Fanless Nano-ITX Motherboard Reviewed

TheEagleCD writes "The first look at the fanless EPIA-N8000E Nano-ITX motherboard has just hit the internet. While some skeptics commented that this board is only 'for those who like VIA or want an even smaller footprint than a nano-notebook,' others say that 'the size, heat output and noise levels alone will recommend it to many projects.' It will be interesting to see how the market really receives this first Nano-ITX motherboard which is the de-facto successor of the Mini-ITX form-factor which made a strong statement by being seen on many company booths at this year's CeBIT."

Comments

Embeded use

[Gattman01]

I've always wanted to run Linux on my coffee mug. And I can use the heat from the CPU to keep the coffee warm.

Re:Embeded use

[rootofevil]

even better, you could write a script that regulates the load on the processor to keep your drink at a given temperature!

Re:Embeded use

[Noishe]

Too bad an embedded coffee mug wouldn't heat a cup of coffee.. A coffee maker uses around 1000 watts of energy, and a mug warmer about 100 or 200 watts.

An AMD Geode embedded processor uses 14 Watts for the fastest one, and 0.9 Watts for the "El Cheapo"

Assuming that all of the Watts is put towards heat, You'd need over 8 of the 'spensive ones to keep your coffee warm.

When they will deliver

[arivanov]

OK, fine, when it will hit http://www.linitx.com/ or http://www.icp-epia.co.uk/ or some other place where I can actually buy it. Or this is expoware same as their SMP Eden platform. I have been waiting for them to ship it for god knows how long now as it is exactly what I need to build a cost/power effective SMP development/testing rig for the developers where I work now.

Re:When they will deliver

[chill]

In stock at Logic Supply. In the UK, Mini-ITX.com claims to have limited supplies on hand.

  -Charles

Site is fried...

[Zencyde]

Well folks, it looks like it may have been Slashdotted, but here goes the Coral Cache URL anyways: http://www.epiacenter.com.nyud.net:8080/modules.ph p?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=84 Good luck to all, and to all a good luck.

Neato!

[Rob T Firefly]

Imagine a Beowulf cluster of these.. in a single ATX tower!

Re:DVI instead VGA

[chill]

Then go with an NL-series instead of an N-series. Same basic board, just no connectors (only headers). It also has a connector for an LVDS or DVI daughtercard ($35-40 extra).

Re:Best quote in the article

[xiao_haozi]

I also thought that was funny. I especially chuckled at the end when they mentioned a con of lacking windows drivers. I don't remember how many times I had to reread that aloud as I am used to the exact opposite statement.

Re:DVI and Dual Ethernet not included...

[xiao_haozi]

I agree with you Kono. I have been watching mini boards and anticipating this nano board for a while now with a couple of cool projects in mind but am always bothered by the fact that there is an abundant lack of dual lan. I understand that with mini boards you can use a pci version or here the mini-pci...but what if you need that for another component of the system. I guess I have always just thought of these being used in projects that would really fall heavily on a network backbone (e.g. server, router. etc) as you mentioned and don't really understand the need for multiple video outputs (composite, s-video, and vga) when you still only have a single ethernet port. I guess you could always go with a usb workaround?!