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        Medical panel PC comes in two different doses

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Nov 17, 2010 | Comments: 1


        Kontron announced a fanless panel PC for medical applications, prescribing both 10.4- and 15-inch versions. The Medi Client IIA includes a resistive touchscreen, an Intel Atom N270 processor, up to 2GB of RAM, CompactFlash or hard disk storage, dual gigabit Ethernet ports, and -- on the 15-inch version -- a CAN bus option, the company says.

        With a 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor (obviously with the usual 945GSE northbridge and ICH7M southbridge), Kontron's Medi Client IIA doesn't exactly offer cutting-edge processing or graphics capabilities. But in this market, compactness, long-term availability, and low heat dissipation are more important, the manufacturer says.

        Kontron's Medi Client IIA

        Compared to the previous 10.4-inch Medi Client of 2007, the Medi Client IIA definitely provides higher performance, since the earlier device had a 600MHz Celeron CPU and a maximum 1GB of RAM. The IIA upgrades to a max of 2GB, like all N270-based computers, and can use either CompactFlash or an optional hard disk drive for mass storage, according to Kontron.

        The panel PC is packaged in white ABS plastic, making it scratchproof and resistant to chemicals or corrosion, Kontron says. Sealed against liquids and dust to the IP65 standard, the device is apparently ready to take a beating: It's rated via the DIN EN 60068-2-27 standard to withstand a 15 g shock with 11 millisecond duration while operating, or a 30 g shock with 11 millisecond duration while stored.

        Like the Medi Client before it, the Medi Client IIA is also suited to use by flying doctors. Kontron rates it for operation at up to 10,000 feet, and storage at up to 15,000 feet, while operating temperature can range from 32 to 122 deg. F (0 to 50 deg. C).

        According to Kontron, the Medi Client IIA is offered in a "104" version that has a 10.4-inch touchscreen, or a "150" version that has a 15-inch touchscreen. Both employ resistive technology, but the former offers 800 x 600 pixels, while the latter delivers 1024 x 768 pixels.

        Operable via DC power ranging from 12 to 24 Volts, both models include dual gigabit Ethernet ports, dual USB 2.0 ports, and an RS232 port that can optionally be provided in RS422/485 versions. The 150 is available with an optional CAN bus port, Kontron adds.

        Features and specifications listed by Kontron for the Medi Client IIA include:

        • Processor -- 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270
        • Chipset -- 945GSE northbridge and ICH7M southbridge
        • Display:
          • Medi Client IIA 104 -- 10.4-inch screen with 800 x 600 pixel resolution and 230-nit brightness rating
          • Medi Client IIA 150 -- 15-inch screen with 1024 x 768 pixel resolution and 350-nit brightness rating
        • Storage -- CompactFlash slot and optional hard disk drive (size n/s)
        • Expansion -- CAN bus (optional on 150)
        • Networking -- 2 x gigabit Ethernet
        • Other I/O:
          • 2 x USB 2.0
          • 1 x RS232 (RS422/485 optional)
        • Power requirements -- 12~24VDC
        • Operating range -- 32 to 122 deg. F (0 to 50 deg. C)
        • Dimensions:
          • Medi Client IIA 104 -- 11.65 x 8.89 x 2.3 inches (296 x 226 x 58.5mm)
          • Medi Client IIA 150 -- 14.29 x 11.25 x 2.44 inches (363 x 286 x 62mm)
        • Weight:
          • Medi Client IIA 104 -- 4.85 pounds (2.2kg)
          • Medi Client IIA 150 -- 7.27 pounds (3.3kg)

        Further information

        According to Kontron, the Medi Client IIA is available in EMEA and the Americas now, supporting Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE, or Linux. Pricing was not stated, but further product information may be found on the company's website, here.

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