Eurotech introduces Atom-powered in-wall Panel Computers
By Darren Murph 
posted Jul 6th 2009 8:59AM
posted Jul 6th 2009 8:59AM
Why leave all the new computer fun to your desk or lap, right? In an effort to give that barren wall of yours something to cheer about, Eurotech has recently introduced a new trio of Panel Computers, all of which are powered by Intel's less-than-amazing Atom CPU. The Vx-120F-N270 and Vx-150F-N270 are practically identical save for the 12.1- and 15-inch touchscreens (respectively), with each possessing an Atom N270 processor, a fanless design, high-brightness LCD, twin gigabit Ethernet jacks, a front-mounted USB port and an expansion slot for add-on boards. The outfit also debuted the rugged Bx-400F-N270, which should withstand abuse not seen on typical in-wall PCs. Prices have yet to be made public, but you can pretty much bank on your local home automation dealer charging a boatload come mid-September.
I do alot of home automation work and you can be sure that this will cost alot less then a none pc embedded crestron panel. This is going to have no major benefit for the average home user. but for a programer / home automation guru this is going to be great..
But will cost a lot more than a regular pc is my huess.
These things are great, and exactly what I've been looking for for 2 years already -- but most likely the price will AGAIN be ridiculous. It's much cheaper to buy a 2nd-hand netbook and a touchscreen kit, and cobble something together. Which is exactly what I'm going to do. Unless these are sub-400 -- but I'm expecting an inexplicable $600-700 price tag.
I've been wanting to build some sort of internet kiosk for my moms campground, and this would be perfect for that task, as long as the price isn't horrible.
Hm... picture frames that also does video streaming, home automation, anything?
I think it's a great alternative to an AIO PC in, say, a kitchen. If this costs ~$500 (can't see why not), I'd buy it to install the kitchen to run Cozi family planned and stuff like sundry RSS feeds and weather widgets.
This screen would be $500 except it's inwall and therefore will cost $2500. It's sad but true. These inwall screen have always been priced 4-6 times what the cost of the components really are worth. I guess it is due to such a small number of devices being sold. Until there is some real demand for these screens, the price will always be way too high. Of course it is hard to create a demand when it is "overpriced" in many people's eyes.
Not only for small numbers, the customers who buy these arent that concerned for the price as this will be only a tiny part of 100 000$++ automation system.
Really...I want one of these for the wall in the bathroom. TV, Video, web browsing, music... during the $hit, Shower & Shave routine.
I know the atom is a low-heat processor, but I wonder if you will have overheating issues with this design.
It is ventilated to the inside of your wall, which will capture the heat and eventually cause problems. Even worse if you install this in an insulated wall, so there is no where for heat to escape.
Why get an underpowered Atom, I will wait for something that plays HD and waterproof so I can watch HD when I shower.
And the brown spots on my white vinyl siding!
Not a fan.
I don't see this being very productive. Wall mounted means you will more than likely be standing up in front of it the entire time you are using it, and if not, you will have to be in some sort of unnatural seated position. The most evident thing is that hardware needs cooling/ventilation, and this will more than likely have none when wall mounted.