A motherboard is the central printed circuit board that makes up a intricate electronic system, specifically a personal computer or a laptop. It can also be referred to as a mainboard, a system board, a baseboard, a planar board, even a mobo, depending on whom you are speaking to. With Apple computer systems, for instance, the motherboard is often labeled a logic board.

IBM-compatible computers hold over 95% of the personal computer market today and most motherboards are produced particularly to meet their demand. This fundamental piece of equipment provides all of the electrical connections that the other parts of your system will communicate with, all the while holding the central processing unit as well as other peripheral interfaces. The motherboard holds crucial components such as the main internal memory, microprocessor, and even the real-time clock.

Prior to the 1980s, a typical computer was usually designed with a card-cage case or mainframe with all of the components relating to a backplane, which housed a set of slots connected by wires. The central processing unit, memory, and peripherals were located on distinct circuit boards that plugged into the backplane. As the microprocessor became more common in the 1990s, it was more cost-effective to integrate many peripherals into the motherboard and include Super I/O (Input/Output) chips in order to operate the keyboard and mouse.

Consumers today are more knowledgeable. Many experiment with their own systems, upgrading or completing entire units on their own. Whether you are a beginner or an educated computer systems engineer, there are lots of places to find exactly what it is you are looking for when it comes to the necessary parts and peripherals. The Internet is a great place to browse manufacturer's websites as well as read any reviews on new and upcoming models of motherboards or components that you may be looking for.

COM Express is one of the more efficient motherboards available on the market. Kontron Embedded Modules is a founding member of the ETX Industrial Group (ETX-IG) and carries a number of innovative products that offer compact 'nano' and 'micro' Com Express compatible modules. In order to purchase your own COM Express motherboard, you can either contact the manufactuer directly or visit their website.