Shelton Processor Uses

[R0CK3TM4NN]

I found Ed's articles on the Sheltons to be intriguing, but he didn't mention a popular aspect of microATX uses. I understand that this is a minor segment of overclockers, nonetheless mainstream PC users, but Intel's foray into the microATX market with their Shelton line of processors could boost the popularity of car-puters. If the largest processor company in the world creates microATX boards w/ the embedded sheltons (and they beat VIA's chips in performance), the volume that Intel could potentially produce these boards could be incredible. I see a market for car computers, and it rests along the lines of in-car electronics companies such as Alpine, Pioneer, MTX, JL, etc.

Both Alpine and Pioneer make in-dash dvd players with wide touch-screens, they could use the shelton as a way to mass produce in-car computers. They would be sold and installed in the same way that current in-car electronics are. Right now there is no targeted market for in-car computers, just individuals either modding or buying microATX boards and wiring them up to their cars. Perhaps intel will work with car manufacturers to create in-car navigation hardware. Now I imagine navigation systems are made w/ proprietary electrons, switching to intel electronics could slash the prices.

[{BC}Helix]

You have a good point with the in-car computers and how this new line of processors could advance that particular area of computing quite a bit. These boards and processors may open up mass in-car data storage of music or movies for people that really don't have the skills to go out any acually build a mini-ATX computer on thier own. And as you said this might open up more opportunities in the way of GPS, perhaps making it cheaper. And like the article mentioned, with the prospect of high overclockablity, this new chip has the potential to bring hefty processing power to mobile applications like the in-car one.


EDIT: Changed micro to mini

[JamminPotato]

its mini-itx not micro atx...sorry to nitpick

[klingens]

imho the biggest problem for car usage is not better CPUs. It's "how can I prevent my harddisk to headcrash" or "how can I afford enough solid state memory for all my MP3s"
Other problems are "how do I handle in/output with keyboards, mice and LCDs"
And last but not least, "how do I get my power economically from a 12V car battery"

If all those problems are solved, then you can look at better CPUs than Via's. IIRC Via already has a itx board powered only with 12V in consumer level price regions. Is such a thing available for Intel except industrial mainboards for several hundred $ a piece? If you can even get them that is. For everything except playing games the Via solution is probably better for in car use. You can play mp3s, can play video, can do navigation.

A really cool use for Sheltons might be as a home theater or PVCR like mythtv(www.mythtv.org), especially if you OC them a bit: mpeg4 encoding in software and fanless -> no annoying fan noise with your expensive 5.1 setup when you watch a movie.

[JamminPotato]

when are the shelton boards comeing out?