VIA Technologies Inc., calling itself a “total silicon platform provider” released its latest mini-note PC reference design today.

The OpenBook features the VIA C7-M processor and VIA VX800 integrated graphics processor, an 8.9-inch screen and weighs in under 1kg. System builders, integrators and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) can offer the emerging WiMAX standard, HSDPA and EV-DO / W-CDMA (cellular) modules.

The external panels of the reference design are available to OEMs as an open CAD (computer aided design) file under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 license to allow system builders to tailor the look and feel of the device to the markets they serve.

Powered by the VIA C7-M ULV processor and the VIA VX800 digital media IGP chipset, the VIA OpenBook mini-note reference design is a small, 1kg, 8.9″ mini-notebook form factor design that supports screen resolutions of up to 1024x600 and high performance VIA Chrome9 DirectX 9.0 3D graphics. Advanced video acceleration for MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, VC1 and DiVX video formats, a VMR capable HD video processor and 8-channel HD audio make it a highly media rich mini-notebook platform.

The VIA OpenBook mini-note reference design offers unrivaled broadband connectivity options though two internal modules, with the first one featuring WiFi, Bluetooth, and optional AGPS connections and the second one offering a choice of WiMAX, HSDPA, or EV-DO/W-CDMA options. In addition, the VIA OpenBook also comes with three USB 2.0 ports, a VGA port, and audio-in/audio-out jacks as well as a 4-in-1 card reader (SD/SDIO/MMC/MS) and a 2 mega-pixel dual-headed web camera.

The VIA OpenBook supports a wide range of operating system environments, including Microsoft Windows Vista Basic, Microsoft Windows XP, and various Linux distributions. The device features up to 2GB DDR2 DRAM and can be equipped with a choice of hard disk drive and solid state storage options.

Featuring a 4-cell 2600mA lithium-ion battery, the VIA OpenBook delivers up to three hours of battery life and measures just 240mm x 175mm x x36.2mm (WxDxH)

More info at www.viaopenbook.com