The most recent articles from IT Week

Review: Vista-ready desktop saves on space

Daniel Robinson — 2007-11-30T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 30 November 2007 at 00:00:00

The ultra-slim version of HP’s dc7800 can fit behind a monitor and cuts energy use

The HP Compaq dc7800 is a desktop system designed for mainstream business use and comes in several form factors for flexibility. We found our evaluation system well designed to maximise desk space while still delivering enough power for productivity applications, although buyers considering Vista would be wise to choose more than the standard memory configuration.

Announced in September and shipping now, the dc7800 series is a range of corporate desktops based on Intel’s vPro platform. It includes a convertible minitower and small form factor as well as the ultra-slim desktop unit reviewed here, which can be mounted behind a monitor to keep as much desk space clear as possible.

Our review model was configured with a Core 2 Duo E6750 running at 2.66GHz, 1GB of memory and a 160GB hard drive. The Intel Q35 Express provided integrated graphics functions. HP ships the system with Windows Vista Business by default, but buyers can choose Windows XP instead.

The small form factor and minitower versions of the dc7800 can be fitted with a Core 2 Quad processor Q6600 or Q6700, while the ultra-slim version only supports Core 2 Duo up to 3GHz. The larger versions also support up to 8GB memory.

We found the system provided ample performance for productivity applications, such as the pre-installed copy of Microsoft Office 2007, but Windows Vista made the system seem sluggish at times, especially during boot up and application starting. We would recommend buyers opt for more memory, and our review model could be configured with up to 4GB in two laptop-style Sodimm slots.

Windows Vista includes its own rudimentary tool for measuring system performance, the Windows Experience Index. This rated the dc7800 with an overall score of just 2.6, but this was pegged to the lowest subsystem score produced by the integrated graphics, while the processor, memory and hard disk all had above-average ratings.

In its ultra-slim desktop form factor, the dc7800 measures about 25x25x6cm, which is less than a foot square and about 2in thick. This makes it no larger than some of HP’s thin clients, such as the HP Compaq t5720 we tested earlier this year. Like that model, the PC can be deployed on a desktop in an upright tower stand, or fixed to a monitor, wall or desk using a mounting bracket. However, the trade-off for the system’s compact design is that it requires an external mains adapter brick.

Along with the system, HP supplied us with an L1906i 19in flat panel display and a desktop stand designed to hold both of them. The stand has a quick release mechanism designed to fit any display compatible with the Vesa flat display mounting interface standard. The panel simply slides onto this and is locked in place by a quick release catch, meaning it takes just seconds to fit the panel.

The stand enables the flat panel to be adjusted up and down to suit the user’s requirements, and it can also be tilted backwards by up to 20 degrees or forwards by five. We found the LCD gave an excellent image, and automatically adjusted itself to match the dc7800’s display output when the two were switched on for the first time.

A mounting bracket enables the dc7800 system unit to be hidden behind the display panel. This must first be removed by undoing two vertical screws and then fixed to the side of the PC with four other screws. The bracket with the PC attached can then be secured back onto the stand.

In this configuration, the dc7800 takes up no more desk space than the monitor would on its own. A slide-out tray at the rear can be used to hold the PC’s mains adapter, and HP also includes a port cover that slides over the rear of the case to secure the cables once the system is deployed.

The dc7800 has both digital DVI and analogue VGA graphics outputs to the rear, but the L1906i panel only supports VGA input. The rest of the connections are PS/2 keyboard and mouse sockets, six USB ports, speaker jack socket, and Ethernet LAN. Two more USB ports are at the front of the case, along with microphone and headphone jacks.

The case can be opened by undoing a single finger-operated screw and sliding the lid off, but there are few user-serviceable components inside. The two memory slots are placed for easy access, and the laptop-style DVD-RW drive can be removed by pressing a couple of catches, while the caddy for this hides the system’s hard drive.

We especially liked the HP-badged keyboard, which had a soft, cushioned feel to its keys, resulting in a very quiet action an advantage in a crowded office. However, we also found the system unit very quiet. In our Labs environment it was difficult to hear notification sounds even with volume turned up to maximum.

HP claims the dc7800 range is more energy efficient, and all models ship with a power supply that is up to 25 per cent more efficient than other types, saving about five pounds per system in electricity every year, according to HP. We tested our review unit’s power consumption using a plug-in mains wattage and current meter, and measured it at between 43W and 78W, depending on workload. This compares with about 168W to 207W for a typical tower PC we tested as a reference.

