Thin client prices reach a new low

Thin client vendor VXL Instruments has introduced a desktop terminal that costs less than £150. The entry-level model could help cut the cost of desktop ownership for firms embarking on a thin-client strategy.

VXL's Itona TC thin client range, expected to ship next month, consists of three models running Microsoft's Windows CE.Net or Windows XP Embedded software, or Gio Linux. The Windows CE.Net-based Itona TC4541-CE model is expected to be the most widely sold version and is priced at £126 + VAT in the UK. Most other thin clients cost over £200.

"The Itona TC's price point represents an important breakthrough in thin-client and Windows-based terminal supply," said Frank Noon, vice president of sales at VXL.

Despite the low price, the Itona TC models sport the standard features of other thin client terminals and have the latest versions of Microsoft's RDP and Citrix ICA client software, according to VXL. RDP or ICA are required to access applications running on Windows host servers.

All three models are based on VIA's Eden embedded processor and support display resolutions up to 1600x1200. They also feature 10/100 Ethernet ports and a single PCI expansion slot, as well as the standard array of PC ports.

The Itona TC4541-CE model has 64MB memory, as does the £124 + VAT TC3531-LI, which comes with the Gio Linux embedded operating system instead of Windows CE.Net. The third model, the TC3521-XP, runs Windows XP Embedded and has 128MB of RAM, expandable up to 1GB. This model is more flexible than the other two and costs £316 + VAT.

- www.vxl.net.