In computer hardware, a white box is a personal computer or server assembled from off-the-shelf parts. The term is applied to systems assembled by small systems integrators, 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.
With standardization of form factors such as ATX and connectors like IDE, 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.
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 will use an OEM copy of the OS. Self-building white box PCs is still popular among users of the Linux operating system, though manufacturers such as Dell are beginning to offer 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 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.
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