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        Vehicle-mount computers get CPU upgrades

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Jan 19, 2010 | Comments: 1


        LXE has announced two vehicle-mount computers that sport touchscreen displays and run Windows XP Embedded or Windows Embedded Standard. The VX8 Kärv and VX9 Förj offer tough magnesium housings, feature integrated UPSes, accept 10 to 150 VDC power input, and use hard disk or CompactFlash storage, the company says.

        According to LXE, its new vehicle-mount PCs are aimed at fork-lift trucks, container handling machinery, forestry and construction equipment, and emergency service vehicles. The company adds that the devices stem from its February 2008 acquisition of the Swedish company Akerstroms Trux AB, to which their names are a tribute: "Frj" refers to a blacksmith's forge, while "Krv" refers to an "agile seafaring vessel."

        In fact the VX8 Krv and VX9 Frj are both upgrades to VX8 and VX9 models LXE announced a year ago, which in turn were based on the previously released Trux TX800 and TX700. Both devices have touchscreen displays in magnesium housings, passive cooling, and built-in battery backup. However, the VX8 Krv has a 10.4-inch screen, while the VX9 Frj has a 12.4-inch display.

        VX8 Krv

        LXE says its passively cooled VX8 Krv has a shock-resistant magnesium case that meets the IP65 standard for dust and water protection. A screwed-down cover protects the device's expansion ports (seen at right) while leaving room for cables to exit. Additionally, a removable service lid allows changing the unit's hard drive, backup battery, or internal expansion cards.

        The previous VX8 was offered with two different processors -- the Celeron M in either 600MHz or 1GHz versions, and the 1.4GHz Pentium M. While these CPUs may still be ordered on the VX8 Krv, Intel Atom and Intel Core 2 Duo processors can now be obtained too, running at 1.6GHz and 1.5GHz, respectively.


        LXE's VX8 Krv
        (Click to enlarge)

        On Atom and Core 2 Duo models, standard and maximum RAM are up to 1GB and 2GB apiece, compared to the 512MB/1GB capacities of the lesser versions. As before, the VX8 Krv has a 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 600 pixel resolution, but this now gains LED backlighting and a 700:1 contrast ratio, the company says.

        For mass storage, there's a choice of a 60GB "automotive-grade" hard drive, 16GB SSD (solid state disk), or CompactFlash. LXE provides versions of Windows Embedded Standard and Windows XP Embedded that come on a 2GB CompactFlash card.

        The VX8 Krv also provides a variety of networking choices. In addition to an RJ45 connector for 10/100 Ethernet, it includes 802.11b/g or 802.11a/b/g wireless local area networking and Bluetooth. Wide area networking via GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA cellular networks is optionally available as well, the company says.

        External ports on the device include two serial interfaces, dual PS/2 connectors for keyboard and mouse, two USB 2.0 ports, and a VGA connector for an external display. There is also an unusual "multipurpose connector" that, with suitable adaptor cables, can provide either an additional USB port or an additional serial port.

        Internally, the VX8 Krv has yet another USB port, along with two Mini PCI slots. There's also an optional PC card slot, and the CompactFlash slot already mentioned. A removable lithium-polymer battery is provided for backup purposes. However, the computer normally operates via external 12VDC power, which can range as low as 10V and as high as 150V, says LXE.

        Features and specifications listed for the VX8 Krv by LXE include:

