White box (computer hardware)

In computer hardware, a white box is a personal computer or server without a well-known brand name.[1] For instance, the term applies to systems assembled by small system integrators and to home-built 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.[2][3] The term is also applied to high volume production of unbranded PCs that began in the mid-1980s with 8 MHz Turbo XT systems selling for just under $1000.[4]

Not to be confused with White-box testing.
The inside of a white box computer.

Because form factors like ATX and connectors such as IDE, SATA, PCI, and PCI Express are industry-wide standards, a whole range of cases, motherboards, 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 (especially game players) often prefer white box computers constructed with higher quality components that they specify, as opposed to lower cost generic components often found in general purpose PCs. For these users, performance, longevity, expansion capability, and compatibility with non-Windows operating systems take precedence over achieving the absolute lowest cost through the use of the cheapest possible components.

In 2002, around 30% of personal computers sold annually were white box systems.[3] Although saving money is a common motivation for building one's own PC, today it is generally more expensive to build a low-end PC than to buy a pre-built equivalent.[5][6][7][8]

Operating system
A typical "white box" ATX mid-tower case as used by a systems builder.

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 uses an OEM copy of the OS. Self-building white box PCs are still popular among users of the Linux operating system to ensure hardware support and avoid the Microsoft tax, though some manufacturers such as Asus, Lenovo, and Dell offer Ubuntu pre-installed.[9]

Whitebook or Intel "Common Building Blocks"

Intel Corporation defined form factor and interconnection standards for notebook computer components, including "Barebones" (chassis and motherboard), 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.

gollark: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Card
gollark: > Modern SIM cards allow applications to load when the SIM is in use by the subscriber. These applications communicate with the handset or a server using SIM Application Toolkit, which was initially specified by 3GPP in TS 11.14. (There is an identical ETSI specification with different numbering.) ETSI and 3GPP maintain the SIM specifications. The main specifications are: ETSI TS 102 223 (the toolkit for smartcards), ETSI TS 102 241 (API), ETSI TS 102 588 (application invocation), and ETSI TS 131 111 (toolkit for more SIM-likes). SIM toolkit applications were initially written in native code using proprietary APIs. To provide interoperability of the applications, ETSI choose Java Card.[11] A multi-company collaboration called GlobalPlatform defines some extensions on the cards, with additional APIs and features like more cryptographic security and RFID contactless use added.[12]
gollark: Yes.
gollark: But instead they're actually quite powerful things which run applications written in some weird Java dialect?!
gollark: Which could all be done in Software.

See also

References
  1. Gartner Group, Inc. Announces Acquisition of System Builder Summits from Technology Event Management Company Gartner, June 16, 1999
  2. Buying a Non-Branded "White Box" PC InformIT, May 7, 2004
  3. Dell eyes 'white box' market CNET News, August 20, 2002
  4. Inc, InfoWorld Media Group (July 7, 1986). "InfoWorld". InfoWorld Media Group, Inc. – via Google Books.
  5. "Is Building a PC Really Cheaper than Buying One?". Lifehacker.
  6. "The Perfect PC: Don't Buy It, Build It". On a $500 budget, PC manufacturers have a clear advantage: By ordering in bulk and maintaining direct control over their supply chain, they can buy components at lower prices than can an individual user shopping for parts online.
  7. "Does it still make sense to build your own computer?". Woot had a refurbished HP desktop that was packed to the rafters with high-end hardware -- all for $469.99. There's simply no way you could piece together a similarly equipped machine for less money; rather, it would likely cost you hundreds more -- and you wouldn't have the benefits of a whole-system warranty or tech support.
  8. "The pros and cons of building your own computer". Buying a PC from a manufacturer like HP, Dell, or Lenovo can be very cheap. Prices have been driven down to all-time lows (basic desktops and laptops now start at around $300) and you will have a device that just works, in most cases, out of the box. Not to mention that these computers also come with tech support and a warranty.
  9. "Ubuntu partners". partners.ubuntu.com.
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