Author Topic: Touchscreen LCD fully integrated computers (Read 9584 times)

USSEnterprise · « **on:** October 04, 2007, 08:27:20 pm »

I have found a source for something that may be of interest to people here building juke boxes and bar tops. I know someone who recently came into possession of a good deal of fully integrated portable computers. These are not laptops. If you remember the last time you were in a hospital, you may have seen what looked like a computer system integrated into a cart that the nurses use to enter in information. They are wireless, and look to have 15" LCD touchscreens. They also include integrated keyboards and mice. I do not know what OS they use, but from who I spoke to, they sound like they would be compatible with XP. I also know that they have no integrated removable media, and I do not know what kind of ports they have. I am probably going tomorrow to check them out in person. I'll keep you updated, if interested.

bfauska · « **Reply #1 on:** October 04, 2007, 09:14:30 pm »

I'm probably not interested right now, but I would like to know more about that type of computer for potential future projects. Please share any info you get.

IG-88 · « **Reply #2 on:** October 05, 2007, 07:42:50 am »

I might be interested, depending on the price...

Hoopz · « **Reply #3 on:** October 05, 2007, 08:16:43 am »

Quote from: IG-88 on October 05, 2007, 07:42:50 am

I might be interested, depending on the price...

Ditto

_) (V) (-) · « **Reply #4 on:** October 05, 2007, 09:58:23 am »

I am defiantly interested, depending on the price...

Angry_Radish · « **Reply #5 on:** October 05, 2007, 02:11:11 pm »

Yep, more info/pics please!

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #6 on:** October 05, 2007, 02:37:22 pm »

The guy was unavailable today, so I'm probably going either over the weekend or sometime during the week next week. I don't know what he wants for them, but I know he did get them for free, so it might not be much.

spacies · « **Reply #7 on:** October 05, 2007, 03:32:47 pm »

Im interested.

Hoopz · « **Reply #8 on:** October 05, 2007, 04:12:26 pm »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on October 05, 2007, 02:37:22 pm

The guy was unavailable today, so I'm probably going either over the weekend or sometime during the week next week. I don't know what he wants for them, but I know he did get them for free, so it might not be much.

Close to free and not much are magic words! These could be just the thing for jukeboxes like you said.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #9 on:** October 05, 2007, 05:14:44 pm »

Add me to the growing list of interested parties.

Ninten-doh · « **Reply #10 on:** October 05, 2007, 05:18:40 pm »

I'm interested as well.

edge · « **Reply #11 on:** October 05, 2007, 06:16:15 pm »

Put me on your list as well.

whatzcrackn · « **Reply #12 on:** October 05, 2007, 06:50:18 pm »

depending on the price.....me too!

Kremmit · « **Reply #13 on:** October 06, 2007, 12:06:00 am »

I'd like to do a juke...

werejag · « **Reply #14 on:** October 06, 2007, 06:47:20 am »

add me in

taternutz · « **Reply #15 on:** October 06, 2007, 08:39:23 am »

List me also

Kane · « **Reply #16 on:** October 06, 2007, 09:09:39 am »

add me to the growing list of interested people.

MnMCaputo · « **Reply #17 on:** October 06, 2007, 09:50:48 am »

add me, but shhhhhhh dont tell my wife

sikarkades · « **Reply #18 on:** October 07, 2007, 11:08:39 pm »

Add me

Goz · « **Reply #19 on:** October 08, 2007, 12:26:29 am »

Would be in depending on price and specs

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #20 on:** October 08, 2007, 11:58:31 am »

going to the warehouse at 2PM this afternoon. I'll see what he wants for them, and get more information on the specs of the machines.

BTW: I will post a pic from my cell phone of these machines when I get there.

Popcorrin · « **Reply #21 on:** October 08, 2007, 03:20:25 pm »

I'm definitely interested also.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #22 on:** October 08, 2007, 04:14:09 pm »

Just got back.

He has about 20 with more on the way. He gave me one free of charge to screw with. They are based on a 400MHz VIA CPU, with 256MB of RAM. The computer is directly integrated to the monitor. They seperate from the base as one unit. Monitor is a 15" touchscreen, capable of at least 800x600 in 256 colors (probably more). The machines have integrated video, LAN, and sound, and the monitor is not directly connected to the computer electrically (Uses a standard 15 pin). On the motherboard, there is a flash module directly connected to primary IDE, from which XP Embedded runs. There are standard power connectors on the motherboard, so you could likely hook up an HDD and CDROM.

Now, here's the bad part: All together, with cart, it weighs 100lbs. Most of that weight comes from the battery pack/power supply, which is necessary for the thing's operation. The power connection on both the computer and monitor is a mini-din 4 pin connector. One could probably rig something up, though, to work with a PC supply.

Price is still undetermined, but I couldn't imagine him charging much more than $100 a pop. Really not sure, though.

FunWithFire · « **Reply #23 on:** October 08, 2007, 04:24:55 pm »

Interesting. Where in Jersey are you? I'm in Freehold. Might be very interested considering I wouldn't have to worry about shipping.

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #24 on:** October 08, 2007, 04:29:50 pm »

I don't have them, someone in Tinton Falls does, and mine, I'm keeping. I just want to correct something I said before: The monitors connections are actually proprietary. It can be disconnected from the computer portion, but I don't know what you could plug into.