        • Processor:
          • Intel Core 2 Duo clocked at 1.5GHz
          • Intel Atom clocked at 1.6GHz
          • Intel Celeron M clocked at 600MHz or 1GHZ
          • Pentium M clocked at 1GHz
        • Memory:
          • 1GB or 2GB of RAM (Core 2 Duo and Atom models)
          • 512MB or 1GB of RAM (Celeron M and Pentium M models)
        • Display -- 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 600 resolution (LED-backlit on Core 2 Duo and Atom Models
        • Storage -- 60GB 2.5-inch HDD, 16GB SSD (solid-state disk), or CompactFlash in 2GB or 4GB capacities
        • Networking:
          • LAN -- 10/100 Ethernet
          • WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g or 802.11b/g
          • PAN -- Bluetooth
          • WAN -- GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA (optional)
        • Other I/O:
          • 2 x PS/2 ports
          • 2 x serial ports (can also supply 5VDC or 12VDC power to external units)
          • 1 x multipurpose connector (provides 1 x USB or 1 x serial)
          • x USB (one internal, two external)
          • 1 x VGA
          • Audio -- mic in and amplified output for headset
        • Expansion:
          • 2 x Mini PCI
          • 1 x CompactFlash
          • 1 x PC Card
        • Dimensions -- 11 x 9 x 3 inches (279 x 229 x 77mm)
        • Weight -- 7.7 pounds (2.9kg)
        VX9 Frj

        LXE's larger vehicle-mount computer, the VX9 Frj, apparently uses the same chipset as the VX8 Krv -- and supports the same processor, memory, and storage options. However, its display has grown to 12.1 inches, and is available in 800 x 600 and 1024 x 768 resolutions. (Again, the Intel Core 2 Duo and Atom versions are upgraded to LED backlighting.)

        As on the VX8, the VX9's screen comes in standard, "hardened," and defroster-equipped versions, and there's a tough magnesium case. However, LXE says the VX9 meets the IP54 standard for dust and water protection, not the more stringent IP65 standard -- which means that the larger device is protected against splashes, but not deliberate wash-downs.


        LXE's VX9 Frj
        (Click to enlarge)

        The VX9 Frj (above) provides the same wireless networking choices, flexible power input, and backup battery as its smaller sibling. Wired interfaces differ slightly, amounting to 10/100 Ethernet, two serial interfaces, one PS/2 connector, one USB port, audio I/O, and the USB/serial multipurpose connector.

        The VX9 Frj has no VGA output, and also lacks the VX8 Krv's dual Mini PCI slots. However, it does include an additional Type II PC Card slot, for a total of two, according to LXE.

        Finally, LXE notes that the VX8 Krv and VX9 Frj can both operate over a range from -22 to 122 deg. F (-30 to 50 deg. C).

        Features and specifications listed for the VX9 Frj by LXE include:
        • Processor:
          • Intel Core 2 Duo clocked at 1.5GHz
          • Intel Atom clocked at 1.6GHz
          • Intel Celeron M clocked at 600MHz or 1GHZ
          • Pentium M clocked at 1GHz
        • Memory:
          • 1GB or 2GB of RAM (Core 2 Duo and Atom models)
          • 512MB or 1GB of RAM (Celeron M and Pentium M models)
        • Display -- 12.1-inch flat panel display with 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768 resolution (LED-backlit on Core 2 Duo and Atom models)
        • Storage -- 60GB 2.5-inch HDD, 16GB SSD, or CompactFlash in 2GB or 4GB capacities
        • Networking:
          • LAN -- 10/100 Ethernet
          • WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g or 802.11b/g
          • PAN -- Bluetooth
          • WAN -- GPRS/EDGE/WCDMA (optional)
        • Other I/O:
          • 1 x PS/2
          • 2 x serial ports (can also supply 5VDC or 12VDC power to external units)
          • 1 x multipurpose connector (provides 1 x USB or 1 x serial)
          • 1 x USB
          • Audio -- Mic in and amplified output for headset
        • Expansion:
          • 2 x PC Card
        • Dimensions -- 12.2 x 9.8 x 3.5 inches (308 x 249 x 89mm)
        • Weight -- 8.2 pounds (3.7kg)
        Bill Roeder, LXE vice president of business development and marketing, stated, "Our computers have always withstood the toughest environments with their rugged design. The Krv and Frj computers provide the internal computing power and connectivity that allow our customers to truly leverage that ruggedness to its fullest, by running high-performance applications inside the warehouse, outside, virtually anywhere their business takes them."

        Further information

        The VX8 Krv and VX9 Frj are apparently on sale now, though the company did not provide pricing or availability information. More information may be found on the comapny's website, here.


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