.

The Dell OptiPlex 7070 Ultra is an innovative take on the mini PC, and conceptually, it's a design that I hope to see more of, if only because it offers a fresh way to look at upgradable office systems. As a mini PC, the OptiPlex 7070 Ultra is a strong contender for our favorite office mini PC, thanks to its stellar performance and business-friendly design. The ability to swap out the PC or the display while keeping the same zero-footprint all-in-one environment is a very cool option for companies large and small, and I hope that innovation continues.

Article originally published on Tom's Guide: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/dell-optiplex-7070-ultra