Habey announced a mini PC that packs a 1.8GHz, dual-core Atom D525 processor and a Nvidia Ion 2 GPU (graphics processor unit). The EPC-6568S stands just 1.8 inches tall, but it has room for two 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives, two Mini PCI Express slots, and up to 4GB of RAM, according to the company.

Habey says its new EPC-6568S is based on a previously released mini-ITX board, the MITX-6564. This is one well-traveled piece of circuitry, because Habey followed up the board's October 2010 debut with a multitude of little PCs based on it. They include:

• the ENT-6564, a slim "media-player/nettop"
• the BIS-6564 [PDF link], a barebone system
• the EPC-6564, a short-depth 1U device with optical drive support
• the EPC-6568 released last November
• the EPC-6566, a barebone 1U server with dual drive bays that was released last December
• the EPC-6563, a compact PC released in May
• and the PPC-6512, a 12.1-inch panel PC released in July

All these devices featured various combinations and permutations — which we won't attempt to review — of Intel Atom processors, Intel integrated graphics, and Nvidia's discrete Ion 2 GPU (graphics processing unit). Suffice it to say that Habey's new EPC-6568S now offers the most powerful combo yet: both the Ion 2 and the 1.8GHz Atom D525 processor.

The EPC-6568S is also the smallest of the eight sisters, since it carries over an 8.85 x 7.9 inch footprint but now has a height of just 1.8 inches. Habey says the device is suitable for both home theater and digital signage applications; while not fanless, the PC has a quiet cooling fan, the company adds.

Habey's EPC-6568S

According to Habey, the EPC-6568S has room for two 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives, and according to Habey.

Supplied in a barebones configuration, the EPC-6568 accepts up to 4GB of DDR2 RAM via two SODIMM slots, according to Habey. The device also has two Mini PCI Express slots, one of which must be used to add wireless networking capabilities if desired, the company adds.

Ports on Habey's EPC-6568S

Interfaces of the EPC-6468S, pictured above, mostly derive directly from the coastline of the MITX-6564, as a comparison with the image below makes clear. They include an RS232 port, HDMI port, a VGA port, an S/PDIF optical digital output, two USB 2.0 ports, a gigabit Ethernet port, a headphone output, and a microphone input.

Habey's MITX-6564
(Click to enlarge)

On the EPC-6568S and underlying MITX-6564, Nividia's Ion 2 takes the form of a fan-cooled Nvidia GeForce GT218 module that has 512MB of dedicated video memory. The system provides dual-monitor support, hardware accelerated decoding of HD video, and resolutions of up to 2560 x 1600 pixels, according to Habey.

According to Habey, the EPC-6568S uses under 30 Watts and may be used in temperatures ranging from 14 to 122 deg. F. Operating system support for the PC includes Windows 7, Windows XP, Windows Embedded Standard, Windows Vista, and Linux, the company says.

Features and specifications listed by Habey for the EPC-6568S include:

• Processor — Intel Atom D525 clocked at 1.8GHz
• Chipset — Intel NM10 and Nvidia GeForce GT218
• Memory — Up to 4GB DDR2 via 2 x SODIMM slots
• Storage — 2 bays for 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drives
• Expansion — 2 x Mini PCI Express slots
• Networking — 1 x gigabit Ethernet port
• Other I/O:
  • 2 x USB 2.0
  • 4 x internal USB 2.0
  • 1 x RS232
  • VGA
  • HDMI
  • audio — mic in and headphone out
• Power — 12V DC via external AC adapter
• Operating temperature — 14 to 122 deg. F (-10 to 50 deg. C)
• Dimensions — 8.86 x 7.87 x 1.77 inches