VIA launches ultra-compact DIY computer with Eden X2 chip

VIA has revamped its Artigo mini PC, an ultra-compact machine that offers a basic computing platform, but leaves a few doors open for end-user customization. Billed as a "DIY kit," the Artigo A1150 comes readily equipped with a 1.0GHz dual-core VIA Eden X2 processor, a 40nm chip that was unveiled earlier this year for embedded solutions such as the Artigo. The system also packs VIA's VX900H integrated graphics, which provides hardware acceleration to play popular codecs such as H.264, VC-1 and MPEG-2/4 in 1080p HD.

That's a respectable amount of power considering the Artigo's 5.7 x 3.9 x 2-inch chassis -- similarly sized to Zotac's Zbox Nano. The tiny box is riddled with connectivity, including audio in/out jacks, a mic jack, four USB 2.0 ports (two in front and two in back), a micro-USB 2.0 device port, VGA and HDMI outputs, and a Gigabit Ethernet jack. The "DIY" claim refers to the fact that you can add your own RAM and storage. There's one SODIMM slot supporting up to 4GB of DDR3 1066MHz along with a SATA port and room for a 2.5-inch drive.

There's not a huge market for compact low-powered machines, so by excluding storage and RAM, VIA ensures that it covers as many bases as possible. Users also have the option to install a module for 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity as well as an SD card reader. The Eden X2 has native support for 64-bit operating systems, so you can install your preferred edition of Windows or Linux. We haven't seen any pricing information yet, but the single-core Artigo A1100 is fetching about $240, while similar Fusion-based Zotac machines are ~$220.

Via introduces QuadCore processor for notebooks

Via managed to get some buzz going on when the Isaiah architecture and Nano processor were first introduced back in 2008. But even though early benchmarks seemed promising performance-wise, Intel had the upper hand when it came to power consumption and quickly took the market by storm. It was only this year that AMD came out with a competitive alternative for netbooks and budget laptops and now it seems VIA is ready to give it another go.

Following the introduction of its Nano X2 processor back in January, which is a dual-core implementation of its Isaiah architecture built on TSMC's 40-nm chip fabrication process, VIA is now introducing the QuadCore processor combining a pair of Nano X2 chips on a single package to deliver a low-cost, low-power alternative to Atom and Brazos.

The pair of Nano X2 chips are connected by a shared 1333MHz FSB and each has two 1MB independent L2 caches, for a total of 4MB of L2 on-package. Initially VIA will be introducing a single model of the QuadCore, known as the L4700, which is rated for 1.2GHz operation and a maximum TDP of just 27.5W. The QuadCore can dynamically clock up to frequencies as high as 1.46GHz, however, provided there's enough thermal and power headroom available, thanks to a new feature called Adaptive Overclocking that appears to work very much like Intel's Turbo Boost.

The chip is designed to run multimedia, productivity and Internet applications, according to VIA, and will be pin-to-pin compatible with Via Eden, Via C7 and Via Nano E-Series and Via Eden X2 processors. The company offered some results from its own internal benchmarks compared to an AMD E-350 APU, and the QuadCore seemed to have a clear advantage in CPU intensive tests, encryption, and some multimedia as well.

In terms of power consumption Brazos and Atom still have an advantage, though, not to mention that with less than 1% of the x86 market VIA lacks the market pull of Intel or AMD. But it's still interesting to see some more competition in the market and we're eager to see if they manage to score some design wins from major notebook vendors. You can read a bit more about the QuadCore and take an inside look of VIA's simulation labs over at AnandTech and HardOCP.

Via introduces QuadCore processor for notebooks

Via managed to get some buzz going on when the Isaiah architecture and Nano processor were first introduced back in 2008. But even though early benchmarks seemed promising performance-wise, Intel had the upper hand when it came to power consumption and quickly took the market by storm. It was only this year that AMD came out with a competitive alternative for netbooks and budget laptops and now it seems VIA is ready to give it another go.

Following the introduction of its Nano X2 processor back in January, which is a dual-core implementation of its Isaiah architecture built on TSMC's 40-nm chip fabrication process, VIA is now introducing the QuadCore processor combining a pair of Nano X2 chips on a single package to deliver a low-cost, low-power alternative to Atom and Brazos.

The pair of Nano X2 chips are connected by a shared 1333MHz FSB and each has two 1MB independent L2 caches, for a total of 4MB of L2 on-package. Initially VIA will be introducing a single model of the QuadCore, known as the L4700, which is rated for 1.2GHz operation and a maximum TDP of just 27.5W. The QuadCore can dynamically clock up to frequencies as high as 1.46GHz, however, provided there's enough thermal and power headroom available, thanks to a new feature called Adaptive Overclocking that appears to work very much like Intel's Turbo Boost.

The chip is designed to run multimedia, productivity and Internet applications, according to VIA, and will be pin-to-pin compatible with Via Eden, Via C7 and Via Nano E-Series and Via Eden X2 processors. The company offered some results from its own internal benchmarks compared to an AMD E-350 APU, and the QuadCore seemed to have a clear advantage in CPU intensive tests, encryption, and some multimedia as well.

In terms of power consumption Brazos and Atom still have an advantage, though, not to mention that with less than 1% of the x86 market VIA lacks the market pull of Intel or AMD. But it's still interesting to see some more competition in the market and we're eager to see if they manage to score some design wins from major notebook vendors. You can read a bit more about the QuadCore and take an inside look of VIA's simulation labs over at AnandTech and HardOCP.

Microsoft takes down massive botnet via legal action

Microsoft and federal law enforcement agents have seized computer equipment from Internet hosting facilities across the US to cripple the largest source of junk e-mail on the Internet: the Rustock botnet. The software giant launched the raids as part of a civil lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle last month against the unnamed operators of the botnet, which was composed of more than 1 million machines worldwide.

US marshals accompanied employees of Microsoft's digital crimes unit into Internet hosting facilities in Kansas City, Scranton, Denver, Dallas, Chicago, Seattle, and Columbus. The Microsoft officials had a federal court order granting them permission to seize command-and-control computers within the facilities alleged to be owned by the operators of the Rustock botnet, which accounted for nearly half of all spam at the end of last year.

Redmond says it confiscated dozens of hard drives and a handful of computers from the hosting providers as part of the raid. Microsoft officials said they had to seize actual computer equipment connected to the botnet because the masterminds behind Rustock designed their infected computers to receive instructions from IP addresses tied to specific command-and-control machines.

"Spam is annoying and it can advertise potentially dangerous or illegal products," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement. "It is also significant as a symptom of greater threats to Internet health. Although Rustock's primary use appears to have been to send spam, it's important to note that a large botnet can be used for almost any cybercrime a bot-herder can dream up. Botnets are powerful and, with a simple command, can be switched from a spambot to a password thief or DDOS attacker."

Botnets are created when malware infects hundreds or thousands of computers in a way to allow criminals to control them for distributing enormous volumes of spam. Infected computers are typically owned by people who have no idea their machines are being used by outsiders to send spam. Because Windows is on the majority of computers, the most effective malware specifically exploits vulnerabilities in Microsoft's operating system for PCs.

As a result, Microsoft has become more and more involved in legal actions against any form of mass malware that harms its products and reputation. Spam taxes the servers of its Windows Live Hotmail service, and impacts the Internet experience of Windows users.