They run a range of Windows and Windows Embedded OSes, and target device-makers and hobbyists.
Mini-Box's Mx00 family
(Click to enlarge)The Mini-Box Mx00 systems are based on Jetway's 627FWE mini-ITX motherboard -- the same board that powers Mini-Box's
Voom car pc.
PC-CF module
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In addition to normal PC I/O, the Jetway board offers surface-mount connectors for daughtercards that expand the I/O peripheral set. Currently available daughtercards are said to include:
- 1 x gigabit Ethernet port
- 1 x 10/100 LAN
- 3 x gigabit Ethernet
- 3 x 10/100 LAN
- 2 x serial ports
- 4 x serial ports
- Hybrid PCMCIA/CompactFlash slot
Another mini-ITX maker, Liantec, offers
similar daughtercard technology for its Intel- and AMD-powered boards. Cards available for its systems include PCI-express and 1080i HDTV-out cards.
The Jetway board is powered by a second-generation Via C3 processor -- similar to Via's popular Epia MII board. The processor is clocked at 1GHz.
Mini-Box offers the Mx00-series systems barebones, or with factory installed and tested RAM, CompactFlash, and/or 2.5-inch hard drives. System particulars can be spec'ed out in the company's online configurator.
M300-LCD
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Specific Mx00-series models include:
- M200 -- basic model
- M200-LCD -- adds 2x20 STN (super twisted nematic) LCD, illuminated keypad, and front-panel IR receiver
- M300 -- adds room for PCI card
- M300-LCD -- adds room for PCI card and LCD/keypad/IR (pictured at right)
picoPSU
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Additional touted features include:
- Basic M200 draws only 15 Watts
- 9.4 x 7.9 x 2.1 inches (24 x 20cm x 5.4cm)
- 9.4 x 7.9 x 3 inches, with PCI card (24 x 20cm x 5.4cm)
- Designed for long life (availability)
- Uses Ituner's cool-running 120-Watt picoPSU power supply (pictured at right)
- Bootable from CompactFlash or hard drive
- "Fully compatible" with Windows 2000, XP, and Vista, and with Linux
- Available picoLCD and hardware buttons facilitate headless applications
- Attaches to USB header
- Requires no special driver
- Displays company logo, status, errors, etc
- Enclosures available separately
Mini-box President Andrei Bulucea stated, "Mini-box offers a Swiss Army knife-type of hardware selection, giving system builders just what they're looking for when creating devices for their small, quiet, and energy-efficient embedded applications."
AvailabilityThe Mx00-series systems appear to be shipping now, from Mini-Box's
online store, at barebones prices from $275 to $345, in single quantities, or $260 to $320 in lots of 50 or more. The systems are RoHS-compliant (lead-free), according to the company.
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