About SolarPC

SolarPC offers a wide variety of small, quiet, aluminum cased notebook sized computers and conventional CBB laptop computers. A large selection of standard and custom configurations are available. To assist in the SolarPC selection process a few facts and some background is helpful. Most of the SolarPC systems use IntelPentium M or VIA EPIA ITX motherboards with C3 processors. The EPIA boards are mature, long life hardware products with stable driver support for most major OS's including Linux, FreeBSD, and Windows 2K-XP. Their stability has been proven by many systems that have up-times that exceed one year (in commercial server applications). The SolarPC EPIA combination makes for a versatile machine has also been proven under a variety of demanding environmental conditions.

SolarPC provides some of the most powerful SFF systems on the market that offer compelling benefits. For example, the 2GHz Pentium M based systems typically draw about 30 watts of power. Many SPC machines are completely fanless. These machines can offer near silent operation and the supreme reliability afforded by a no-moving parts computer when used in combination with a compact flash drive and appropriate configuration.

Most SPC machines utilize all-in-one ITX designs that have motherboards with on-board video, audio, Ethernet and the ability to accept one PCI card, (or two PCI cards with a special riser board) or mini-PCI. Detailed motherboard information is available on request

SolarPC basically uses 5 case designs. All are 9x11" or 9x7.5"; and are either 1u (1.75"), 1.5u (2.5") or 2U (3.5") tall. Note some boards will not fit in a 1U so they are available in a 1.5 or 2U box. The 1U and 2U boxes use a 120 Watt 12 Volt DC power supply. All of the power supplies require an external power source that provides 12 volt DC voltage. Usually this is a 12 or 19 volt AC/DC adapter (brick) that SolarPC sells. For mobile applications, 12-14 volts can be provided by a vehicle's electrical system. For multiple systems SolarPC offers a 45 AMP power supply that can feed multiple systems and simultaneously maintain a float charge on a 12 volt battery/UPS.

The 1U cases can include a combination of a standard 3.5" hard drive or a laptop hard drive plus a Compact Flash drive and CD/DVD drive. If a PCI card is utilized then the drive must be a low profile drive such as a laptop drive or low profile 3.5" drive. If a PCI card is not required. A a low speed Zalman 80-mm fan can be installed if a low profile drive and no PCI card in installed to provide additional CPU and case cooling.

All systems can also be ordered in special configurations for 19" rack systems and for mobile use.2u's can include a combination of 3.5" hard drives or a laptop hard drive plus a floppy and Compact Flash drive. A full sized CD-ROM, DVD, or Slim CD hard drive combination may also be installed if the case is ordered with a front panel cut out for a DVD/CD drive. Note the DVD/CD drives can be mounted on the right or left side of the computer.

Right side mounting provides room for a dual PCI riser card and multiple hard drives. Left side mounting allows for optimal CPU cooling required in fanless systems. Front panels are also available with no CD cutouts.

SolarPC recognizes that it is important for many large organizations to be able to obtain consistent PC products for projects that may take years to complete. They also understand that people around the world need to have low cost access to Solar's long life PC's. To promote that idea SolarPC subscribes to the OpenHardware concept. With OpenHardware large organizations can obtain a perpetual license for SolarPC designs to build or source machines for their internal use. In addition organizations in countries outside of the US have the option to manufacture SolarPC's locally if the cost to build them is less than the import cost plus customs duties.

SolarPC also offers custom designs systems in sealed boxes for industrial and outdoor applications. Various preconfigured software packages are also available for common tasks such as workstations, firewalls, Samba Servers, content filters, and HTPC, Media Center, or PVR applications. MythTV PVR configurations are also available in 1u and 2u systems for home, office, and mobile applications.

For standard systems please order directly from the Solar Store. Note a 15% restocking fee will be charged for non-defective, resaleable returns within 45 days of purchase date unless prior eval arrangements have been made.. For custom systems or a quote on on a preconfigured system it is recommended that exact specifications should be emailed so that a precise quote can be provided.