Introducing the M6 ONYX Upgrade Kit
We have designed a powerful upgrade kit that replaces the entire processing core of the M6 console, adds a Windows IOT license and a dedicated ONYX license. This kit takes the M6 to the next level and we are glad that we can offer it to the market to keep the M6 a relevant and powerful console in the ONYX platform for a very long time.
This upgrade was necessary for several reasons; The M6 was only licensed for Windows 7 Embedded, but ONYX no longer supports the Windows 7 OS. The original video card of the M6 is a business class graphics card suitable to drive multiple displays, but it does not have anywhere near enough processing power for the 3D calculations that ONYX now requires with DyLOS integration. This means there is no way for DyLOS to function on it and it has to be replaced with a modern graphics card.
However a new graphics card also means replacing the motherboard (and CPU/RAM/SSD) to support the fully accelerated PCI 3.0 x16 slot and the CPU and OS requirements.
The result is pretty much a new console under the hood with the latest components and a lot of processing power.
The M6 concept was designed eight years ago, and while the operating surface is great and has been proven to be very popular, the underlying computer hardware is now at the end of its support live. Typically, embedded components are available for five to seven years and ultimately, an embedded PC system from 8 years ago is a bit dated considering the improvements in processing power of the CPUs and graphics cards available now.
Thankfully, the smart design of the M6 allows an easy exchange of the core components which creates a full refresh of the desk and an incredibly powerful console. Unlike most manufacturers, we are excited to make this kit available to end users. This will allow many console owners to extend the life of their investment for minimal cost and effort.
So what is in the M6 ONYX kit?
- Industrial motherboard
- Intel Core i7 9700 CPU
- Low noise CPU fan and cooler
- Samsung EVO 500GB M.2 NVME SSD
- SSD drive cooler
- ATI WX4100 4GB Graphics card
- 2x8GB DDR4 RAM
- New cover plate with fan
- ONXY License PCB
- 128 Universes License for ONYX
- Full DYLOS support
- Windows IOT License
- 2x USB drives for OS and DYLOS Content
The installation of the kit is easy and straightforward, and we expect this to be completed by users in under 90 minutes, including the OS install.
M6 Installation Instructions
FAQ
What is the kit part number?
8000000101 - M6 Upgrade Kit
Where can I purchase the kit?
The kit can be purchased from any Obsidian dealer or distributor https://obsidiancontrol.com/distributors
In the US the kit can also be purchased directly from the Elation Parts Store: M6 Upgrade Kit
What does it cost?
Pricing globally is different due to exchange rates, taxes and duties. Please inquire with your Obsidian dealer for a quote.
As a guidance, the US MSRP is $3200, the Europe MSRP is €2999.
When is the kit available?
The M6 Upgrade Kit is now available for orders and getting prepared for stock. We expect to ship this in May from the Obsidian Office in the Netherlands but can not provide precise dates for other countries due to the current disruption of global freight networks.
Can I install this kit myself or do I have to send the console to a service center?
The kit is designed to be installed by the user in approximately 90 minutes. There is no need to ship the console, which would be expensive due to the weight and dimensions in a flight case.
What is the warranty for my upgraded M6?
The warranty for the kit components is six months, for the M6 the warranty is whatever is the remainder of the factory warranty.
What is the ONYX Licensing after the upgrade?
The kit includes a new license for ONYX for 128 Universes, plus 5 layers of DYLOS. Universes and DYLOS layers may change in future updates and will follow other ONYX licensing.
Can I update an M6 without buying a kit?
The internal license key will not allow installation of ONYX 4.4 or higher. The console is not licensed to run the current ONYX OS and the underlying Windows IOT OS. Any attempt to work around this violates the terms of use of Microsoft and Obsidian Control Systems.
Can I install other components like a bigger SSD drive or different graphics card?
No this is not possible. The kit is carefully designed and tested for reliable operation and is customized for power and cooling requirements specific to the M6 chassis. Any changes risk damages the M6 and lead to unreliable operation and console crashes.
