NEC US310e: Hardware 

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Like the Viewsonic SC-T46 the NEC US310e is a rebadged Atrust t180. Other than in its appearance and specification we can see this as they have not bothered to remove the Atrust t180 label on the back panel.

The Atrust t180 was launched back in January 2015 or maybe in the second half of 2014. As far as the NEC US310e is concerned I have not been able to track down very much about it.

This is a physically small thin client with very limited options to extend its capabilities. In the examples I have seen there is a difference between the Atrust t180 and the rebadged versions:

Specifications

Processor & Graphics
Type    Speed    Graphics	Intel Celeron N2930 quad-core 1.83GHz (Burst 2.16GHz) ? graphics up to 1920x1200
Memory
Flash/RAM	16GB/2GB
Ports
Network    USB    Serial    Parallel    PS/2    Video	10/100/1000 2 x USB2.0 (front) 1 x USB2.0 (rear) 1 x USB3.0 (rear) 0 0 0 1 x DVI-I  1 x DVI-D
Power
Power    Plug    Off    Idle    Running	12V 3A (label) Coax 4.8mm x 1.7mm 0W 4W 6W
Dimensions
H x W x D (mm)	143 x 39.5 x 103 (Excluding Stand)

From the N2930 datasheet: Intel HD Graphics for Intel Atom Processor Z3700 Series

As far as the possible embedded operating systems - I don't know exactly what the options are as I haven't been able to track down a formal datasheet for the US310e. The flash memory in my US310e had been wiped clean but it does carry a sticker on the front for 'Windows 10 IoT En2016 LTSB'. However the NEC support site only offers a download for WES8, there is no sign of any alternative.

From the documentation on the support site it looks like the US320f, possibly the same hardware but with 32GB flash, 4GB RAM, is the Windows 10 IoT variant.

Power Supply

My US310e came without a PSU.

The power connector on the US310e is 4.8mm/1.7mm coax plug. There are no labels/markings on the unit about the power requirements, and what little 'datasheet' style information that I can find only mentions the 120V/240V input to the power adapter. Luckily the Atrust t180 information clearly states that the hardware runs off 12V.

Getting inside

This is straight forward. If your model has the optional accessory foot fitted then see the Atrust T180 entry for more detail.

If the basic stand is fitted a single screw will let you remove it. With that out of the way you'll find there are two screws on the bottom that you need to remove. In my case, with an 'as new' example, one of these screws is covered with a 'Warranty Void' sticker. There are also two screws on the back panel that you may not need to remove, however I found that it made things easier if you removed these as well.

Having removed the screws you'll find you are not any further forward as the removable side panel is still held firmly in place by a number of small internal clips. I gently used a flat-bladed screw driver to work slowly around the edge persuading the side panel to part company from the main case. I started this is by the screw which was covered with the label. Subsequently, checking the edges of the panel and the case, I can't see any helpful recess to help you get started.

When it came to replacing the side panel it was another case of being patient and not hurrying the process. It was at this stage I decided that it was a little easier to do with the two screws removed from the back as this allowed the back panel to flex a little more.

CPU

The CPU fitted to the US310e is a quad core Intel Celeron N2930.

PCI

00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series SoC Transaction Register (rev 0e)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Graphics & Display (rev 0e)
00:13.0 SATA controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series SATA AHCI Controller (rev 0e)
00:1a.0 Encryption controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Trusted Execution Engine (rev 0e)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series High Definition Audio Controller (rev 0e)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series PCI Express Root Port 1 (rev 0e)
00:1d.0 USB controller: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series USB EHCI (rev 0e)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation Atom Processor Z36xxx/Z37xxx Series Power Control Unit (rev 0e)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation Atom Processor E3800 Series SMBus Controller (rev 0e)
01:00.0 Ethernet controller: Realtek Semiconductor Co., Ltd. RTL8111/8168/8411 PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Controller (rev 0c)

Expansion

The circuit board is shown right. (Click on it for a larger version).

Removing the side panel gives access to the flash. I didn't disassemble things further to see what might be fitted to the top of the board. After removing four screws it is not obvious about how to proceed further.

The flash memory is easily replaceable. The RAM is soldered in place.

Flash: The flash is a small horizontal mSATA DOM which plugs into a mSATA socket. It is bottom-left in the photo and is covered by a bit of brown plastic to isolate it from the internal metal shield. Note: The board is engineered to take the smaller mSATA mini format where the board length is 26.8mm long rather than 50.8mm. There is space to fit the longer board but you have two issues to deal with:

1. The existing mounting pillar will have to be removed.
2. There is no mounting pillar to hold the 50.8mm card in place.

RAM:The RAM is soldered to the other side of the board. In my example there is 2GB fitted.

USB: There are three USB 2.0 sockets and one USB 3.0 socket. There is also an expansion socket that provides connectivity to another USB port in the (optional) expansion foot. (I think this is the way they provide WiFi connectivity - via a USB dongle in the foot. See the Atrust T180 entry).