ZOTAC ZBOX featuring VIA Nano X2 to debut at Computex

The ZOTAC ZBOX has to be one of the first designs to be launched to feature the new VIA Nano X2 processor. This mini-PC is just the size of a regular man-sized palm making it a neat fit for the lounge room or the office.

Why put up with a full-sized desktop PC in your entertainment unit when you could have a PC that's got all the ports you'd need positioned conveniently on its smooth chassis? Similarly, for an office environment, the ZBOX can sit comfortably on a desk, taking up less room than a book.

The VIA Nano X2 E-series processors were announced just last month. - Press Release.

Want details about the new EPIA-M860 for POS systems?

Eric Brown from Windows for devices sure does like details. His article on Windowsfordevices.com covers the specifications, board placement, I/O placement, the VIA VX900 chipset in detail and even the pin headers! If you're building a new POS system, check out the information on the VIA EPIA-M860 here.

VIA launches new POS board

The new VIA EPIA-M860 is the first VIA board to support Microsoft's Windows Embedded POSReady 7 operating system. As a platform the VIA and Microsoft combination offer a solid foundation for commercial embedded systems, but also a lot of flexibility.

"Designed as a full featured entry level VX900 board, the EPIA-M860 is the first EPIA board which supports Windows Embedded POSReady 7, a flexible operating system designed to seamlessly connect Point of Service (POS) solutions with peripherals, servers, services and the cloud. The VIA EPIA-M860 offers PCI, PCIe and Mini PCIe support, combined with mainstream DDR3 memory and both ATX and DC-in power support." - Press Release.

VIA's Nano processors hailed as the start of micro-servers

An article appearing in The Register has credited Dell's DATA Center Solution's VIA based micro server as the first realisation of the concept of the micro server, a concept that has continued to evolve. There's no shortage of demand for low-medium web servers, and VIA's hardware offers low power consumption and an excellent space saving.

VIA Dual Core processors for embedded market sampling now

VIA are in it for the long haul when it comes to embedded computing, guaranteeing a minimum seven year support and manufacturing cycle for the new VIA Nano X2 E-series dual core processors. With native support for 64-bit operating systems, including Microsoft Windows, Windows CE and Linux, they can support a wide variety of development platforms. The processors still have VIA's unique hardware level encryption as well. The Press Release notes that the product won't go into mass production until Q2, but samples are being provided for projects now.

"VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors are natively 64-bit compatible, facilitating an essential transition for the future of the embedded industry as 64-bit operating systems such as Windows® Embedded Standard 7 allow for vastly improved data throughput per clock cycle. This makes it easier to manipulate large data sets and improves overall performance. VIA Nano X2 E-Series processors are also fully compatible with Windows CE and Linux operating systems."

6th VIA AMOS system announced

When you create a new platform for embedded systems, part of the challenge is getting someone to manufacture cases or chassis that fit. VIA solved this a long time ago by designing and manufacturing chassis designed specifically for EPIA boards. This has included the VIA AMOS-1000 for Mini-ITX, the VIA AMOS-2000 for Nano-ITX and the VIA AMOS-3000 for Pico-ITX. With a couple of variations along the way, the VIA AMOS-5001 just announced by VIA is the sixth in the AMOS series (if I've counted correctly!).

This one is designed for use with the VIA Em-ITX form factor boards, specifically the EITX-3001 series. The complete system in the chassis is small and light enough to be mounted at the back of a screen. The design includes heatsinks on either side of the chassis, providing a cool but fanless design that's useful for various embedded computing uses.

Windows for devices gives the skinny on the new VIA ART-5450

A couple of weeks back VIA launched a new fanless box PC for fleet management services. Windows for devices which tracks each and every VIA release in some detail, has written up all the details, revealing the design behind the "new" PC. "Frankly acknowledged by Via is the fact that the ART-5450 employs a previously released motherboard, along with a newly designed expansion module. At its heart, for example, is the EITX-3000 motherboard (right). First released in March 2009, the EITX-3000 was Via's first (and, we think, remains the only) use of the Em-ITX format, billed as an "open industry standard." A key advantage of the 6.7 x 4.7-inch Em-ITX format was said to be its form factor's rectangular shape, providing dual "coastlines." .... Via's ART-5450 employs a new module known as the EMIO-3430. Pictured above, this includes two Mini PCI Express slots primarily designed to accept the mobile broadband and Bluetooth modules mentioned earlier in this story." - Source.