The WINDBOX as a professional mini PC

In 2008, the first WINDBOX from MSI IPC (Micro Star International) was presented and immediately offered in the spo-comm range. It was created for professional applications and yet ensured low power consumption thanks to its metal housing and passive cooling.

Thanks to its compact design, it could also be attached to screens with a VESA hole using brackets (see also “What is VESA?“). As a result, the WINDBOX covers a wide range of applications, including use as an industrial PC and embedded PC, as a digital signage player, but also as a workstation in logistics.

All these features form the basis for the entire WINDBOX range.

From HDMI to Dual Core CPU: Technical updates to the WINDBOX

Over the years, the systems in the WINDBOX series have undergone a number of technical updates, but the design has also been constantly improved. All the latest connections such as HDMI or USB 3.0 are now available and it is possible to connect to mobile networks via UMTS or LTE.

With the release of the WINDBOX III Advanced, the first model in Series III in 2010, more demanding tasks could now also be conquered. This was achieved primarily thanks to a dual-core CPU and the first Intel HD graphics.

Its ease of use, reliability and not forgetting its attractive price make the WINDBOX a successful model.

The future of the WINDBOX

In cooperation with MSI IPC, spo-comm GmbH is constantly working on the further development of the WINDBOX series. In the future, we will continue to look for solutions to integrate the latest features into housings of the same design in the best possible way. We will provide you with more information about potential successor models shortly.

The following WINDBOX models are currently in our range:

–    WINDBOX II QUAD(MS-9A65)
–    WINDBOX III EVO(MS-9A75)

Order WINDBOX now or test it for free!

Large CPU selection

Thanks to the freely selectable desktop CPU, the NANO H110 can be flexibly adapted to the respective application. The range includes 6th generation Intel Core i processors (Skylake) from i3 to i7, as well as a Celeron CPU.

Flexibility squared

The compact mini PC is housed in a square metal casing measuring 178 x 34 x 178 millimeters. The spo-book NANO H110 not only comes with a VESA-standard wall mount, but also a practical stand. This offers a wide range of application and mounting options: With its low overall height, the lightweight 1.5 KG fits well behind a screen, for example. Thanks to the Kensington Lock, it can even be secured against theft.

Dual display and 8x USB

The interfaces of the spo-book NANO H110 are also impressive: The front panel contains two audio connections and four USB ports according to the latest 3.0 standard. Four additional USB ports are located on the back panel. A DisplayPort, HDMI and VGA connection also enable independent image output on up to two monitors. The former even has a resolution of 4K@60Hz, which is particularly attractive for digital signage applications. In addition, COM (RS232), a Realtek Gigabit LAN and two antenna connections for optional WLAN and Bluetooth are also available.

Configure the NANO H110 now and test it for free!

Certified vehicle PC

The spo-book MOVE N3160 is the latest model in the passively cooled MOVE series, which has been specially designed for use in vehicles of all kinds. First-class vehicle computing is ensured by the wide-range power input (9-36 volts), the optional battery for up to ten minutes of emergency operation and the option of installing various additional modules such as 3G/4G or GPS. The Mini-PC is also vibration and shock-tested in accordance with American military standards.

Outdoor use even in extreme temperatures

The vehicle PC, measuring 250 x 55 x 150 millimeters, is equipped with a fanless Intel quad-core CPU with four cores running at 1.6 (max. 2.24) gigahertz. Thanks to the passive cooling, the Mini-PC can be operated in an extended temperature range of -40 to 70 degrees. This also makes it interesting for outdoor use with a lack of heating or cooling options. As a special extra, the mini PC has eight GPIO ports (2 in/2 out DIO) and a dual SIM slot for operation in two independent mobile networks. A CAN bus is also possible.

Order spo-book MOVE N3160 or request a free trial

Industrial PC for virtual reality and digital signage

Like its predecessors, the spo-book KUMO IV impresses with its innovative and unique combination of a robust, compact metal housing and an extremely powerful high-end graphics card. The latter comes from nVidia’s current Pascal generation, goes by the name of GTX 1060 and is equipped with 6 GB DDR5 video RAM. Outstanding performance is also ensured by an Intel Core i5-6400T desktop CPU (Skylake) with four cores and a frequency of 2.2 (max. 2.8) gigahertz. Whether high-resolution digital signage applications or sophisticated virtual reality solutions – (almost) anything is possible with the spo-book KUMO IV.

