- EPIA
VIA EPIA ("VIA Embedded Platform Innovative Architecture") is a series of
mini-ITX ,nano-ITX andpico-ITX motherboard s with integrated VIAprocessor s. They feature a small size and low power consumption, so are particularly popular in the embedded market.Fact|date=February 2007VIA EPIA motherboards come in several flavours:
Nano-ITX versions, based on theVIA CoreFusion processor series, andMini-ITX form factor featuring VIA CPUs andNorthbridge s in separate packaging. They were originally built for industrial applications but now have a wide range of applications in the consumer market such ascarputer s, firewalls,HTPC s, 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 andASUS , 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 In fact, only an outdated version ofmplayer onLinux supports this feature.External links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]
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