Mini PC Board Packs Desktop Features

Measuring about the size of a 3.5" floppy-disk drive, the EBC-7850 Biscuit PC board includes functions more commonly found on larger, more expensive systems. Supporting Socket 370, Pentium III and Celeron 400 processors, the board employs the Intel 815E system chipset, which provides up to 133/100 MHz front side bus speeds and 133 MHz for system memory. Up to 256 MB of SDRAM can be installed in its 144-pin SO-DIMM socket. In terms of multimedia support, an on-chip VGA controller provides resolutions up to 1,600 x 1,200 at 256 colors. The 4-MB display memory is shared with system memory. An optional TV-out interface operates with the EBC-7851 daughter board that provides RS-485 I/O with automatic data direction control, four digital inputs, and four digital outputs. The TV output is software-selectable for NTSC or PAL, composite, or S-Video with a resolution to 1,024 x 768. Other multimedia features include support for AC97 3D surround sound with speaker out and CD, line-in and microphone inputs. Communication and I/O support includes an Intel 82801 BA embedded LAN controller, two serial ports (one 232/422/485-selectable), a parallel port, and an IDE interface that supports Ultra DMA66/100 modes. A software-programmable watchdog timer and a Type II socket for an IBM Microdrive hard-disk drive is also included. Price starts at $450. ARISTA CORP., Fremont, CA. (510) 226-1800.