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Core i7 mobo targets point-of-sale apps
2010-02-24 Article Rating:  / 0
Portwell announced a microATX motherboard designed for point-of-sale (POS) applications. The PEB-9738VGA uses Intel's 32nm Core i7 processor and QM57 Express chipset, offers six powered USB ports, and has both VGA and HDMI video outputs, the company says.
Portwell says its existing PEB-9737VGA microATX board, which supports Intel Core 2 Duo or Celeron M 575/585 processors, was used by Intel to run a proof-of-concept system shown off at last month's National Retail Federation (NRF) convention in New York. Since this concept device is said to have had a "kiosk form factor," it may or may not be the same as NRF's pièce de résistance, the Intel/Microsoft Digital Signage Concept. This device sported a seven-foot, six-inch multi-touch screen touted as having holographic glass, plus "anonymous video analytics" enabled by a built-in camera. Be that as it may, the new PEB-9738VGA board is touted as an upgrade to the PEB-9737VGA, offering most of the same features but upgrading to a 32nm Core i7 processor and QM57 Express chipset. According to Portwell, the newer board has superior performance-per-watt and faster graphics. Potential clock speeds and memory expansion weren't specified, but the Core i7 line tops out with the i7-860, which has four cores, plus standard/Turbo Boost clock speeds of 2.8GHz and 3.46GHz, respectively.  Portwell's PEB-9738VGA (Click to enlarge) A data sheet hasn't been made available, but the PEB-9738VGA (above) appears to be identical to the PEB-9737VGA in offering both VGA and HDMI video outputs, an eSATA port, a gigabit Ethernet port, and two standard USB 2.0 ports. Carryover features are also believed to include six powered USB ports (four 12V and two 24V), easing connection of POS peripherals.  Ports carry over from the PEB-9737VGA (above) to the PEB-9738VGA Visible on top of the PEB-9738VGA are three PCI Express x1 expansion slots, a Mini PCI Express slot, and two slots for DDR3 memory. Like the PEB-9737VGA, the PEB9738VGA also has "golden finger" connectors that allow it to accept Portwell's optional PA-M60 extension board. The board (pictured on the bottom of the PEB-9738VGA in the overall photo earlier in this story, and below on its own) adds an LVDS interface, an SATA port, and extra power inputs, the company says.  Portwell's PA-M60 extension board For the PEB-9737VGA, Portwell also cited the presence of two headers providing COM1 and COM2 serial ports; we'd guess these are present on the PEB-9738VGA as well. The PEB-9738VGA measures 9.6 x 9.6 inches, and likely retains its predecessor's operating range of 32 to 131 deg. F (0 to 55 deg. C). Availability Portwell did not release pricing or availability information for the PEB-9738VGA, nor has it yet posted a product page for the board. As noted, however, the device is generally similar to the PEB-9737VGA, of which more details may be found here. Related stories:
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