VIA Artigo Pico-ITX PC Builder Kit

Build a tiny PC-but expect performance to match



VIA TECHNOLOGIES'$319.99 Artigo Pico-ITX PC Builder Kit lets you assemble a tiny desktop (1.8x5.9x4.3 inches) you can stash almost every where-even inside a 5.25-inch bay in a PC tower. Just expect pwerformance in proportion to its size.
The kit coms with everything you need except a hard drive (only one 2.5-inch drive can be used) and RAM (you're limited to one laptop-style DDR2 SO-DIMM of 1GB or les). The 1GHz VIA C7 CPU is no match for Intel or AMD chips, and the graphics are unimpressive integrated VIA VX700.
Because these modest components were designed for embedded systems, the computing power on hand simply isn't comparable with that of general purpose desktop. But if basic productivity tasks are all you run, and multitasking and Windows Vista aren't on the menu (Microsoft's latest oS isn't supported), you might be fine.


The build process shouldn't exceed a half hour, thanks to VIA's clear documentation and the relatively new parts that need assembling. You'll need an external optical drive to install any disc-bound software(at the very least, your OS), and the only integrated ports for hooking up input devices areare the four USB 2.0 ports on the box's front; the company includes dongles for PS/2 input devices or a DVI display, though you'll have to drill or Dremel-tool to enclosure to employ them.
In anecdotal testing, office apps worked serviceably, though application load times felt sluggish. One upside of the minimalist performance: The Artigo runs almost silently, the only moving parts being the hard drive internals and the petite cooling fan. Apart from a brief whoosh at bootup, it's a low-key operator. - John A. Burek
source: Computer Shopper October 2008.

artigo.viatech.com