[APML] Ultimate Astro PC?

[mohib_ebrahim.smz@attglobal.net]

Hi:

I've been looing for an portable PC that I could use a PCI frame grabber
card in. So after a bit of searching I found this cool looking jewel for
$2385. Not dirt cheap like a used notebook, but then not $5k+ for some
industrial dead-weight lunch box (with eight slots that are never needed).
And even if you don't need the PCI slot, just check this thing out. It is
one _very_ cool looking and feature packed piece of gear. There's probably
something about this that makes it unsuitable which I'm sure I've missed,
so may be more minds looking at it can find out what that is.

The model I'm looking at is the BSI RMS 4000:
http://www.portable-computer.com/industrial/panel_pc/panel_pcs.htm
http://www.portable-computer.com/industrial/panel_pc/rms4000/rms4000_intro.
htm

Features:

1) Very cool. Check this out:
http://www.portable-computer.com/industrial/panel_pc/rms4000/rms4000_detail
s.htm

2) PIII 850 with 128mb, 20g drive, FDD (optional 24x CD will fit inside).

3) 2 PCI slots or 1 PCI and 1 ISA

4) Built-in 14.1" TFT 1024X768 resolution LCD flat panel display. NEMA
4/NEMA 12 sealed front panel. (Optional 15" available) (Optional touch
screen available) (optional untethered keyboard available - I don't think
it actually comes with one!!)

5) 3 x RS-232, 1x RS-232/485 with +5V/12V power output on pin #9 (now 4
serial ports that has got be good), +5V/12V DC-out, parallel port, network,
external video, parallael, S-video, TV-out (composite video?), line in,
mike, speaker, mouse, keyboard, watch dog timer (what ever that is-probably
a clock that can actually keep time), optional addtional PCI/ISA expansion,
digital I/O (?), flash disk, 2 USB ports, speakers, and 3 other ports I
have no idea for what: 2 RJ-11s (?) and what looks like an external monitor
output it, but takes a female plug Here's a picture of the back pannel:
http://www.portable-computer.com/industrial/panel_pc/rms4000/rms4000_back.h
tm

6) Heavy duty steel construction - Industrial grade construction and NEMA
4/12 rated front panel  makes RMS-4000 suitable for outdoors operations.

>From the data sheet:
Power supply: 85 Watt (built-in)
Input voltage 85-264VAC @47-63Hz, auto-sensing, or 70 Watt (DC) 18-36VDC
power supply -- power could be a problem for field work, but not aournd the
house or obseratory. It doesn't have any batteries, but they're usually
pretty uselss when it's cold any way.

Dimension (chassis): 368 x 321 x 72 mm (W x H x D)
Operating temp: 0 ~ 50 °C
Relative humidity: 10~95%, non-condensing

The weight is missing however, but their RMS 2000 is 12lbs (a lot better
than the 20+lbs for a lunch box).

Oh wait, just found the PDF data sheet (still no weight)
http://www.portable-computer.com/support/datasheet.htm

Any body tried one of these things, or used anything similar?

TIA



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