One device – two worlds: BRICK & RUGGED

The BRICK Pro is designed to fit harmoniously between two product categories:

  • The largest BRICK: It combines the compact design and versatility of the BRICK series, which is known for its flexible applications in offices, retail and digital signage.
  • The smallest RUGGED: At the same time, it inherits the robustness and connectivity of the spo-comm RUGGED PCs, which are convincing in extreme environments and industrial applications.

This combination makes it the ideal all-rounder that works reliably in both stable and demanding environments.

Key facts of the BRICK Pro

The outstanding features of this mini PC can be seen in several areas:

Robust metal housing: Developed for continuous operation in industrial environments, the robust housing offers optimum protection against external influences.

Wide range of connection options: The BRICK Pro is equipped for almost any peripheral, making it ideal for digital signage, kiosk solutions and IoT applications. In addition to 4 HDMI 2.0 ports, 4 2.5 Gbps LAN ports, 4 COM ports and a total of 8 USB ports are available.

Powerful processor: A balanced combination of computing power and energy efficiency ensures smooth operation, even for demanding tasks. It is equipped with an Intelยฎ Coreโ„ข i5-1335UE processor.

Compact, space-saving design: Despite its robust features, it remains compact with dimensions of 65 x 215 x 155 mm (HxWxD) and can be easily integrated into a wide range of applications.

Fanless cooling: Thanks to the use of a fanless cooling system with cooling fins on the top and sides of the housing, this spo-comm Mini-PC is ideal for dusty or vibration-prone environments.

Differences and similarities at a glance

A closer look at the differences and similarities between the two series mentioned illustrates the special features of the BRICK Pro:

FeatureBRICK seriesBRICK ProRUGGED series
SizeCompactMedium sizeLarger & more robust
Housing materialRobust metal housingRobust metal housingRobust metal housing
PerformanceSolid performancePowerful and energy-efficientHigh performance
Variety of connectionsGoodVery goodOften flexibly expandable
Areas of applicationOffice, retail, digital signage, IoTIndustry, Digital Signage, IoTIndustrial environments, outdoor, IoT

The device stands out here as the link between the two series and creates an optimum balance between compact design and robustness.

Application areas of the BRICK Pro

It is versatile, which makes it interesting for various areas and target groups:

  • Industrial control systems: Ideal for continuous operation in machine control systems thanks to the stable hardware, numerous COM ports and fanless cooling.
  • Digital signage & kiosk systems: With its video outputs and high computing power, it enables smooth presentation on multiple displays.
  • IoT and smart applications: The extensive range of connections and reliable operation make it the perfect partner for edge computing solutions.
  • Harsh environments: The robust housing and fanless technology ensure trouble-free operation even in dusty or high vibration areas.

CONCLUSION: The BRICK Pro is the ideal all-rounder for industrial applications

Our BRICK Pro fills the gap between the BRICK series and the RUGGED series by combining the compact, flexible features of the spo-comm BRICK PCs with the robustness and high connectivity of the RUGGED series.

It offers an optimal solution for users who are looking for a robust, powerful yet space-saving mini PC. Whether in industry, digital signage or the IoT – it sets new standards and impresses with its versatility.

Find out more about the BRICK Pro and discover how this mini PC can optimally support your applications. If you have any questions about this or other spo-comm products, please do not hesitate to contact us or book a personal consultation!

embedded world 2025 in Nuremberg

Where? Booth 1-389 (Hall 1, Booth 389)

When? 11.03. – 13.03.2025

Members of our team will be on site at the stand on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

More details

In cooperation with ConSys, we will be exhibiting at the msi-ipc stand and providing a few insights into our product portfolio in digital form – more precisely, into the mini PCs that we have been distributing as a long-standing msi partner. Visit our stand and experience our spo-comm products live, talk to our experts about current trends and innovations and gather inspiration for your next project.

We are looking forward to a good exchange and hope to see some familiar and new faces!

If you have any questions about your visit to the fair, please contact us:

Exchange rates have changed significantly in recent months, which has also affected the purchase price of some of our Mini PC models. In order to take these developments into account, we have to adjust the prices of certain products in our range.

Price adjustment for the following Mini-PCs

The Mini PCs listed here now have a new entry-level price:

  • WINDBOX III Ultra: from 945โ‚ฌ
  • BRICK N305: from 800โ‚ฌ
  • NOVA R680E: from 1290โ‚ฌ
  • NINETEEN Q670E: from 1275โ‚ฌ
  • ONE H610: from 690โ‚ฌ
  • ONE i5: from 595โ‚ฌ
  • ONE J6412: 325โ‚ฌ
  • SQUARE 18: from 1175โ‚ฌ
  • SQUARE 21: 1275โ‚ฌ
  • RUGGED Tab 10 N5100 Entry: from โ‚ฌ920
  • RUGGED Tab 10 i5 Entry: from 1635โ‚ฌ
  • RUGGED Tab 8A Entry: from โ‚ฌ505

Important for our customers:

Existing offers and ongoing projects remain unaffected by this adjustment. Anyone who has already received an offer or is involved in an ongoing project can continue to rely on the previous prices.