HP also includes an agent for Verdiem Surveyor. When used with the server-based Surveyor application, firms can monitor PC power usage across their company and centralise control of them, turning them off when not needed, for example.

Group review: Windows XPE thin clients

Daniel Robinson — 2007-04-27T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 27 April 2007 at 00:00:00

IT Week Labs put five thin clients running Windows XP Embedded through their paces

Thin clients are back in vogue and corporate deployments are rising, thanks in part to security worries with PCs and a growing trend for enterprise applications to live on a server in the back office. UK technology services provider AN4 Group said in February that it expected thin computing projects to grow substantially during 2007, following a 12 percent rise in its revenues from thin computing sales and projects during 2006.

The term “thin client” now covers a range of devices with varying capabilities. The most basic models simply act as a remote screen and keyboard for a user session hosted elsewhere, typically on a server. Other thin-client devices are more flexible and are able to run some applications locally.

For this article, we looked at several of this latter type based on Windows XP Embedded (XPE), a version of Microsoft’s platform designed to boot from Flash memory. Windows XPE is modular, enabling vendors to cut out unwanted components or include required drivers and applications.

These models are closer to locked-down PCs than simple terminals. They are more powerful than traditional thin clients, and this increase in computing power is largely due to the spread of enterprise applications, which are often Java-based and require a measure of local processing power.

Outside of browser-based applications, most terminals use one of two software schemes to connect to server-hosted sessions; Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) or the Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) from Citrix.

Many thin clients come with local applications such as Adobe’s Reader for Acrobat PDF files. It is also possible to add applications.

However, a feature of XPE called Enhanced Write Filter (EWF) protects the Flash storage from alteration by redirecting file writes to RAM configured as a drive volume. The filter must be disabled by an administrator to apply updates or configuration changes.

Many thin client vendors have their own management tools and ship their devices with a pre-installed client agent. Wyse has its Rapport suite, for example, while Neoware has ezRemote Manager. HP, however, ships its devices with an Altiris client agent.

This could be an advantage for firms already operating Symantec’s Altiris tools. If not, the proprietary suites are likely to prove more cost-effective as these are often provided for no additional charge.

During testing, we encountered an issue in some devices that caused Internet Explorer to crash when viewing some web sites. Microsoft identified older versions of Adobe’s Flash plug-in as the cause. The three models that were affected by the problem – from HP, Igel Technology and Thinspace – all had Flash version 6. The Neoware and Wyse models, running Flash 7 and 8 respectively, did not appear to be affected.

This is only a minor issue, but companies should ensure an up-to-date Flash version is installed when purchasing.

Read the reviews:

Neoware m100

Thinspace RWT300XPBA

HP Compaq t5720

Igel Technoloy 5610XP Premium

Wyse V90 Dual-Video

Performance

As an informal test of the thin clients’ performance, we ran a pair of Java-based benchmarks that can be accessed online in a web browser. The first, “Sieve of Eratosthenes”, generates a list of prime numbers and measures the integer performance of the processor. The second, “Plasma”, tests graphics performance by continuously summing four sine waves to create an animated display, with results in frames per second. Higher scores are better in both tests.

It should be noted that these tools only measure local processing performance. When running server-based applications, performance will obviously depend on the infrastructure, such as server configurations.

Conclusion

All the models evaluated here have ample performance for server-hosted sessions. The HP Compaq t5720 has the best local performance as measured by the Java tests. However, it does not actually ship with a Java virtual machine as standard, which seems an oversight. It also seems designed to fit best within an HP-based infrastructure using Altiris management tools. Instead, we chose Igel Technology’s 5610 XP Premium as our Editor’s Choice because its Java performance is also good and it includes a smartcard reader for extra security.

Review: Thinspace RWT300XPBA

Daniel Robinson — 2007-04-27T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 27 April 2007 at 00:00:00

A neat Windows XPE-based thin client with its power supply integrated into the unit

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

Review: HP Compaq t5720 thin client

Daniel Robinson — 2007-04-27T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 27 April 2007 at 00:00:00

A high-end Windows-based thin client that blurs the line between terminal and PC

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

HP’s t5720 truly blurs the boundary between thin clients and Windows PCs, with a high-end specification comparable to desktops of a few years ago.

With its 1GHz AMD processor and 512MB memory, the t5720 is well equipped to handle local applications or demanding browser-based code. Our review unit also shipped with a 1GB ATA Flash drive, more than half of which was free to add local applications or drivers.

The device comes in a smart and sturdy case that can be mounted upright with a supplied stand, or mounted on the underside of a desk or on a wall using an optional bracket.

