Form factor (design)

Form factor is a hardware design aspect that defines and prescribes the size, shape, and other physical specifications of components, particularly in electronics.[1][2] A form factor may represent a broad class of similarly sized components, or it may prescribe a specific standard.

Comparison of some common motherboard form factors

Evolution and standardization

As electronic hardware has become smaller following Moore's law and related patterns, ever-smaller form factors have become feasible. Specific technological advances, such as PCI Express, have had a significant design impact, though form factors have historically been slower to evolve than individual components. Standardization of form factors is vital for compatibility of hardware from different manufacturers.

Trade-offs

Smaller form factors may offer more efficient use of limited space, greater flexibility in the placement of components within a larger assembly, reduced use of material, and greater ease of transportation and use. However, smaller form factors typically incur greater costs in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance phases of the engineering lifecycle, and do not allow the same expansion options as larger form factors. In particular, the design of smaller form-factor computers and network equipment must entail careful consideration of cooling.[3] End-user maintenance and repair of small form-factor electronic devices such as mobile phones is often not possible, and may be discouraged by warranty voiding clauses; such devices require professional servicing—or simply replacement—when they fail.[4]

Examples

Size comparison of various mobile form factors (from smallest to largest: Nintendo DS Lite handheld, Asus Eee PC netbook, and MacBook laptop)

Computer form factors comprise a number of specific industry standards for motherboards, specifying dimensions, power supplies, placement of mounting holes and ports, and other parameters. Other types of form factors for computers include:

• Small form factor (SFF), a more loosely defined set of standards which may refer to both motherboards and computer cases. SFF devices include mini-towers and home theater PCs.
• Pizza box form factor, a wide, flat case form factor used for computers and network switches; often sized for installation in a 19-inch rack.

Components

• Hard disk drive form factors, the physical dimensions of a computer hard drive
• Hard disk enclosure form factor, the physical dimensions of a computer hard drive enclosure

Mobile form factors

• Laptop or notebook, a form of portable computer with a "clamshell design" form factor.
• Subnotebook, ultra-mobile PC, netbook, and tablet computer, various form factors for devices which are smaller and often cheaper than a typical notebook.
• Mobile phone form factor, comprising the size, shape, layout, and style of mobile phones. Broad categories of form factors include bars, flip phones, and sliders, with many subtypes and variations of each.

See also

• Computer hardware
• Electronic packaging
• Packaging engineering
• List of computer size categories
• List of integrated circuit package dimensions

References

1. "Form factor". Webopedia. Quinstreet Enterprise. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
2. "Form factor". WhatIs.com. TechTarget. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
3. Morrison, John (April 4, 2016). "Passive Cooling – An Experiment". SFF Network. Minutiae. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
4. Prowse, David L. (September 27, 2012). "CompTIA A+ Exam Cram: Mobile Device Hardware and Operating Systems". Pearson IT Certification. Pearson Education. Retrieved 13 June 2016.