Let's calm down and
@Bill_Bright let's not call people dense.
You are correct, and I
personally and
sincerely apologize to FordGT90Concept, TPU and others reading for losing my professionalism
. I got frustrated by having to reiterate again what I have been repeatedly saying over and over again - not an excuse, just an explanation.
You'd only switch form factors when buying a new computer. Case in point, ATX motherboard won't work in a microATX case.
Case in point - µATX is NOT an entirely different form factor! It is just a variant. Note µATX, ATX, and even EATX all use the exact same power and data connections, the exact same power supplies and voltages, and they must adhere to the exact same voltage regulation and ripple suppression minimum standards. And µATX motherboards still comply with ATX form factor standards for shape and placement of mounting holes.
It is NOT that an ATX motherboard will not "work" in a µATX case, it is that it is too long to "physically" fit. But it will electrically fit. You can use the same RAM, connect the same drives, same USB devices, and even the same (though fewer) expansion cards - the size, shape and electrical requirements are all the same. But note a µATX motherboard WILL fit (and work) in a mid ATX case or a full ATX case with the motherboard's rear I/O panel, expansion slots and motherboard mounting holes aligning up perfectly, just as a mid or full size ATX motherboard will. Even the CPU socket location is still the same to align with backplate access in cases that support that, as well as case front panel buttons, LED indicators, sound and USB ports.
Note the ATX standard variants address "slim" ATX cases for "low profile" cards and PSUs too - cases and supplies that again, use the same connectors and voltages. No need for a totally new form factor.
To reiterate one last time, I am
NOT in favor of new form factor standards for the "PC" because the current ATX Form Factor is working just fine. And more importantly, it can - as it has several times for AGP, PCIe, SATA, color coding, tighter ±5% tolerances, hungrier graphics, etc. etc. - be "revised" to adjust for advances in technologies and trends - WITHOUT the need for a total rewrite.
IF "all" the major players (Intel, AMD, Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, Gigabyte, NVIDIA, ACER, MSI, Micron, Samsung, Sony, WD, Seagate, Corsair, Antec, Thermaltake, Seasonic, Cooler Master, Foxconn, etc.)
could and
would come to a consensus and universally agree on new form factor standards for AiOs, notebooks, PCs, SFF and Next Unit of Computing (NUC) size computers that allowed consumers (you and me) to build and upgrade our own computers picking and choosing components
from competing makers with the assurance they would all physically and electrically be compatible, then and only then would I be open to a new form factor standard.
But because these companies will never give up their profitable, proprietary designs, a new industry-wide standard is not going to happen.
