(Click here for a larger view of LXE's VX8)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 its recent customer surveys show a preference for Windows XP over Windows CE; accordingly, the new VX8 and VX9 are offered with Windows XP Embedded (XPe) and Windows XP Professional.
LXE says the VX8 and VX9 stem from the company's February 2008 acquisition of the Swedish company Akerstroms Trux AB, and are respectively based on the previously released Trux
TX800 and TX700. Both devices have Pentium M or Celeron M CPUs, touchscreen displays in magnesium housings, passive cooling, and built-in battery backup. However, the VX8 has a 10.4-inch screen, while the VX9 has a 12.4-inch display.
VX8 
LXE says its passively cooled VX8 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.
Two different processors are offered -- the Celeron M in either 600MHz or 1GHz versions, and the 1.4GHz Pentium M. The device comes with 512MB or 1GB of DDR RAM, 32MB of which is used for video. The VX8's 10.4-inch touchscreen display has 800 x 600 resolution, and is available with an optional defroster, according to the company.
For mass storage, there's a choice of a 40GB "automotive-grade" hard drive, or CompactFlash. LXE provides a version of XPe that fits on a 2GB flash card, and a Windows XP Professional installation on a 4GB card.
The VX8 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 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 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 by LXE include:
- Processor -- Celeron M clocked at 600MHz or 1GHZ, Pentium M clocked at 1GHz
- Memory -- 512MB or 1GB of RAM
- Display -- 10.4-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 600 resolution
- Storage -- 40GB 2.5-inch HDD, 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)
VX 9LXE's larger vehicle-mount computer, the VX9, apparently uses the same chipset as the VX8 -- 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.
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
(Click to enlarge)The VX9 (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 has no VGA output, and also lacks the VX8'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 and VX9 can both operate over a range from -22 to 122 deg. F (-30 to 50 deg. C).
Features and specifications listed for the VX9 by LXE include:
- Processor -- Celeron M clocked at 600MHz or 1GHZ, Pentium M clocked at 1GHz
- Memory -- 512MB or 1GB of RAM
- Display -- 12.1-inch flat panel display with 800 x 600 or 1024 x 768 resolution
- Storage -- 40GB 2.5-inch HDD, 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:
- Dimensions -- 12.2 x 9.8 x 3.5 inches (308 x 249 x 89mm)
- Weight -- 8.2 pounds (3.7kg)
The LXE VX8 and VX9 are apparently on sale now, though the company did not provide pricing or availability information. More information may be available from the company's website,
here.
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