| World's smallest Windows XP system? |
Dec. 03, 2007
 DMP Electronics (aka Icop) has announced a tiny silent PC claimed to be the smallest system in the world capable of running Windows XP. The eBox-4300 measures 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.4 inches, has a 500MHz x86-compatible Via processor, and supports up to 1GB or RAM.
(Click here for a larger view of the eBox-4300)
If the eBox-4300 looks familiar, that's because it uses the same case as DMP Electronic's earlier eBox-2300SX, based on its own 300MHz Vortex86SX SoC. The eBox-2300SX, in turn, is an upgraded version of the eBox-2300 that Microsoft has for several years provided as a development system to competitors in the Embedded Development category of its Imagine Cup student competition.
Is it really the smallest?
For the eBox-4300 truly to be the "world's smallest system running Windows XP," CompactFlash would have to be used, either with Windows XP Embedded or with Windows XP Professional installed via a USB CD-ROM drive. Eight megabytes (8MB) is probably the smallest practical amount of storage for XP Pro; at the time of writing, 8GB CompactFlash cards sell for approximately $75, while 16GB cards approach $200.
PicoPC1
(Click for details) |
With a volume of 28.35 cubic inches, though, the eBox-4300 faces a serious rival in the form of the Sharp and Tappin picoPC1 and picoPC2 (pictured at right) based on Via's Epia PX10000G pico-ITX main board. The picoPC1 is a flash-only system with a volume of just 25.5 cubic inches, and the picoPC2 packs a 2.5-inch hard drive into a 32.3-inch volume. Other contenders in the tiny XP-capable PC arena are CompuLab's recently shipped fit-PC and Manufactum's Manuscriptum.
These and other low-cost thick client systems have been shrinking steadily, but bragging rights for diminutive size will likely always go to devices specifically designed to be portable. OQO's Model 2, for instance, measures just 18.5 cubic inches, including a 5-inch display, the capability of running Windows XP or Vista from a 120GB hard drive, and EV-DO wireless WAN capabilities. Ranging from approximately $1,300 to $2,400 depending on options, the OQO likely costs as much as five eBox-4300 systems, however.
OQO Model O2 is smaller, but costs nearly $1,500
(Click for details)
The eBox 4300
While retaining the eBox-2300[SX]'s size and weight (18 ounces), the eBox-4300 shifts to a slightly higher gear, employing the 500MHz Eden ULV processor introduced by Via in August. The tiny box also uses Via's CX700M integrated northbridge/southbridge.
According to Via, this processor and companion chip consume a combined maximum of 4.5 watts. Understandably, then, the little eBox-4300 is able to operate without a fan. Its light weight also allows the system to be hung from the back of any monitor that sports VESA standard mounting holes, according to DMP.
eBox-4300 ports
The eBox-4300 comes with 512MB of DDR2 RAM onboard and is said to accept up to 1GB. The PC also features Via's UniChrome Pro II 3D/2D graphics core, offering acceleration for MPEG-2/-4 and WMV9 decoding, plus a VGA output that is said to support resolutions up to 1920 x 1440 pixels.
While the eBox-4300 apparently does not have room for a hard drive internally, it does offer an internally accessible EIDE (UltraDMA 133) connector that could be used to add one. Thus, it may follow the eBox-2300[SX] tradition of offering customers the option of either a pair of serial ports or room for a small hard drive. Storage could also be added via the system's three USB ports (two on the front, one on the rear), or its Type II/III CompactFlash slot.
Features and specifications listed by DMP/Icop for the eBox-4300 include:- Processor -- Via Eden ULV processor clocked at 500MHz
- Memory -- 512MB of DDR2 RAM, expandable to 1GB
- Display -- Via UniChrome II, supporting resolutions up to 1920 x 1440 pixels
- Networking -- 1 x 10/100 Ethernet port (Realtek RTL8100B chipset)
- Other I/O:
- 2 x RS-232
- VGA
- 1 x PS/2 (supports keyboard and mouse with Y-adapter)
- 1 x EIDE (UltraDMA 133)
- Audio -- mic in, line out
- Expansion:
- 1 x Type II/III CompactFlash slot
- 1 x miniPCI socket
- Dimensions -- 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.4 inches
- Weight -- 18 ounces
- Operating temperature -- 0 to 60 deg. C (32 to 140 deg. F)
According to ICOP, the eBox-4300 will be available in January. Operating system support was cited as being for Windows XP Embedded and "XP-oriented platforms," although the device should also support XP Pro with a large enough CompactFlash card or external drive. Additionally, Linux support seems likely to arrive in due course, given that a variant of the earlier eBox-2300 was recently billed as the world's lowest cost Linux thin client by Bangkok-based Norhtec.
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