This review is part of a group test of Windows XPE-based thin clients

Thinspace is the former thin client division of Relisys, spun off into an independent company in 2006. We tested an XP Embedded version of the firm’s RWT300 high-end series, which ships in a compact case that sits discretely on the desktop next to a monitor.

Although only the size of a large book, the RWT300XPBA is the only model in this review to feature a built-in power supply instead of an external power brick, which means less clutter on the desktop and fewer spares for the IT department to keep in stock.

In use, we found Thinspace’s terminal responsive, as might be expected from its 1GHz VIA Eden ESP10000 chip and 256MB memory. It also had 256MB Flash, but shipping units come with 512MB.

A simple clip-on plastic stand holds the RWT300 upright to save space, with just the on/off button, audio jack sockets and two USB ports visible on the front panel. To the rear are two more USB ports, and PC-style VGA, parallel, serial and dual PS/2 inputs. There is also a single PCI slot, a PC Card slot for an optional Wi-Fi adapter, plus the 10/100 Ethernet port.

As reviewed, the Thinspace unit was not as comprehensively locked down as some of the others we tested; it had a link to My Computer that allowed us to browse the device’s file system, for example.

In addition to the Microsoft RDP and Citrix clients, Thinspace includes Ericom PowerTerm, a terminal emulator application, plus an Administrator Control Centre. This application enables an administrator to upgrade the device firmware via FTP, and control the EWF protecting the Flash memory. It also has a local copy of Outlook Express, enabling users to directly access POP and Imap mail accounts.

The Thinspace device is capable of displaying resolutions up to 1280x1024 in 32bit colour via the S3 UniChrome functions integrated into its VIA motherboard chipset.

Next review: HP Compaq t5720