Any info Thin Clients?

[TLCNORM]

I'd like to know more about what exactly a thin client does and how it acts. I am interested in these. I would like to set up 2 stations for my kids in my family room.. I was thinking about using 2 thin clients and 2 monitors. I would like them to be able to do homework there, search the web, and be able to use programs such as Word.

What would the limitations be on these? Video quality poor?

Thanks

 

[briankelly63]

With the low price of hardware and the availability of free office productivity software there is no reason to use "thin clients". This concept was originally sold to corporations with the idea that it would reduce management issues like software updates and distributions. The process was a lot more trouble then it was worth. Brand name PC's can be purchased for $299 + a monitor. Software could be something like OpenOffice. Thin clients also don't offer the same connectivity as PC's (like full webcam support).

Brian

 

[TLCNORM]

I thought I would also be going "green". I was under the impression thin clients would be a better power option than a dedicated PC.

 

[damage]

how about a dual core atom system? about 20-35W power consumption. a barebones system is $139 @ newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16856167032

 

[twilo123]

thin clients are typically used for 2 reasons IMO.

1. to keep processing centralized in order to lower the total cost for hardware with end units. also makes it easier to troubleshoot a main server or even 10 than thousands of individual workstations.

2. to centralize access/control

mostly corporate uses

you can run terminal services for windows and have multiple people connect to the server at the same time. rdp does something similar, vnc, etc. citrix really shines in this area but again this is for corporate not home use.

 

[dBeau]

how about a dual core atom system? about 20-35W power consumption. a barebones system is $139 @ newegg. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx...N82E16856167032

Wow... that's a pretty cool box (but you meant single core, right?).

I've been playing with a couple of old HP T5720's that are about the same physical size. I have one inside a can in my basement running most of my automation software from an SSD loaded with Debian. The thing draws less than 20 watts. They can be had for about $100 on ebay but (like the wind) need a disk and more memory. What I like better about the wind is that there is actually room inside the case for two drives. The T5720 (unless you get the one with PCI expansion) requires some hardware hacking to accommodate the drive. More money will get you a FitPC although with a slower processor. The huge win there is the power consumption at less that 10watts and it's about 1/4 the size of the others.

 

[sic0048]

I'd respectfully disagree with BKLLC. I use several thin clients and they work extremely well for certain situations.

There are two major classes of thin clients IMHO. Those that run XP embedded OS and those that do not. Those that do not run XPe are usually only used as a RDP client. Meaning that they don't run any Windows Apps natively, rather they connect to some other computer on the network via an RDP connection. I would agree that these types of thin clients have limited use in a home environment.

However, there are thin clients out there that run XPe. I have multiple HP thin clients in my house and also my parents house. We use some by HP - both the t5700 version and the t5720 versions.

These types of devices that run XPe CAN have windows applications loaded onto them and they basically work like a mini computer. They run on very little power (Someone measured the t5700 and it pulls something like 9 watts of power under load). They also "reset" themselves when rebooted. So you could install all the applications you want on the device and then save that image. When the device is rebooted, it will return to that saved image. So any "problems" that arose due to someone corrupting the machine, loading a virus on it, etc will all disappear. This can make it very useful for small children that don't really know what they are doing and tend to simply press buttons when they have a problem.

The drawback to these devices is that they are not cutting edge speeds. So don't expect to play games on them, etc.

 

[TLCNORM]

Thanks for the useful information. I will continue my research. My kids are still a little young for their "workstations".

 

[personalt]

I run the same HPs as sic0048, he did a group buy on them a while back. I love mine. They run windows embedded.

Mostly I use it to run CQC. I control Sagetv, and my directv box which pulls in XM stations and pumps them to the nuvo. Most complicated thing I do power wise is a java(I think or maybe flash) weather channel map)

It runs .10 amps or 12 watts or $1.47 per month.. I have it hooked up to a touch panel that sleeps most of the time and uses .17 amps when running.

The unit sic0048 mentions is really nice if you want to set up some basic screens. I have been pairing mine with 12" elo panels that I find on ebay.

 

[sic0048]

Thanks for the useful information. I will continue my research. My kids are still a little young for their "workstations".

I understand. Mine are only 5 and 3. But when the day comes that they need some computer for homework, etc. I'll certainly look into using these thin clients for them. I can load up any type of software they need, and then save that image. That way whatever crap they may accidentally install when they are surfing the internet, I can get rid of by rebooting the machine. Of course that won't occur until they are much older. But even when they are younger, it will be nice to set the device to autostart their programs. If they get into some unknown menu or screen, all they will have to do is press the power button to reset the machine back to their start point.

I'm typing this right now from my kitchen touchscreen (an ELO 15") and it is being powered by a HP t5720. Really nice machine. Runs everything I throw at it including video (like youtube, etc).

 

[IVB]

Slightly OT, but I gave my old HTPC to my kids when they were 5 & 3. Well, I setup with CQC as the front-end in "fullscreen" mode, so they could only access that which I had created icons for. I had 1 icon for each game.

Interesting thought about using a thin-client for that, i had the AMD2400, 512MB RAM sitting around doing nothing as it was too weak and trained them how to turn it on/off. But if i hadn't had that, a thin-client could have done the trick...

 

[damage]

given the limited size of the flash drive (on a t5700 for example), is it possible to install additional apps on a usb disk?

 

[jwilson56]

So how much is a HP t5720 with XPe installed? Where is the cheapest place to get one? I have an ELO screen that I need to get something for.

 

[sic0048]

I think the best place is going to be E-Bay and buying one used. You can get the t5720 generally for around $75-$125. The two things to check when buying these units is the amount of installed RAM and the size of the flash drive. Both of these items are standard sizes and easily replaced or upgraded, so if you get a good deal on a lower spec'd model, you can get more RAM and storage.

Here is a good how-to thread on how to upgrade the units. Keep in mind that the thread was written specifically for blackjack users, but the information is accurate and easy to understand. I have upgraded the RAM and flash in some the units I have bought. Other units I bought had all that I needed and I've left them alone.

The hardware itself seems to be pretty robust. There aren't any moving parts or fans, so the odds of one not working are pretty low. Although I have seen a couple on E-Bay that clearly mention they don't work. Obviously a surge or electrical problem could take one out. I think most of these units on E-Bay are sold by recycling companies that pick up large quantities of these units. I generally trust those companies to give me an accurate disciption of the product because they don't want a bad reputation. So I say buy with confidence if you know what you are getting.

Some of the current units on E-Bay do not have any RAM installed in them. The discription says there is no RAM, and the picture also supports the fact that there is no RAM chip installed. Just make sure if you buy one of these units, you realize you'll have to buy some RAM to go in it.

Here is the How To Install CQC thread. It goes over a lot of these details and also explains how to reflash these units. It is a simple process and the image is available from HP. So if your unit doesn't come with an OS installed, or if it has been customized (our group buy were units from USAirways that still had their proprietary software on it), you can easily install the OEM XPe image without incuring any cost.

 

[cslawson]

And as an alternative to the box con screen scenario you could just do a single touchscreen appliance. Selfishly suggesting Borg Displays on XPe BUT only as an in-wall solution...not a kid's browsing/word processor - anyone recall that term? sounds like a mix-o-matic.

Anyway, quite a bit less power than 9W but robust and reliable. Have alot of experience with thin clients on a variety of OS types and believe in them wholeheartedly too. I go back to the scenario of why take a 747 from LA to Scottsdale when a 727 or less is far better suited. Past this - reliability is a HUGE factor. The genre resonates "appliance-like" uptime.