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Acer’s new Revo RL80 computer is a tiny desktop PC with an Intel Core i3-2377M Sandy Bridge processor, Windows 8 software, and a DVD drive. But the computer isn’t that much bigger than an old-fashioned external DVD drive.

In fact, if this computer had come out a few years ago and sported an Intel Atom processor, I’d probably call it a nettop. Today it’s just a small PC. And it’s available for pre-order for about $500.

The price seems a bit steep at a time when you could pick up a laptop with similar specs for less money. But there aren’t many computers this small which feature an Intel Core family processor.

The Revo RL80 also packs 4GB of RAM and a 500GB hard drive. It features 4 USB 2.0 ports, 2 USB 3.0 ports, DVI, HDMI, S/PDIF, and audio jacks, and a flash card reader. It also has built-in support for 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 and a Gigabit Ethernet adapter.

Acer’s Revo RL80 measures 8.3″ x 8.3″ x 2.1″.

Since the computer has a Sandy Bridge processor with integrated graphics it should be able to handle HD video, but don’t expect bleeding-edge graphics performance. Intel’s newer Ivy Bridge processors offer significantly better graphics performance.

German site MobileGeeks reports Acer will also offer models with Celeron and Pentium processors at lower prices, as well as an optional Blu-Ray drive in place of a DVD drive.