Building a tiny system with VIA's EPIA EX

That doesn't mean we don't have uses for small form factor (SFF) computers. These PCs generally fall into two categories. Systems like Shuttle's small cube PCs try to offer full size PC performance, but with the inevitable compromises, such as limited expansion and power supplies. Others, built around VIA's mini-ITX form factor, are designed more as functional appliances.

Recently, we built and played with a Mini-ITX system. It's based on the VIA EPIA EX integrated motherboard, complete with CPU and all kinds of multimedia capabilities. We threw it in a tiny, crowded, but very handy Silverstone LC12 case. It's smaller than an average food processor, and it's handy for all kinds of things, especially media-related functions.