What is Pizza Box Computer

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Definition of Computer Pizza Box

Pizza Box Computer – Pizza Box denotes a case design for desktop computers. The shape of the box is reminiscent of this one, which is in the English pizza box.

In computing, a pizza box is a type of box for computers or network switches.

It is usually very thin, usually one or two shelves (1U or 2U) high, which makes it full and flat, being very similar to the boxes in which the pizza is distributed. The housings extend so that a monitor can be placed on top, for example, standing on a desk.

What is the history of the Pizza Box computer?

The first computer of this style was Sun’s desktop workstations.

Other common examples were NeXTstation from NeXT Computer and Macintosh LC from Apple.
Over the years, the pizza box design has been superseded by the tower design (with the computer cases positioned vertically under the desk).
In the server arena, the term is colloquially used for 19-inch tech shell shapes and a height unit for shelf mounting.
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What are the characteristics of the Pizza Box computer?

The first computers whose box is generally called a pizza box were state-of-the-art computers. Like the Sun Microsystems workstations sold in the 1980s, especially SPARCstation 1 and SPARCstation 5.

Other famous cases are SGI Indy, NeXTstation, Macintosh LC and Commodore Amiga 1000 – all considered among the best computers of their generation.
The original design of the SPARCstation 1 includes SBus expansion technology, specially designed for this form factor;
Expansion cards are small, especially compared to other expansion cards currently in use. Like VMEbus and are mounted horizontally instead of vertically.
IBM-compatible PCs used with this type of PCI bus cage are limited to one or two horizontally mounted using a riser card or low profile cards.
The density of computing power and the ability to stack pizza box systems also make them attractive for use in data centers.
The equipment was originally designed for the desk, it was placed on the shelves, sometimes requiring the cutting of a part of the box to fit; servers in that form factor are now designed to mount the shelves.
Similarly, many companies have started developing high-end Ethernet switches in this form factor for top rack mounting.