Flexible Panel PC from Ampro

While this monitor/computer isn’t intended for the desktop, the technology behind it, especially the ability to view it in broad daylight, is encouraging for everyone, in particular those who need it for their current apps.

Ampro Computers, Inc. has broadened its line of Panel PC systems to target OEMs who need finer display resolutions or want to deploy systems in outdoor or bright environments. The ReadyPanel 10 industrial panel computer, introduced in February, enables rapid deployment of digital signage, human machine interface (HMI), and medical applications.

System manufacturers can now order the product with either a daylight-readable VGA display or a 1024 x 768 resolution XGA display, to complement the existing choices of operating systems, RAM size up to 1 GB DDR SODIMM, Compact Flash size, hard disk drive capacity (optional), CANbus for other PC/104 expansion I/O connectivity, and scalable CPU performance from 500 MHz to 1.4 GHz. ReadyPanel 6.5 now supports a choice of VGA and XGA resolutions with most of the same accompanying options as ReadyPanel 10.

Ampro’s panel computers are designed to work in industrial temperature ranges, according to each CPU installed. Ampro combines NEC’s LCD thermal performance with its own SBC thermal design expertise.

ReadyPanel computers integrate display and touch screen while taking advantage of Ampro’s space-efficient EPIC form factor ReadyBoard SBC with system-oriented user I/O connectors. Standard I/O include serial, USB, audio, and Ethernet ports.

For simplicity of overall system design and future product line migration, a single external +12V or +24V DC input powers each ReadyPanel model.

Embedded Linux, Windows XP Embedded, and Windows CE are pre-installed on Compact Flash devices, while Windows XP Professional for Embedded and desktop Linux are available on optional 2.5" hard disk drives. Ampro customizes these systems to meet certain unique or high-volume requirements.