The Indian company Procsys has announced a Linux-friendly computer with an Intel Atom CPU and a built-in thermal printer. Targeting POS (point of service) applications, the “Ion 2600” includes a fingerprint sensor, RFID reader/writer, LAN and WAN connectivity, and a 4.1-inch touchscreen display, Procsys says.

(Click here for a larger view of Procsys's Ion 2600)

According to Procsys, the Ion 2600 runs Ubuntu, courtesy of 1.1GHz, 1.3GHz, or 1.6GHz Intel Atom Z5xx processors, together with the usual SCH US15W companion chip. The device has either 512MB or 1GB of RAM, combined with 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB of solid-state storage, the company adds.

The Ion 2600's distinctive form factor, pictured above, measures 11.02 x 4.13 x 1.57 inches (280 x 105 x 40mm), tapering to 1.18 inches (30mm) at the keyboard end. In addition to a 4.1-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 480 resolution, the device includes a membrane QWERTY keyboard and numeric keypad, Procsys says.

Despite having an integral 2-inch thermal printer, the Ion 2600 is said to weigh just 1.6 pounds. A lithium-polymer battery provides from six to eight hours of operation, according to Procsys.

Procsys says the Ion 2600 can read and write both contact (ISO 7816) and contactless (ISO 14443) smart cards. Meanwhile, there's 802.11b/g wireless networking, Bluetooth, and a built-in GSM/GPRS/EDGE cellular modem with user SIM support. The device also includes a 10/100 Ethernet port and an unspecified number of USB 2.0 host ports.

Finally, the company notes that the Ion 2600 comes with a 500dpi fingerprint sensor. The device is supplied with an SDK (software development kit), allowing use of the fingerprint sensor for enrollment, verification, and identification.

Features and specifications listed by Procsys for the Ion 2600 include the following:

• Processor — Intel Atom Z510 (1.1GHz), Z520 (1.3GHz), or Z530 (1.6GHz)
  
• Memory — 512MB or 1GB of RAM
  
• Storage — 4GB, 8GB, or 16GB SSD (solid-state disk)
  
• Display — 4.1-inch touchscreen display with 800 x 480 resolution
  
• Keys — QWERTY keyboard and numeric keypad, plus fingerprint sensor
  
• Printer — 2-inch thermal printer
  
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet
  
• Wireless:
  • WLAN — 802.11b/g
    
  • PAN — Bluetooth
    
  • WAN — GSM/GPRS/EDGE cellular modem
    
  • Smart card reader/writer

• Other I/O — USB 2.0 (quantity n/s)
  
• Battery type/life — Lithium-polymer battery provides six to eight hours of operation
  
• Operating temperature — 0 to 50 deg. C (32 to 122 deg. F)
  
• Dimensions — 11.02 x 4.13 x 1.57 inches (280 x 105 x 40mm), tapering to 1.18 inches (30mm)
  
• Weight — 1.6 pounds (750g)
  
• Operating system support — Ubuntu, Windows XP, Windows XP Embedded, Windows CE

Availability

Procsys did not release pricing or availability information for the Ion 2600. However, more information on the device may be found on the company's website, here.

 
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