Fixed-mount rugged computer with 12-inch display
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

The 1204 sold by DAP Technologies is a compact fixed-mount computer for use in vehicles or stationary applications. It measures 12.0 x 9.3 x 2.4 inches and weighs about eight pounds. It is a sealed system whose exterior housing consists of two solid precision-milled powder-coated aluminum halves with integrated heat sinks. The 1204 comes with a 12.1-inch TFT display that provides a wide viewing angle and has a strong 420-nits backlight. The standard display offers 800 x 600 pixel SVGA resolution; a higher-res 1024 x 768 XGA LCD is optionally available. For use in sunlight, an optional high-bright 1,000 nits display is available, but only in SVGA resolution. The resistive touchscreen allows for simple operation via custom software applications. Manual dimmer control allows 0-100% brightness settings.

Since a fixed-mount computer may be subject to significant vibration, the interior is designed so that all boards are securely mounted with multiple screws, and that thre are no loose parts or wires that might get in contact with anything. Wide-range voltage input (9-36 VDC) allows operation in various types of vehicles.

The DAP 1204 is a very rugged device that's been track vehicle tested. Standard sealing is IP65, with IP66 sealing optionally available. The device can be operated in a very wide temperature range of -4 to 122 degrees Fahrenheit.

Depending on the application, the 1204 can be ordered with a 1.6GHz Intel Atom processor or a 1.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo CPU (processor model not specified). Memory and disk conigurations will also depend on the choice of operating system. The 1204 can run Windows XP Professional, Windows Embedded Standard 2009, Windows 7, or Linux.

A bank of connectors is mounted along the bottom of the computer: two USB ports, two RS-232C serial connectors, IEEE1394 "Firewire", Ethernet, and two additional DB9 ports for keyboard and multimedia. Optionally available are video-out, a CAN bus jack and two extra serial ports.

Wireless communication can include Bluetooth 2.0 with Enhanced Data Rate as well as 802.11b.g WiFi, and 3G GSM/GPRS/UMTS via the PC Card interface (there are two PC Card Type II connectors).