Icop announced a fanless, 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.4-inch mini-PC equipped with a 1GHz Vortex86MX CPU. The eBox-3300MX is available in 14 models — with varying levels of SATA (one port), serial (up to three ports), GPIO, and audio connectivity — and features 512MB RAM, an SD slot, a VGA port, a 10/100 Ethernet port, and three USB 2.0 ports.

Available with VESA mounting, the eBox-3300MX is said to support low-power applications including thin clients, kiosks, point-of-sale, digital signage, industrial controllers, and network devices. The computer is an update to Icop's circa-2008 eBox-3300, featuring a newer Vortex86MX processor that replaces the Vortex86DX CPU. (The 32-bit Vortex86MX adds graphics, audio, and networking functionality to the basic DX model, and is similarly clocked at 1GHz.)

  This Box-3300MX model features audio ports

The eBox line is manufactured by DMP Electronics, which sells them via via its Icop subsidiary. In addition, the devices are distributed via DSL, which brought the release of the eBox-3300MX to our attention.

Thailand's Norhtek has also been known to spin off DMP mini-PC designs, but has apparently not picked up this latest eBox. (And just to confuse matters more, Axiomtek offers its own entirely different, generally Intel Atom-based, range of eBOX computers.)

eBox-3300MX model swapping out audio ports for GPIO connectors, in orange

The new eBox-3300MX again supports Linux, Windows CE, and Windows XP. Compared to the eBox-3300, the MX versions loses the CompactFlash slot, IDE port, and optional mini-PCI, but adds an optional SATA port, and some models offer a third serial port.

The 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.4-inch chassis appears to be the same, but the power input range has shifted upward from eight to 15 Volts. The new system also loses its wide, industrial temperature range, although the new model can handle temperatures from 41 to 122 deg. F.

The eBox-3300MX is equipped with 512MB of DDR2 RAM, as well as a VGA or RCA video output, depending on which of the 14 models one buys (see chart below). Other features include an SD slot, a 10/100 Ethernet port, three USB 2.0 ports, and a PS/2 port, says DSL.

14 flavors of eBox-3300MX
(Click to enlarge)

In addition to being differentiated by the type of video connection, the 14 SKUs are also marked by whether or not the system offers the single available SATA port, and whether one wants GPIO or else AC '97 audio and associated audio ports. Serial port options range from no ports at all up to three ports, including a choice of either an RS422 or RS485 port.

Features and specifications listed for the eBox-3300MX include:

• Processor — Vortex86MX (aka MSTI PMX-1000) clocked at 1GHz
• Memory — 512MB of DDR2 RAM
• Storage — SD slot; SATA port available on some models
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet with PXE boot
• Other I/O:
  • 3 x USB (2 in front, 1 rear)
  • VGA
  • up to 3 x RS232 (optional), including optional RS-422 or RS-485 support on some models
  • AC '97 audio with mic-in and headphone/line-out (optional, depending on model)
  • PS/2 connector for keyboard or mouse
  • 24-bit GPIO (optional on some models)
• Operating temperature — 41 to 122 deg. F (5 to 50 deg. C)
• Power requirements — +8V to 15V DC
• Dimensions — 4.5 x 4.5 x 1.4 inches (115 x 115 x 35mm)
• Weight — 17.7 oz. (500 g)

Availability

The eBox-3300MX appears to be available now from DMP Electronics as well as its Icop subsidiary, as well as the U.K.-based distributor DSL. According to DSL, at least one of the 14 available SKUs costs less than 100 UK Pounds (approximately $155).

More information may be found on DMP Electronics' eBox-3300MX product page, as well as this Icop eBox-3300MX web-page and this DSL eBox-3300MX page.

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