As is standard on most thin clients, the t5720 has Microsoft RDP and Citrix ICA clients, but also includes the TeemTalk application that emulates a variety of text-based terminals. HP also includes Sygate Security Agent 4.0, a firewall and intrusion detection tool, and an Altiris Client Agent that can be used to update the terminal’s system image. There is also a Session Allocation Manager (SAM) client to let the device link with PC Blades as part of HP’s Consolidated Client Infrastructure (CCI).

The t5720’s integrated SiS graphics functions are capable of displaying resolutions up to 1280x1024. Unlike some of the other devices, the t5720 does not ship with either a Java VM or Adobe Reader installed as standard. These and other applications are available from HP as a package that can be deployed via Altiris Deployment Server.

For our tests we installed Java from Sun Microsystems’ web site by logging in to the device as an administrator and temporarily disabling the EWF.

The t5720 has two USB ports at the front of its case and four at the rear. It also has legacy serial and parallel ports, PS/2 ports and a 10/100 Ethernet connector.

Our review system shipped with an HP LP1965 19in TFT monitor, and also included a mouse and keyboard.

Next review: Igel Technology 5610XP Premium

Review: Igel Technology 5610XP Premium thin client

Daniel Robinson — 2007-04-27T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 27 April 2007 at 00:00:00

This capable thin client offers enterprise-friendly features such as a built-in smartcard reader

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

Igel Technology’s Premium series is aimed at compute-intensive applications such as SAP and finance software. It features a beefy specification and enterprise-friendly features such as a built-in smartcard reader for secure user authentication.

The 5610 XP Premium is the largest model of those reviewed here, but even so is less than a foot high when mounted upright in its plastic stand. It is a solidly built unit that appears to be constructed from pressed steel.

With its 1.3GHz VIA C7 processor and 256MB memory, the Premium is one of the most powerful of the systems covered here. It also has 1GB of Flash memory, which leaves plenty of room for local applications and drivers.

Igel supplies the Premium with a built-in setup tool that enables a user to change the language, keyboard locale, and display settings, without needing to login with administrator privileges.

Also included in Igel’s image build is a Thinprint client. Thinprint is a server-based system that supports driver-free printing in networks operating Microsoft or Citrix thin client environments.

For access to server-hosted sessions, the 5610 XP Premium includes RDP and ICA clients. Our review unit also included the Ericom PowerTerm application that can emulate a variety of text-based terminals.

The 5610 XP Premium ships with a smartcard reader fitted to the front of the device as standard, which allows the system to support user authentication by smartcard for organisations requiring extra security.

A flap covers two USB ports at the front. Two more are located at the rear of the device, plus serial, parallel and PS/2 connectors. It also features PCI and PC Card slots to support extra hardware.

The 5610 XP Premium supports both VGA and DVI display outputs, both of which can be used simultaneously. The maximum resolution under VGA is 1920x1440, while the DVI output can be used for resolutions up to 1600x1200.

Next review: Wyse V90 Dual-Video

Review: Wyse V90 Dual-Video thin client

Daniel Robinson — 2007-04-27T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 27 April 2007 at 00:00:00

A Windows XPE-based thin client that can support a dual-monitor configuration

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

As its model name suggests, the Wyse V90 Dual-Video is designed to support twin displays, making it well-suited for financial and other high-end applications.

Wyse’s V-series terminals come in a compact but sturdy case with a small screw-on plastic stand to hold the device upright on a desktop. They can also be used with an optional Vesa mounting bracket to site them under a desk or on a wall.

Unlike the other models here, the V90 Dual-Video’s only graphics output is via a DVI connector. An adapter allows a standard VGA monitor to be used, while an optional splitter cable provides both a DVI and VGA output, supporting two screens and resolutions up to 1920x1080 pixels.

Dual monitor capability enables a user to extend their usable Windows desktop area, or simply duplicate the output of the first display, a configuration used in point-of-sale applications, according to Wyse.

The V90 Dual-Video is based on a VIA Eden C7 800MHz processor, and our review unit featured 512MB RAM in addition to 512MB Flash storage.

A single USB port adorns the front of the case, while two more are available at the rear, along with legacy PC ports and a PC Card slot with a screw-on security cover. Wyse also shipped a keyboard and mouse with our review unit.

Wyse equips the V90 Dual-Video with the standard RDP and ICA clients, but also includes Ericom PowerTerm, which can emulate over 30 text-based terminal protocols.

The V90 also runs an agent for Wyse’s Rapport management console and a WinVNC server, which enables remote control of the terminal by an administrator for configuration or troubleshooting.

