Dell: Enterprise desktops aren't dead, but are getting smaller

Dell on Thursday launched what it claims is the "world's smallest fully functional commercial desktop" with an integrated power supply and Intel vPro technology.

Even though desktop sales have been in decline for years, there's a big race to smaller form factors underway. Dell's OptiPlex 780 USFF (ultra small form factor), which starts at $629, is designed to take on similar offerings from HP and Lenovo. Dell also unveiled the OptiPlex 380. The big pitch: Desktops aren't glamorous but they take up less space these days and still matter to select verticals.

In a statement, Mike Basore, senior product marketing manager at Dell's client group, said:

"The death of the commercial desktop has been greatly overstated. We are seeing customers look to deploy small form factor systems in ways never before imagined."

If you say so.

So how small is small? The OptiPlex 780 USFF weighs in at 7 pounds is 9.4 inches high, 2.6 inches wide with a 9.3 inch diameter.

In other words, you can toss it in your backpack. Not that you would of course because you probably have a laptop.