Posted on by Debashis Das - 1 Comment on Protectli VP32XX – Alder Lake-N network appliances with dual 2.5GbE, NVMe and SATA storage options

Protectli VP32XX – Alder Lake-N network appliances with dual 2.5GbE, NVMe and SATA storage options

Protectli VP32XX network appliance

The Protectli VP32XX is a family of Alder Lake-N network appliances for high-performance applications. This compact device comes in two variants: the VP3210, powered by a quad-core Intel N100 processor, and the VP3230, built around an eight-core Intel Core i3-N305 processor. Both support up to 16GB of DDR5 RAM and the company mentions that they have tested it with up to 48 GB. They also include 32GB of eMMC storage with dual 2.5GbE. Storage options include dual M.2 NVMe SSD slots and an expansion bay that supports up to four 2.5-inch SATA SSDs, making them ideal for NAS applications. Additionally, they have various I/O options, including HDMI, DisplayPort, multiple USB ports, and a PCIe slot, making them compatible with multimedia workstations or networking hubs. Protectli VP3200 specifications: Processor VP3210 – Intel Processor N100 quad-core Alder Lake-N processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) with 6MB cache, 24EU Intel HD graphics @ 750 MHz; […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on Graperain G3562 – A Rockchip RK3562 system-on-module and development board

Graperain G3562 – A Rockchip RK3562 system-on-module and development board

Rockchip RK3562 development board

Graperain G3562 is a Rockchip RK3562 quad-core Cortex-A53 system-on-module (SoM) with up to 8GB LPDDR4, up to 128GB eMMC flash suitable for Edge AI, IoT, automation, and consumer electronic applications. The company also provides the G3562 development board for the SoM with an M.2 socket for NVMe SSD, dual Ethernet, WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0, and optional 4G LTE/3G cellular connectivity, plus a MIPI DSI/LVDS display connector, two MIPI CSI camera connectors, three USB 2.0 ports, audio interfaces, and expansion through a 30-pin GPIO header and UART connector. Graperain G3562 SoM GrapeRain G3562 specifications: SoC –  Rockchip RK3562 CPU – Quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 quad-core @ 2.0 GHz GPU – Mali-G52-2EE with support for OpenGL ES 1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.0, Vulkan 1.0/1.1 AI accelerator – 1 TOPS (INT8) NPU VPU Encoder – H.264 1920×1080 @ 60fps Decoder – H.265/VP9 4096×2304 @ 30fps; H.264 1920×1080 @ 60fps RAM – 2GB LPDDR4 by default […]

ArmSoM CM5 - Raspberry Pi CM4 alternative with Rockchip RK3576 SoC
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 1 Comment on NXP i.MX 94 octa-core Cortex-A55/M33/M7 processor targets Edge AI industrial and automotive applications

NXP i.MX 94 octa-core Cortex-A55/M33/M7 processor targets Edge AI industrial and automotive applications

NXP i.MX 94

NXP i.MX 94 is an octa-core Arm SoC with up to four Cortex-A55 application cores, two Arm Cortex-M33 real-time/functional safety cores, two Arm Cortex-M7 real-time/functional safety cores, and an NXP eIQ Neutron NPU designed for Edge AI industrial and automotive applications I initially thought it would be a cost-down version of the NXP i.MX 95, and while it shares many of the same features, it’s more an application-specific processor designed specifically for industrial and automotive applications, lacking a 3D GPU, camera input interfaces, a MIPI DSI display interface, and 10GbE networking, but increasing the number of real-time cores (at the cost of application cores) and adding several networking features such as an Ethernet time-sensitive networking (TSN) switch, 2.5GbE interface, an Ethercat controller, and support for industrial protocols like Profinet or OPC-UA FX. NXP i.MX 94 specifications: CPU Up to 4x Arm Cortex-A55 cores 2x Arm Corex-M7 cores, one for functional […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on GEEKOM GT1 Mega Review – Part 2: An Intel Core 9 Ultra 185H Meteor Lake “AI” mini PC tested with Windows 11 Pro

GEEKOM GT1 Mega Review – Part 2: An Intel Core 9 Ultra 185H Meteor Lake “AI” mini PC tested with Windows 11 Pro

GEEKOM GT1 Mega Windows 11 Pro Review

I’ve already gone through the specifications, an unboxing, and a teardown of the GEEKOM GT1 Mega AI mini PC powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H “Meteor Lake” processor with 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 2TB M.2 NVMe SSD in the first part of the review. I’ve now had more time to play with the GEEKOM GT1 Mega, so I will report my experience with Windows 11 Pro operating system in the second part of the review testing features, running benchmarks including an AI benchmark, evaluating networking and storage performance, testing the thermal design while under stress, and taking measurements for fan noise and power consumption. Software overview and features testing Going to the System->About window in the Settings confirms we have a GT1-Mega mini PC powered by a 2.50 GHz (base frequency) Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor with 32GB of RAM running Windows 11 Pro 23H2 build […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 2 Comments on LG Display’s 12-inch stretchable screen can extend by up to 502

