Via shrinks the PC with Artigo do-it-yourself kit

Via Technologies is shipping a do-it-yourself computer kit, called Artigo, that's based on the credit card-size Pico-ITX motherboard announced by the company earlier this year.

Measuring 15 centimeters (5.9 inches) by 11 cm by 4 cm, Artigo is among the smallest computers on the market. The $300 price tag is on the expensive side, but the kit will appeal to PC enthusiasts willing to pay a little extra for a tiny computer.

Via has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to small computers, but system makers haven't been always kept pace with the company's efforts to reduce the size of computers. As a result, PC enthusiasts have largely been on their own when it comes to using Via's small motherboard designs inside PCs.

In the past, that meant users had to buy the motherboard, a case, and other components on their own, referring to Web sites like Mini-ITX.com, which has close links with Via and stores a wealth of information about building your own small computers, as well as offering key components for sale.

With Artigo, Via made this process a little simpler. The kit contains a Pico-ITX motherboard with a 1GHz Via C7 processor, a case, and other components. Users need to add a 2.5-inch hard disk, RAM, monitor, keyboard, and mouse to complete the system.

Users will also have to install their own operating system, since the Artigo kit doesn't include software.