Via Introduces Smallest, Most Efficient Motherboard
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 05.24.07
The internet has become our computer; I use Google for mail and word processing, Treehugger runs on Movable Type; except for a bit of Sketchup, processor speed is becoming irrelevant while computer noise, heat and power consumption have become bigger concerns. In such an environment longtime laggard Via Technologies comes into its own. Via already gets points for its carbon free computing program (TreeHugger here) but has just annouced a new motherboard/chip combo that combines CPU, HDTV capable video, audio, in fact an entire 1 gigahertz computer that runs under maximum multimedia load at only 13 watts. That is an entire mobo including video running at half the power of the best performing AMD CPU. (TreeHugger here) Size? A new format they call pico-ATX, 10 cm by 7.2 cm (4 inches by just under three inches). I could just tape that to the back of my monitor, get rid of everything else, and pretend I have an iMac. ::VIA EPIA PX via ::Ubergizmo
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Wow! Combine this with an 8gig flash card for the OS/programs, and that's more than enough to do all my home computing needs. If it has Ethernet, I can use my NAS to store anything large (hard drives shut down automatically after 5 mins of inactivity). Very interesting.
This is nothing new. The wii also uses at its highest 13 watts.
Speaking of small energy-efficient computers meant for everyday use on the Web, has anybody checked out the Linutop? The price seems a bit steep, but the specifications are right on the spot.
Yes I agree with you, VIA did a great job once again.
I like their aproach at slim design, which is awesome if you consider the number of places where this tiny motherboard can be build-in.
Thank you for sharing this story with me !