Retail tills have a hard life. They’re on from opening to close, they get scanned at, swiped at and leaned on, and they’re expected to just work. So when retailers ask us for a “retail EPOS system that won’t let us down”, there’s one terminal we keep pointing them to: the HiStone HK578, better known as the Hero II.
What is the HK578 Hero II?
The Hero II is HiStone’s compact all-in-one EPOS terminal. It’s aimed at retail and hospitality counters that need lots of peripheral support in a small footprint. It runs Windows 10/11 (HK578) or Linux (HK578U), so it works with the leading UK retail EPOS software, and like the rest of the range it’s accredited for ICRTouch.
Built for the retail counter
A screen shaped for retail software
The HK578 has a 15″ true-flat capacitive touchscreen with a 1024 x 768 resolution. That 4:3 shape is something a lot of established retail software is still designed around, so screens and buttons fit naturally without stretching. If your software was built for a classic till layout, it’ll feel right at home.
Fingerprint and card readers built in
This is where the Hero II really earns its place in retail. You can add an integrated fingerprint reader, a 3-track MSR card reader, or MSR plus RFID (it supports MIFARE One and MIFARE CPU cards). That means:
- staff clock in and log on with a fingertip, not a shared password
- managers authorise refunds and voids securely
- loyalty and staff cards are swiped or tapped straight on the terminal.
Shrinkage is a constant headache in retail, and knowing exactly who did what on the till goes a long way.
Ports for everything
Seven USB ports, three serial ports, Gigabit LAN, a 24V cash drawer port, audio, and outputs for a second display. Scanners, scales, receipt printers, pole displays and cash drawers all plug straight in. No hubs, no adapters, no spaghetti under the counter.
Compact, light and wall-mountable
At 349 x 252 x 332mm and 4.5kg, the Hero II is noticeably more compact and lighter than our best-selling HK568. It can also be wall-mounted, which is brilliant for tight kiosks, market halls and service counters where every inch matters.
Performance that grows with the shop
Choose the processor that suits your business:
- Intel Celeron J6412 quad-core: efficient and quiet, ideal for most independent shops.
- Intel Core i3-1115G4E: for bigger product files, multi-store reporting and busier tills.
- Intel Core i5-1145G7E: for heavy software or flagship stores.
Pair it with 4GB to 16GB of memory and SSD storage from 64GB up to 512GB. The lower power consumption also means it runs quietly, which customers notice more than you’d think.
Customer display options
Want customers to see what they’re paying for? Add a 15″ touch or non-touch customer display, a 10.4″ screen, or a classic 2 x 20 character VFD pole display. Running promotions on the second screen between sales is an easy win for retailers.
Quality that comes from Hisense
Like every HiStone terminal, the Hero II benefits from serious engineering pedigree. HiStone began as Hisense Intelligent Commercial Systems, the commercial point-of-sale business of Hisense, and has been building POS hardware for over 30 years. That experience shows in the details: solid build, consistent quality from unit to unit, and terminals that keep going year after year.
HK578 or HK568: which should you pick?
| HK578 Hero II | HK568 | |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 15″ 1024 x 768 (4:3) | 15.6″ 1920 x 1080 (16:9) |
| Weight | 4.5kg | 9kg |
| Best for | Retail software built for 4:3 screens, compact counters, wall mounting | Widescreen software, hospitality, harsh environments (fully sealed) |
| Fingerprint reader | Integrated option | Optional (FPR) |
| OS | Windows / Linux | Windows / Linux |
In short: if you run classic retail software and want something compact with built-in security options, choose the Hero II. If you want a widescreen showpiece that shrugs off spills and grease, choose the HK568.
Get the HK578 from the UK distributor
B-Spoke Systems is the official UK distributor for HiStone. We hold the HK578 in stock in Leicester and can image, configure, test and asset-tag every unit before dispatch, with UK warranty support and spares.
Call 0116 260 3100, email sales@b-spokesystems.com, or see our full range of all-in-one EPOS terminals.