Both these chips include AMD Radeon HD6310 graphics, providing DirectX 11, support for OpenCL 1.1, OpenGL 3.2 and 2.1, plus dedicated hardware for HD video (H.264, VC-1, and MPEG2 decoding). The device is said to include from 1GB to 4GB of RAM, and from 4GB to 32GB of RAM -- the most impressive totals we've encountered in a thin client device.

Wyse believably touts the Z90 as the world's best-performing thin client, citing 3D business graphics performance "187 percent better than the next closest leading competitor's product." According to the company, the device offers self-configuration, monthly security updates, a locked-down default user profile, and strong default passwords.

The Z90 is also the world's first thin client to include dual USB 3.0 ports, which operate up to ten times faster than USB 2.0. This came as a surprise to us, since AMD did not cite this functionality for its A55E ("Hudson") I/O controller, which is presumably the one employed by Wyse.

According to Wyse, the Z90 has audio I/O and two USB 2.0 ports on its front panel, seen earlier in this story. The rear panel (below left) includes two video outputs (DVI-I and DisplayPort), two USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, and a gigabit Ethernet port. A "legacy" version of the device (below right) adds two RS232 ports, a PS/2 port, and a parallel printer port, the company says.

The Z90's rear panel in standard (left) and legacy (right) editions
(Click either to enlarge)

Other factory options are said to include 802.11b/g/n wireless networking, a fiber NIC, and Bluetooth 2.1. Also available for the six-pound system is a VESA mounting bracket, according to the company.

Ricardo Antuna, senior vice president of product management, business development and Alliances at Wyse, stated, "The goal at Wyse is to make our Windows Embedded offerings ... the best, easiest to use, and fastest clients on the planet. With the introduction of the Wyse Z90 we've done that; more than doubling the performance capabilities of competing top-of-the-line thin clients with similar energy requirements."

Features and specifications released by Wyse for the Z90 include:

• Processor -- single-core AMD G-Series T52R (1.5GHz clock speed and 18-Watt TDP) or dual-core T56N (1.6GHz clock speed, also with 18-Watt TDP)
• Chipset -- AMD A55E (presumed)
• Memory -- from 1GB to 4GB of RAM
• Storage -- from 2GB to 32GB of flash storage
• Display -- up to 2560 x 1600 pixels via DisplayPort, or 1920 x 1200 via DVI-I; 1920 x 1200 is maximum on either when both are being used
• Networking:
  • LAN -- gigabit Ethernet; fiber NIC (optional)
  • WLAN -- 802.11b/g/n (optional)
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.1
• Other I/O:
  • 4 x USB 2.0 (2 front, 2 rear)
  • 2 x USB 3.0
  • DVI-I
  • DisplayPort
  • 2 x RS232 (optional)
  • 1 x PS/2 (optional)
  • 1 x parallel (optional)
  • audio -- mic in and headphones out (front panel)
• Power -- via external AC adapter; 15 Watts average usage with keyboard, PS/2 mouse, and one monitor
• Operating range -- 32 to 104 deg. F (10 to 40 deg. C)
• Dimensions -- 8.85 x 7.87 x 1.85 inches
• Weight -- 6 pounds

Wyse did not detail pricing or availability for the Z90. Further information may be found on the Z90 product page.

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