LG Display’s 12-inch stretchable screen can extend by up to 50%

LG Stretchable display

A new category of devices – the stretchables – may soon be upon us, as after writing about Murata stretchable PCBs for medical applications a few days ago, I’ve now come across LG’s latest stretchable display that can be extended from its original 12-inch size up to 18 inches. It’s the second stretchable display showcased by the Korean company, as the first prototype was unveiled in 2022 with an elongation rate of just 20%. The new display extends that to 50% and delivers a high resolution of 100ppi (pixels per inch) and full red, green, and blue (RGB) color (probably at its original size). LG Display further explains that their engineers have applied a number of new technologies “such as improving the properties of a special silicon material substrate used in contact lenses and developing a new wiring design structure to improve the panel’s stretchability and flexibility”. Durability was also […]

Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 11 Comments on Palmshell SLiM X4L is a low-cost, ultrathin mini PC based on Intel N100 Alder Lake-N SoC

Palmshell SLiM X4L is a low-cost, ultrathin mini PC based on Intel N100 Alder Lake-N SoC

Palmshell SLIM X4L ultrathin mini PC

Radxa Palmshell SLiM X4L is a low-cost, ultrathin mini PC powered by an Intel N100 Alder Lake-N SoC, equipped with 8GB to 32GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 128GB to 1TB NVMe SSD, and with a design that somewhat reminds me of the MeLE Quieter4C fanless mini PC. It’s also an update of the Palmshell SLiM X2L based on the Radxa X2L SBC powered by an Intel Celeron J4125 quad-core Gemini Lake Refresh processor and the X4L features the exact same port layout with two USB ports on the side, a USB-C port for power, a low-profile Ethernet RJ45 port, two more USB 3.2 Type-A ports on the rear panel, two HDMI outputs, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a Kensington lock. Palmshell SLiM X4L specifications: SoC – Intel Processor N100 CPU – Quad-core Alder Lake-N processor @ up to 3.4 GHz (Turbo) GPU – 24EU Intel HD Graphics @ up to […]

Rockchip RK3568/RK3588 and Intel x86 SBCs
Posted on by Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) - 12 Comments on AMPCOM 8-port 2.5GbE managed switch with 10GbE SPF+ cage sells for less than $60

AMPCOM 8-port 2.5GbE managed switch with 10GbE SPF+ cage sells for less than $60

8-port 2.5GbE switch with 10GbE SFP cage

AMPCOM has launched an inexpensive, fanless 8-port 2.5GbE managed switch with one 10GbE SFP+ cage that sells for less than $60 on Aliexpress with free shipping and before taxes (if you live in Europe). Upgrading your local networking to 10GbE (10 Gbps Ethernet) can still be relatively expensive, and when I look at 10GbE switches on Amazon, most are sold for $200 to $400, and the cheapest models cost around $120. But if you don’t need multiple 10GbE ports on your switch, I’ve been informed about an inexpensive 8-port 2.5GbE managed switch with a single 10GbE SFP+ cage. And as we’ve just seen it’s possible to purchase a dual 10GbE mini PC/router for $299 (barebone), so it’s becoming more affordable than ever to switch to 10GbE networking even though not everybody may benefit from the higher speeds. AMPCOM ZX-SWTGW218AS managed switch specifications: Ports 8x 100M/1000M/2500M RJ45 ports 10GbE SFP+ port […]

Posted on by Tomisin Olujinmi - No Comments on iBASE IB962 3.5-inch SBC features Intel Core Ultra 5/7 SoC, up to 64GB SODIMM memory, and three M.2 slots

iBASE IB962 3.5-inch SBC features Intel Core Ultra 5/7 SoC, up to 64GB SODIMM memory, and three M.2 slots

IB962 3.5 inch SBC side view

iBASE Technology has unveiled the IB962 3.5-inch single-board computer (SBC) powered by the Intel Core Ultra 5/7 100 Series processor family (formerly Meteor Lake U/H) and delivering an “optimal balance of performance and power efficiency.” The IB962 3.5-inch SBC mostly follows the IB961 board‘s design, offering more powerful SoC options, more system memory, and an HDMI 2.0 display interface supporting 4K resolution at 60Hz. It provides dual Gigabit Ethernet networking, three USB 3.2 ports (two via pin headers), three USB 2.0 ports, and three M.2 slots (M-Key + E-Key + B-Key) for networking, storage, and cellular communication. While IB962 is not a single-board computer in the strictest sense since it uses SODIMM sockets, it is still quite compact and useful for portable or space-constrained applications. It is intended for industrial automation, manufacturing, retail, entertainment, healthcare, and various edge AI applications. It is a larger alternative to AAEON’s PICO-MTU4 Pico-ITX SBC […]

Boardcon Rockchip and Allwinner SoM and SBC products