The Office IS the Computer
OK, this gets pride of place as the weirdest computer product I have seen all year, but also in many ways the coolest. It certainly has some impressive and far-reaching possibilities.
Chip PC Technologies is producing a thin client computer called the Jack PC that fits completely inside a standard wall LAN jack, runs Windows CE 6.0 R2 and is compatible with Citrix XenDesktop virtualization software. The Jack PC offers four USB ports (for keyboard, mouse, external memory or optical drives), audio I/O, and a VGA (up to 1600 x 1200 pixels) or DVI port (up to 1920 x 1200 pixels). Using DVI it can also support dual monitors.
Software-wise, the Jack PC runs Windows CE on a 333MHz or 500MHz RMI Alchemy Au1550 processor, with 64MB or 128MB of RAM and 32MB or 64MB of flash storage making it a very thin client indeed, as that won’t leave much space for other applications as small as WinCE is. Therefore the Jack PC comes with RDP (remote desktop protocol) 6.0, supplied as part of a Windows CE 6.0 R2 installation. It is powered via Power over Ethernet (PoE) or an external 5VDC supply via a jack on its front panel. PoE is a technology that fascinates me and this is a great use for it.
This strikes me as a brilliant way to maximize office space or put PCs in unusual or high traffic environments like trading floors. Running Win CE the Jack PC isn’t going to be playing Crysis, but it should be able to handle most light computing and office work.
Physical specs for the Jack PC are as follows:
- Processor — RMI Alchemy Au1500, clocked at 333MHz (model EFI6700) or 500MHz (EFI6800, EFI6900 models)
- Memory — 64MB RAM and 32MB flash (EFI6700), 128MB RAM and 64MB flash (EFI6800, EFI6900)
- Display — features 128-bit 3D graphics acceleration engine, with capabilities and resolutions as follows:
- EFI6700 — VGA port, 4MB video RAM, resolution up to 1280 x 1024
- EFI6800 — VGA port, 8MB video RAM, resolution up to 1600 x 1200
- EFI6900 — DVI-I port, 8MB video RAM, single-display resolution up to 1920 x 1200, dual-display resolution up to 1024 x 768 pixels per screen
- Networking — 10/100 Ethernet with RJ45 connector
- Other I/O:
- 4 x USB
- 3.5mm jacks for microphone input and stereo audio output
- 5VDC power input
- Dimensions — 4.56 x 2.78 x 1.56 inches (U.S. version) or 3.44 x 3.44 x 1.58 inches (European version)
- Weight — 12 ounces, with frame
- Power consumption — 5W normal; 0.35W in sleep mode
To read more about this product (which is currently available, through I can;t find any pricing information) check out Chip PCs website HERE.
(Source: Windows for Devices)
Written by Zealot · Filed Under General
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I did a quick check and it looks like Provantage is offering certain models, like the EFI6700, for about $279 (http://www.provantage.com/chip-cpn02079~7CHPC00T.htm).
Just seems like a waste of money to me….with little to no power this thing is going to be REALLY limited, and Windows CE is more trouble than its worth…Windows Mobile 6 might not be able to look like the desktop versions of Windows, but there’s a lot more apps out there for it. Companies would be better served hanging onto their dated computers that are no long able to run top of the line apps but still able to do basic computing than buy these things.