Lastly, I didn't mention this before, but they do have 2 PCMCIA slots, so wireless internet is possible

Hoopz · « **Reply #25 on:** October 08, 2007, 05:56:40 pm »

Sounds promising. Keep my name in the hopper. If there is a hopper so far.

bfauska · « **Reply #26 on:** October 08, 2007, 05:57:02 pm »

_) (V) (-) · « **Reply #27 on:** October 08, 2007, 06:23:43 pm »

Quote from: bfauska on October 08, 2007, 05:57:02 pm

?

I second that

Lilwolf · « **Reply #28 on:** October 08, 2007, 08:22:02 pm »

It does sound promising. I might be up for one. Shipping might be an issue though. Did they come with any boxes? (or have any laying around).

Also, the monitor seemed to be seperateable... how about the touchscreen part? (if you want to remove the computer itself and plug something else on it).

And what via chipset is on it? Some does GREAT job on sound (for a jukebox) but others didn't.... But I guess thats moot since I would probably just plug my own via in on it.

100 lbs though... man thats a lot of weight...

Pics?

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #29 on:** October 08, 2007, 08:26:16 pm »

pics

this may be of help:

http://www1.epinions.com/pr-Planar_Invitium_Tk4_997-2900-00_PC_Desktop

Because the onboard video is proprietary to the touchscreen, I don't know if you could mix and match.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #30 on:** October 08, 2007, 08:37:54 pm »

I am very interested in just the PC with monitor. See if the power supply is removable and can be reconnected to the PC. If the pc works without the batteries then they and the cart could be recycled. The next questions would be if the CF card could be removed and a normal HDD put in it's place with TinyXP installed. If that all works then it is definitely viable for a juke. I am also curious if the RAM can be upgraded, 256MB is minimum for XP.

Have fun with your new toy and let us know how it works out.
Kaytrim

Hoopz · « **Reply #31 on:** October 08, 2007, 09:43:53 pm »

Quote from: Kaytrim on October 08, 2007, 08:37:54 pm

I am very interested in just the PC with monitor. See if the power supply is removable and can be reconnected to the PC. If the pc works without the batteries then they and the cart could be recycled. The next questions would be if the CF card could be removed and a normal HDD put in it's place with TinyXP installed. If that all works then it is definitely viable for a juke. I am also curious if the RAM can be upgraded, 256MB is minimum for XP.

Have fun with your new toy and let us know how it works out.
Kaytrim

I would also see the cart as being unnecessary. If it can be shipped w/o the cart, I would most definitely be interested.

shardian · « **Reply #32 on:** October 09, 2007, 08:43:52 am »

Of course the batteries can be optional. Odds are they are 12volts, and the pc and monitor are drawing anywhere from 1-2 amps. A laptop ac adapter will most likely supply enough juice. You just hack the end of the PS cable, and hard wire it into the system.

heffe2001 · « **Reply #33 on:** October 09, 2007, 08:57:53 am »

All you'd need is the pinout for the power connector, and I'm sure something could be hacked together. I'd definitely be interested in one, especially if the ram was upgradeable (but I'm going to guess no, but you never know).

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #34 on:** October 09, 2007, 02:23:25 pm »

After further study of this thing, I believe the following would probably be the best way to make a juke out of one:

1. Get a CF to IDE adapter, and connect to primary IDE.
2. Insert a 2-4GB CF Card.
3. Use external USB CD-ROM Drive to install Windows/Linux on the CF.
4. Set up networking on the thing with either the onboard LAN or a wireless PCMCIA Card
5. Use this computer as a terminal to a music server elsewhere in your house.

Because of the size, there is no way of getting a standard 3.5" HDD in there, and a 2.5" laptop drive might work, but its still pretty cramped in there. Also, remember that this thing has no internal fans, so something other than a SSD would heat things up a lot.

Kaytrim · « **Reply #35 on:** October 09, 2007, 02:28:57 pm »

You gota think outside the box man. Or at least build a better one.

I am thinking of deceasing the PC and mount it in a much nicer box.

TTFN
Kaytrim

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #36 on:** October 09, 2007, 02:51:36 pm »

but finding a longer cable to go between monitor and computer would likely be a nightmare

Kaytrim · « **Reply #37 on:** October 09, 2007, 02:57:58 pm »

When you take off the back of the case is the motherboard still attached to the monitor? If so then an IDE cable would do the trick. Just leave the back off the thing and install it in a MDF box. Find out how much the guy wants for them and I will more than likely take one off your (his) hands.

TTFN

spacies · « **Reply #38 on:** October 09, 2007, 03:14:14 pm »

Cut the wire and make it longer. Easy!

Angry_Radish · « **Reply #39 on:** October 09, 2007, 03:21:43 pm »

Quote from: Kaytrim on October 09, 2007, 02:57:58 pm

When you take off the back of the case is the motherboard still attached to the monitor? If so then an IDE cable would do the trick. Just leave the back off the thing and install it in a MDF box. Find out how much the guy wants for them and I will more than likely take one off your (his) hands.

Agreed.
Count me in as interested as well please.
If you can seperate it from the cart/batteries, I'm in for one :-)


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