If we cannot be free, at least we can be cheap
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Thin client netbook tips up
FOR THE LAST dozen years the information technology press has been writing about how business networks based on thin clients will return thanks to the development of network technology.
Now with the advent of netbooks that's starting to seem like a possibility all over again.
Wyse has started shipping the X90cw, a thin client that is an Intel Atom-based netbook.
The outfit has been flogging larger sized thin client laptops, but now it claims that punters want more lightweight products with longer battery life.
The X90cw netbook is not cheap. At $699 you get a portable Intel Atom Z520-based thin client box that weighs 1.45 kilograms, has an 11.6-inch display and an eight-hour battery life.
The extra money has been spent on better materials and ruggedising it a bit, Wyse claims.
It uses Microsoft's Windows Embedded Standard 2009 and can access server-based applications via WiFi, 3G or a wired Ethernet connection.
A Wyse spokesperson said that it uses desktop virtualization platforms from Citrix, Microsoft and VMware.
The big advantage for companies is that if the thin client gets nicked all the data is sitting somewhere else on servers in a data centre and the machine is useless.
As a result the machine is being targeted at the education field where loss of gear and homework is a problem.
The only downside appears to be the price. µ
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It probably uses windows embedded because most businesses use windows, and to them it's a selling feature. You say it runs linux and the first thing they will want to know is how well it works with their windows servers. Besides windows embedded is pretty cheap. I don't remember the pricing anymore, but I think it was around $10-$30 depending on the features.
Too bad the laptop is so expensive though. I'm a pretty big fan of having all your work documents and applications on a remote server that you just access from other computers. Even in my house I do it that way and it means I don't have to put all my work apps on all my laptops or spend the first day after getting a new computer installing software.
All the Wyse terminals I've used had a SD slot on the motherboard, so you could put the OS on that for off line use if you like, or just run from that all together.
to pay for Windows on a router/videorecorder/etc why should I pay on a thin client ?
Hate doesn't come into it. Don't want a monoculture
Its okay Dan, they just hate M$
apparantly they didn't buy MSFT in the 90's.
Because it's not Windows, it's Windows Embedded (formerly known as CE). Wyse has been using Windows CE/Embedded for years on their thin clients.
@ Keith, I agree, and I think Novell has some good solutions for Education and business, using Linux on the server end as well:
http://en.opensuse.org/LTSP
http://en.opensuse.org/Education/Live
and Red Hat (currently in beta):
http://www.redhat.com/virtualization/rhev/desktop/
If it's just a thin client why put Windows on it ? A simple Linux install with various terminal clients would be much better/cheaper.
My wife uses one for remote access (via ADSL) and it works MUCH better (faster/reliable) than when she used Windows.