Fanless mini-PC has six serial ports, GPIO

By Jonathan Angel
2008-01-16

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Tangent has announced the highest-performance model yet in its family of rugged mini PCs. The fanless "Rugged Mini UX" supports Core Duo processors, offers GPIO and six serial ports, and runs Windows XP Embedded, according to the company.

(Click here for a larger view of the Tangent Rugged Mini UX)

Many Intel-based fanless systems covered by WindowsForDevices.com have only supported the Celeron processor clocked at up to 1.0 GHz. While not citing clock speeds, Tangent says the Rugged Mini UX supports the Celeron M, Core Solo, and Core Duo processors. Apparently, it stays cool enough to accept the Core Duo because of a heat pipe and the large heat sink spanning the entire top of its case, the rear of which is shown above.

The Rugged Mini UX uses Intel's 945GM northbridge and integrated GMA950 graphics chipset. It supports up to 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM via dual PC5300 SODIMM sockets, according to Tangent.

The device includes a SATA hard drive, provided with four gel-mount shock absorbers, and offered in capacities up to 160GB. Other ways to add storage include the Rugged Mini UX's PCMCIA and CompactFlash slots, the latter bootable if Windows XP Embedded is employed.

While the Rugged Mini UX's front panel features only a power switch, the rear panel is crammed with a complement of ports that is surprising in any system, much less one measuring just 11.5 x 7.5 x 2.4 inches. These include four USB ports, six serial ports, GPIO, a parallel port, and more, as listed below.

Specifications listed by Tangent for the Rugged Mini UX include:

Processor -- Intel Celeron M or Core Duo processors (supported clock speeds not stated)
Memory -- up to 4GB of DDR2 SDRAM via dual PC5300 SODIMM sockets
Graphics -- integrated Intel GMA950 graphics with DVI output (supported resolutions not stated)
Networking -- 10/100/1000 Ethernet port with RJ45 connector
Other I/O:
- 6 x serial ports
- 1 x parallel
- 1 x PS/2 for keyboard and mouse
- 4 x USB 2.0
- 1 x 8-bit GPIO
- DVI
- mic in and speaker- and line-level outputs
Expansion:
- 1 x Type II PCMCIA
- 1 x CompactFlash (bootable)
- 1 x Mini-PCI (internal, supports optional 802.11b/g WLAN adapter)
Operating temperature -- 32 to 104 deg. F
Power supply -- 12VDC via 80W, 6.6A AC adapter
Dimensions -- 11.5 x 7.5 x 2.4 inches
Weight -- 6 pounds

The Rugged Mini UX supports Windows XP Embedded and Windows XP Professional. Available now, it has a starting price of approximately $1,300, and can be evaluated free for 30 days, according to the company.

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