December 1, 1999 Web posted at: 2:16 p.m. EST (1916 GMT) by Rebecca Sykes

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(IDG) -- Dell has announced Webpc, a consumer desktop specifically designed for accessing the Internet priced at $1,000.

Webpc, which is around one-third the size of a traditional desktop tower and weighs 10 pounds, ships with an Intel Celeron 433-MHz processor, a 15-inch CRT monitor, a printer and one year of Internet service, according to a statement from Dell.

The PC also has 5 plug-and-play Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports for connecting scanners, digital cameras, MP3 players and other peripherals, the company said.

Webpc is the first product from Dell's Web Products Group and is designed to make it easy for consumers to purchase a computer, set it up and surf the Internet, the company said.

The Webpc keyboard has special Internet keys for quick access to e-mail and Internet search engines, and users can get technical support through a "click and fix" e-mail support system, according to Dell.

To minimize lengthy boot-up times, the PC has a "sleep-mode" key which instantly wakes up the computer, the company said.