Our review model included a tool called Neutron that time synchronises with an internet server at start-up. However, Wyse did not include a local copy of Adobe Reader, unlike most of the other models.

> Read the conclusion of our group test

Group review: Vista-ready desktop PCs

Daniel Robinson — 2007-01-31T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Wednesday 31 January 2007 at 00:00:00

With Vista reaching general availability this week, we look at a trio of Vista-ready business PCs

Microsoft’s Windows Vista has been available for volume customers since November, but it seems most firms are waiting until their next PC refresh cycle before upgrading to the new platform.

For businesses looking to take the plunge sooner rather than later, a variety of systems will be made available with Vista pre-installed, following the 30 January general release of the operating system.

However, not all PC builders are rushing to make Vista immediately available. For this article we looked at three business desktops described as “Vista-ready” by the vendors, but none was delivered with the new operating system installed.

While Vista is more demanding in hardware requirements than Windows XP, it is still within the capabilities of most modern PCs. Organisations need not fear they will have to purchase workstation-class boxes in order for employees to run Vista. For example, we tested beta versions of Vista on a Fujitsu-Siemens Esprimo, a 3GHz Pentium 4 desktop with 512MB memory.

Vista’s functionality scales with the capabilities of the hardware. For basic functionality, a PC needs at least an 800MHz processor, 512MB of memory, and graphics compatible with Microsoft’s Direct X 9 API. Most business PCs purchased within the past three years should already exceed this.

For Vista’s advanced features such as the Aero user interface with its translucency, systems must exceed the Vista Premium Ready PC specifications of a 1GHz processor, 1GB memory, and graphics compatible with the Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) capable of displaying 32bit colour.

Vista features a built-in assessment tool that returns a Windows Experience Index (WEI) for each system. PCs need an overall WEI score of at least 3.0 to enable premium features such as Aero, and this is determined by the lowest subsystem score. In tests, only the HP system achieved this, because it had sufficient memory available.

Overall, we found little other than this to choose between the three systems. Acer’s Veriton 1000 is the most compact, Lenovo’s ThinkCentre A60 has the best expansion potential, while the HP Compaq dc5700 showed the best performance. System prices do not include a monitor.

> Read on for the first review

Review: Lenovo ThinkCentre A60

Daniel Robinson — 2007-01-31T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Wednesday 31 January 2007 at 00:00:00

A small form-factor Vista-ready desktop PC from Chinese maker Lenovo

This review is part of a group test of Vista-ready desktop PCs.

Lenovo’s ThinkCentre A60 is a small form factor desktop designed for ease of maintenance. Unlike the other two systems we tested for this group review, Lenovo’s Vista-ready PC is based on an AMD processor and will be available with Vista from 30 January.

The ThinkCentre’s AMD Athlon 64 3500+ processor is clocked at 2.2GHz with 512MB memory and a 75GB hard drive, plus a DVD multiplayer drive.

Lenovo said that A60 models with Vista will have 1GB memory. The motherboard is based on an Nvidia chipset with integrated GeForce 6500 graphics functions.

This specification gives the ThinkCentre A60 an overall WEI of 2.0, not enough for Vista’s Aero graphics. Like the Acer, this was due to low memory, and having 1GB would fix this.

Lenovo’s PC was the only one not to need a driver update after Vista was installed. Both the HP and Acer systems required new graphics drivers to be manually applied.

While the ThinkCentre has almost the same footprint as HP’s PC, it is deeper than it is wide. We found this restricted the desk space available in front of the system for the keyboard. A catch on the top of the case allows the lid to slide back and be lifted off.

The chassis is spacious inside, with a removable metal tray holding the DVD drive and space for a floppy drive. The tray can be prised out once the front panel of the chassis has been unclipped, giving access to the four memory slots.

The ThinkCentre also has two PCI slots, one PCI Express x1 and one PCI Express x16 slot, all of which are free. Two USB ports are at the front of the case and four at the rear, alongside one parallel, one serial and two PS/2 ports.

Review: Acer Veriton 1000

Daniel Robinson — 2007-01-31T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Wednesday 31 January 2007 at 00:00:00

A compact, legacy-free Vista-ready desktop PC

This review is part of a group test of Vista-ready desktop PCs.

Acer’s Veriton 1000 is a largely legacy-free PC design in a compact desktop case no larger than a thin-client terminal. This makes the system ideal for business, especially in areas where space is at a premium.

