Now that flat computer screens are becoming affordable, it's possible to reclaim part of the working surface that you once called your desktop... where you used to be able to work, at least until you tried to put a computer on it. Replacing that old cathode ray tube (CRT) screen with a new energy-efficient flat screen frees up a considerable amount of space.

But that's only one part of the problem solved; then there's the computer itself to deal with. Desktop computers come in a number of sizes, the most common being what's called a "tower." They may be called desktop computers, but once you put such a computer on your desktop, there isn't much room left for anything else.

Why do those boxes need to be so big? If you've ever opened one up, you'll see that there's a lot of unused space in there. Or more precisely, it's space that is available if you want to add another disk or an additional card for graphics or networking or something along those lines.

Back in the "early days" -- let's say 15 years ago -- that might have been a common request. But today, even entry-level computers come with a respectable graphics card, networking (via Ethernet and/or a modem), USB and FireWire ports for adding peripherals, etc. And this configuration is more than adequate for most people.

Enter Shuttle Computer, a manufacturer of compact systems that cuts down on wasted space but not on features. Here is a Shuttle PC matched up against traditional tower PCs. Wow! You could say it's a traditional tower... chopped in half! Shuttle Computer points out that since the days when the tower format was introduced, improvements in technology have rendered its size obsolete. In terms of features, the Shuttle PC has no problem keeping up with the "big boys."

Not to be outdone, Apple introduced the Mac mini in January 2005, setting new standards of petite-ness: Looking at it from above, it's a 16.5cm (6.5in) square. And it's all of 5cm (2in) tall.

Note that the Mac mini isn't a game machine: Maybe it isn't powerful enough to match the performance of high-end tower models, but it's a full-featured computer, and its specifications show that it'll handle most "consumer" tasks with ease. And with its compact size, it frees up valuable space on your desktop for other things -- such as empty pizza boxes.