Chip PC offers a rather unique approach to thin client PCs by creating the "Jack PC" rigs which can mount in a wall like an electrical socket. Even more, the compact computers can be mounted in a desk or in the floor, creating a less cluttered, less geeky environment.
"The Jack PC's patented technology enables converting a standard LAN jack into a fully managed desktop PC, offering VDI support and connectivity to any type of popular Terminal, Citrix or Legacy server," the company explained. "The thin client is designed to be powered by standard Power-over-Ethernet and can also be powered externally."
The company offers three models--one entry-level PC and two high-end solutions. The Jack PC EFI-6700 is the VGA-only, low-end model sporting the Alchemy Au 1550 CPU clocked at 333 MHz (equivalent to x86 800 MHz), 32 MB of Disk-On-Chip (DOC) memory, 64 MB of RAM, 4 MB of dedicated video memory, 10/100 Fast Ethernet, optional wireless capabilities, 4 USB ports and audio jacks. It also has a max resolution of 1260 x 1024 @ 16M
The higher end VGA-only Jack PC EFI-7800 is somewhat similar, using the same processor but at a higher 500 MHz clock (x86 1.2 GHz). As expected, its hardware is a bit beefier providing 256 MB of DOC, 128 MB of RAM, and 8 MB of dedicated memory. It also has 4 USB ports, audio jacks, and offers a max resolution of 1600 x 1200 @ 64k.
The Jack PC EFI-7900 is the only PC-in-a-faceplate rig in the group to provide dual display support. It actually sports the same hardware specs as the EFI-6800, however DVI-I replaces the standard VGA jack. The device also provides a max resolution of 1920 x 1200 when using only one display, and a max resolution of 1024 x 768 when using dual displays.
All three Jack PC models run Windows CE 6.0, measure just 2.78 x 4.56 x 1.58-inches and weighs around 12 ounces. Power consumption is a mere 5W maximum while active and 0.35W while asleep.
