Small Form Factor PCs

Computers the Size of a Shoe or Pizza Box

Since the early days of desktop personal computers, the size of the systems has been fairly large. This was originally due to the number of size of the chips required to make even the most basic computer run. Over time the technology has greatly improved allowing for the processors and microchips to shrink such that fewer microchips are needed. What used to take a full size expansion card the size of a legal envelope can now be done by a single chip the size of a postage stamp. With the reduction of components for the computers the size of the computer can now be reduced.

Notebook sales may be growing every year, but a new trend has been developing along side portables. They offer the same performance levels to that of a notebook computer all the way up to a top of the line desktop system but at a fraction of the size. Small form factor (or SFF for short) systems come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but they may be the future of where computing in the home is at.
Slim PCs

Slim PCs were the earliest style of small form factor system. Essentially, they were desktop systems that removed some of the bulk by removing space for full sized expansion cards. This reduced the desktops height or width by half. Since that time, they have reduced their size even more through the reduction of component sizes. They still tend to have expansion slots, but have “half-height” slots that require specific expansion cards that are difficult to find.

Businesses tend to prefer standard computers that don't have a lot of expansion capabilities. This is done because the companies depreciate the cost of the computers over their life span or they lease them. Once a system has reached its "lifespan" it is replaced by a new updated computer. Because there is no need for expansion, an integrated system such as a slim PC makes perfect sense. The computers don't have to be top of the line when it comes to components since most business computing done is for word processing, spreadsheets and corporate communications.
Cubes

The cube small form factor systems have gained in popularity recently primarily from the enthusiast and PC gamer marketplace. These systems are called cubes but they tend to resemble large shoe boxes. They still fit all the normal desktop computer components but unlike slim PCs, they tend to have a limited number of full sized expansion slots. It is this expansion ability that has really driven the cube computers to the enthusiasts.

Prior to the rise of network gaming and LAN parties where people bring their PCs to a single location to network them together, manufacturers never saw the demand for small sized systems that included an advanced graphics capability. Integrated graphics are more than sufficient for corporate computing tasks. Trying to run a brand new 3D game title on one of these systems was like watching a slide show. Gamers need the ability to install graphics cards with the latest technology. And that is just what they have gotten in the cube small form factor PCs.
Mini PCs

The latest in the small form factor PCs is the mini PC. These are very small systems that are about the size of a large format paperback book or several DVD movie cases stacked. They gained in popularity with the release of the Apple Mac Mini and newer releases by various PC manufacturers. The systems can get as small as they do because they are based upon notebook PC components and lack the display, keyboard and mouse to help reduce the size. Power supplies also reside outside of the computer systems.
Advantages of SFF PCs

So why should one look into getting a small form factor PC over a full sized desktop? The primary advantage of course is size. These systems take up relatively small amount of space on one's desk. Because of their reduced size and components, they tend to use less power than a normal desktop. Since they only have space for a single optical drive, a single hard drive and maybe two expansion cards, they is very little demand for power outside of the primary processor.

* Small System Dimensions
* Lower Power Consumption
* Portability When Required

Disadvantages

But what does one give up in a small form factor system? The biggest disadvantage is the lack of expansion. In order to save space, many internal expansion slots and memory slots are removed. Generally a system will only have 2 or sometimes even a single memory slot compared to 4 or more in a normal desktop system. The lack of expansion cards means that the user can only fit one or two cards into the computer if any.. With the rise of USB 2.0 and Firewire, expansion isn't as much of an issue as it once was.

The other issue can be cost. Even though the systems have fewer parts than a desktop system, the cost for them tend to be a bit higher. Of course, the engineering to make all these components work in such a small space is probably the reason why they cost more.

* Limited or No Expansion Capability
* Cost Relative to Regular Sized Desktop

What's Available

There are a wide range of choices for consumers now that small systems have taken off. Slim PCs are the biggest portion of the market right now and are aimed more for business uses. More and more manufacturers are looking to switch these slim systems into thin clients that remove more parts and rely on central storage systems for functionality.

Consumers are most likely going to see either the enthusiast bare bones small form factor kit PCs based on chassis such as those from Shuttle or from mini PCs from manufacturers such as AOpen and Apple. The determination of which of these two will really come down to how the computers are going to be used by the consumers. Those looking for gaming or fast computing in a small package will go with the kits while home theater and general computing folks will likely go with a mini PC.