EPIA

VIA EPIA ("VIA Embedded Platform Innovative Architecture") is a series of mini-ITX, nano-ITX and pico-ITX motherboards with integrated VIA processors. They feature a small size and low power consumption, so are particularly popular in the embedded market.Fact|date=February 2007

VIA EPIA motherboards come in several flavours: Nano-ITX versions, based on the VIA CoreFusion processor series, and Mini-ITX form factor featuring VIA CPUs and Northbridges in separate packaging. They were originally built for industrial applications but now have a wide range of applications in the consumer market such as carputers, firewalls, HTPCs, and Small File servers to name a few.Fact|date=February 2007.

Criticism

Although VIA EPIA motherboards are very efficient in terms of space, they are sometimes criticized for being too expensive for the processing power that they provide. It has been commented that other manufacturers, such as PCChips and ASUS, provide more affordable solutions based on the same technologies, namely VIA's low-power processors. [http://undeadly.org/cgi?action=article&sid=20061115152127&pid=42]

Via has failed to provide support for some features it sells EPIA boards based on. For example, although the chipsets support hardware H.264 decoding, no driver for Windows is available. In fact, only an outdated version of mplayer on Linux supports this feature.

External links

* [http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/mainboards/ VIA EPIA motherboards]
* [http://www.epiacenter.com/ Epiacenter] Mini-ITX Reviews, Support Forums, FAQ, etc.
* [http://www.silentpcreview.com/article609-page1.html VIA EPIA EN12000E: Today's most efficient CPU & mainboard]
* [http://pcburn.com/review-Via_Epia_M10000_Mini_ITX_Motherboard-1.php VIA EPIA M10000 Mini ITX Review]
* [http://www.tweaknews.net/reviews/me6000/ VIA EPIA ME6000 Mini ITX Review]