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        Panel PC drives external displays, too

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Nov 15, 2010 | Comments: 1


        U.K.-based Datasound Laboratories Ltd. (DSL) announced a 21.5-inch panel PC that accepts Intel Socket P-based processors including the Core 2 Duo and Celeron M. The APC-3228 has an optional resistive touchscreen, internal and external SATA bays, plus PCI and Mini PCI Express expansion slots, the company says.

        The new APC-3228 was brought to our attention thanks to an announcement from U.K. distributor DSL, but is a product of Taiwan-based Aplex, which offers a multitude of other panel PCs in addition to this one. According to the companies, the device has a 21.5-inch display that: meets IP65 standards for resistance to dust and liquids; delivers 1920 x 1080 pixels; and is optionally available with a resistive touchscreen.

        DSL and Aplex say the APC-3228 employs Intel's GM45 northbridge and ICH9M southbridge, and is capable of supporting a wide range of 45nm, Socket P-based CPUs, including Core 2 Duo and Celeron M models (potential clock speeds not stated). Up to 4GB of RAM is accepted, while fixed storage is via a 2.5-inch bay for an SATA hard disk drive, or via an optional, externally accessible CompactFlash slot, the companies add.


        Aplex's APC-3228

        The APC-3228's internal display is said to have a 250-nit brightness rating and a horizontal viewing angle up to 170 degrees. However, the device also supports external screens via a VGA port, a DVI-D port, and an HDMI port, adds Aplex.

        Other I/O, some of which may be glimpsed in the small photo at right, is also extensive. For example, there are four USB 2.0 ports, three RS232 ports, two gigabit Ethernet ports, and a PS/2 port, according to Aplex. Audio jacks for mic in, line in, and line out are also present, the company says.

        Aplex and DSL note that the APC-3228 has a PCI expansion slot and a Mini PCI Express slot, the latter likely for adding wireless networking if desired. The device is also said to have a "SATA combo device bay," which we presume may be used to add an optical drive, though no further information was provided.

        Features and specifications provided for the APC-3228 by Aplex and by DSL include:

        • Processor -- Intel Socket P CPUs, including Core 2 Duo and Celeron M
        • Chipset -- GM45 northbridge and ICH9M southbridge
        • Display -- 21.5-inch screen with 1920 x 1080 pixels, optional resistive touchscreen
        • Memory -- up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM
        • Storage:
          • 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drive
          • "SATA combo bay"
        • Expansion:
          • PCI slot
          • Mini PCI Express slot
        • Networking -- 2 x gigabit Ethernet
        • Other I/O:
          • 4 x USB 2.0
          • 3 x RS232
          • 1 x PS/2
          • 1 x VGA
          • 1 x DVI-D
          • 1 x HDMI
          • audio -- mic in, line in, line out
        • Operating range -- 32 to 140 deg. F (0 to 60 deg. C)
        • Power requirements -- 115~230VAC; consumption n/s
        • Dimensions -- 21.14 x 13.46 x 3.89 inches (537 x 342 x 99mm)
        Further information

        DSL did not cite pricing for the Aplex APC-3228, but the device appears to be on sale now, and is said to run Windows XP Professional or Windows XP Embedded. More information may be found on the DSL site here. Meanwhile Aplex's vast range of panel PCs may be viewed in its entirety here.

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