NCR announced two compact POS (point of sale) devices that run SUSE Linux for Point of Service, as well as a number of Windows operating systems. The RealPOS 40 and RealPOS 60 use Intel Atom and Celeron processors, respectively, offer enhanced energy efficiency, and provide both four powered serial ports and up to eight powered USB ports, the company says.

The RealPOS 40 and RealPOS 60 are designed to run one of two POS-specific operating systems, either Novell's SUSE Linux for Point of Service or Microsoft's Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 , their manufacturer says. (NCR adds that the devices can also run Windows 7 and Windows XP Professional.)

Measuring 10 x 8.9 x 3 inches, the RealPOS 40 and RealPOS 60 look like any other compact PCs, but they have been adapted to support typical POS peripherals such as cash drawers, card readers, and barcode scanners. For example, it's said the devices come with five USB 2.0 ports — three carrying the standard 5 Volts of power, one offering 24 Volts for a printer, and two offering 12 Volts.

According to NCR, the RealPOS 40 and RealPOS 60 are optionally available with a further three 12V USB ports, and, in addition, each sports four RS232 ports with selectable power (0/5/12VDC). Therefore, the devices apparently allow complete POS systems to be deployed with just two AC outlets — one for a RealPOS system and one for a monitor.

The identical-looking RealPOS 40 and RealPOS 60 include die-cast aluminum cabinets that may be opened for servicing without tools, according to NCR. The difference between the models is that the 40 comes with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270 processor, plus the usual 945GCSE northbridge and 82801GBM southbridge. The 60, on the other hand, employs the 2.2GHz Intel Celeron 900 CPU with the GL40 Express (GL40 northbridge and ICH9M southbridge).

According to NCR, the RealPOS 40 expands up to 2GB of DDR2 RAM, while the RealPOS 60 expands up to 4GB of DDR3 memory. Both devices are said to come with a choice of 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives — 40GB or 160GB.

NCR says the RealPOS 40 and RealPOS 60 also each offer a cash drawer port, dual video outputs (DVI and VGA), a PS/2 port, and an audio output. Ethernet connection speeds are 10/100 on the 40 and 10/100/1000 on the 60, the company adds, but a Wi-Fi option doesn't appear to be offered.

The RealPOS 40 and RealPOS 60 are said to run via 150 Watt external power supplies and to meet the Energy Star 5.0 qualification. The 40 is capable of running fanlessly, adds NCR.

Greg Egan, vice president of product management for NCR, stated, "The additions to our proven NCR RealPOS product line deliver exceptional energy efficiency, reduce support costs and enable the next-generation applications retailers need to improve their customer experience in the personalized manner that consumers are demanding."

Further information

NCR did not cite pricing or state when the RealPOS 40 and RealPOS 60 will go on sale. More information on the devices may be found on the company's website, here and here, respectively.

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