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IGEL Compact: Hardware 

Igel 3210 (Compact)

The label on the side of this unit identifies it as an Igel 3/4 which is not much use as they use different numbers and names in their literature. I find Igel's labelling extremely unhelpful and there is also a lack of information on their website on older models to help you identify exactly what you've got your hands on. Luckily their distributors are slower about deleting brochures on old models. Another thing that didn't help here was that the flash memory had been wiped - so I got no handy model number from that!

After I little research, I decided this was one of the Compact model range. The initial models comprised the 3200 CE, 3200 LX and 3600 XP. These used a 550MHz VIA Eden CPU. (The data sheet doesn't identify the Northbridge chip but I think it was a CLE266). Subsequently there were the 3210 CE, 3210 LX and 3210 XP. The CPU clock rate was uprated to 600MHz and the Northbridge chip was the CN700. One of the serial ports was removed and replaced with a DVI connector in addition to the normal VGA connector.

As it has a 600MHz CPU, 128MB Compact Flash card, a Microsoft Windows sticker and a DVI port, mine is a 3210 CE model.

The photograph above on the right compares it with the 2100. It's wider and just slightly taller so maybe 'compact' is a suitable name when you compare it to the Winestra range which is significantly larger. Also in the photo you'll notice my unit is missing the cover over the USB port.

There is nothing on the hardware that indicates the date of manufacture. However IGEL's website does give the following support information:

ModelEnd-of-lifeEnd-of-maintenanceFinal Firmware
3200 CE Compact   31.12.2006   31.12.20095.04.016
3200 LX Compact   31.12.2006   31.12.20093.10.100
3600 XP Compact   31.12.2006   31.12.20091.04.100
3210 CE Compact   31.01.2009   01.02.2012 
3210 LX Compact   31.01.2009   01.02.2012 
3610 XP Compact   31.01.2009   01.02.2012 

Specifications

The basic specs for the 3210 CE are:

Processor
   Type
   Speed
Via C7
600MHz
Memory
   Flash
   RAM
128MB
256MB (max 1GB)
Video
   Chip
   Max resolution
     VGA
     DVI
Via CN700

1920 x 1440 24-bit colour
1600 x 1200 24-bit colour
Ports
   Video
   Network
   USB

   Serial
   Parallel
   PS/2
DVI & VGA
10/100
1 x USB2.0 front
2 x USB2.0 rear
1
1
Kybd & Mouse
Power
   Off
   Running
7W
19W
Dimensions
W x H x D4.3cm x 24.0cm x 22.5cm

CPU

For those to whom it matters here is some detail from Linux's /proc/cpuinfo

vendor_id:CentaurHauls
cpu family:6
model:13
model name:VIA Eden Processor 600MHz
stepping:0

Power Supply

The IGEL 3210 CE has an internal power supply. The mains connector is a standard IEC connector.

Expansion

click for larger image

Both the Flash memory and the RAM in the 3210CE are easily replaceable.

Flash: The flash memory is a Compact Flash card plugged into a socket adjacent to a 44-pin IDE connector.

RAM: There is a single 200-pin DDR2 SODIMM socket for the RAM. The 256MB DIMM supplied with the unit is labelled: 256MB DDR2 533 192036-4165 and is manufactured by Transcend. I have successfully upgraded this to 512MB (Hynix HYS64T64020HDL-3S-B and a Transcend 512M DDR2 533 SO-DIMM CL4) and to 1GB (Samsung M470T2953EZ3-CE6). A 2GB part did not work - but I didn't expect it to as I believe the CN700 only supports a maximum of 1MB per SODIMM. (See here).

Smartcard: The system is also fitted with a smartcard reader. This is internally connected to the fourth USB port. Note: The smartcard reader normally fits just above the RAM and partly over the 44-pin IDE connector/CF card - you can see one of the mounting points there on the front metalwork. The other is slightly recessed but partly visible towards the left-hand end of the SODIMM. I temporarily removed the reader when I was taking the photograph. That area of the board with the reader refitted is shown in the photograph below.

If you want to fit an internal drive then there are a number of possibilities:

  • Use a Microdrive in the Compact Flash socket.
  • Use a 1.8" drive.
  • Remove the smartcard reader and fit a 2.5" drive.

In the latter two cases you'll need to be inventive in how you mount the drive. Smartcard reader

 


Any comments? email me.    Last update February 2013