Category: Hardware

News nybble: Two headed KVM switch from CJE Micro’s

If you have computers that provide two display outputs, such as anything based on the Titanium motherboard, CJE Micro’s can now supply you with a KVM switcher (a device that allows keyboard, video, and mouse to be shared amongst multiple computers) that is capable of supporting such machines. These are, according to the company, normally rare and expensive.

The new switch costs £134.00, and also supports up to four USB devices, and audio input and output, and all of the DVI ports on the switch support DVI-I input and output.

News nybble: New RTC and CMOS RAM module variant for RiscPC from CJE Micro’s

CJE Micro’s is a good source of RTC solutions for computers new and old, and the company has now added a new variant to their range for older computers – specifically, RiscPCs.

This one, costing £28.00, plugs into the RiscPC’s POST pins for power and earth – useful if damage to the RTC circuitry (due to battery leakage) precludes fitting new surface mount components. The I2C lines connect via flying leads, which need a little soldering on the underside of the motherboard – but it saves uising up a podule slot, and doesn’t require a backplane.

News nybble: RISC OS compatible presentation mouse available from CJE Micro’s

Providing Chris Evans with the ideal excuse to use slides in his presentations at RISC OS shows in order to demonstrate it in use, CJE Micro’s – his own company – now has a remote presentation mouse/laser pointer available, complete with RISC OS software, set up file, and instructions.

The device, priced at £19.00, is ideal for use with PowerPoint or OHP, and provides buttons to move forward or back between slides, display a blank screen, or return to the desktop.

News nybble: IDE Interface Mini Podule now available from CJE Micro’s

In October CJE Micro’s launched a ZIDEFS full size podule, and this year they are following it with a mini podule version, suitable for Archimedes A3000, A3010, A3020, or A4000, and providing the machine with a 44-pin connection for rotating drives, Compact Flash card, or SD card.

With support for up to four partitions, and a number of other features, the mini podule can be bought with a 44-pin male connector or a 44-way female connector, for £89.00. If you want some storage as well, £139.00 will get you the podule either with a CF adaptor and 2GB CF card, or an SD adaptor and 2GB SD card – set up as 4 x 512MB partitions in either case.

News nybble: It’s the coming of the Titans at the Southwest Show

They won’t be fighting, though, so it won’t be a clash.

The Southwest Show on Saturday will see R-Comp Interactive unveil another new computer based on the TiMachine range (in turn based around the Titanium motherboard from Elesar Ltd). That new machine is called the Titan, and arrives in a tower case, similar in size to the launch version of the Iyonix according to R-Comp’s announcement.

With a base price of £775 including VAT, the default machine is shipped with a single drive for storage, with additional options available, and ships with the same custom-written software as its older brother, though lacks the more elaborate “Bundle CD” of R-Comp’s commercial applications.

News nybble: New ‘ZIDEFS’ IDE interface podule from 4D

4D has announced a new IDE interface podule suitable for the Acorn-era hardware, providing a 40/44pin connection for rotating drives or, with a suitable adapter or interface, compact flash or SD cards. Called ZIDEFS, the podule’s features include support for up to four partitions, multiple podules (up to 3), Master and Slave drives, and more.

ZIDEFS comes in several versions: IDE podule with 40 and 44pin male connectors, priced at £89.00; IDE podule with 40pin male and 44pin female connectors, £99.00; IDE podule with CF adapter and 2GB CF (as 4x512MB partitions), £149.00; IDE podule with SD adapter and a 32GB SD card, £149.00.

News nybble: 4D now supplying 7″ and 10″ monitors with HDMI input

4D – the entity that shares space in the TARDIS with CJE Micro’s – is now offering 7″ and 10.” LCD monitors that feature multiple inputs, including HDMI, making them suitable for use in tight spots with small computers such as the Raspberry Pi. The combination of such a monitor, a Pi, and a small keyboard and mouse could also serve as a “portable desktop” computer.

The 7″ monitor sports HDMI, VGA and 1V composite inputs. It features a native resolution of 1024×600, and is priced at £59 including UK postage. Meanwhile, the 10.1″ one has the same inputs, with the addition of USB, and its resolution is 1280×800. It is priced at £99.00 including UK postage.

New toys from RISCOSbits at London

Saturday will be a Good Day to PiHard!

There will be some new toys available from RISCOSbits at the London Show, which takes place on Saturday – new cases, docks for R-Comp‘s mini.m, and systems based around the Wandboard. In addition, the company’s website has been updated to reflect the new and existing range, with options to buy some items directly, rather than through eBay.

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