Topic: Pico-ITX for really small form factor systems

[Nemesis]

Link to site

The VIA EPIA PX mainboard is the first commercial mainboard based on VIA's Pico-ITX form factor measuring just 10cm x 7.2cm. Designed to enable x86 to be built into embedded systems where it was previously impractical for space reasons, the VIA EPIA PX provides a full complement of multimedia and connectivity options on a platform smaller than any standard mainboard or x86 system on module.

The VIA EPIA PX Pico-ITX mainboard also supports flexible hard drive storage options, with one SATA and one UltraDMA 133 connector, as well as 10/100Mbps Fast Ethernet through the RJ-45 LAN port, an LVDS/DVI connector and extensive connectivity options including USB2.0, COM and PS2. A multimedia connector supports external TV-out, video capture port interface & LPC interface (an add-on card is required), while an audio connector supports line-out, line-in, mic-in, S/PDIF in & 7.1 channel audio output.

Roughly 4" x 3" for those not metric literate.  I read of this in a magazine and it had a picture with the heat sink (fan less so quiet) and the heatsink obscured almost the whole motherboard.  So far there does not actually seem to be a case marketed for this style of motherboard. 

For people who want small and quiet and high performance is not needed this should be an excellent little system. 

[jualdeaux]

I see this as having more appeal to more commercial uses when a smaller format would work better than a full desktop, or even one of the current smaller footprint, case.

[Nemesis]

Partially I agree.  This however will be of use to hobbyists who want the small and quiet, MythTV users for example or robotics hackers.  Also those who have limited needs such as just an Internet "terminal" for example.  Computerized home security.  Local network web server (without monitor, keyboard or mouse).  General all around "geek" toy.

This is small enough that it could be built into a keyboard and just plugged into a monitor thus minimizing the desktop space used up.  (If you use a power brick rather than integrated PSU).

It likely will show up without people even knowing it.  I read recently of a small unit in England that sits between your computer and the Internet and acts as firewall, virus scanner and spam scanner.  The unit was actually a small computer running Linux.  A unit such as this could be made to do that job and many others.