Avalue announced a panel PC it says is designed for home/factory automation, door security, and digital signage applications. The MPC-10W5 includes a 10.2-inch resistive touchscreen, a dual-core Intel Atom D510 processor, CompactFlash and hard disk storage, an optional webcam, and a special compartment for USB dongles, the company says.

According to Avalue, its MPC-10W5 weighs just 2.68 pounds (1.22kg), and may be mounted using standard VESA wall accessories if desired. Therefore, it may be "integrated perfectly" into an in-store signboard or a public transportation display system.

Apart from its thinner-than-usual size, another distinguishing feature of the MPC-10W5 is said to be an enclosed space measuring 5.11 x 1.06 x 0.5 inches, located below the screen. Avalue says this chamber is ready for placement of USB dongles that can include a Wi-Fi module, a cellular modem, or an RFID module (pictured at right).

The MPC-10W5 can also accept an optional 1.3 megapixel camera, replacing the standard LED indicator that's mounted centrally at the top of the screen, says Avalue. When this option has been installed, the device is ready to assume door security duties, the company says.

Avalue's MPC-10W5
(Click to enlarge)

According to Avalue, the MPC-10W5 has a 10.1-inch resistive touchscreen that offers a resolution of 1024 x 600 pixels, a 500:1 contrast ratio, and a 250-nit brightness rating. The device runs fanlessly courtesy of a dual-core Intel Atom D510 processor and the ICH8M I/O controller, the company adds.

Avalue says the MPC-10W5 has 1GB of DDR2 RAM onboard, plus a SODIMM slot that allows adding a further 2GB. Meanwhile, it's said the device has room for both a 2.5-inch SATA hard disk drive and a Type I/II CompactFlash card, with a Mini PCI slot being another available option.

The MPC-10W5 has two serial ports (RS232/422/485), a gigabit Ethernet port, a VGA output, and six rear-mounted USB 2.0 ports, according to Avalue. The device is claimed to support 5:1 surround sound, though whether it has only a stereo line output or additional analog outputs was left unspecified.

Features and specifications listed by Avalue for the MPC-10W5 include:

• Processor — Intel Atom D510 clocked at 1.66GHz
• Chipset — ICH8M and ITE 8712F I/O controller
• Memory — 1GB of onboard memory, plus SODIMM slot that accepts additional 2GB
• Display — 10.1-inch display with 1024 x 600 resolution, 500:1 contrast ratio; 250-nit brightness rating
• Camera — 1.3 megapixel webcam (optional)
• Storage — 2.5-inch bay for SATA hard disk drive; Type I/II CompactFlash slot
• Expansion — Mini PCI slot (optional); compartment for USB dongles
• Networking — gigabit Ethernet port; Wi-Fi or cellular via dongle
• Other I/O:
• 7 x USB 2.0 (6 on rear; one internal)
• 2 x RS232/422/485
• 1 x VGA
• audio — line out
• Power requirements — 12VDC (60 Watts) via AC adapter (100 ~ 250V)
• Operating temperature — 32 to 104 deg. F (0 to 40 deg. C)
• Dimensions — 9.95 x 7.48 x 1.74 inches (252.8 x 190 x 44.4mm)
• Weight — 2.68 pounds (1.22 kg)