Which form factor to choose?

At the same time as Intel launched the new Apollo Lake processors, the SGET released the SMARC 2.0 specification, leading many engineers to wonder: “Which of the three credit card sized form factors should I choose – COM Express Mini, Qseven or SMARC 2.0?”

First off, here’s some reassurance – the well-known industry mantra “Never change a running system” still holds. Engineers who have designed their systems on the basis of COM Express Mini or Qseven have chosen a reliable platform and they can continue to work with both form factors for many years to come. But what is the recommendation for new system designs? What should those system designers consider? There is no easy answer to this question, and one needs some market insights to make a good decision. So let’s start with a brief look at the history of Computer-on-Modules (COMs) to see the entire picture.