Wyse Technology is shipping a new line of compact, silent, thin clients that optionally support dual displays via special monitor splitter cables. The V-Class Dual-Video clients are based on Via C7 processors, and are available with Linux and other popular thin client operating systems.

(Click for larger view of Wyse V-Class Dual-Video)

Wyse hopes its new V-Class Dual-Video line will extend the benefits of thin client computing to data-intensive environments, such as financial services, medical care, document management, and research facilities. The new systems support dual monitors via a special cable that splits the systems' DVI-I port into one DVI-D port and one VGA port.

Wyse says its new V-Class Dual-Video line replaces its older Winterm line, including the Windows CE-based Winterm 3150, Linux-based 5150, and Windows XP Embedded-based 9150 models. Analogous V-Class systems include:

• V30 Dual-Video, with 128MB each Flash and RAM, running Windows CE
• V50 Dual-Video, with 128MB Flash and 256MB of RAM, running Linux
• V90 Dual-Video, with 512MB of Flash and 256MB of RAM, running Windows XP Embedded

Wyse has previously offered non-Dual-Video versions of all three V-Class systems. It announced the Linux-based V50 in August of 2005, followed by the release last October of several WiFi-enabled Wireless V-Class models.

The Linux-based V50 Dual-Video currently is said to draw an average of 17.5 Watts per hour, when connected to a single monitor, keyboard, and mouse. When set to 24-bit color, it supports single-monitor resolutions up to WUXGA (1920 x 1080), or two 1280×[email protected] monitors.

The V50 comes standard with Wyse's own “Wyse Linux 6.3” thin client OS, which was last updated in June.

V50 (Click to enlarge)

Additional touted features and specs of the Linux-based V50 Dual-Video include:

• Standard with 128MB flash and 256MB DDR RAM; available with up to 2GB flash and 1GB of RAM
• Video:
  • Display resolutions up to WUXGA (1920 x 1080)
  • One DVI-I Port
  • One DVI-I Port to VGA (DB-15) Adapter (included)
  • Dual-video support with optional DVI-I to DVI-D plus VGA-monitor splitter cable (sold separately)
  • VESA monitor support with Display Data Control (DDC) for automatic setting of resolution and refresh rate
  • Single Monitor at 24-bit/16.7M colors:
    • Up to 1600×[email protected]
    • Up to 1920×[email protected]
  • Dual Monitors used simultaneously (requires optional monitor splitter cable) at 24-bit/16.7M colors:
    • Up to 1280×[email protected]
• Audio:
  • 16-bit stereo audio out on 1/8-inch mini jack
  • 8-bit audio input on 1/8-inch mini jack
• I/O ports:
  • 1 x serial port
  • 1 x parallel port
  • 3 x USB 2.0 (1 on front, 2 on back)
• 10/100 Base-T Fast Ethernet twisted pair (RJ-45)
• CardBus/PCMCIA card slot
• Optional external USB 802.11b/g wireless adapter
• USB keyboard with PS/2 mouse port and Tux key included
• PS/2 mouse included
• Measures 7.9 x 7.1 x 1.8 inches (201 x 180 x 46mm)

Bill Platt, EVP of products, stated, “The new V-Class Dual-Video family addresses the requirements of customers asking for higher display resolutions, superior image quality, and support for analog and digital displays through the new DVI-I interface.”

Availability

The V-Class Dual-Video thin clients start at $399, not including the optional video splitter cable.

 
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