Via Technologies has announced a computer that attaches, piggyback-fashion to the VESA mounting holes on any VESA flat-panel display, turning it into a complete PC. Aimed at signage, kiosk, and other intelligent display applications, the vm7700 runs Linux, among other OSes.

(Click for a slightly larger view of the vm7700)

Via's vm7700 mounts to the back of an LCD with 4 screws
While it wouldn't be fair to call Via's vm7700 an “invisible” computer — it measures approximately 11.7 x 7 x 1 inches — the effect of the mounting method is that it adds little visual impact, and takes up no desk space. Via says any monitor with the standard 100 x 100 mm VESA mounting hole pattern can be used.

The device is based on a choice of Via x86-compatible processors — either a 1.0 GHz C7, or a 1.5 GHz Eden ULV. The company says both operate without requiring a fan, and with a maximum power requirement of only 12 watts.

The unit incorporates Via's CX700M2 integrated northbridge/southbridge. This provides it with Via's UniChrome Pro II IGP graphics core, with MPEG-2/-4 and WMV9 hardware acceleration, plus dual-view across both DVI and VGA sockets, according to the company.

According to Via, the vm7700 also has room for a 2.5-inch hard drive or flash-based disk-on-module (DOM). Networking is taken care of by built-in gigabit Ethernet port, plus an optional wireless LAN module.

Key features and specifications listed by Via for the vm7700 include:

• Processor — Via C7 clocked at 1 GHz, or Via Eden ULV clocked at 1.5 GHz
  
• Memory — 1 x DDR2 533 MHz SO-DIMM, supporting up to 1 GB
  
• Graphics:
  • Via UniChrome Pro II AGP graphics with MPEG-2 / 4, WMV9 decoding acceleration
    
  • VGA output port
    
  • S-Video TV-out port (dual view)
    
  • DVI-D port

• Networking:
  • gigabit Ethernet
  • Wireless LAN 802.11b/g (optional)

• Storage — 1 x 2.5-inch HDD or DOM (disk on module)
  
• Audio — AC '97 compatible, line-out, line-in, mic-in
  
• Other I/O ports:
  • 4 x USB 2.0
    
  • 2 x PS/2
    
  • 1 x RS232 serial

• Power — DC 12V input @ 12 watts maximum
  
• Operating temperature — 0-45 deg. C
  
• Dimensions — 11.7 x 7.1 x 1.0 inches (298 x 180 x 26 mm)
  
• Weight — 4.4 pounds (2 kg)

Accessories listed by Via include the wireless module mentioned, an adapter plate for the smaller (75 x 75 mm) VESA mounting hole variant, and a remote control.

In addition to Linux, the device supports Windows XP/XPe/CE, with other OSes “undergoing validation,” Via said.

According to Via, the vm7700 is available now, though pricing was not provided. More information is available from the company's website, here.

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