Acer describes the Veriton 1000 as Vista-capable, but the firm said it will not offer the new operating system pre-loaded until March, when it will ship with 1GB memory. Our review system was nevertheless capable of running Vista, albeit at a lower level of performance than HP’s dc5700.

Measuring just 20x25x6cm, the Veriton 1000 can fit discretely on most desktops, and has a screw-on base to stand the system vertically. It requires an external power adapter.

The system runs an Intel Core 2 Duo E6300 processor at 1.86GHz, 512MB up to 2GB memory, and an 80GB Serial ATA hard drive. It relies on embedded graphics functions in its Intel motherboard chipset to drive the display.

When running Windows Vista, the Veriton 1000 was held back by the 512MB memory of our review model and achieved a WEI of 2.0. As tested, this means that it will not run Vista’s flashy Aero graphics, and the system was perceptibly slower at some tasks than HP’s system, although perfectly adequate for productivity work.

Our review model had no optical storage, but shipping models will have a laptop-style DVD/CD-RW. The chassis has four USB slots at the front, another four at the rear, plus a Gigabit Ethernet port, VGA and DVI video connectors, plus audio out jack sockets.

> Read on to the next review

Review: HP Compaq dc5700

Daniel Robinson — 2007-01-31T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Wednesday 31 January 2007 at 00:00:00

A Vista-ready desktop from European PC market leader HP

This review is part of a group test of Vista-ready desktop PCs.

HP’s Compaq dc5700 looks from the outside to be a pretty conventional desktop PC system, but it has been designed for easy access to the internals, and puts most of the ports where users need them.

Available since October, the dc5700 is designed for low noise and power efficiency. The system will be available with Vista from 1 February under HP’s Top Config build-to-order programme. Vista will be more widely available on PCs from April, HP said.

The dc5700 has the same 1.86GHz Core 2 Duo E6300 processor as Acer’s Veriton and similarly makes use of the embedded graphics functions in its Intel chipset. However, our review unit had a beefier 1GB memory and a 160GB hard disk, plus a DVD-RW drive.

Its higher specification gave the dc5700 a WEI score of 3.6, enabling it to display the Aero user interface. The system also seemed more responsive under Vista than the other two, no doubt due to its greater memory.

A release catch allows the top of the case to slide off. Inside, the system has two half-height PCI slots, one PCI Express x1 and what looks like a PCI Express x16 slot, but is actually a proprietary Intel connector for a digital video output card.

Two of the four motherboard memory slots were occupied and partially hidden beneath the DVD drive. This can easily be removed, however, by pressing a release catch and sliding it out.

The dc5700 has six rear USB ports and three at the front. It also has PS/2 ports for the keyboard and mouse, plus legacy serial and parallel ports. At the front, where a floppy drive might go, our review unit had a bank of reader slots for most Flash memory card formats.

> Read on for the third of our three reviews

Neoware Eon e300

Alan Stevens — 2004-09-06T16:58:06.000Z

Alan Stevens, IT Week, Monday 6 September 2004 at 16:58:06

A stylish and quiet desktop with both PC and thin-client attributes

Neoware's Eon e300 is a good choice for firms looking for a thin-client PC with a browser and other local processing, connectivity and customisation facilities, and is remarkable for being little bigger than most standalone LCD monitors. Power comes from an external AC adapter, and because there is no internal hard disk, fans or other moving parts, the e300 is virtually silent in use. A 10/100Mbit/s Ethernet port connects it to the LAN, while another version features a PC Card slot options to accommodate wireless connectivity.

A pair of USB ports and a parallel interface allow local printers and other devices to be attached if required, and there are integrated speakers either side of the display. Standard PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports are provided along with a basic mouse, but for some unfathomable reason and unlike other thin-client devices, the keyboard needs to be sourced separately.

The Eon e300 can be bought with either a Linux or Windows CE operating system installed, but our top-of-the-range test unit was equipped with Windows XP Embedded (XPE). Effectively a cut-down implementation of standard XP, this software boots from Flash memory and has had a lot of extraneous functionality removed. This leaves the emphasis on thin-client connectivity, using either a Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client (XP Remote Desktop) to connect to Windows servers or ICA for use with Citrix.

There is also a terminal emulator called TeemTalk for use with legacy mainframe and mini systems, and a full copy of Internet Explorer 6, to allow for web browsing without the need to burden a remote application server with the task.

The e300 boots up just like an ordinary Windows XP PC and can be configured for workgroup or domain networking. By default it will synchronise the internal clock using an NTP time server and can be further customised to connect to specific hosts and run applications as required. It is possible to make extensive modifications to the Windows setup, install local applications and so on, just like on an ordinary PC.

