A form factor is a standardized shape or size which ensures physical interchangeability between like components. With respect to motherboards used in the computing world, having a set standard of form factors allows for computer cases to be manufactured that can accept any motherboard of that same form factor. This, in turn, provides the customer with several choices of manufacturers who provide any number of of solutions capable of being installed inside a standard case.
History
One of the greatest successes ushered in by the IBM PC was the open architecture that was introduced as part of its design philosophy. The idea that every part would have a size and interface standard created a technological environment which allowed any manufacturer to supply parts with the specifications that they believed were best. As long as a manufacturer complied with the specifications, their components could be sold without any need to license rights or certification as other computer manufacturers, most notably Apple, required.
The AT Form Factor
The beginning of the motherboard form factor line started with the AT style motherboard. Unfortunately, the AT motherboard was judged to be too large and prevented slimline cases from being introduced. In a short period of time, the Baby-AT style form factor was put into production and was rapidly accepted by the computing community.
The ATX Form Factor
Originally driven by Intel, the ATX standard was introduced in 1995 but didn't become the default standard until the late 1990s. The ATX form factor introduced many improvements including integrated I/O ports, PS/2 keyboard and mouse connectors, and a more full featured power supply interface that allowed for the computer to be powered up and shut down directly by software.
Small Form Factors
The ATX style motherboard, while significantly smaller than the full-size AT board, soon came under pressure to reduce its size, making way for the introduction of the MicroATX. Over the next several years other, smaller form factors were introduced including the EPIC, the Mini-ITX, the Nano-ITX and even the Pico-ITX. For the most part these form factors are used on the Car PC end of the computer field or in many industrial applications.
The Future
While trying to outguess future technology swings is risky at best, the commonly accepted wisdom is that the real innovation will be happening in your hand, not under your desk or on your lap. The new frontier is the Mobile Internet Device, or MID for short. What this may mean is that the ATX form factor will continue in the PC world while the race is on to provide the next generation of smartphone that can do everything today's desktop computer can do.
Tags: form factor, form factor, style motherboard, with specifications