Make Projects: Small Form Factor PCs

By Duane Wessels, Matthew J. Weaver
April 2008
Pages: 304
ISBN 10: 0-596-52076-X | ISBN 13: 9780596520762
Press Release

Description

Shoebox sized and smaller, small form factor PCs can pack as much computing muscle as anything from a PDA to a full-sized desktop computer. Small Form Factor PCs is the only book available that shows you how to build these small form factor PCs -- from kits and from scratch. With thorough illustrations and step-by-step instructions, this book makes it easy for anyone who wants to get started building these tiny systems.
Full Description

Shoebox sized and smaller, small form factor PCs can pack as much computing muscle as anything from a PDA to a full-sized desktop computer. They consume less power, have few or no moving parts, and are very quiet. Whether you plan to use one as a standalone PC or want to embed it in your next hacking project, a small form factor PC may be the next thing you build.

Small Form Factor PCs is the only book available that shows you how to build small form factor PCs -- from kits and from scratch -- that are more interesting and more personalized than what a full-sized PC can give you. Included in the book are projects for building personal video recorders, versatile wireless access points, digital audio jukeboxes, portable firewalls, and much more. This book shows you how to build eight different systems, from the shoebox-sized Shuttle system down to the stick-of-gum sized gumstix.

With thorough illustrations and step-by-step instructions, Small Form Factor PCs makes it easy for anyone who wants to get started building these tiny systems. Small form factor computing is taking off, and this guide is an absolute must for anyone who wants to get in on the launch.

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Media reviews
"Geeks, hobbyists, and tech tinkerers alike will enjoy this readable and informative project-based book about different devices that can be built from small form factor (SFF) computers. Each project contains easy-to-follow and precise instructions along with plenty of photos to keep you oriented...I highly recommend this book for tech tinkerers. It would make a great gift for the geek in your life."
-- Matt Sarrel, Business Tech Tools

"Ever thought of building a working computer inside of a soda bottle, ala a ship in a bottle? Or have you envisioned building a PC inside a lovely antique shipping crate or inside an old 1950s countertop radio cabinet? Now you can get some help to take your ideas to the limit and build a new SFF PC for just about any need you can imagine -- in almost any kind of creative housing -- thanks to Small Form Factor PCs."
-- Todd Weiss, ComputerWorld

"This is a refreshing change to books that show how to put something together but don't tell the reader where to get the hard to find parts. But the level of respect for the reader does not stop there, the book even includes tips about things to avoid and traps to be cautious of so that you end up with the result you are looking for. "
-- Harold McFarland, The Midwest Book Review - Reviewer's Bookwatch

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"Geeks, hobbyists, and tech tinkerers alike will enjoy this readable and informative project-based book about different devices that can be built from small form factor (SFF) computers. Each project contains easy-to-follow and precise instructions along with plenty of photos to keep you oriented."
--Matt Sarrel, Business Tech Tools