Like NEC's previous thin client, the US100, the US110 is packaged in a 6.0 x 3.9 x 0.6 inch enclosure that readily fits behind a monitor, and employs a 400 MHz
ServerEngines NetClient processor. Unlike the US100, however, which runs Wyse's small-footprint "Thin OS," the US110 features a Windows CE-based software platform (version unspecified).
Along with the US100, which continues in the company's product line, the US110 is said to have high-performance, accelerated graphics with resolutions up to 1600 x 1200 pixels. As with many other such products, the thin client uses Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect to a hosted Windows XP session. However, NEC says its solution saves bandwidth and boosts performance by redirecting graphics in compressed form to the thin client's graphics card for processing, rather than sending an uncompressed stream over the LAN.
According to the company, the US110 supports not only high-resolution video but also other multimedia formats popular on traditional PCs today. These include Microsoft WMV/WMA and Adobe Flash.
Along with the thin client, NEC concurrently announced the NE Virtual PC Server Plus, a 2U rack-mounted server designed to support either 20 or 40 thin clients. Compared to its predecessor, this product is said to support 22 GB of memory, delivering up to 1 GB of RAM per virtual user. The company says its server is an open configuration that allows access to all the features of VMware VDI, as well as the ability to integrate third-party solutions.
Hardware specifications of the US110 thin client include:
- Processor -- ServerEngines NetClient processor running at 400 MHz
- Memory -- 64 MB DRAM, 2 MB flash
- Storage -- optional hard drive (available capacities not specified)
- Video -- 3D-accelerated, 1600 x 1200 pixels with DVI output (VGA monitors require adapter)
- Networking -- 10/100/1000 Ethernet
- Other I/O ports:
- audio -- microphone, headphone/speaker jacks
- 4 x USB 2.0 (two on front panel, two on rear)
- RJ9 analog port for VoIP applications
- DVI port
- Power -- 12 VDC, 13 W power input
- Dimensions -- 6.0 x 3.94 x 0.9 inches (153 x 100 x 23 mm)
- Weight -- 1.1 pounds (500 g)
NEC expects the US110 to ship in the fourth quarter. It will retail for $449 as a standalone purchase, or $349 when purchased with NEC Virtual PC Servers. NEC's Virtual PC Server Plus retails for $22,900.
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