This may come as somewhat of a surprise for all of you Dell fans out there, but it looks like the Round Rock, Texas-based computer systems vendor will finally roll out one of its highly anticipated products. What we're dealing with here is a new desktop computer system that has been in the news for quite some time now. In case you haven't already figured it out, we're talking about Dell's Studio Hybrid PC, which will finally make its debut later on today.

Even more, from the looks of it, we're not in for yet another small-size, Atom-powered desktop computer. In fact, Dell's new desktop computer system is based on some of the latest in computer technology, which means you can probably also use it to play some of your favorite games (but not all of them, since it doesn't come with discrete graphics). However, the real purpose of the Studio Hybrid PC is to provide users with the computing power of the latest PCs in a smaller, lighter and more power-efficient form factor.

Although its design makes it resemble one of your external hard disks or optical drives, the Studio Hybrid PC is actually a fully-fledged computer, one that offers you a significant amount of storage space and even a DVD burner. While on the topic of its design, we might as well mention that, because of the small form factor Dell's mini desktop comes in, it has often been compared to Apple's Mini. But the line is not drawn only when it comes to Apple's product: as a matter of fact, Dell claims that its Hybrid PC is actually 80 percent smaller than a typical desktop computer, and that it uses approximately 70 percent less power than a standard PC.

One of the most interesting features of Dell's new product is that it will come equipped with either a Pentium Dual Core or a Core 2 Duo CPU, which means that it was not designed to compete with ASUS' Eee Box, which is based on the smaller Intel Atom. The system will provide its users with a 2.5-inch, 5400RPM notebook hard drive, which can be offered in three different capacities (160GB, 250GB and 320GB). The RAM memory ranges from 1GB to 4GB, some of which will be needed for the integrated graphics. The Hybrid PC offers options for built-in draft 802.11n Wi-Fi, TV Tuner and even a wireless keyboard and mouse.

The system's connectivity options are rather impressive, as it will bring HDMI, DVI, gigabit ethernet, a Kensington lock, SP/DIF, and line-in and line-out; a 4-pin FireWire 400 port and three USB 2.0 ports. All of these are arranged in the back, while the 8X dual-layer DVD burner has been placed in the front, on the left side (if the unit is in vertical position). The front side will also provide its users with an 8-in-1 memory card reader and two more USB ports.

You must be wondering about its price right now. Well, the Dell Studio Hybrid PC starts at $499, without a display; you will have to pay $689 for a basic configuration with a monitor. As we also mentioned yesterday, this new product might become really successful in a very short while, if Dell manages to get it in stores in time for the "Back to School" shopping frenzy.