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New Nano-ITX 12cm Motherboards

Posted by michael on from the cute-and-cuddly dept.

Kris_J writes "mini-itx.com have exclusive pictures of VIA's new 12cm x 12cm motherboard standard they're terming 'Nano-ITX'. VIA have removed the legacy ports, moved to mini-PCI and SODIMMs and now a new batch of custom PC projects can be produced where previously there wasn't quite enough room for the motherboard. I already have an idea..."

5 of 439 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Bring back the serial port! by a_ghostwheel · · Score: 4, Interesting

    That is why you have mini-PCI there - just install appropriate card.

  2. So please please can we have.. by adeyadey · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Genuine cheap DIY clone portables/laptops with interchangable parts - if a component fails, you dont have pay the earth to replace it? Anyone have good links/experience on that? :-)

    --
    "You lied to me! There is a Swansea!"
  3. Drive bay mounting? by Max+Romantschuk · · Score: 4, Interesting

    12 by 12 centimeters (120 millimeters) is the same size as a CD... I wonder if one could squeeze one of these machines into one or two drivebays... I could definetly use a nice little dev box inside my regular box!

    --
    .: Max Romantschuk :: http://max.romantschuk.fi/
  4. Re:Bring back the serial port! by Zathrus · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Maybe an online petition to bring back the RS-232 is in order :)

    I know this was tongue in cheek, but please... RS-232 hasn't disappeared in any way, shape, or form. Virtually every PC motherboard out there still has at least one (and usually two) serial ports. About the only ones that don't are the Abit MAX series (which has removed all legacy ports), this one, and some miniITX form factor boards.

    If you need a real serial port, then just avoid buying one of the 1% of boards that doesn't have one.

    Every time a story is posted to /. about a board that doesn't have serial the RS-232 freaks crawl out of the woodwork. If you're smart enough to know all the uses for RS-232, then you should damn well be smart enough to buy the right board.

    Oh, and I like serial too... my remote control is programmed via it (although it works fine w/ a USB->serial dongle if needed).

  5. The portables revolution... by CommieLib · · Score: 3, Interesting

    I think that what this kind of stuff is leading to is a lot of really clever things being done with portables. The AutoPC failed, for example, but unleash thousands of hackers who will try a thousand different ways of making it useful for themselves, and something useful will come out of it. Maybe even a business model.

    With something this small, I'd be tempted to wire together thermometers, maybe a cheapo sonograph (is there such a thing?), and whatever else I could fit into a small box and build My Very First Tricorder.

    --
    If your bitterest enemies are people who hack the heads off civilians, then I would say you're doing something right.