Intel’s credit card sized Compute Card is set to start appearing in public in August. The miniscule computer, which was first revealed at CES earlier this year, is designed to be used with embedded devices. Essentially turning them into modular, upgradeable machines.
For now, Intel is preparing to offer four SKUs of the Compute Card; ranging from a low powered Celeron, and going up to a Core i7. There’s quite a bit of power being crammed into these things. Considering that Intel originally intended these cards to power things like point-of-sales machines, digital signage, and possibly electronic whiteboards.
Then again, Intel also believes that the Compute Card can be used to run low powered all-in-one computers and laptops. Allowing them to be easily upgraded with newer models of the Computer Card at the core. The modular design of the card would certainly allow for it.
There’s also a dock for the Compute Card, but very little information surrounding the device.
Intel has already released a Compute Card Device Design Kit to provide manufacturers and developers with the specifications necessary to integrate the Compute Card. It has also worked with a number of partners who will be shipping devices that are already using the modular component.
[Source: Intel Newsroom]
