We got to spend a little bit of time with a prototype of VIA's new OpenBook reference design, and while it's not going to revolutionize anything, VIA does seem to have a pretty good grasp on the balance of value, size and power necessary to compete in the subnotebook game. They were showing it off with Vista (though it will be available in XP and Linux versions as well), with an interface that was plenty responsive, and while the video we saw wasn't an incredible display of multimedia showmanship, it was neat to see on the C7-M all the same. Our two main gripes are the seeming thickness of the device -- 1.4-inches might be par for the course, but with this small of a laptop it seems awkwardly thick -- and the itty-bitty, cheap-looking keyboard that doesn't utilize the whole width of the laptop. The hope with a reference design is that some manufacturer might even be able to improve on VIA's version, and we'd say the first problem point to address is the keyboard. That said, we're quite impressed that VIA's crammed as much inside the OpenBook as it has, and perks like 3G / 4G connectivity, a trio of USB ports and a media card reader are making that MacBook Air look positively last century. Now the waiting game for one of the dozens of OEM types to start pumping these out of factories and into the arms of cherub-faced mini-note fans the world over. Video is after the break.

In case you missed its debut at WinHEC, we've got a few pics of Microsoft's Windows Home Server reference design to get your gadget juices swishing. The mini "hockeypuck" sports a green halo (or is it Halo?) to indicate a healthy system. Presumably, it then switches to a red ring of death a la the Xbox Ring of Light in the event of trouble. Microsoft claims that no one has taken up their offer to turn the prototype production, although a Sony VAIO VGX-TP1 running WHS sure comes close.

We've seen 'em before, but seeing Intel's Mobile Internet Devices (MIDs) side-by-size definitely brings a strong visual to their Ultra Mobile strategy. As you've probably already guessed, that's their codenamed, "Menlow" reference design on the left which some OEM will surely pickup in the 2008 timeframe. And yeah, it's an honest to goodness functioning device already shown-off during their MID platform's unveiling. On the right, the lowly-by-comparison "McCaslin" class device due later this year. Check the tiny Silverthorn-class processor comparison after the break.

The days of finding brands like Microsoft, Apple, Intel, and Cisco limited to the office-space are long gone. Windows Media Center devices designed around Intel's Viiv platform and soon, Apple's iTV (or whatever the final name will be) are perfectly happy to snuggle up with the living room TV and a bowl of WiFi. So no surprise to find AMD coveting a cut of that turf too, with this, their new living room PC reference design -- a prototype AMD hopes will be copied by manufacturers to bring AMD's Live! entertainment platform to market that much faster. AMD's VP of Consumer Business, Joe Menard, said that these living room PCs "may come out next year" and might even include quiet running, fanless designs if we read into his comments just a bit. With Windows Vista Media Center installed, the device will then be capable of storing all your digital media for pumping back out the TV or other PCs on the home network. Yeah, we know, that's a lousy picture but it's all that AMD is offering -- come on AMD, nobody dances with the wallflower.