To coincide with Citrix Synergy 2010, HP on Wednesday introduced its 4320t mobile thin client, a 13.3-inch system aimed at medium and large businesses who need extra security on the road.
The very introduction of the 4320t shows how virtualization is moving from desktop to remote locations. HP says the 4320t allows for secure access to server-based virtual or blade PC computing from a notebook platform.
Laptop thieves, beware: data is storied on a secure centralized server, rather than an internal hard drive.
The system itself is 4.3 lbs., clad in a brushed metal finish and sports a spill-resistant keyboard. (After all, even the most secure folks spill coffee.)
Specs include:
- 13.3-inch diagonal LED-backlit 16:9 HD display (1366×768)
- CPU: Intel Celeron (1.8GHz, 2MB L2 cache)
- Memory: DDR3-1333 up to 4GB
- Storage: 2GB or 4GB SSD
- Optical: Fixed 12.7mm SATA DVD-ROM optional
- Ports: HDMI, ExpressCard/34 slot, media card reader, three USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA/USB 2.0 combo port ,VGA, stereo headphone/microphone, RJ-45, RJ-11
- Battery: 6-cell or 9-cell Li-Ion
- Weight: 4.27 lbs.
- 1.08 inches thick
- Software: File Based Write Filter, Enhanced Write Filter, WinDVD, Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol, Citrix XenApp, VMWare View, Terminal Emulation Software, Symantec Endpoint Security
- Management software: HP ThinState Tools, HP Device Manager, HP Client Automation Starter Edition, Altiris Deployment Client6
- Virtual client software: HP Remote Desktop Protocol Enhancements, HP Remote Graphics Software
- Automated administrator control over USB attached memory device read/write access
Naturally, the system supports a wealth of integrated wireless connectivity, including 802.11 a/b/g/n and Ethernet (10/100/1000 NIC).
The question? Whether a full-performance standard notebook is worth the performance tradeoffs associated with a purpose-built system like this.
(You’ll note that the specs indicate that the system is neither particularly thin nor light.)
The system is available this month for an as-yet-unspecified price.