Four times 4K@60Hz

Thanks to two DisplayPort 1.3 ports and two HDMI 2.0b ports, the Mini-PC is capable of displaying content on four screens simultaneously at a resolution of 4K@60Hz. And if 4K is not enough, the spo-book KUMO IV even displays 8K@60Hz, i.e. a resolution of an incredible 7680×4320 pixels. It is supported by up to 32 GB DDR 4 RAM. It’s hard to believe that this extraordinary performance is housed in a compact housing measuring just 200 x 205 x 80 mm. The Mini-PC will be available in the desired configuration from the end of March.

Order spo-book KUMO IV or request a free trial

In order to bring vehicle computing up to date, spo-comm has removed the MOVE QM77 from its range. It has been replaced by the MOVE QM87 with a fourth-generation Intel Core i5.

More connections with the same dimensions

The dimensions of the Mini-PC are unchanged and are 55 x 250 x 150 millimeters. However, there are now more connections on the housing. Instead of three, there are now four COM interfaces, two of which are RS422/485. In addition to DVI-I and DisplayPort, the spo-book MOVE QM87 now also has a VGA connection so that up to three screens can be connected. As we are once again dealing with a classic vehicle PC, the 9-36 V wide range power connection, the optional battery and the Mini PCIe slots for expansion cards have of course been retained.

More special features of Mini PCs

Performance improvement

Although the CPU of the new MOVE QM87 is “only” an Intel Core i5, it is from the fourth generation (Haswell) and is therefore newer than the Intel Core i7 (3rd generation, Ivy Bridge) of the MOVE QM77. The two processors are not only comparable in terms of performance, but the i5 even outperforms the i7 in most benchmarks, as this comparison shows. This increase in performance is complemented by an increase in RAM. Instead of eight, the MOVE QM87 can have up to 16 gigabytes of RAM.

Although the MOVE QM77 is EOL, existing projects will continue to be supplied. And if less power is required: an update for our “small” MOVE NM10 and MOVE T56N vehicle PCs will also be available soon.

Vehicle Computing by spo-comm

As the name suggests, the MOVE series is the classic for use in vehicles of all kinds. Special current transformers, optional batteries and numerous modules for mobile use (3G/4G, GPS) ensure smooth operation in every conceivable vehicle. Thanks to passive cooling and a particularly robust design, use in the extended temperature range of -40ยฐC to 70ยฐC is no problem.

Mini PC with lots of content

The interior of the familiar compact industrial PC surprises with numerous options that take vehicle computing to a new level. The robust and fanless metal housing measuring 250 x 55 x 150 millimeters has space for up to two HDDs or SSDs as well as modules for WLAN, Bluetooth, mobile network (3G/4G) and GPS. Thanks to the dual SIM slot, operation in two independent mobile networks is even possible. This opens up completely new possibilities for use in the mobile environment.

Order MOVE QM87 or request a free trial

The EXPANDED: Flexible all-rounder

The EXPANDED Q170 has an adaptable housing measuring 330 x 70 x 290 millimeters and a 16x PCIe slot. If this is used to install a multi-view graphics card, for example, it is possible to connect up to 9 screens. Three screens can already be connected via HDMI, DisplayPort and VGA without an additional graphics card. Thanks to the triple display feature and the two audio connections, the mini PC is perfect for digital signage applications. In addition to an optional optical drive for DVDs or Blu-Rays, there is space inside the Mini-PC for up to two HDDs or SSDs, also in a RAID array.

The NINETEEN: the name says it all

The NINETEEN Q170 is housed in a rackmount housing with 1 U. Thanks to its standardized dimensions, the Mini-PC can be installed in 19-inch racks using optional slide rails. The spacious 482.6 x 378.8 x 43.9 millimeter housing allows the installation of a 16x PCIe expansion card and has space for an optical drive, two 3.5″ and one 2.5″ hard drive. Of course, up to three solid state disks can also be installed instead. In total, the three drives enable a storage capacity of several terabytes. If security is important to you, you can also connect the storage media to a RAID.

