Via Debuts Mini-ITX 2.0

DeviceGuru writes "Via Technologies has launched the second generation of its signature mini-motherboard standard. Mini-ITX 2.0, an evolutionary update to the seven-year-old 170×170mm form-factor, introduces new and emerging buses and interfaces such as PCI Express, SATA, Gig-E, and HD A/V, while preserving backwards-compatibility with the original standard. Mini-ITX has been a popular form-factor for a range of space-constrained hobbyist and commercial applications."

Re:Space-constrained?

[bunratty]

I've heard another downside to Mini-ITX is that the throughput of the gigabit Ethernet ports is not up to speed with the ports on full-size computers. Has the situation improved? Will it be better with Mini-ITX 2.0? That's the first thing I looked for in TFA and the "more information" link it provided, but all they say is it has a gig-E port.

Virtual Computing.

[Vectronic]

Are they all 3D renderings?

meh, excuse me... I just found it amusing... "VIA Debuts Mini-ITX 2.0"... and its just some 30 minute 3D model...

Back on topic though, looks pretty kickass, if only it came with more PCIe slots, even just one more would do... 6.75"x6.75"... 3 of them could fit in the space your average keybaord takes (minus PSU)

Still not legacy free

[jabuzz]

What is the point in shipping it with a PS/2 keyboard and mouse port. Complete waste of time. The space would be far more usefully be taken up with some more USB ports.

Also how about some BIOS serial redirection on these things, so you don't have to plug in a monitor to configure these babies.

Re:Space-constrained?

[confused one]

There are mini-itx boards using intel and other non-via chipsets. You don't have to buy a via mini-itx board. MSI, Jetway, Intel, Commell and others make mini-itx boards and they are available several different cpu socket / chipset combinations, just like ATX boards are. There are limits of course, some things just dont's fit on a 7"x7" board, not to mention power and cooling requirements for some chips would be difficult to accomodate.

Re:but .....

[RAMMS+EIN]

Well, it's a good question, actually. While VIA has long touted their support for Linux and open source, Real World results have often lagged behind. For example, various Linux drivers they have released have been one or more of buggy, closed source, and tied to forks of popular open-source projects. So, while Linux does actually run on all boards I have tried, not all hardware is _fully_ supported in practice.