DeviceGuru

Intel has announced a mini-motherboard aimed at a new category of mini-PCs dubbed “nettops.” Interestingly, the “Desktop Board D945GCLF2,” powered by a 1.6 GHz dual-core Atom Processor 330, is built in the Mini-ITX format pioneered by Intel competitor Via Technologies.

What’s a nettop?

A brief consultation with the googacle demonstrates quite a bit of confusion between the terms “nettop” and “netbook” (such as the Asus Eee PC pictured at right), indicating that Intel needs to more aggressively promote this new desktop PC category if it’s to gain traction in the market.

At the moment, a whitepaper on Intel’s website (PDF file) appears to be the only definitive information available. Here’s how the whitepaper defines the term “nettop”…

The basic computing market segment is commonly considered a simplified PC solution at a system price point of $299 USD and below. These computers are part of a new family of computers called ‘nettops,’ which represent a new generation of low-cost
PCs running on Intel processors. These systems are targeted at users in both mature and emerging market segments whose computing needs and price points require focused and targeted system solutions. With a small form-factor ideal for young kids and designed to be affordable to first time users, nettops are configured to run less demanding applications. … A low cost, affordable, [purpose-built] platform for the next billion users.

Tom Rampone, VP of sales and marketing in Intel’s Channel Platforms Group, says “nettops represent a fundamental shift in system design and PC consumption.” Additionally, he suggests that “over the next 20 years we will see nettops emerge as a powerful and significant force in computing.”

D945GCLF2 features

The D945GCLF2 is the successor to Intel’s D945GCLF Mini-ITX motherboard, introduced earlier this year.

Intel’s new DM945GCLF2 Mini-ITX motherboard
(Click to enlarge)

Touted features of the DM945GCLF2 include:

• Low power dual-core Intel Atom Processor 330, clocked at 1.6 GHz
• Intel 945GC Express Chipset with built-in Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 950
• DIMM socket for up to 2 GB of DDR2 667/533 SDRAM
• PCI expansion slot
• IDE port supporting up to two ATA 100/66 devices
• 2 x SATA ports (3.0 Gb/s)
• 10/100/1000 Mb/s Ethernet port
• 8x USB 2.0 ports (4x external, 2x internal)
• HD audio (6-Channel)
• S-Video connector
• Size — 6.75 x 6.75 inches (Mini-ITX form-factor); height not specified

Another view of the DL45GCLF2 Mini-ITX motherboard
(Click to enlarge)

Intel expects the Desktop Board D945GCLF2 to ship in September, at which time it will be supported by “over a dozen chassis manufacturers.” In addition to use in mini desktop PCs (aka nettops), the board is likely to end up in set-top boxes, home media servers, and specialized embedded systems.


For an interesting comparison of nettops and netbooks with two other small-form-factor device categories — UMPCs and MIDs — read this DeviceGuru article:

The UMPC is dead; long live the netbook!