Yes, you could fit it in a breadbox -- or a toaster, cigar box, biscuit tin, lampshade or E.T. Doll, as reported by Ford Fessenden in The New York Times. All the rage among computer hobbyists is the transformation of the bulky, ugly beige-box desktop computer into tiny, quirky and cute desktop knickknacks. The whole thing started, legend has it, when a technology writer named Michael Chin spotted "a blue, plastic Ikea breadbox" shortly after purchasing "a tiny motherboard called the mini-ITX," made by Via Technologies. He had been "growling" that he couldn't find a case small enough for the tiny motherboard, "which measures about 10 inches by 14 inches by 6 inches," or about half the size of a conventional 'board. Now we have hobbyists using everything from toasters to gas containers to Lincoln Log cabins as cases for these miniaturized computers. The trend really took off when a U.K. enthusiast named Evan Wilcocks posted his creation -- "a computer enclosed in a Plexiglas container" -- on his website. Via was a bit surprised by the hobbyist response, although others peg it to an inability to customize cars anymore, given the complex technology involved. "For people who want to tinker ..." says hobbyist Henry Minsky, " ... what choices do they have?" He put a computer inside a teletype machine. The tinkering is already hitting the mainstream, with companies taking what Mr. Wilcocks calls "small form-factor PCs" to market. Tranquil PC, based in Manchester, England, is one such company, marketing a design that is described as "very much a chic design, a high-class, hi-fi design." Another company, called Hush, says its "elegant product" would look at home not only in one's living room, but also "on the managing director's desk or in the architect's design studio." Indeed, the guys think this is a nifty way to move their computers into their living rooms, with wifely blessings. These miniature 'boards are relatively slow and totally inflexible as compared to the big boards. But they run cool, quiet and are inexpensive (no more than $200). Says Michael Chin, of the trend he unwittingly started: "It's here to stay." Source: Cool News.