NComputing Introduces New HDX Thin Clients With Breakthrough Price/Performance

NComputing, the world leader in end-to-end desktop virtualization solutions, today announced its portfolio of high performance thin customers built for Citrix that deliver a high performance HDX? experience for less than $100 - a fraction of the cost of existing HDX-capable thin customers or PC's. Powered by the third-generation Numo? 3 System-on-Chip, the N-series devices exclusively support Citrix XenDesktop®, Citrix XenApp? and Citrix VDI-in-a-Box? deployments with rich multimedia using less than 5 watts of power.  Offering full manageability, customer support and a dramatically lower price than alternative endpoints, the new NComputing devices transform the economics of desktop virtualization, enabling organizations to extend their Citrix desktop virtualization deployments.  Already in test with clients globally, the N400 and N500 are expected to ship in volume while Q2.  

"Transformation in cloud computing and mobile work styles is happening at an unprecedented pace. By working with partners just as NComputing with its expertise building thin client solutions for virtualized environments, we are helping enterprises rapidly expand desktop virtualization deployments with new very low-cost devices that deliver a superior high-definition HDX experience for users.  NComputing's new thin client line will give our clients a low-cost, high-performance thin client for their virtual desktop environments," said Sumit Dhawan, group vice president and general manager, Receiver and Gateways group at Citrix.

The two thin customers

The two thin customers, the N400 and N500, were architected for specific classes of users.  The N400 is primarily aimed at task workers and provides video resolution up to 1920x1080 with on-board graphics acceleration, 10/100 Ethernet connectivity, and a rich HD multimedia experience with 720p server-side video rendering.  The more powerful N500, targeted at knowledge workers and those with higher-end applications, adds enhanced multimedia with full HD 1080p client-side rendering, 10/100/1000 Ethernet connectivity, and options for dual monitor and Wi-Fi connectivity.  Both devices support smart card readers and other USB 2.0 peripherals.  Should the contingency arise, all devices are managed with the new NComputing vSpace Management Center, allowing an IT organization to easily deploy, operate, and manage thousands of devices across a distributed organization.  

"Centralized virtual desktop innovation, as well referred to as VDI, continues to gain traction in the enterprise, however limitations of the delivery infrastructure has been one factor that has helped inhibit growth - especially when rich media applications are a requirement," said Al Gillen, program vice president, System Software, at IDC. "With NComputing embedding HDX support directly into its SoC-designs, thin client clients now have an attractive, high-performance alternative for their end point computing device.  This research helps remove one of the choke points holding back larger VDI deployments."

Both N-series devices incorporate NComputing's own third-generation Numo? 3 System-on-Chip based on an ARM A9 Dual Core that delivers in the extreme high performance.  With these NComputing performance innovations in silicon, the N400 and N500 thin customers are highly energy efficient, require no internal fans or heat sinks, and are built for in the extreme high reliability.  Using the vSpace Management Center, clients can update either firmware or device profiles from a central operations center.  With either the hardware acceleration built into the N400 or the full client-side rendering of the N500, clients can count on an amazing HDX experience equivalent to that in a high-end desktop PC.

"During VDI has proven itself to be of great value to enterprises when it comes to centralizing and virtualizing infrastructure, clients are desperately looking for ways to lower the cost associated with this form of computing in order to justify and at that time expand their deployments," said Mike Strohl, CEO of Entisys/Agile360. "In our view, NComputing is completely disrupting those economics, and we are excited to be able to deliver new economies of scale and capabilities to our customers by adding the high performance and lower cost NComputing to our portfolio." 

The NComputing offerings are purpose-built to support all three Citrix desktop virtualization solutions - XenDesktop, XenApp, and VDI-in-a-Box - and any deployment model - whether 1-1 VDI or other shared computing models.  With deep technical expertise in SoC design and Linux software development, NComputing is delivering a high-performance HDX experience in an in the extreme efficient and highly reliable form factor.  The N400 and N500 with the Numo SoC take the best aspects of thin customers, embed critical functionality into a silicon-based solution, and enable prices as little as one-third those of current endpoints.  The N-series thin customers provide the breakthroughs needed in cost and performance for clients to be able to extend and accelerate their desktop virtualization deployments.

"Until today, the Enterprise thin client market has been devoid of real research for many years," said Raj Dhingra, CEO of NComputing.  "We're excited to bring HDX on the Numo? 3 system-on-chip to the Enterprise, leveraging silicon already proven in volume.  Citrix clients and partners can after all enjoy benefits of a world-class thin client device at a dramatically lower cost - with no compromise in the HDX experience."  

The N400 lists at $129

The N400 lists at $129, the N500 lists at $199; both will be subject to volume discounts that can break the $100 price barrier.  Dual monitor and Wi-Fi options are available for the N500 for an additional cost.  The N-series is expected to be certified Citrix HDX Ready when the products ship later this quarter.  Products will be available through selected Citrix Platinum and Gold Resellers along with volume discounts appropriate to larger desktop virtualization deployments.  The N-series devices will as well be available through selected NComputing resellers.  Additional product and pricing information is available directly from NComputing.