In an interview with LinuxDevices, CMO Jeff McNaught -- a 22 year veteran with Wyse -- said thin client virtualization has revitalized thin client computing, helping thin clients leave behind their stigma of offering a "second class" user experience, and of requiring a massive initial data center investment. And, he said, it is helping Wyse to grow, despite the tough economic times. "We set a sales record in the first quarter, another in the second quarter, and have now had the best first month of any quarter that we've ever had," McNaught said.

McNaught said Wyse's new "R Class" hardware models offer plenty of power for the typical eight-year lifecycle of thin clients. For instance, with discrete graphics chips, they'll be ready to support Aero graphics when Windows 7 Server arrives, he said.

Wyse's new TCX virtualization software products, meanwhile, aim to make thin client computing more palatable for knowledge workers, rather than just task workers, McNaught explained. To please power users, the software now supports USB peripheral hotplug, dual monitors (with capable hardware), and full-duplex audio, for example to enable VoIP.

As for the new 6.3 version of Wyse Thin OS (WTOS), touted features include:

• Microsoft Terminal Server 2008 connectivity
  
• Support for RDP connections with 32 Bit Color & Font Smoothing
  
• Enhanced 802.1x wireless support with more EAP types, including GTC
  
• Government FIPS (140-2) encryption support
  
• Support for latest CPA components (sound, USB, multi-display, and multimedia)

WTOS ships in about half of Wyse's thin clients, McNaught said. Its growing popularity may be evidence that the client OS matters less, when virtualization is used with thin clients. Compared to XP/Embedded or Wyse Enhanced SUSE Linux Enterprise, WTOS requires about half as much RAM and flash, and thus can save materials costs, especially in large roll-outs.

New "R Class" thin clients

Wyse's new thin clients target companies that want to extend their networks to small groups of workers who need more demanding processing and multimedia capabilities. The devices incorporate the Wyse Collaborative Processing Architecture, which "leverages client processing power to reduce server load while displaying rich multimedia applications and content," says Wyse. Offering "intelligent handling of multiple displays, USB peripherals and audio," the new systems target rich media, digital signage, healthcare, and desktop virtualization, says the company.

The top-of-the line Wyse R90LE and more affordable Wyse R90L desktop thin clients run Windows XP Embedded, but are also offered in new R50LE and R50L versions running Linux. Although pricing has not yet been announced, McNaught expects XP models to cost $50 to $100 more than similarly equipped Linux counterparts.

The R90L targets traditional thin client applications, while the higher-end R90LE targets healthcare, financial trading and analysis, training, and rich media applications. Both are equipped with AMD Sempron 210U processors, with the R90LE model clocked to 1.5GHz and the R50L limited to 1GHz. McNaught describes the chip as a new AMD model "designed for embedded devices, like thin clients," adding, "I've been told that performance is most like the Sempron 2100."


Wyse R Class LE-family I/O and expansion
(Click to enlarge)

Both systems have discrete AMD ATI 690E graphics processors. Other specs for the two models are similar as well, including 1GB RAM and 1GB flash, expandable to 2GB RAM and 4GB flash. I/O for both includes gigabit Ethernet, six USB 2.0 ports, 802.11 b/g/n WiFi, and optional Bluetooth 2.0. The R50LE adds a parallel port and x4 ("by four") PCIe expansion.

Wyse lists specs as follows for the R90L and R90LE:

• Processor: 1.5GHz (LE) or 1GHz (L) AMD Sempron 210U
  
• Memory:
  • Standard: 1G RAM / 1G Flash
    
  • Maximum: 2G RAM / 4G Flash
• Graphics:
  • 1 x DVI-I Port
    
  • 1 x DVI-D Port
    
  • VESA monitor support with Display Data Control (DDC) for automatic setting of resolution and refresh rate
    
  • Resolution:
    • Single monitor: 2560X1600 32 bits 60Hz
      
    • Dual monitor (LE only): 2560X1600 32 bits 60Hz
      
    • 720P SD and HD video (LE only)
• I/O:
  • 10/100/1000 base-T gigabit Ethernet
    
  • 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.0 (optional)
    
  • Two PS/2 ports
    
  • 2 x serial ports
    
  • 6 x USB 2.0 ports (2 x front; 4 x back)
    
  • 4 x internal USB pin headers (LE only)
    
  • 1 x mic In
    
  • 1 x line out
    
  • 1 x parallel port (LE only)
• Expansion: One PCIe 2.0 x4, with an x16-style slot supporting half-length full-height cards. Installation of hard drive precludes use of slot. (LE only)
  
• Power: Worldwide auto-sensing 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz 65W, 19V DC
  
• Power consumption: Average 14.1 W
  
• Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.8 x 3.2 inches (307 x 225 x 82mm)
  
• Mountings: Vertical or Horizontal (optional), VESA mount.
  
• Temperature Range: Horizontal position: 50 to 95 F (10 to 35 C)
  
• Vertical position: 50 to 104 F (10 to 40 C)

Stated Phil Underwood, Senior VP of Worldwide Operations at Wyse, "We realized early on that the client virtualization market will only grow to its potential if knowledge workers requirements are met without requiring larger, more expensive datacenters."

Availability

Pricing and availability for the R Class thin clients has not yet been set.

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