First Look: Compaq’s Evo D500 Ultra-Slim Desktop

Wayne N. Kawamoto
Managing Editor, www.smallbusinesscomputing.com

Compaq’s Evo D500 Ultra-Slim Desktop Now Available
Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) announced the availability of its next generation in desktop PCs for business — the Evo D500 Ultra-slim Desktop.

According to the company, its new Evo D500 Ultra-slim desktop offers the most innovative and affordable combination of features, flexibility, and manageability for business customers. Weighing just over 11 pounds, 75 percent smaller and 50 percent more quiet than the average desktop PC, the new Evo D500 Ultra-slim Desktop is available with an Intel Celeron 1.3 GHz processor, up to 512MB SDRAM and 20 GB hard drive in a slim 2.72-inch thin and just over one foot square package.

Designed for increased usability and accessibility, the Evo D500 Ultra-slim Desktop is designed to fit within the parameters of a monitor base. The slim design may maximize flexibility, keeping the monitor at a comfortable eye-level in a standard desktop configuration, and minimize required space when positioned as a slim tower.

An additional ergonomic advantage designed into the Evo D500 Ultra-slim Desktop is its quiet operation. Compaq engineers were able to reduce acoustics through the use of low-noise fans, high efficiency heat sinks and quiet hard drives. The result is a less than 28 dB sound level, which is more than 50 percent quieter than previous generation desktops.

The Evo D500 Ultra-slim Desktop incorporates Compaq’s MultiPort wireless technology. Multiport is a modular wireless solution that provides users wireless connectivity through an integrated, plug-and-play USB port integral to the module’s location on the slim edge of the desktop. MultiPort modules integrate the radio and antenna into a single assembly, which then inserts and fits flush against the side of the unit for a clean solution with no external antenna or dongle vulnerable to breakage.

This flexible solution should enable users to connect to multiple wireless standards by simply changing the wireless module. In addition, as MultiPort is based on industry-standard USB technology, it should allow for easy development of future MultiPort modules and provide customers a means to migrate to future wireless standards as they become available. This may enable the Evo D500 Ultra-slim Desktop to evolve as technologies change or mature, thereby extending the life of the PC. Another feature is the incorporation of MultiBay, which allows hot swapping between a floppy disk, CD-ROM, CD-RW or DVD, and is also designed to accept evolving storage mediums.

To further simplify IT management, the new Evo D500 Ultra-slim Desktop will be available standard in a legacy-free configuration, but also have the flexibility to add an optional snap-on legacy module (with serial, parallel and PS/2 ports).

To improve accessibility for persons with disabilities and all users, the Evo D500 Ultra-slim Desktop offers front and rear audio and Universal Serial Bus (USB) connectivity, and has been tested with industry-leading Assistive Technology products and supports the accessibility features integrated into Microsoft Windows XP.

Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing Staff
Small Business Computing addresses the technology needs of small businesses, which are defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees and/or less than $7 million in annual sales.

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