News Release

VIA EPIA N Nano-ITX Enables Designer Digital Lifestyle

Mini-ITX.com announce world's first Nano-ITX based digital entertainment device created by Hoojum Design

CeBIT, Hannover, Germany, 19 March 2004 - VIA Technologies, Inc., a leading innovator and developer of silicon chip technologies and PC platform solutions, and Mini-ITX.com, an independent Mini-ITX enthusiast and retailer website, today announced the Nanode digital entertainment system, the first digital media device designed around the revolutionary VIA EPIA N-Series Nano-ITX Mainboard, at CeBIT 2004.

Crafted from high-grade aluminum and precision cut with a unique combination process of high pressure water and garnet, a hardened semi-precious stone, the Nanode sports an elegant ceramic matt finish that complements any living or working environment. The system's charm and appeal are enhanced by its quiet operation and small size, approximately the same of a jewelry box, ensuring it can fit into even the most space-constrained environment.

"We are very excited about the Nanode digital entertainment system," said Richard Brown, Associate Vice President of Marketing, VIA Technologies, Inc. "With its stylish, miniaturized design, it provides the perfect embodiment of the core design values that were are working to promote on the VIA Nano-ITX form factor."

Featuring the highly efficient penny-sized VIA Eden-N processor running at speeds of up to 1GHz and the new VIA CN400 digital media chipset with integrated hardware based MPEG-4/2 acceleration and advanced video rendering techniques, the VIA EPIA N boasts the very latest smart digital technologies and innovations in the industry. Rounding off its cinematographic appeal, it delivers a compelling visual experience on all display types from CRT and LCD screens to standard definition TVs and HDTVs, accompanied by crisp clear 6-channel surround sound from the onboard VIA Vinyl Audio Six TRAC controller.

"The application possibilities awaiting the Nanode are boundless considering the impressive digital media capabilities of the VIA CN400," said Ewan Wilcocks of Mini-ITX.com. "With its reduced size and new features, the VIA EPIA N Nano-ITX takes the Mini-ITX concept one step further, and the Nanode captures the spirit of innovation and elegant design that the board is intended for."

Nanode was developed exclusively for Mini-ITX.com by Hoojum Designs, testifying to their long term collaboration and commitment to creating aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly digital media PCs.

"Style, build quality and compactness have always been our trademark, and with the Nanode we have kept our signature curvey outline and matt texture," commented Angus Morrison, Co-Founder, Hoojum Designs. "What inspired us about this design is that we could reduce the size of our designer small form factor PCs while adding excellent digital entertainment features and capabilities to the system."

Nanode will be available exclusively from Mini-ITX.com in Q2, 2004. For further details, please visit www.nanode.com.

For more information on Hoojum Design, please visit www.hoojum.com.

About the VIA EPIA N-Series Nano-ITX mainboard

Measuring a mere 12cm x 12cm and combining the highly efficient VIA Eden-N processor and VIA CN400 digital media chipset, the VIA EPIA N-Series Nano-ITX mainboard provides an unequalled visual experience for smart digital media and mobile entertainment devices. The Chromotion CE Video Display Engine in the VIA CN400's UniChrome Pro IGP graphics core, provides unmatched support for intelligent video rendering techniques and flawless MPEG-4/2 digital video playback on all display types from CRT and LCD screens to standard definition TVs and HDTVs. The VIA EPIA N features a robust shared memory architecture and support for up to 1GB of DDR400/333/266 memory with the acclaimed FastStream64™ memory controller, and a high speed Ultra V-Link interface for a 1GB/s connection to VIA's feature-leading South Bridge options.

Incorporating the VIA Eden-N processor's PadLock Hardware Security Suite, the VIA EPIA N-Series Nano-ITX mainboard provides high quality entropy from two VIA PadLock Random Number Generators (RNGs) and market leading AES encryption rates through the VIA PadLock Advanced Cryptography Engine (ACE). Additionally, the VIA Eden-N processor employs PowerSaver 3.0 power management technology to help extend battery life for mobile devices based on the VIA EPIA N-Series Nano-ITX mainboard.

Through the onboard VIA VT8237R South Bridge, the VIA EPIA N offers a comprehensive range of integrated storage, multimedia and connectivity options, including Serial ATA, UltraDMA IDE, USB 2.0, onboard LAN and V-RAID, with support for multiple RAID configurations. The board also includes support for VIA Vinyl Six-TRAC 6-channel audio through three audio jacks in the I/O panel. The VIA EPIA N-Series also offers support for a growing number of LVDS embedded LCD panels and has a Mini-PCI slot for expandability.

More information on the VIA EPIA N-Series can be found at:
www.viaembedded.com/product/epia_N_spec.jsp?motherboardId=221.

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