On the downside there is only 192MB of Flash memory, although this can be expanded to 512MB if needed. Processing power is equally limited; the e300 is powered by a 32bit x86 VIA Eden processor that runs relatively slowly to limit power consumption and heat output. This is not a major issue when running applications remotely, because all the client has to do is handle the GUI, but it can prove a constraint when running local programs. But then administrators wanting users to run applications locally really ought to steer clear of thin clients altogether.

We connected the Eon e300 to a Windows terminal server and were impressed by its capabilities, but it is hard to work out exactly who would buy it. At £722 + VAT the price is on a par with a good desktop PC with a similar flat-panel display, but it lacks the processing and storage options a PC has to offer, while the thin-client capabilities can be added to any PC. Also, firms looking for a pure thin client can find lower-spec products at less cost.

On the positive side, the Eon e300 offers simplified management and enhanced security, because viruses cannot really affect a thin client. The lack of noise and the handsome integrated flat panel means that the e300 could also find a niche in upmarket reception areas, or conference rooms and other locations where a secure yet stylish system is required.

Price: £722 + VAT

Contact: Neoware 01344 382 164

For the latest news for IT professionals, visit ITWeek.co.uk

HP Compaq d530

Dave Bailey — 2003-08-29T09:08:14.000Z

Dave Bailey, IT Week, Friday 29 August 2003 at 09:08:14

Offered in three formats, HP's latest desktop boasts good security and management features

HP's new enterprise desktop range provides good performance, decent manageability, and the option of a space-saving compact chassis.

Available since June, the HP Compaq d530 series is designed to offer improved security features, plus ease of maintenance and software stability. Three case styles are available: a convertible mini-tower, a small design, and an ultra-slim desktop. We examined the small design, which is actually the mid-size option, slightly larger than the ultra-slim desktop case.

Our review unit was based on a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 processor, but models are available with anything from an entry-level 2.2GHz Celeron up to the current top-end 3.2GHz Pentium 4 processor. Memory is 256MB as standard, expandable to a maximum of 4GB in the small design chassis.

On the security side, the d530 can be fitted with an optional security chip, which will be required in the future to support Microsoft's Next Generation Secure Computing Base (NGSCB) initiative. The chip provides cryptographic services to secure data in future versions of Windows from unauthorised access.

For physical security, a cable lock or padlock can be attached to a tab or a slot at the rear of the system, and there is also the option of a port control device that covers all the rear ports.

The d530 can be used in either a horizontal or vertical orientation, using a supplied clip-on stand for the latter.

In tests, our review d530 unit demonstrated ample performance to run business applications, achieving a Business Winstone 2002 benchmark score of 27.1.

The small casing has space for two PCI adapter cards. There is also room for an optional AGP graphics card, although our system was configured to use the Intel Extreme graphics functions built into its 865G motherboard chipset. Thanks to this chipset, HP said the driver set for the d530 will remain stable for at least 15 months.

There are no spare drive bays for storage expansion, but few office desktop users will require anything beyond the hard disk, floppy and CD-ROM drive already fitted. The drive bays themselves can be hinged upwards out of the chassis for easy access to the disks and the motherboard underneath. Most other components inside the d530 can also be accessed without the need for tools, making maintenance easier.

At the rear of the system are the standard collection of ports, including legacy serial, parallel and PS/2 ports. The d530 also has two USB ports at the front of the case in addition to four at the rear. Network access comes courtesy of a Broadcom NetXtreme Gigabit Ethernet NIC.

The choices in the Bios firmware setup screen are notable for providing some useful features for administrators, including options for allowing or disallowing the operating system to be loaded from a USB Flash storage dongle; locking down all ports except PS/2 and graphics connections; and preventing users from changing the boot device order.

Our review unit came with Intel's Desktop Management Interface 1.11, HP's browser-based Intelligent Manageability software and Altiris's Client Service 5.5. The use of Client Service 5.5 requires configuration from a deployment server.

The d530 also comes with operating system, restore and documentation CDs. Recovering the system requires two disks and takes under 30 minutes. Our unit had Windows XP pre-installed, but Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3 is also supported.

Price: £893 + VAT for review model

Contact:HP 0845 270 4222

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Dell OptiPlex SX260

Daniel Robinson, IT Week — 2002-12-13T10:57:03.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, IT Week, Friday 13 December 2002 at 10:57:03

Dell's smallest PC to date comes with Gigabit Ethernet connectivity as standard and punches above its weight in terms of performance - but expansion options are limited

Dell's OptiPlex SX260 is a space-saving PC system that trades flexibility for a compact design. While the SX260 is no larger than many thin client terminals, it is a full-function PC that can be fitted with processors up to the latest 3.06GHz Pentium 4 and with up to 2GB of memory. However, because of the compact design, it lacks the expansion options of conventional desktop models.

