NEC announced two new POS (point-of-sales/service) computers that run Linux. The TwinPOS 5500 and 3500 feature integrated flat panel touchscreens, resistance against dust and liquids, and optional MSRs (magnetic stripe readers) and customer-facing displays, says the company.

(Click here for a larger view of NEC's TwinPOS 3500)

The TwinPOS 3500 (above) features a 12-inch touchscreen display and a 600MHz Intel Celeron ULV processor, whereas the TwinPOS 5500 steps up to a 2GHz Athlon 64 CPU. NEC provides no information about the underlying chipsets or other geeky details. However, the company boasts that the devices “feature enough power and memory to additionally support back-office functions.”

TwinPOS 3500

In addition to its 12-inch SVGA display and Celeron CPU, the TwinPOS 3500 features 512MB of memory, plus mass storage that can be either a 40GB SATA hard drive, or a 2.5GB SSD (solid state drive). Said to use a maximum of 60 Watts and less than one Watt when powered off, the unit has a 10/100 Ethernet port with an RJ45 connector.

The TwinPOS 3500 includes four serial ports, two of them capable of supplying 5VDC power. It also has four USB ports, of which two are described as “for maintenance use.”

One available option is an alphanumeric customer-facing display, capable of delivering the bad (or good) price news on two 20-character lines. NEC additionally offers a cash drawer port and a MSR (magnetic stripe reader) as options.

Features and specifications listed by NEC for the TwinPOS 3500 include the following:

• Processor — 600MHz Celeron M ULV
  
• Memory — 512MB
  
• Display:
  • 12.1-inch “SVGA” touchscreen display (800 x 600 pixels presumed)
    
  • Alphanumeric 20 x 2 customer display (optional)

• Storage — 40GB SATA hard disk drive or 2.5GB SSD (solid state drive)
  
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet port
  
• Other I/O:
  • 4 x USB 2.0 ports (two “for maintenance use”)
    
  • 4 x serial (2 with 5VDC power)
    
  • Cash drawer port (optional)
    
  • Magnetic stripe reader (optional)

• Power consumption — 60 Watts maximum; less than 1W when powered off
  
• Dimensions — 11.5 x 10.5 x 8 inches (292 x 266 x 203mm)
  
• Weight — n/s

TwinPOS 5500

The larger TwinPOS 5500, shown below, offers a 15-inch display with XGA resolution. Its AMD Athlon 64 processor is paired with 2GB of RAM and an 80GB SATA hard drive, according to NEC.

NEC's TwinPOS 5500
(Click to enlarge)
The device includes eight USB ports, two of them again said to be for maintenance purposes. It also has a 10/100 Ethernet port, and two serial ports. This time around, dual cash drawer ports are standard equipment. Again, a MSR and a customer display are available options.

One available option is an alphanumeric customer-facing display, capable of delivering the bad (or good) price news on two 20-character lines. NEC additionally offers a cash drawer port and a MSR (magnetic stripe reader).

Like the TwinPOS 3500, the TwinPOS 5500 is said to be “highly durable against harsh temperature, water spill and dust, ideally suited for retail, grocery, convenience stores, and quick-service environments.” Its power consumption and operating temperature range were not specified, however.

Features and specifications listed by NEC for the TwinPOS 5500 include the following:

• Processor — 2GHz AMD Athlon 64
  
• Memory — 2GB
  
• Display:
  • 15-inch “XGA” touchscreen display (1024 x 768 pixels presumed)
    
  • Alphanumeric 20 x 2 customer display (optional)

• Storage — 80GB SATA hard disk drive
  
• Networking — 10/100 Ethernet port
  
• Other I/O:
  • 8 x USB 2.0 ports (two “for maintenance use”)
    
  • 2 x serial (2 with 5VDC power)
    
  • 2 x cash drawer ports
    
  • Magnetic stripe reader (optional)

• Power consumption — n/s
  
• Dimensions — 15.6 x 14.3 x 9.4 inches (396 x 365 x 240mm)
  
• Weight — 18 pounds

Availability

According to NEC, the TwinPOS 3500 and TwinPOS 5500 are available now for both Linux and Microsoft's WEPOS (Windows Embedded for Point of Service) operating system. However, pricing was not specified.

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