A Wyse move: more ways to make you thin.
Wyse has filled out its range of thin clients with three new systems that include built-in Web browsers. This should give IT buyers better options for combining browser-based applications and thin-client computing. "Graphical Web-based applications work better using a browser that is built into the thin client," said Stephen Yeo, European director of marketing at Wyse.
Wyse's new entry-level unit, the Winterm 3230LE, is based on the latest version of Windows CE and includes Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 to offer basic HTML browsing and Javascript capabilities. A new high-end system, the Winterm 8230LE, uses Windows NT 4.0 Embedded and Internet Explorer 5.0. All the new models are based on the same hardware, and are designed as legacy-free systems, with USB ports, but without traditional serial and parallel interfaces.
The high-end 8230LE is intended for users who need browser plug-ins, for example, to read documents stored in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. This system also includes a Java virtual machine (JVM) that may be required by some Web sites or applications. In addition, its use of Windows NT 4.0 Embedded means the system can run standard Windows applications, perhaps to provide fault tolerance in case of a network failure.
Wyse recommends that such applications are specially prepared for use with its thin clients, although in urgent cases the 8230LE enables system administrators to install software onto the thin client device using normal installation techniques, Yeo said. The Windows NT-based operating system means a wide range of peripherals, such as barcode readers, can be used with the device.
Wyse has also added a mid-range model, the 3730LE, which combines a 17in monitor and thin-client hardware. The 3730LE is based on Windows CE and includes the IE 4.0 Web browser.
The new models are available now. The Winterm 3230LE costs £376 + VAT, the Winterm 3730LE costs £549 + VAT and the high-end 8230LE is priced at £582 + VAT.
