As you probably know, yesterday was "Earth Day", and an extremely appropriate time for Dell to introduce its Green consumer desktop PC. The company seems to make important steps towards the small desktop computing market, and the model introduced yesterday is touted as the smallest and the most eco-friendly device of its kind.

The new desktop system from Dell was showcased during yesterday's Fortune Brainstorm Conference in Pasadena (California), and the company's CEO and co-founder Michael Dell claimed that it is "the company's smallest and most environmentally-responsible consumer desktop PC."

According to Dell's spokeswoman Anne Camden, the miniature desktop PC is about 81 percent smaller than the standard form-factor and will draw up to 70 percent less energy while operating at peak capacity.

The company refused to give further details about the upcoming computer's hardware specifications or the family of products it would join. However, judging by its low power and physical space requirements, it will join the likes of Apple's Mac Mini, Everex's MyMiniPC or Asustek's EP 20 multimedia PC.

In order to increase its environmentally-friendly message, the new desktop system will be encased in a bamboo shell. Moreover, Dell claims that the new mini-desktop system will be packaged in recycled and recyclable materials, a move that complies with the company's recycling program initiated back in 2004 and completed in 2006.

Dell's upcoming desktop model will come with a special holder and will hit the market later this year at an estimative price of between $500 and $700. However, its success on the market depends on its technical specifications, and if its manufacturer decides to include enough storage, HDMI connectivity as well as a built-in optical drive, it might stand a chance.

On the other side, if it's just another pricey, low-end desktop system, it would probably end up on the desks of a few eco-friendly warriors.