GD Itronix unveils thin clients for mobile and desktop users

Four new thin-client computers from GD Itronix include two notebook models

General Dynamics Itronix has released four new "thin client" computers, including two notebook models, aimed at enterprises that are virtualizing their end-user computing platforms.

Thin clients are back in vogue as enterprises explore various cloud computing models. In general, thin clients are desktop and notebook devices that simply access office and enterprise applications, including PC applications, running on centrally managed, virtualized Linux, Unix or Windows servers.

Desktop virtualization vs. PCs

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General Dynamics Itronix has released four new "thin client" computers, including two notebook models, aimed at enterprises that are virtualizing their end-user computing platforms.

Thin clients are back in vogue as enterprises explore various cloud computing models. In general, thin clients are desktop and notebook devices that simply access office and enterprise applications, including PC applications, running on centrally managed, virtualized Linux, Unix or Windows servers.

Desktop virtualization vs. PCs

The idea is to simplify the cost and complexity of managing and supporting hundreds or thousands of individual personal computers, and to increase data security especially for mobile users.

Another claimed benefit is lower energy consumption for these devices, compared to standard PCs. The Itronix models, which are part of the company's Tadpole product line, use 25 to 30 watts instead of 250 to 500 watts, according to company officials.

GD Itronix is offering a family of these virtualized clients to support both desktop and mobile users. The devices rely on the Sun Ray protocol and Sun Ray server software developed originally by Sun Microsystems, now part of Oracle. The protocol is optimized for wireless performance: In a product demonstration, the mobile thin clients displayed 1080p video and real-time 3D rendering, which was being streamed wirelessly from a Windows notebook acting as a server with the Sun Ray software.

The Tadpole family eliminates any form of local operating system, storage, applications or memory.

The Tadpole M1000 Ultra-Thin Client is a small notebook model, with dimensions of 10.4 by 7.3 by 1.1 inches, and a weight of about 3 lbs. It has a 10.1-inch screen, WSVGA resolution (1024 x 600 pixels), integrated 802.11n Wi-Fi, 10/100 Ethernet port and two USB Type 2.0 ports.

The M1500 model sports a 15.4-inch screen, and correspondingly larger dimensions, and about double the weight. Differences include an additional USB Type 2.0 port, HDMI display port, and a nine-cell battery instead of a four-cell.

Both can be fitted with an optional 3G cellular adapter.

The desktop models are the Tadpole Pulsar and Pulsar Premium. Both use an Intel Atom 330 as the CPU and support 32-bit graphics. The Premium has a 10/100 Ethernet port and built-in 802.11g Wi-Fi. The Pulsar has a Gigabit Ethernet port and built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi, and a smart card reader.

Both are essentially slender boxes that can be plugged into existing display screens.

All models have integrated Cisco and Juniper VPN support. They support 802.1X authentication and Federal Information Processing Standard 140-2. The starting price for the Tadpole line is $435.

GD Itronix is targeting the new Tadpoles to large user computing sites in segments such as government and defense agencies, education, financial services, healthcare and manufacturing.

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