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On March 17th, VIA held its second VIA GMB Alliance event. The VIA GMB Tech Forum Spring, hosted in Shenzhen, China, brought together a host of PC manufacturing and infrastructure partners focused on delivering affordable, power efficient mini-notebooks to global markets.
Some 500 attendees witnessed demonstrations of the latest mini-notebook technologies and explored business and technology trends in the rapidly expanding mini-notebook market.
Further details on the VIA GMB Alliance may be found on the VIA GMB website, while photos from the recent event can be found on VIA Gallery.
And for a better look at what went on, try this video on HowToBeMobile.com.
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Starting on March 31st and running until April 2nd, the Embedded System Conference (ESC) offers a chance to see the latest exciting x86 applications in small, yet full featured form factors.
VIA will showcase its latest form factor standards including the new Em-ITX form factor with dual-sided I/O coastlines, along with the latest VIA VX855 Media System Processor playing H.264 format video without the benefit of a heatsink.
You can also learn about VIA's latest services and our extensive product range of embedded boards, riser cards and storage solutions.
We look forward to seeing you at booth 1510 in the McEnery Convention Center, San Jose, USA.
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March 2009 |
Samsung Adopts the VIA Nano Processor
 In late February, Samsung launched the Samsung NC20 Mini-Notebook. Combining the power efficient 1.3+GHz VIA Nano™ processor with the highly-integrated VIA VX800 Media System Processor, the new mini-notebook delivers superior performance and battery life in a sleek 12.1" form factor.
A great looking, well built device, the Samsung NC20 provides an outstanding video experience and comes with a full-size 12" notebook keyboard with optimized 18.5mm key spacing and larger touchpad, all in a highly portable package that weighs just 1.52kg.
Reviewers were quick to praise both the design and performance of the new mini-notebook and were particularly taken with the slightly larger 12” screen and the enhanced user-experience it provides.
More images of the Samsung NC20 can be found on VIA Gallery, while this video offers a closer look at the device.
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VIA VX855 MSP - Focusing on the Power of 1080p HD Video
 With more and more TV and movie content being filmed in high definition, and most consumers having a camera or video recorder that can record in HD, VIA developed the VIA VX855 Media System Processor (MSP) to allow users to take advantage of this footage in a highly power efficient and portable device.
In the past, the high bit-rates associated with quality HD video have posed a real challenge to the processing capabilities of power efficient PC systems such as those found in small form factor and mobile devices. VIA VX855 MSP solves the problem by offering support for full hardware acceleration of the widest variety of leading video standards including H.264, MPEG-2/4, VC-1 and WMV9, greatly reducing the workload and thus the power consumption of the processor.
Measuring a mere 27mm x 27mm and able to run fanlessly within an industry low 2.3 watt power envelope, the VIA VX855 MSP enables system builders to design ever smaller, lighter, and more portable systems.
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Riding the Crest of the Mobile Wave
Unveiled last week at the VIA Global Mobility Bazaar (GMB) Tech Forum Spring, the VIA Surfboard C855 Reference Design is an ultra-compact mainboard specifically designed for easy integration into devices targeted at the rapidly growing mini-notebook market.
With all the critical building blocks, including the VIA C7-M ULV processor, the brand new VIA VX855 MSP chipset, and VIA audio, networking and communications chips, the VIA Surfboard C855 provides the total silicon platform upon which to build exciting, new mini-notebook devices.
Additionally, as a ready-to-build solution, the VIA Surfboard will not only reduce development time and costs for system manufacturers, but affords a head start to established mini-notebook developers or those seeking to enter an increasingly competitive market.
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Official England Football Team Mini-Notebook
UK-based Hi-Grade Computers have launched an official England Football Association mini-notebook, complete with the traditional Three Lions crest.
The Notino µL100E 10.2" mini-notebook is powered by an energy-efficient 1.6GHz VIA C7-M processor, comes with 1GB of DDR2 memory, a 160GB hard drive, built-in Wi-Fi and card reader, and weighs less than 1.5kg - light enough to carry with you on away games.
 
The England FA has permitted Hi-Grade to produce the mini-notebook to allow "true football fans a way of expressing support for their National team."
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Driving Next-Generation Car PCs
The continued evolution of the PC as a multimedia playback device for audio and video entertainment means that car owners are now demanding access to their digital media library whilst on the road.
 Launched last week, the 1.0GHz VIA Eden-powered VIA IVP-7500 in-vehicle platform addresses the need for a solid, yet flexible solution capable of withstanding the rigors of modern transportation applications including car PCs, fleet management, digital tachograph, odometer and security applications.
VIA is currently offering samples of the VIA IVP-7500 board to project customers. More information can be found on the VIA website.
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