Ruggedized Panel PC in numerous configurations
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer)

Winmate is a Taiwanese company founded in 1994. Specializing in industrial display technologies and solutions, Winmate also branched out into Tablet PCs, digital signage, marine grade displays and computers and, most recently, rugged Mobile PCs, panels, embedded automation controllers, and Panel PCs as the G-WIN Ruggedized Panel PC shown here.

The G-WIN is a compact rugged vehicle or stationary-mount panel PC slate available in a wide variety of configurations. Depending on the intended application, the G-WIN can be equipped with either an 8.4 or 10.4-inch display. Resolutions range from VGA (640 x 480) to SVGA (800 x 600) to XGA (1024 x 768). A 5-wire resistive touch screen is standard, but Winmate offers an optional infrared touch screen as well as anti-reflective protective glass.

On the processer side, there are essentially three versions available, one with Celeron M or Core Duo processors and the Intel 945GME/ICH7M chipset, one with Celeron M and the 855GME/ICH4 chipset, and an AMD-based solution with the Geode LX-800 and the accompanying CD5536 chipset. Why all those processer/chipset choices? Because the G-WIN rugged panels can be configured either as standard Windows XP machines or as embedded systems running Windows XP Embedded or Windows CE. A Linux option is also available.

The compact, fanless G-WIN panels have a footprint of 10.9 x 8.65 inches and are a bit over two inches thick. Their aluminum housing has undergone anti-corrosion treatment and carries an IP65 sealing rating, except the downward-facing I/O connector panel. Standard operating temperature is 14 to 131 degrees Fahrenheit, with a special wide-range option (-4 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) available. The G-WIN panels can handle severe vibration and shock as well as operation in high humidity. Winmate's impressive torture testing is documented in a number of the company's videos. The schematics below show the G-WIN panel from all sides:

Onboard connectivity consists of two USB 2.0 ports, a RS232/422/485 connector, video, two Ethernet RJ45 jacks with optional gigabit speed, microphone and headphone jacks in some units, and a legacy PS/2 port. Power is standard 12 Volt DC, with wide range 8 to 36 Volt available. Wireless connectivity can be added via optional mini-PCI modules.

G-WIN panels can be mounted either via standard VESA mount brackets or special vehicle mount solutions and are suitable for a very wide range of industrial and commercial applications.

See the video below for an interesting overview of Winmate's ruggedness testing procedures.