Intel "Apollo Lake" based rugged vehicle-mount computer for data collection and logistics application
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, September 2019)

Rugged computers, the kind that are used on the job and don't easily break, generally come as handhelds, panels, laptops and tablets. But there are also more specialized versions, and one of them is vehicle computers. We're not talking the ECUs (Electronic Control Units) that handle all of modern cars' and trucks' systems, but vehicle computers used in warehouses and similar operations where they are mounted on forklifts, trucks, tuggers, and inventory pickers. Winmate's FM07 is one such computer, a compact 7-inch tablet-like panel designed for such such tasks.

The FM07 is small. Its 7.5 x 5.75 inch footprint smaller than that of the iPad Mini. That's so that the computer doesn't get in the way. The FM07 is just big enough to bring full-function Windows 10 and all of the enormous wealth of Windows applications to the job.

It's also big enough to have five programmable physical function buttons. That's often sufficient to quickly and effortlessly operate a custom-coded application. If not, the FM07 has responsive capacitive multi-touch and it can also be mounted with a compact physical keyboard.

The image below shows the front of the FM07 as well as the I/O on its sides. On top are the power button and antennae pass-throughs. Up to four are possible, for Wi-Fi, GPS and dual WWAN. On the left side is a DB9 port that provides two USB ports via adapter cable. On the bottom are circular screw-on M12 type connectors for power and gigabit Ethernet LAN. A DB15 connector provides CANBus access as well as (programmable) digital I/O. Next to that is a DB9 RS232 port.

In the sidebar to the right shows the backside of the FM07. It's made of thick cast aluminum to provide strength, serve as a heat sink and dissipator for the fanless FM07, and also present a solid mounting surface with screw hole patterns both for Ram Mount and VESA 75 mounting hardware (see sidebar for mounting illustrations).

For processing, the Winmate FM07 uses a dual-core Intel "Apollo Lake" N3350 CPU. This is a 64-bit 14nm chip designed to idle along at a thermally efficient base frequency of 1.1GHz, but also capable of operating at burst frequencies up to 2.4GHz to quickly handle heavier loads. There's up to 8GB of RAM. Mass storage is via M.2 modules (our review unit came with a 64GB SSD module).

While the Winmate FM07 looks like a tablet from the front, that's not what it is. Unlike some vehicle-mounts, the FM07 doesn't have an internal battery option. This is a small industrial panel computer, one made of thick, tough polymer plastic and a steel plate in the front and that hefty cast aluminum back. It's built to last. Below you can see the inside front of the Winmate FM07 vehicle-mount computer (click on it for a full-size image).

Note that unlike consumer tech where miniaturized and highly integrated electronics preclude customization, upgrades and most repairs, the Winmate FM07 is built like an embedded system. That means a PC-style motherboard with plenty of ports, connectivity, and expansion potential. WiFi, WAN, RAM, storage, etc. are all modular and easily replaced. Other functionality is on daughterboards. This vehicle-mount can be configured to whatever needs a customer might have.

As a dedicated vehicle PC, the FM07 can accommodate a wide 9 to 36 Volt input range. Ignition control allows for proper startup and graceful shutdowns. A 12-Volt AC/DC power adapter and cable are available for setup and testing.

Winmate offers a variety of vehicle computers with display sizes ranging from 7 to 10.4 inches. Each serves a different purpose. While the FM07 is designed to be a stationary vehicle mount, the slightly larger FM08 has an integrated keyboard and uses a dock that makes for easy relocation; the FM10 uses the same dock but offers a bigger display for easy touch input; the M101BK is a mobile tablet with integrated keyboard that can also be used in vehicles, as can the older but super-rugged M9020. The table shows that these machines are roughly equal in terms of performance and I/O; the difference is screen size, input methods, and primary deployment targets.

Winmate Vehicle Computers

Model	FM07	FM10	M101BK
Introduced	2019	2016	2018
Screen size	7"/1024 x 600	10.4"/1024 x 768	8"/1280 x 800
Processor	Intel Celeron N3350	Intel Atom E3845	Intel Celeron N2930
Clock speed	1.10GHz/2.40GHz	1.91GHz	1.83GHz/2.16GHz
Digitizer	ProCap	GFG resistive	ProCap
Weight	2.2 lbs	3.9 lbs	3.0 lbs
Size (inches)	7.5 x 5.75 x 1.56	10.6 x 8.4 x 1.37	10.7 x 7.8 x 0.87
Sealing	IP65	IP65	IP65
Temp. range	-4° to 140°	-22° to 122°	-4° to 140°F
USB	2 x USB 3.0	1 x USB 3.0	1 x USB 3.0
CANBus	Yes	Yes	No
Serial	1 x RS232	2 x RS232	1 x RS232
Vehicle power	9V~36V DC	10~60V DC	NA
Battery power	NA	30 min. battery backup	38/76 whr battery
PassMark CPU	2,367.2	1,562.8	2,090.6
PassMark 2D	128.5	142.8	96.5
PassMark Memory	416.6	487.2	472.9
PassMark Disk	1,829.4	2,037.3	2,611.6
PassMark 3D	126.1	141.6	143.4
Overall PassMark	1,112.8	954.1	1,201.4
Overall CrystalMark	94,536	110,262	115,689

Ruggedness

And since vehicle-mounts may be operated outdoors where things can get muddy and dirty, FM07 units have an IP65 ingress protection rating where the first "6" indicates the unit is totally dustproof an the "5" that the unit can also handle low pressure jets of water, so hosing the unit off along with the rest of the vehicle is perfectly okay.

Display

Display viewing angle is crucial in tablets and handhelds, but somewhat less so in vehicle-mounts, since they are fixed and will generally be viewed from the same angle. Specs suggest 75 degree viewing angles from all directions, plenty good enough. There are some color and contrast shifts as the vertical viewing angle varies, especially when looking down at the display.

Bottom line: Winmate FM07 Vehicle-Mount PC

With the FM07, Winmate offers a full Windows 10 IoT Enterprise powered panel computer that's small enough to be mounted in just about any vehicle without getting in the way. The 7-inch capacitive multi-touch display is exceptionally bright. Five large programm buttons allow quick and easy operation.

The FM07 offers excellent wired and wireless communications. Its embedded systems technology provides exceptional versatility, allowing customization for any type of deployment. Despite its small size and low weight, the FM07 is rugged and seems virtually indestructible. -- Conrad Blickenstorfer, Sept. 2019

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Winmate, founded in 1994, is a Taiwanese company with a worldwide presence. Specializing in industrial display technologies and solutions, Winmate also branched out into Tablet PCs, digital signage, rugged Mobile PCs, embedded automation controllers, marine grade displays and computers, and Panel PCs such as the Stainless Panel PC shown here.

Contact Winmate:

Web: www.winmate.com.tw
Email: sales1 @ winmate.com.tw
OEM/ODM Contact: ODM@winmate.com.tw