Compact 1.8GHz Atom PC is just $200

Compact 1.8GHz Atom PC is just $200
By?Eric Brown
2011-05-27

Article Rating:?/?0

Habey USA announced a compact, Mini-ITX-based signage PC based on a dual-core 1.8GHz Intel Atom D525 processor. The EPC-6563 offers up to 4GB DDR3 RAM, dual SATA bays, dual mini-PCI Express slots, plus gigabit Ethernet, USB, and HDMI connectivity, and is available on Amazon.com starting for just $200.

Habey's EPC-6563 is touted as a digital signage media player, but is also applicable to audio server, thin client, and vending machine applications, says the company. The computer is almost identical to the EPC-6568 released in November, except for two important changes.

On the minus side, Habey has removed the Nvidia Ion 2 GPU (graphics processing unit). As a consolation prize, the company has replaced the dual-core, 1.66GHz Intel Atom D510 with a dual-core, 1.8GHz Atom D525.

Although the D525 uses the same Pineview architecture and onboard graphics as the D510 -- with considerably less graphics oomph than you would get from the Ion 2 -- the extra clock rate should help compensate. Even better, the computer is available for $60 less at a slim $200.

Habey's EPC-6563

Both computers are based on a previously released mini-ITX board called the MITX-6564. In our October coverage of that product, we noted that Habey was already offering three embedded computers based on it, but the new EPC-6568 and similarly sized EPC-6563, measuring just 8.85 x 7.87 x 2.16 inches, appear to be the smallest variant yet.

Since then, Habey has also released a 1U, barebone server computer for $260, based on the same board, called the EPC-6566.

Aside from the processor switches and the price, the EPC-6563 appears to be identical to the EPC-6568. Supplied in a barebones configuration, the EPC-6563 accepts up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM via two SODIMM slots, according to Habey. The device also has two Mini PCI Express slots, and room for two 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives.

EPC-6563 rear panel

The EPC-6563's interfaces, pictured above, all derive directly from the coastline of the MITX-6564. From left to right, they include an HDMI port, a VGA port, an S/PDIF optical digital output, two USB 2.0 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, a headphone output, and a microphone input. Operating system support for the PC includes Linux, Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Embedded Standard, and Windows Vista, Habey says.

For more details, see the spec list below, as well as our previous EPC-6568 coverage

Features and specifications listed by Habey for the EPC-6563 include:

• Processor -- Intel Atom D525 clocked at 1.8GHz
• Chipset -- Intel NM10
• Memory -- Up to 4GB DDR2 via 2 x SODIMM slots
• Storage -- 2 x bays for 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives
• Expansion -- 2 x Mini PCI Express slots
• Networking -- 1 x gigabit Ethernet port
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 4 x internal USB 2.0
  • 1 x COM (internal) via pin header
  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • audio -- mic in and headphone out
• Power -- 12V DC via external AC adapter
• Operating temperature -- 14 to 122 deg. F (-10 to 50 deg. C)
• Dimensions -- 8.85 x 7.87 x 2.16 inches

Further information

The Habey EPC-6568 is available now starting at $200 at Amazon.com. More information may be found at Habey's EPC-6563 page.

---

Related Stories:

FUEL Database on MontaVista Linux Whether building a mobile handset, a car navigation system, a package tracking device, or a home entertainment console, developers need capable software systems, including an operating system, development tools, and supporting libraries, to gain maximum benefit from their hardware platform and to meet aggressive time-to-market goals. Breaking New Ground: The Evolution of Linux Clustering With a platform comprising a complete Linux distribution, enhanced for clustering, and tailored for HPC, Penguin Computing?s Scyld Software provides the building blocks for organizations from enterprises to workgroups to deploy, manage, and maintain Linux clusters, regardless of their size. Data Monitoring with NightStar LX Unlike ordinary debuggers, NightStar LX doesn?t leave you stranded in the dark. It?s more than just a debugger, it?s a whole suite of integrated diagnostic tools designed for time-critical Linux applications to reduce test time, increase productivity and lower costs. You can debug, monitor, analyze and tune with minimal intrusion, so you see real execution behavior. And that?s positively illuminating. Virtualizing Service Provider Networks with Vyatta This paper highlights Vyatta's unique ability to virtualize networking functions using Vyatta's secure routing software in service provider environments. High Availability Messaging Solution Using AXIGEN, Heartbeat and DRBD This white paper discusses a high-availability messaging solution relying on the AXIGEN Mail Server, Heartbeat and DRBD. Solution architecture and implementation, as well as benefits of using AXIGEN for this setup are all presented in detail. Understanding the Financial Benefits of Open Source Will open source pay off? Open source is becoming standard within enterprises, often because of cost savings. Find out how much of a financial impact it can have on your organization. Get this methodology and calculator now, compliments of JBoss. Embedded Hardware and OS Technology Empower PC-Based Platforms The modern embedded computer is the jack of all trades appearing in many forms. Data Management for Real-Time Distributed Systems This paper provides an overview of the network-centric computing model, data distribution services, and distributed data management. It then describes how the SkyBoard integration and synchronization service, coupled with an implementation of the OMG?s Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard, can be used to create an efficient data distribution, storage, and retrieval system. 7 Advantages of D2D Backup For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

Source: http://www.linuxfordevices.com/c/a/News/Habey-EPC6563-/?kc=rss

kingston bbc radio 1 annette funicello family bipolar disorder smallville season 10 kotaku