One chipset, two solutions

The EXPANDED Q170 is the perfect solution for customers who work professionally in the audio/video sector, require outstanding performance and want to connect multiple screens. However, if you are looking for a powerful, robust and yet slim rackmount system, you should take a closer look at the NINETEEN Q170. Both Mini-PCs are available immediately and can be ordered in the desired configuration at spo-comm.de.

Order EXPANDED Q170 or request a free trial

 

Order NINETEEN Q170 or request a free trial

New dimensions and connections

The product change results in modified dimensions and connections. Instead of 43 x 195 x 135 millimeters, the external dimensions of the spo-book BRICK J1900 are now 55 x 200 x 155 millimeters. This provides space for even more connections: The new model now has six COM interfaces on the front panel instead of four. The USB ports have also been expanded from four to six, one of which complies with the latest 3.0 standard. In addition to two audio connections, a DIO connection is now also available. The two LAN interfaces can optionally be expanded to four.

Even more robust

While four gigabytes of RAM was the maximum for the BRICK NM10, the BRICK J1900 can now be fitted with up to eight gigabytes. As usual, an HDD and MLC and SLC SSDs are available as mass storage devices. The temperature range increases from 0ยฐC to 40ยฐC to -10ยฐC to 50ยฐC.

Current software

The selection of operating systems is now also up to date. While the BRICK NM10 only offered Windows 7 in the 32-bit version, the spo-book BRICK J1900 is also available with Windows 10 in addition to Windows 7 64-bit. Windows Embedded and Linux are also still available. Anyone who is dependent on a 32-bit operating system for their application can also switch to the BRICK J1900 without any problems. Although spo-comm does not actively offer this variant, the appropriate drivers can be provided.

Price reduction

The spo-book BRICK NM10 is still available until the end of the year. The price of its successor, the BRICK J1900, has already been reduced. To make the changeover easier for you, we provide a free trial version at any time. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

The BRICK series, which was developed together with MSI IPC and is characterized by passive cooling and multiple COM interfaces, has been in existence since 2009. The Mini PCs are mainly used in the Industrial Control and KIOSK/POS sectors.

Find out more about the spo-book BRICK J1900

Convincing price/performance ratio

The phenomenal entry-level price for business customers is less than 400 euros net – and that already includes 4 gigabytes of RAM and a 120 gigabyte mSATA solid state disk.
If that’s not enough, the RAM can be expanded to up to 16 gigabytes. SSDs are also available with 240 and 480 gigabytes.

Ultra-compact and super-light

Sophisticated technology was used to develop an ultra-compact mainboard and pack it into an equally small housing. Measuring 112 x 41 x 108 millimeters, the spo-book CORE fits behind any screen and is easy to mount thanks to the integrated VESA 75 mount. There it runs continuously 24/7 in a temperature range from 0ยฐC to 40ยฐC without any problems. The robust yet super-light aluminum housing makes the mini PC a real flyweight: fully equipped, it weighs just 500 grams.

Order CORE or request a free trial

Open Pluggable Specification

With the new player, spo-comm is launching the first PC on the market that complies with the OPS standard. The Open Pluggable Specification was developed to simplify and standardize digital signage applications. The player can simply be plugged into a suitable professional monitor and put into operation. A separate power connection and connection cable are not required. The dimensions of the embedded PC comply with the OPS standard and are 180*30*119 millimeters without the mounting frame and 200*30*119 millimeters if the mounting frame is included. 

Current Skylake architecture

The spo-comm OPS is state-of-the-art in terms of performance and the first spo-book to be equipped with Intel Skylake technology. The powerful Intel Core i5-6200U processor in combination with up to 16 gigabytes of RAM enables high-resolution applications. Content in 4K format can also be played back via the OPS’s own JAE connection. With the further development of the processor architecture, Intel has also significantly reduced the power consumption of the CPU. The integrated SmartFan technology ensures that the embedded PC is always optimally cooled.

Find out more about the spo-book OPS