Desk space is at a premium in many companies, and Dell is clearly addressing this with the OptiPlex SX260. At 24.7x8.4x24.2cm, the system is much smaller than a standard desktop, and could prove popular in such environments as call centres, receptions or ticketing counters.

Dell also supplies a mounting bracket that allows the unit to be fixed to the underside of a desk or behind a flat-panel monitor.

Despite this model's compact size, Dell has not compromised on performance. In tests, our review unit with a 2.8GHz Pentium 4 and 512MB of memory returned a Business Winstone 2002 benchmark score of 25.2, which compares with a score of 25.6 from a 3.06GHz reference system supplied by Intel. All SX260 models also have Gigabit Ethernet connectivity as standard.

In many respects, the OptiPlex SX260 follows in the footsteps of HP's e-PC range, now called the Evo D510 e-PC. Both designs have a lockable side panel to prevent access to the inside of the case, and both have an optional cover that can be fixed in place to control access to the rear I/O ports.

However, the original e-PC featured a single lock that secured both the case and the port cover at the same time. Dell's design has a lever at the rear of the case that frees the panel, and which is secured by fitting the port cover. But the port cover itself can only be secured by fitting a Kensington lock, which could also be used to chain the system down. We found the Dell port cover somewhat flimsy, and it could probably be pulled apart without much effort.

One notable feature of the OptiPlex SX260 is a media bay that accepts the same drive modules as Dell's Latitude laptop range. For firms using Latitudes, this could cut the number of peripherals that their IT department needs to keep in stock. Our review unit shipped with a combination DVD/CD-RW drive, but a dummy module can be fitted to prevent unauthorised software being loaded in this way.

Continuing the easy maintenance theme, the OptiPlex SX260's hard drive is located behind a side panel in the case, so it can be replaced without opening the system up. Also inside this panel is a mechanism that locks the media bay so modules cannot be removed.

Inside, the OptiPlex SX260 has a Dell motherboard based on an Intel 845G chipset. Its integrated Intel Extreme graphics functions take up to 64MB of memory from the system for the display. Two Dimm slots are on the motherboard, one of which was fitted with a 512MB module in our review system. Apart from PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports, expansion is limited to six USB ports, two on the front and four on the rear.

The OptiPlex SX260, which will ship this month, is priced from £589 + VAT for a 1.7GHz Celeron with 128MB memory. Our review unit came with a 15in TFT display and Windows XP Professional and was priced at £1,299 + VAT.

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Price: £1,299 + VAT as reviewed

Contact: Dell 0870 152 4699

ViewSonic Airpanel 100

Daniel Robinson, IT Week Labs — 2002-10-25T08:25:37.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week Labs, IT Week, Friday 25 October 2002 at 08:25:37

ViewSonic's Airpanel 100 can work as a mobile thin client via a wireless link, but is costly compared with standard terminals

ViewSonic's Airpanel 100 is a tablet-style device that can serve as a thin client terminal using either a LAN or a wireless connection. This would allow staff to access standard Windows applications from anywhere within range of a wireless access point. But the high price may put off potential buyers.

ViewSonic says the Airpanel 100 is a wireless monitor for business use but the device does not have a network link as standard, and has built-in support for a only a few 802.11b wireless LAN (WLAN) adapter cards.

In tests, we linked the Airpanel 100 to servers running Windows Terminal Services and Citrix Metaframe software, to access applications such as Word and Excel. We found the applications more responsive over a standard 10Mbit/s Ethernet link than over an 802.11b WLAN connection, and the direct cable link was also less troublesome to configure and use.

The Airpanel comes with Citrix ICA 6.0 and Microsoft RDP 5.1 clients built in for connecting to application servers. We found some display glitches in the Citrix client, and it was also less responsive than RDP 5.1.

ViewSonic's Airpanel is built around a 10in TFT display with a 800x600 resolution and has a touch-sensitive screen driven by a stylus. An optional £86 + VAT cradle adds 10/100Mbit/s Ethernet capability and lets users plug in a PS/2 keyboard and mouse. In this configuration, the Airpanel operates as a standard thin-client terminal. A USB keyboard can be used without the cradle.

