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Lenovo to Sell Blade Desktops

Posted by timothy on from the the-thin-client-is-back-again-and-again dept.

Some guy writes "Having acquired IBM's PC division, Lenovo will become the first major reseller of blade desktops. Blade desktops feature only input devices and a 'networking unit,' connecting to a blade server for computational power. Such thin client designs reduce support needs and cluttered desk space, but require complex deployments to work well."

4 of 160 comments (clear)

  1. Thin Client Redux by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 4, Informative


    Here's a link containing some more detailed information about ClearCube's technology.

    So...thin clients are back in vogue yet again...let's see if they stick this time. With the Blade Desktop's modular architecture and ability to run the KVM over standard, existing LAN infrastructure, this iteration might have a shot.

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    1. Re:Thin Client Redux by jbolden · · Score: 4, Informative

      1) They refresh from the server so if something goes wrong you can simply push the off button and turn them on again

      2) No HD and no fan means no moving parts (except keyboard and mouse) and thus very few hardware failures (except keyboard and mouse)

      3) Your end users don't have physical access to machines with data on them. This is a huge plus for security.

  2. NOT a thin client by A+nonymous+Coward · · Score: 4, Informative

    Thin clients keep all their info on the server. This is NOT a thin client. It might be called a remote client, but each blade has its own CPU, disk drives, etc. Each blade is a full PC, serving just one desktop. The only thing unusual is that the PC is located in the server room instead of on the desktop. Thin clients are really just a minor variation on the old timeshare model of big expensive computers. This could only be considered a thin client if you think of every user having their very own dedicated server.

    Thin clients vs PCs are like taxis vs private cars. Blade PCs are like private cars kept in a communal garage, like an apartment block vs a private house.

    You didn't even read your own link. This is a new low for slashdot, methinks.

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  3. NOT a thin term by Predius · · Score: 5, Informative

    For those too lazy to RTFA...

    These are not thin terms. It's a bunch of full function blade servers, on a managed KVM backplane. You then have remote 'end nodes' that supply DVI/USB/sound over Cat5, Fiber, or IP, your choice.

    So far, this is pretty ho-hum, boring. The neat trick is the software that comes with it. Take an 8 blade chassis, setup 7 users on it, each with their own PC. Blade 8 is now your hot spare. Uh oh, Joe just had a failure? Fire up the management app from your desk, swap him to blade 8. Without getting up, Joe now has a new system, and you can deal with the failed blade on your time, either remotely via your end node, or in the server room.

    No, it's not a huge advancement, but for places that maintain large fleets of desktops that run near identical OS/software installs, it makes system management and maint a bit easier by reducing time lost to running around shuffling hardware.