We thank you for your understanding and are always available to answer your questions. It remains our goal to offer high-quality Mini PCs at fair conditions – even in times of economic fluctuations.

Deep learning vs. machine learning – what’s the difference?

Both machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) are based on algorithms that learn from data. The difference lies in the complexity and structure of the models:

  • Machine learning mainly uses flatter models such as decision trees or linear regressions. These often require manual feature engineering, i.e. experts have to extract relevant features from the data.
  • Deep learning, on the other hand, is based on neural networks with multiple layers (“deep neural networks”). These networks learn independently which features are important and can therefore recognize more complex patterns.

A simple example: While a classic ML model defines image features such as edges or shapes by hand, a DL model can extract these features independently from the raw data.

How does deep learning work?

The system is based on neural networks inspired by the structure of the human brain. These networks consist of “neurons” that are arranged in several layers:

  • Input layer: Receives the data (e.g. image or text)
  • Hidden layers: Perform calculations to recognize patterns
  • Output layer: Delivers the result (e.g. classification or prediction)

Each connection between the neurons has a weight that is adjusted during training to improve accuracy.

Use of deep learning on mini PCs

Mini PCs can also run complex deep learning applications thanks to powerful hardware and optimized software. We have put together a few examples:

  • Image and object recognition: With deep learning frameworks such as TensorFlow Lite or PyTorch, mini PCs can recognize faces or identify objects in real time. This is useful in surveillance systems or smart home devices, for example.
  • Speech recognition: Projects such as Jasper or DeepSpeech make it possible to recognize speech on mini PCs and convert it into text. This technology is used in voice assistants.
  • Predictive maintenance: In an industrial environment, mini PCs can analyze data from sensors and detect anomalies in order to predict maintenance requirements.

Deep learning on mini PCs offers numerous advantages, but also presents some challenges. The compact design of the mini PCs is an advantage, and the little helpers are also more energy and cost efficient than traditional servers.

However, there are challenges in terms of limited computing power and memory. However, special hardware such as AI accelerators (e.g. NIVIDIA Jetson Nano) can partially overcome these limitations.

Deep learning with spo-comm Mini-PCs

Our product portfolio also includes the odd mini PC that masters deep learning with flying colors. For example, our NINETEEN Q670E, which should not be reduced solely to its 19-inch size, but also to what’s inside it. The NINETEEN impresses with an Intelยฎ Coreโ„ข i5-12500T CPU, up to 65GB RAM and optional NVIDIA RTX graphics card. It also offers some special features, such as a PCIe slot for an additional graphics card, RAID network with multiple SSDs, iAMT, Wake on LAN and much more!

Conclusion

Deep learning is revolutionizing numerous industries and is becoming increasingly accessible, even on mini PCs. From image and speech recognition to industrial applications – the possibilities are almost limitless.

Whether in research, industry or the smart home sector – mini PCs make deep learning more tangible and affordable. With the right combination of hardware and software, (almost) no AI application stands in the way!

Company vacation and last delivery in 2024

As every year, our office will be closed over the Christmas holidays and New Year’s Eve from December 23 to January 6, 2025. We will be back for you from January 07, 2025!

Please note: Due to the inventory, the last possible delivery date is Thursday, 19.12.2023.

Price reduction BOX N6211

Our little digital signage wonder is now available from just โ‚ฌ440.00 base price!

The BOX impresses with its Intelยฎ Celeronยฎ N6211 processor, passive cooling, extremely low power consumption of only approx. 13 watts and numerous expansion options.

The high quality in combination with the dimensions of only 115 x 76 x 27 mm make the BOX N6211 a prime example of a spo-comm Mini-PC!

NINETEEN and NOVA are back!

The “N” in New and November currently stands for NOVA R680E and NINETEEN Q670E! The two well-known systems are back in the spo-comm product portfolio – now in an even more powerful design for a wide range of applications.

The NOVA R680E impresses with a wide range power input (8 – 48V), the extended temperature range of -10ยฐ to +50ยฐC and an Intelยฎ Coreโ„ข i5-12500T CPU with a performance of up to 6x 4.4 GHz. In addition, the device is shock-tested in accordance with IEC 60068-2 and, thanks to its anti-vibration design, can also withstand applications that occasionally get a little bumpy.

Our popular 19″ PC NINETEEN Q670E, which is especially designed for server applications, can now be optionally equipped with an NVIDIA graphics card! Thanks to a wide range of connections, hot swap, PCIe, iAMT, RAID and much more, it is equipped for a wide variety of applications.

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us!

What is PCI and PCIe?

The PCI interface (Peripheral Component Interconnect) was developed in the 1990s as a standard for connecting various expansion cards to a computer system. It enabled efficient communication between hardware components. However, as technological development progressed, the original PCI interface became a bottleneck for modern, high-performance devices.

