Date: November 10th, 2003
Article by: Nathan Glentworth
(Owner, Head Editor & Hardware Reviewer)
Product was donated by: VIA Technologies
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CONCLUSIONS & AFTERTHOUGHTS
VIA's latest EPIA offering is an excellent office alternative to the
the multimedia HTPC targeted M10000. With the digital audio and video
removed and an additional LAN and two USB 2.0 ports added, the CL10000
has every feature and enough power needed for an inexpensive file server,
firewall or corporate office PC.
The one surprising feature I encountered is the increase in performance.
The EPIA line of motherboards are not intended to compete with the AthlonXP
or the Intel Pentium 4, but through an updated BIOS which has been obviously
optimized, performance numbers were up across the board.
I am a real fan of small form factor PCs and I guarantee that the Mini-ITX
represents the size of motherboard one would think should have evolved
a lot earlier.
Big features can come in small packages. Now all we have to do is get
the other major motherboard manufacturers to follow suit.
Please feel free to browse our other EPIA Mini-ITX reviews here:
EPIA M10000
EPIA M9000
Pros:
- Small Form Factor
- Very Stable
- DDR Memory Support
- Great Office Capabilities
- Very Cost Effective
- Includes a PCI slot for expandability.
- Improved Performance
Cons:
- Availability
- A little more power wouldn't hurt.
If you have any questions or comments on this Mini-ITX
motherboard, please feel free to post them in our forums HERE.
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