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        Thin client runs Windows Embedded Standard on Atom

        Jonathan Angel | Date: Nov 17, 2009 | Comments: 1


        HP has rolled out a new thin client based on Microsoft's Windows Embedded Standard 2009 operating system. Using Intel's Atom N280 CPU and GL40 northbridge, the t5740 offers 2GB of DDR3 RAM, up to 4GB of flash storage, eight USB 2.0 ports, plus VGA and DisplayPort video outputs, the company says.

        HP's t5740 (right) runs Window Embedded Standard 2009 on Intel's 1.66GHz Atom N280 CPU, said to be teamed with the chipmaker's GL40 northbridge (and, we presume, the related ICH9M southbridge). Offering DirectX 10-compatible video with resolutions of up to 2048 x 1536 pixels, the thin client supports dual displays through its VGA and DisplayPort interfaces, the company says. (The relatively unusual DisplayPort can support VGA and DVI-D connections with external adapters, HP adds.)

        According to HP, the t5740 comes with 2GB of DDR3 memory, installed in one of the system's two available SODIMM slots. Unlike most Atom-powered devices, this one is said to accept up to 8GB of RAM, which, of course, requires replacing the standard 2GB module and installing two 4GB modules in its stead. Meanwhile, the device's operating system is stored on either 2GB or 4GB of flash storage, HP adds.

        HP says the t5740 has eight USB 2.0 ports in all -- two in front, two in the rear, and two in a "secure compartment." Other interfaces include a RJ45 connector for gigabit Ethernet, a RS232 port, two PS/2 ports, plus a front-mounted microphone input and headphone/speaker jack, the company says.

        The t5740 is also offered with an available integrated 802.11a/b/g/n wireless network adaptor. An optional expansion module adds approximately 1.2 inches to the width of the system, while providing a parallel port, second serial port, and a slot that can accept either a 32-bit or PCI Express x4 expansion cards, according to HP.

        HP notes that Windows Embedded Standard 2009 includes Microsoft's enhanced write filter and file-based write filter, which may be configured either to discard all changes to the flash drive every time the system is restarted, or to allow changes only to selected directories. The system is said to come with Citrix ICA (independent computing architecture ) 11.0 and XenApp Plugin for Hosted Apps 11.0, Microsoft's RDP (remote desktop protocol) 6.1, and HP's TeemTalk 7 terminal emulator, but no mention was made of compatibility with VMware's new PC-over-IP protocol, announced last week.

        HP offers the same basic device as the t5745 thin client, which runs the company's Linux-based ThinPro operating system, comes with 1GB or 2GB or RAM, and includes 1GB or 2GB of flash storage. The company also offers ThinPro on the newly announced t5325, employing a 1.2GHz ARM processor, 512MB of RAM, and 512MB of flash storage.

        Features and specifications listed by HP for the t5740 thin client include the following:

        • Processor -- 1.66GHz Intel Atom N280
        • Chipset -- GL40 northbridge and ICH9M southbridge
        • Memory -- 2GB of DDR3 RAM (expandable to 8GB) and 2GB or 4GB or flash storage
        • Expansion -- optional module with 1 x PCI or 1 x PCI Express x4
        • Networking:
          • LAN -- Gigabit Ethernet
          • WLAN -- 802.11a/b/g/n (optional)
        • Other I/O:
          • 8 x USB 2.0 (2 front, 4 rear, 2 in secure compartment)
          • 1 x serial (second serial port optional in expansion module)
          • 1 x parallel (with optional expansion module)
          • 2 x PS/2
          • 1 x VGA
          • 1 x DisplayPort
          • Audio -- mic in and headphone/speaker out
        • Power requirements -- DC input from AC adapter (100 to 240VAC); idles at between 11.4 and 12.3 Watts
        • Operating range -- 50 to 104 deg. F (10 to 40 deg. C)
        • Dimensions:
          • Without expansion module -- 10.4 x 8.74 x 1.73 inches (255 x 222 x 44mm)
          • With module -- 10.4 x 8.74 x 2.91 inches (255 x 222 x 74mm)
        • Weight:
          • Without expansion module -- 3.48 pounds (1.58kg)
          • With module -- 4.14 pounds (1.88kg)
        Further information

        According to HP, the t5740 is available now, for prices starting at approximately $550. More information may be found on the company's website, here.

        More information on thin client software and hardware announced today by HP may be found in a story by our sister site eWEEK.com, here.

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