New Nano-ITX 12cm Motherboards

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..."

Re:Bring back the serial port!

[a_ghostwheel]

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

So please please can we have..

[adeyadey]

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? :-)

Drive bay mounting?

[Max Romantschuk]

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!

Re:Wonderful!

[Doesn't_Comment_Code]

Oh yes, one more thing I forgot to write...

I wonder what kind of power supplies they will release to drive these. I assume a standard power supply will work... but it seems wrong. The power would take up more space the entire workings of the computer. Anyway, for my embedded projects, I really hope they follow with some tiny power supplies.

Re:Bring back the serial port!

[Zathrus]

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).

Re:Bring back the serial port!

[Demodian]

One thing most people do not consider in removing direct "legacy devices" from the motherboards is that USB->RS232 adds an extra programming layer for embedded applications that would have a much easier time dealing with directly with the normal RS232 logic. Granted, DOS is a thing of ancient history, but it was easy to code communications for. Using USB drivers blows chunks if the driver for the USB->RS232 is written poorly (which I've found to be the case with some of the off-the-shelf adapters).

Ask Slashdot: cases?

[TClevenger]

Interested in making a set-top box for the living room using a Mini-ITX board. I've done some searching, but most of the cases are rather, well, PCish. What's your favorite ITX enclosure? Looking for quiet (or no) fan, something not so PC-looking, external power supply fine.

Thanks.

Re:Bring back the serial port!

[Chanc_Gorkon]

While this is true, in this case, if you REALLY need a Serial Port, I am sure a Mini-PCI expansion port has been or will be developed. The arguement for on board Serial Ports is getting really small. Also, don't even think of using these MB's in a server. You buy SERVER Mb's for this and they usuall DO have a serial port. There's also a new protocol coming out soon which will let you serially connect devices with out need for device drivers. It's based on USB and for the life of me I canot figure out why

The portables revolution...

[CommieLib]

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.

Re:Ask Slashdot: cases?

[LookSharp]

Is this for PVR and/or DivX/XviD playback?

If so, I recommend an Asus Pundit [newegg.com] small form-factor system. Mine has a nice TV tuner ($50), and a Celeron 2.0GHz which ran me all of $67. It has a very nice case, runs quiet, sits well with your entertainment center, and is about three times the CPU power of the C3 1GHz. The way I look at it, this barebones plus a $70 processor is still less expensive than a $100 Mini-ITX case with a $179 1GHz EPIA board. The form factor on the Asus is proprietary, but exceptionally flexible, functional, and not much larger than mini-ITX. I've been very happy with mine!

Re:Bring back the serial port!

[Demodian]

This *assumes* there is something automatic about the serial port support over USB in the BIOS that hides this layer. Otherwise, you have to rely upon code to talk to the USB interface. Again, the issue would be "embedded" designs, and not something that you rely on a device driver or API to use.

dude, imagine hot-swap servers

[donkiemaster]

where you have a beowulf or other cluster and you just jam a bunch of these babies into a big raid array like box and then when one breaks you just pull it out and replace it with another and you don't miss a beat! hey you geniuses, someone get on this.

Re:Government doing the right thing for once...

[Anonymous Coward]

Wrong again. A company is a legal entity with distinct legal rights suitable for such an entity. You're thinking of a commune.