General Dynamics spawns more green thin clients

For those of you who actually have money to invest in new client hardware, General Dynamics Itronix has spawned four new models within its Tadpole ultra-thin client hardware line.

Each of the new devices uses roughly 50 percent of the power consumed by a comparable desktop computer. For example, the M1500, which is billed as the company's high-performance 15-inch notebook, uses about 40 watts, compared with 80 watts for a standard PC, according to General Dynamics Itronix. The main difference between this notebook and others on the market that are meant for individual use is that the M1500 doesn't have a hard drive, memory or on-board software -- even though the system itself looks familiar to what you would expect.

The new models include the Tadpole Pulsar, which is a wireless unit optimized for dual displays and high-definition multimedia, including 3-D video.

Features common to the new hardware include:

• Instant-on access to personalized environments across multiple networks including 3G, WAN and LAN
• Plug-and-play set-up
• Daylight-viewable displays
• Integrated virtual private network (VPN) technology

Among the companies using the General Dynamics Itronix thin clients is Cascade Tissue, which just committed to using them for members of their workforce who often move around within a particular facility or among facilities across North America.