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Thin Clients Get Smarter, More Mobile |
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Written by Adam Gosling
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Tuesday, 04 December 2007 |
Thin Client computing specialist, Wyse
Technology, has introduced two new thin notebooks which the company says are the first mobile
thin clients to offer multimedia video playback and support for Bluetooth.
The thin client hardware also has a built-in smart card reader and has optional support for 3G wireless
along with its 802.11b/802.11g Wi-Fi capabilities. With a 12.1-inch LCD widescreen and powered by a VIA
C7-M ULV, 1.2 GHz processor, the X90e runs Microsoft
Windows XPe. Neither it or its sibling device, the Wyse X90 have a hard drive
or fan: In fact there are no moving parts at all.
Other key features on
these notebooks include 512MB of flash, 512MB of RAM, an overall weight of 1.76kgs
with battery, capability for Ethernet, USB, built-in Wi-Fi, or cellular
connections. This enables users to access data from any location served by
cellular or Wi-Fi wireless providers, including sales and home offices or
hotels.
Unlike a traditional notebook these thin
clients rely on applications housed on a server somewhere which may
have its disadvantages, but promises greater security since no data is
stored on the device itself.
"Given the
shift to notebooks on the PC side, it's critical for thin client vendors to
come up with solid offerings and it finally seems as if those efforts are
starting to bear fruit," said Bob O'Donnell, Vice President of Research at
IDC. "For the first half of 2007, mobile thin client shipments only
represented 1.6 percent of the market. However, we expect that percentage to
grow strongly over time."
"Our new Wyse
X90 models deliver all the benefits of thin computing into the hands of workers
who need mobile capabilities," said Jeff McNaught, Chief Marketing Officer
for Wyse Technology. "Thin clients have always been more secure and
easy-to-administer but were largely confined to a desk. With the Wyse X90 and
X90e, users get the flexibility of a notebook computer, while being able to
take advantage of the hallmarks of thin computing -- a secure, reliable and
easy to manage operating environment."
The Wyse X90 thin
notebook complements existing Wyse thin client lines and comes in two
configurations -- X90 and X90e. The X90 retails for $1083 including GST while
the X90e with built-in Bluetooth and smart card support retails for $1208
including GST. Both models support Wyse's zero client computing vision. Volume
shipments will begin in January 2008.
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