| Thin PC piggybacks on LCD panels |
Oct. 08, 2007
Via Technologies has announced a computer that attaches, piggyback-fashion to the VESA mounting holes on any VESA flat-panel display, turning it into a complete PC. Aimed at signage, kiosk, and other intelligent display applications, the vm7700 runs Linux, among other OSes.
(Click for a slightly larger view of the vm7700)
Via's vm7700 mounts to the back of an LCD with 4 screws
While it wouldn't be fair to call Via's vm7700 an "invisible" computer -- it measures approximately 11.7 x 7 x 1 inches -- the effect of the mounting method is that it adds little visual impact, and takes up no desk space. Via says any monitor with the standard 100 x 100 mm VESA mounting hole pattern can be used.
The device is based on a choice of Via x86-compatible processors -- either a 1.0 GHz C7, or a 1.5 GHz Eden ULV. The company says both operate without requiring a fan, and with a maximum power requirement of only 12 watts.
The unit incorporates Via's CX700M2 integrated northbridge/southbridge. This provides it with Via's UniChrome Pro II IGP graphics core, with MPEG-2/-4 and WMV9 hardware acceleration, plus dual-view across both DVI and VGA sockets, according to the company.
According to Via, the vm7700 also has room for a 2.5-inch hard drive or flash-based disk-on-module (DOM). Networking is taken care of by built-in gigabit Ethernet port, plus an optional wireless LAN module.
Key features and specifications listed by Via for the vm7700 include:- Processor -- Via C7 clocked at 1 GHz, or Via Eden ULV clocked at 1.5 GHz
- Memory -- 1 x DDR2 533 MHz SO-DIMM, supporting up to 1 GB
- Graphics:
- Via UniChrome Pro II AGP graphics with MPEG-2 / 4, WMV9 decoding acceleration
- VGA output port
- S-Video TV-out port (dual view)
- DVI-D port
- Networking:
- gigabit Ethernet
- Wireless LAN 802.11b/g (optional)
- Storage -- 1 x 2.5-inch HDD or DOM (disk on module)
- Audio -- AC '97 compatible, line-out, line-in, mic-in
- Other I/O ports:
- 4 x USB 2.0
- 2 x PS/2
- 1 x RS232 serial
- Power -- DC 12V input @ 12 watts maximum
- Operating temperature -- 0-45 deg. C
- Dimensions -- 11.7 x 7.1 x 1.0 inches (298 x 180 x 26 mm)
- Weight -- 4.4 pounds (2 kg)
Accessories listed by Via include the wireless module mentioned, an adapter plate for the smaller (75 x 75 mm) VESA mounting hole variant, and a remote control.
In addition to Linux, the device supports Windows XP/XPe/CE, with other OSes "undergoing validation," Via said.
According to Via, the vm7700 is available now, though pricing was not provided. More information is available from the company's website, here.
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