VIA Introduces New Fanless Slim PC Kit
VIA's new DIY kit includes the 64-bit Eden X2 dual-core processor and a fanless, quiet design.
On Wednesday VIA Technologies introduced a new fanless slim DIY PC kit, the VIA ARTiGO A1200. It features VIA's 64-bit Eden X2 dual-core processor (1 GHz) and an industrial buckled-blade thermal fin design to dispatch system heat and provide reliable, stable performance in temperatures ranging from 0ºC~45º C. The kit supports both Microsoft Windows 7 and Linux.
"VIA has long been a leader in driving innovation for low power compact computing, especially with our ARTiGO series," said Epan Wu, Head of the VIA Embedded Platform Division, VIA Technologies, Inc. "By moving to the Em-ITX form factor we are able to deliver a slim line, fanless system, creating a completely silent computing experience."
Measuring just 3-cm in height, the A1200's ultra-low profile design allows it to fit easily into any environment. Aside from the dual-core processor, the slim PC packs up to 4 GB of DDR3 1066 RAM, an integrated all-in-one VIA VX900 media system processor (MSP), HDMI output and a VGA port (both with dual independent display support).
On the graphics front, the video output is handled by an integrated VIA Chrome 9 HD DX9 3D/2D video processor. It provides MPEG-2, WMV9/VC1, H.264 video decoding acceleration "for a breathtaking viewing experience at screen resolutions up to 1080p."
Also thrown into the VIA's new kit are two high-speed GigaLAN Ethernet ports, four USB 2.0 ports, one CFast socket, two audio jacks (Mic-in and Line-out), 12V DC-in power and an optional USB 3.0 host port. The slim PC measures a mere 24.3-cm x 12.4-cm x 3.0-cm, and provides one SATA interface for a 2.5-inch HDD or SSD.
"The VIA ARTiGO A1200 PC kit is an ultra slim DIY PC kit for enthusiasts who want a compact fanless system without sacrificing computing power," VIA said. "Taking inspiration from the Em-ITX form factor, the VIA ARTiGO A1200 offers an impressive range of features. The VIA ARTiGO A1200 is one of the slimmest full featured PC kits on the market today."
For more information about the VIA ARTiGO A1200 PC kit, head here. It's currently available online in the VIA Store (U.S. only) and through E-ITX worldwide. The starting price is $309.95 USD.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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So its missing a Drive and basically for the money you can buy a complete small PC for about the same money. Not sure why it costs over $300 for a box and a motherboard? The CPU has to be a ultra low power one. So do not expect much performance power and to be honest its most likely not any better then a duel core Atom from Intel. These small forms have been around for a while. Samsung just came out with a Chromebook model that has HDMI and DVI output. A bit better then this.Reply
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ta152h This also needs a hard disk, and the price probably doesn't include memory. Obviously it also does not include a keyboard or mouse, so it's not complete.Reply
VIA is a bad joke. The gave out CN1000 based test systems over a year ago, and they still do not have a single motherboard with it. The Artigo 1150 is still out of stock, and expected soon; also a year ago.
They suck. Don't buy their stuff so they go out of business, which is where they belong. I think AMD and Intel will with the Brazos and Atom, which means they are playing where VIA has been for a long time, without competition.
Brazos is just better, and AMD will stay in business. VIA is going down, as they should. -
CaedenV Woo! VIA is back in the news! They use to be the kings of low voltage CPUs and integrated graphics before AMD/ATI kicked them out of the onboard GPU market, and Intel started rocking Atom CPUs that simply trashed VIAs performance. They have always been a great little company, and I hope they are able to pull something awesome out of their hat some day... but this product is not it...Reply -
tipoo S3 graphics drivers have an even muddier history than Intels. And at $300 this doesn't include a hard drive. If I absolutely needed a system in this form factor and price I'd have to go with Intel, and I'm not sure if Brazos has made it to nettops like this yet but that would be better still.Reply -
internetlad "The VIA ARTiGO A1200 PC kit is an ultra slim DIY PC kit for enthusiasts who want a compact fanless system without sacrificing computing power,"Reply
It has a 1 GhZ (albeit dual core) Proc. . . And they claim enthusiasts aren't sacrificing anything? -
nforce4max I wish that AMD would buy VIA and gain some profitable product lines as well some decent engineers and IT property in the ARM market. S3 has been crap for many many years even before some here were born! AMD can turn things around in the mainstream markets pretty decently just so long they keep prices low and leave the high end to intel. VIA's add-on usb and raid controllers can make AMD a nice little slice of the market on the side.Reply