Miniature PC manufacturer Shuttle will release its $199 Linux-based desktop PC in the KPC family in mid-April this year.

According to Shuttle, the company will also release two other KPC (Korporate Perfect Cube) models, including the $299 upgraded version of the cube-like computer and the $99 barebone system. Currently, there are only a few details available about the computer's technical specifications. According to the company, the computer will come in a cubic form-factor measuring 11 x 7.5 x 6.7 inches.

The system is powered by an Intel Celeron 420 central processing unit and will pack 80GB of hard drive space on a single disk. However, should you run out of storage space, you can always upgrade to a more generous offering, comprised of 1.5 TB on two hard drives.

Other specifications include 512MB of memory that can be extended to a maximum amount of 2GB. This version of the KPC computer will only be available through the company's retail channels, but the only online store listed so far is NewEgg. However, the $199 price tag won't cover the costs of a monitor or keyboard. More than that, the KPC won't come with an optical drive or PCI Express slot.

For some extra $100, you can get the upgraded version, that packs an Intel dual core processor, 1GB of memory, 160GB hard drive and a 2GB flash drive installer for Linux. If you pre-order the KPC Linux box, you get the 160GB for no additional costs.

Low-cost notebook and desktop computers are highly appreciated on the consumer market, and the proof lies in the millions of Eee PC units shipped in the last six months However, cheap Linux-based computing is still more of a niche market than a general trend, and many retailers had to pull off the inexpensive desktop systems powered by Linux operating system flavors, because they don't live up to the sales expectations. One of the most recent such decisions was taken by the Wal-Mart retail chain that had to remove Everex's gPC from the shelves.