For connections other than the Ethernet cradle, CompactFlash and Type II PC Card slots allow options such as 802.11b WLAN, modem or GSM/GPRS. But there is built-in support for few adapter cards, and unrecognised types require drivers to be installed. ViewSonic has no management tools to accomplish this and recommends that IT staff use a CompactFlash storage card to transfer drivers to the device from a PC.

Using the Airpanel with its cradle needs no configuration on a corporate LAN, as the device seamlessly configures its network adapter and obtains an IP address within seconds of being switched on.

Away from the cradle, we linked to a server using a Cisco Aironet 350 WLAN PC Card, for which the Airpanel has built-in support. Wireless configuration requires extra steps, however, such as setting the key for WEP security. Even with the correct settings, we often found establishing a WLAN connection to be a hit-and-miss affair.

The device weighs 1.1kg and comes with a built-in lithium ion battery that lasts for about five hours. An optional extended battery pack doubles this to 10 hours.

The Airpanel 100 provides a number of pre-installed local applications, including WordPad, Internet Explorer 5.5, Windows Messenger for CE and Media Player. It also comes with CalliGrapher, which converts writing from a stylus into text.

Price: £999 + VAT

Contact: ViewSonic 01293 643 900

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Sony Vaio PCV-LX1

VNU Business Publications staff — 2002-01-31T12:07:18.000Z

VNU Business Publications staff, IT Week, Thursday 31 January 2002 at 12:07:18

Sony's first desktop system is a compact, reduced-legacy PC.

Sony has gained a reputation for stylish and powerful notebook PCs, but the Vaio PCV-LX1 is the company's first desktop system.

Although aimed mainly at home users, the system's relatively small size could make it suitable for businesses where space is tight. On the downside, the system does not have any management tools and there are incompatibility issues with Windows 2000.

The machine measures 28 x 11 x 37cm, and has a built-in 10/100Mbit/s Ethernet adapter and IEEE.1394 FireWire ports, termed iLink by Sony.

The keyboard and mouse do not attach directly to the system, but plug into the supplied LCD monitor. This would allow the system unit to be stowed under the desk or on a shelf, further saving desk space.

However, it appears that there is no support for the Desktop Management Interface, which is essential for remotely gathering management information from corporate business systems. There are also compatibility issues relating to Windows 2000 with Sony's proprietary Memory Stick technology, so our review unit was running Windows Me.

In labs tests the PCV-LX1 returned a score of 33 from our application-based Business Winstone 2001 benchmark. This makes it comparable with other Pentium III 1GHz systems.

The system unit is legacy free and has no floppy disk drive. An external USB floppy unit is available as for an additional £59.99. A sliding panel on the unit hides the front facing ports, which are an odd mixture of a Type II PC Card slot, USB and mini-FireWire ports and a slot for Sony's proprietary Memory Stick Flash cards. At the rear is a proprietary connector for the LCD screen, another FireWire port, two USBs, audio jacks, VGA connector and the Ethernet port.

The monitor Sony supplied was a PCVA-15XA2 colour TFT LCD model. This uses a dual-hinge mechanism which makes the screen very flexible in terms of where it can be positioned, although it does not swivel. Two non-detachable 3W speakers are positioned at the sides of the panel.

The monitor uses a proprietary connector to feed the keyboard and mouse signals back to the system unit. These connect via PS/2 sockets at either side of the monitor stand.

Inside the PCV-LX1 is an Intel Pentium III running at 1GHz, supported by 128Mb of SDRam. This is only expandable to a maximum of 512Mb.

Graphics functions are integrated into the SiS 630B chipset, which copes well with the LCD's native XGA resolution of 1024 x 768 in 32bit colour. This chipset can borrow up to 32Mb of system memory, but the default is 16Mb.

The system's 60Gb Maxtor hard disk allows plenty of room for corporate applications and data, and storage is rounded off by a DVD/CD-RW combo drive, which has 32x CD read speed, 8x DVD read, 20x CD-RW read and 4x CD-RW write.

The least appealing part of the system is the keyboard's tacky attachable plastic palm rest. On the plus side, it features four quickstart buttons and a sleep button.

Sony pre-installed a fair amount of software on our system, most of which had multimedia abilities. It included Adobe's Acrobat Reader 4.05c, cut-down versions of Adobe's Premiere 5.1 and Photoshop 5.0.

Adaptec's Easy CD Creator 4.03a and DirectCD 3.03a were provided to support CDR and CD-RW functions. The system also has a documentation CDRom and a system restore CD.

Contact: Sony 08705 424424 www.vaio.sony-europe.com