This is where the Express version comes into play. PCIe (Peripheral Component Interconnect Express) is a further development of the previous technology, which offers much higher data transfer rates and better scalability. While PCI once worked with parallel data buses, PCIe relies on serial data transmission and offers several “lanes” that can be used in parallel. This leads to a drastic improvement in the speed and efficiency of data transmission.

Of course, you will also find one or two PCIe interfaces in our spo-comm product catalog. In addition to this port, our NOVA R680E offers some other interesting features!

Advantages of the interface for mini PCs

  • Higher data transfer rates
    Mini PCs benefit from the high bandwidth of the PCIe interface. Whether connecting a graphics card or an NVMe SSD for lightning-fast data storage, this connection is now the standard for fast, stable connections. The latest version, PCIe 5.0, enables data rates of up to 32 GT/s (gigatransfers per second) per lane, giving Mini PCs unprecedented performance.

    Outlook: It will be even more powerful with the upcoming PCIe 6.0 version, which is already within reach and promises transfer rates of up to 64 GT/s.
  • Flexibility and scalability
    The interface has a modular structure. This means that there are different configurations, such as x1, x4, x8 or x16, which support different numbers of data channels. Mini PCs, which are usually designed to be compact, can thus be flexibly adapted to different requirements without having to compromise on performance.

  • Compatibility and future-proofing
    Another advantage of PCIe technology is its backwards compatibility. This means that older devices with this interface can also be operated on newer PCIe slots. This makes the interface a future-proof solution that is ideal for mini PCs, as these are often in use for many years.

The next generation of data transmission

The next stage in the evolution of the PCIe interface is imminent with PCIe 6.0. This new version not only brings twice the data transfer rates of PCIe 5.0, but also more efficient error correction methods and even lower latency. For Mini PC users who need maximum performance in the smallest possible space, this is an absolute game changer. The newer version will make it possible to transfer even more data in less time, which is a clear advantage especially in data-intensive applications such as 3D graphics processing, machine learning and high-performance computing.

PCIe as a key technology for Mini PCs

The PCIe interface is undoubtedly one of the most important technologies for modern Mini PCs. It provides the necessary bandwidth, flexibility and future-proofing to meet the demands of today’s hardware. From powerful graphics cards to lightning-fast NVMe SSDs, the right PCIe interface can significantly boost the performance of your Mini PC.

Tablet PCs – what’s special?

Tablet PCs are particularly characterized by their flexibility, as they can be used in a wide range of applications. From industry and retail to logistics, to keep an eye on stock levels at all times. Tablet PCs are also ideal for outdoor applications. For example, for documentation on a construction site, in agriculture to record field information or in the field service to retrieve customer information or similar. The tablets are not only powerful application devices, but can also be flexibly configured with accessories such as a docking station for power supply, data transfer, desktop expansion or multimedia use. The replacement battery is perfect for guaranteeing continuous use even when away from home, for example. An integrated barcode scanner is ideal for recording serial numbers in stock.

Tablet PCs from spo-comm – the RUGGED Tab 10

With the RUGGED Tab 10 Tablet PC, we have expanded and enriched our product portfolio for the first time. The tablet is equipped with an Intelยฎ Celeronยฎ N5100 processor, 8GB RAM and an onboard 128 GB eMMC SSD and offers Intelยฎ UHD Graphics for optimal graphics. The tablet is offered with Windows 10 IoT Enterprise 2021 LTSC Entry or Windows 11 Professional 64-bit. It is also equipped with various accessories, such as a backup battery, a 2D barcode scanner, a vehicle holder and much more.

Further key data:

  • Extended temperature range: -20ยฐC up to +60ยฐC
  • 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1, 1x Gigabit LAN
  • IP 65 and MIL-STD-810G certification
  • Dimensions: 270 x 23 x 189 mm

The RUGGED Tab 10 i5 – high-end industrial tablet

The RUGGED Tab 10 i5 is a robust high-end industrial tablet with an Intelยฎ Core i5-1235U CPU, 16 GB RAM and a 128 GB m.2 SSD. It is suitable for demanding applications in areas such as construction site management and logistics, offers many accessory options and is dust and waterproof to IP65. The tablet has a 10.1″ display, integrated Wi-Fi and can be operated with Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 IoT.

Further key data:

  • 10.1″ IPS display, 10-point touch, 1920×1200 resolution
  • IP65 dust and waterproof
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 27 x 196 x 289 mm
  • Active cooling

The RUGGED Tab 8A – entry-level industrial tablet

Our RUGGED Tab 8A with its 8″ display is the smallest of the spo-comm tablet PCs. The robust, fanless industrial tablet with MediaTek Helio G99 CPU, 8 GB RAM and 128 GB eMMC SSD is ideal for industry and logistics. It runs on Android 12, has various connections such as USB 2.0, USB Type C and two SIM card slots as well as NFC. Optional accessories include a 2D scanner, a backup battery and a docking station.

Further key data:

  • 8″ IPS display, 5-point touch, 1200×900 resolution
  • Dimensions (HxWxD): 20 mm x 155 mm x 236 mm
  • Passive cooling
  • IP 65 and MIL-STD-810H certification
  • Integrated 4G/ 5G and GPS module