| Via panel PC resists shock, liquids |
Nov. 18, 2008
 Via announced a fanless panel PC that runs Windows XP Embedded or CE and resists both liquids and dust. The "VIPRO VP7710" includes Via's Eden or C7 processors, a 10.4-inch touchscreen display, gigabit Ethernet, three serial ports, and two USB 2.0 ports, the company says.
(Click here for a larger view of Via's VIPRO VP7710)
According to Via, the VP7710 targets ticketing, ATM, vending, and information kiosks applications. The device is also "highly suited for HMI [human-machine interface] applications," thanks to its ability to accept a second, external display, the company adds.
The VP7710 has a 10.4-inch touchscreen display with a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels. It is housed in a case built from aluminum and steel, and claimed to meet IP65 standards for water and dust resistance. The VP7710 can withstand shocks of up to 50G during operation, Via said.
For such rough-and-tumble applications, SSD (solid state disk) storage is advisable, and indeed, the VP7710 has an internal Type I CompactFlash slot. However, the device can also accept a 2.5-inch hard disk drive internally, according to Via.
The panel PC accepts either a 1.6GHz Via Eden ULV processor, or a 1.0GHz Via C7. The supporting chipset is Via's CX700M2 integrated northbridge/southbridge. A single SODIMM slot lets the VP7710 support up to 1GB of DDR2 memory, according to Via.
 
The back (left) and bottom (right) of Via's VP7710
(Click either to enlarge)
As mentioned, the VP7710 is designed to run fanlessly, and the back of the device (above left) serves as a heat sink. Ports are situated both on the bottom of the device (above right) and on its side.
Ports on the bottom of the panel PC include a VGA connector for an external monitor, three serial ports, and audio line in, line out, and mic in jacks. Also on the bottom, a switch allows two of the serial ports, wired as COM2 and COM4, to supply 5VDC or 12VDC power to external accessories.
 On the side of the device (pictured at right), there are PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, two USB connectors, and an RJ45 port for the gigabit Ethernet adapter. Featuring a watchdog timer and wake-on-LAN functionality, the VP7710 also offers an optional wireless LAN module, complete with the antenna shown in our photos.
Daniel Wu, vice president of Via's embedded division, said, "Intuitive information delivery has quickly become a necessity for today's modern kiosk and vending machines. The VP7110 is the first in a series of cost-effective, intelligent touch screen panel displays from Via."
Features and specifications listed for the VP7710 by Via include:- Processor -- 1.6GHz Via Eden ULV or 1.0GHz Via C7
- Memory -- Up to 1GB of RAM via single DDR2 socket
- Display -- 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 600 resolution, plus secondary external monitor via VGA port
- Storage -- 2.5-inch HDD (hard disk drive) bay and Type I CompactFlash slot
- Networking -- Gigabit Ethernet (VIA VT6122 chipset)
- Other I/O:
- 1 x VGA
- 1 x RS422/485
- 2 x RS232, with 5DC or 12VDC power
- Audio line out, line in, mic in
- 2 x PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse
- 2 x USB 2.0
- Power requirements -- 7VDC to 30VDC input voltage
- Operating temperature -- 0 to 45 deg. C
- Shock resistance -- Up to 50G (IEC 60068-2-27 spec.), half sine, 11ms duration
- Vibration resistance -- Up to 5Grms, (IEC 60068-2-64 spec.), random, 5 to 500Hz
- Dimensions -- 11.82 x 8.1 x 2.17 inches (300 x 206 x 55mm)
- Weight -- 7.9 pounds (3.6kg)
Operating system support for the VP7710 is said to include Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE, Windows XP, and Linux.
Via did not release pricing for the device but said it is available now. More information may be found at the company's website, here.
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