atom

Intel D945GCLF Essential Series Mini-ITX DDR2 667 Intel Graphics Integrated Atom Processor Desktop Board - Retail
$81.99
This motherboard is cheap, small and having good support on Linux. I used Ubuntu 9.04 32-bit. I found the 64-bit version has power management problem that causes one core is running on power management all the time.

But, the big pain is, after few months, the fan is getting noisy. The sound is tooooooooo loud. I am looking for a replacement for it. If you know a good alternative to the CPU fan on the board, please let me know.

Atom: A Single Oxygen Atom's Journey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth...and Beyond
$19.99
The concept is cute - trace "the life of an oxygen atom" from the big bang to life on earth. From reading this book you get an amazing series of new "aha's" and interests in further science topics to read.

Lawrence Kraus is one of those real-life physicists who likes to communicate the latest details of their science to the rest of us. As a physics major who moved on to a career in business but never lost their fascination for science, I love that!

The beauty of "Atom" is it unifies cosmology, geology, and biology in one tale. Krauss includes the latest on how the first seeds of life are thought to have evolved (e.g., on meteorites that crashed into earth). He reminds us that we are all made of stardust (i.e., carbon and heavier elements that were forged in ancient stars which then went nova, spreading their material universe wide for new stars, planets, and beings).

I never realized how many times a solar system could start to coalesce only to be blown about again. Ditto the conditions on what is to eventually be Earth. Kruass' discussion of what was going on with Earth while the poor meteorite was trying to land triggered me to follow up next with a great book on geology.

One caveat: he's a tad wordy but it's worth it because he includes the details that other popularizations leave out. Now it's in paperback woot!

MSI Wind Nettop 100 Desktop PC (1.6 GHz Intel Atom Dual Core N330 Processor, Barebone) Black
$179.99
Well, I should start out by saying that I didn't really need the computer, it was actually just a project to occupy some time.

Pros:
External power supply was a great idea, greatly reduce the over all bulk of the machine.
Liked the cable routing.
Easy to install all needed parts, the ram was a tight fit, but it went in.
Recognizes my 4Gb CF card.

Cons:
No wifi card, I just got a USB card and use that instead.
Have to remove the mother board to install the CF card.

Really I have nothing else to say about it, I haven't used it much.

Shuttle Computer X27D ATOM Dual Core 330 CPU Embedded Intel 945GC Chipset 1x240 Pin DDR2 Max 2GB 60W Power Adapter Barebone System (Black)
$199.99
Pros: Small, stylish design; elegant finish; best mini-ITX barebone I can find in the market (as of Jan, 2009).

0. The dual core atom make it much more powerful and useful than its predecessor.
1. DVI port: this is my favorite point against other barebone choices.
2. Everything slim: some might prefer 3.5" HDD or 5.25" ODD. But with 2.5 HDD or slimline ODD now comparably priced, I'd like to choose slim ones.
3. IDE port: you can connect a CF card via a cheap CF-IDE adapter.
4. lots of USB: 8 in total I guess.

Cons: The fan for the north bridge is always running at full speed; generate major part of noise, and heat.

Other Thoughts: I got it from another site before newegg have it. Just add in a HITACHI 200GB 2.5" drive, 2GB RAM, a LITE-ON slimline DVD-RW plus a LEXAR 4GB 300X CF card via a IDE-CF adapter. This machine runs like a charming.

1. Really hope intel can introduce a better north bridge for atom setup.
2. Hope the RAM can run at high frequency, exp. 800Mhz
3. maybe a SO-DIMM RAM can save some space on the board.
4. The dual CF-IDE adapter can only support one card. If I put both on, it seems to be recognized fine in BIOS, but actually not functioning proper when install or live Ubuntu linux. Gives a ATA1.00 DRDY error. Not sure this problem is X27D's or general IDE-adapter problem.
5. Can anyone come with a MOD for the little noisy FAN?