Dan Poisson, director of engineering for Glacier, stated, "We designed the Everest S9000 for a valued customer in food processing who needed a rugged computer terminal that could withstand caustic daily wash-downs and consistently perform to the same standard as the Everest series models they were currently using." The device has sealed I/O connectors that make it virtually waterproof, he added.

Indeed, the S9000 appears to build on Everest's previous ruggedized panel PCs, which were aimed at installation on forklifts, warehouse walls, and the like. These devices have included the Texas Instruments OMAP3-powered E2000, which runs Windows CE, as well as the Intel-powered e4000 and e5000.

Glacier's S9000

The S9000 falls into the x86 camp, running Windows 7 or Windows XP on a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor. The device's enclosure is stainless steel and features waterproof connectors (above right) for its ports, allowing compliance with both IP65 and NEMA4 standards. As a result, the system is suitable for hygienic standards in the food processing, healthcare, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, says Glacier.

Many systems of this type, like the Arbor 1585 we recently covered, employ multi-pin I/O connectors you wouldn't normally find on a PC. Glacier doesn't specify whether it has used such, but does say the S9000 offers two USB 2.0 ports, two serial ports, and a gigabit Ethernet port with an RJ45 connector.

According to Glacier, the S9000 is offered with a choice of resistive touchscreens, measuring either 15 or 12.1 inches diagonally. Both deliver a resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels, the company says.

Glacier says the S9000 includes built-in 802.11a/b/g/n wireless networking. A single DIMM socket accepts up to 2GB of DDR2 memory, while a 2.5-inch bay accommodates a purchaser's choice of SATA storage devices, the company adds.

Features and specifications listed by Glacier for the S9000 include:

• Processor -- Intel Atom N270 clocked at 1.6GHz
• Chipset -- 945GSE (945GCSE northbridge and 82801GBM southbridge)
• Memory -- up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM via single SODIMM
• Display -- 12.1- or 15-inch display, with 1024 x 768 resolution and resistive touchscreen
• Storage -- 2.5-inch bay for SATA devices
• Networking -- gigabit Ethernet
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x serial
  • 2 x USB 2.0
• Power -- 12VDC via 60W AC adapter
• Operating range -- -4 to 122 deg. F
• Dimensions:
  12-inch -- 12.5 x 11.1 x 2.85 inches (318 x 282 x 72.6mm)
  • 15-inch -- 16.6 x 14.9 x 2.87 inches (422 x 379 x 73mm)
• Weight -- n/s

Further information

Glacier did not cite pricing or availability for the S9000, but the device appears to be on sale now. More information may be found on the S9000 product page.

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