Two European vendors have started taking orders for Intel Atom-populated motherboards. German-based, CARTFT is selling the Intel D945GCLF motherboard, populated with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom 230 processor, for $114 U.S. Tranquil PC, based in the U.K., is selling the same setup for £52.90 U.K. (about $103 U.S.). Tranquil PC's site states that the motherboard is "shipping from first week of June on a first come first served basis." This coincides with Intel's planned official launch of the Atom platform at Computex Taipei (June 3 - 7). Both sites currently list the motherboards as in stock.

The D945GCLF is a mini-ITX form-factor motherboard, but the CARTFT site warns: "The CPU heatsink has a height of 45mm. Thats why it does not fit into every enclosure." The mothrboard uses the Intel 945G chipset and Intel GMA 950 graphics engine. Below are the motherboard's specs from Tranquil PC's site:

A number of Atom-based products have started to see the light of day in the weeks leading up to the official launch. For instance, U.K. seller Expansys is currently taking orders for the MSI Wind ultramobile PC. Expansys is selling the 1.6GHz processor, 1GB memory, 80GB hard drive, Windows XP Home-based laptop for £365 U.K. (about $711 U.S.), and advises: "If you order this product before 4:30pm today, UK customers can expect shipment in 32 working days."

Expect to see a growing list of Atom-based product announcements in the coming weeks, and a slew of shipping products once Intel opens the floodgates in early June. Stay tuned...