[eloisant]

Basically to make a computer that small and cheap, you need a small and cheap CPU. That's pretty much it.

That's why Chinese no-brand maker have been making those since the Intel Baytrail was released:

http://www.geekbuying.com/category/Windows-Mini-PCs-1655/

It's nice to see a device from a well-known brand that stays close to the anonymous Chinese manufacturers, but at the end of the day the innovation that makes it possible comes from the chip makers.