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White box (computer hardware)
Encyclopedia
In computer hardware
, a white box is a personal computer
or server
without a registered brand name. For instance, the term is applied to systems assembled by small system integrator
s and to homebuilt computer
systems assembled by end users from parts purchased separately at retail. In this latter sense, building a white box system is part of the DIY movement. The term is also applied to high volume production of unbranded PC
s.
Because form factors like ATX
and connector
s such as IDE, SATA
, PCI, and PCI-Express are industry-wide standards, a whole range of cases
, motherboard
s, CPUs
, hard disk
drives, RAM
and other parts can be obtained individually at many computer shops and assembled at home with a minimum of tools and technical skill. Alternatively, the shop itself may assemble components into a complete machine at a modest additional cost. Similarly, the less-common term "whitebook" denotes a notebook computer assembled from off-the-shelf parts.
Computer professionals and intensive computer users often prefer white box computers constructed with higher quality components which they are able to specify as opposed to the lower cost generic components often found in general purpose PCs. For these users performance, longevity and expansion capability take precedence to achieving the absolute lowest cost through the use of the cheapest possible components.
In 2002, around 30% of personal computers sold annually were whitebox systems.
While PCs built by system manufacturers generally come with a pre-installed operating system
, white boxes from both large and small system vendors and other VAR
channels can be ordered with or without a pre-installed OS. Usually when ordered with an operating system the system builder will use an OEM
copy of the OS. Self-building white box PCs is still popular among users of the GNU/Linux operating system to ensure hardware support and avoid the Microsoft tax, though manufacturers such as Dell
are beginning to offer Ubuntu
pre-installed.
), hard disk drive, optical disk drive, LCD, battery pack, keyboard, and AC/DC adapter. These building blocks are primarily marketed to computer building companies, rather than DIY users.
Computer hardware
Personal computer hardware are component devices which are typically installed into or peripheral to a computer case to create a personal computer upon which system software is installed including a firmware interface such as a BIOS and an operating system which supports application software that...
, a white box is a personal computer
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
or server
Server (computing)
In the context of client-server architecture, a server is a computer program running to serve the requests of other programs, the "clients". Thus, the "server" performs some computational task on behalf of "clients"...
without a registered brand name. For instance, the term is applied to systems assembled by small system integrator
System integrator
A systems integrator is a person or company that specializes in bringing together component subsystems into a whole and ensuring that those subsystems function together, a practice known as System Integration...
s and to homebuilt computer
Homebuilt computer
A homebuilt computer is a computer assembled from available components, usually commercial off-the-shelf components, rather than purchased as a complete system from a computer system supplier.- History :...
systems assembled by end users from parts purchased separately at retail. In this latter sense, building a white box system is part of the DIY movement. The term is also applied to high volume production of unbranded PC
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
s.
Because form factors like ATX
ATX
ATX is a motherboard form factor specification developed by Intel in 1995 to improve on previous de facto standards like the AT form factor. It was the first big change in computer case, motherboard, and power supply design in many years, improving standardization and interchangeability of parts...
and connector
Electrical connector
An electrical connector is an electro-mechanical device for joining electrical circuits as an interface using a mechanical assembly. The connection may be temporary, as for portable equipment, require a tool for assembly and removal, or serve as a permanent electrical joint between two wires or...
s such as IDE, SATA
Sata
Sata is a traditional dish from the Malaysian state of Terengganu, consisting of spiced fish meat wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on a grill.It is a type of Malaysian fish cake, or otak-otak...
, PCI, and PCI-Express are industry-wide standards, a whole range of cases
Computer case
A computer case is the enclosure that contains most of the components of a computer...
, motherboard
Motherboard
In personal computers, a motherboard is the central printed circuit board in many modern computers and holds many of the crucial components of the system, providing connectors for other peripherals. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard, system board, or, on Apple...
s, CPUs
Central processing unit
The central processing unit is the portion of a computer system that carries out the instructions of a computer program, to perform the basic arithmetical, logical, and input/output operations of the system. The CPU plays a role somewhat analogous to the brain in the computer. The term has been in...
, hard disk
Hard disk
A hard disk drive is a non-volatile, random access digital magnetic data storage device. It features rotating rigid platters on a motor-driven spindle within a protective enclosure. Data is magnetically read from and written to the platter by read/write heads that float on a film of air above the...
drives, RAM
Ram
-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...
and other parts can be obtained individually at many computer shops and assembled at home with a minimum of tools and technical skill. Alternatively, the shop itself may assemble components into a complete machine at a modest additional cost. Similarly, the less-common term "whitebook" denotes a notebook computer assembled from off-the-shelf parts.
Computer professionals and intensive computer users often prefer white box computers constructed with higher quality components which they are able to specify as opposed to the lower cost generic components often found in general purpose PCs. For these users performance, longevity and expansion capability take precedence to achieving the absolute lowest cost through the use of the cheapest possible components.
In 2002, around 30% of personal computers sold annually were whitebox systems.
Operating system
Operating system
An operating system is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for application software. The operating system is the most important type of system software in a computer system...
, white boxes from both large and small system vendors and other VAR
Value-added reseller
A value-added reseller is a company that adds features or services to an existing product, then resells it as an integrated product or complete "turn-key" solution...
channels can be ordered with or without a pre-installed OS. Usually when ordered with an operating system the system builder will use an OEM
Original Equipment Manufacturer
An original equipment manufacturer, or OEM, manufactures products or components that are purchased by a company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name. OEM refers to the company that originally manufactured the product. When referring to automotive parts, OEM designates a...
copy of the OS. Self-building white box PCs is still popular among users of the GNU/Linux operating system to ensure hardware support and avoid the Microsoft tax, though manufacturers such as Dell
Dell
Dell, Inc. is an American multinational information technology corporation based in 1 Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas, United States, that develops, sells and supports computers and related products and services. Bearing the name of its founder, Michael Dell, the company is one of the largest...
are beginning to offer Ubuntu
Ubuntu (operating system)
Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of Ubuntu...
pre-installed.
Whitebook or Intel "Common Building Blocks"
Intel Corporation defined form factor and interconnection standards for notebook computer components, including "Barebones" (chassis and motherboardMotherboard
In personal computers, a motherboard is the central printed circuit board in many modern computers and holds many of the crucial components of the system, providing connectors for other peripherals. The motherboard is sometimes alternatively known as the mainboard, system board, or, on Apple...
), hard disk drive, optical disk drive, LCD, battery pack, keyboard, and AC/DC adapter. These building blocks are primarily marketed to computer building companies, rather than DIY users.