HP has launched a new zero client which uses “one-wire” technology to deliver power over Ethernet.
Developed in collaboration with technology company 3M, the HP t410 All-in-One (AiO) combines an 18.5-inch display and zero client in a single unit, and is designed for space-constrained environments such as schools, hospitals and call centres.
It is also extremely energy-efficient, operating at between 5 and 13 watts of power – around 80% less than normal work stations – making it suitable for use in countries such as Africa, India and China, where power can be unreliable.
The t410 AiO uses a Texas Instruments DM8148 system-on-a-chip design, incorporating an ARM CPU and an integrated Digital Signage Processor (DSP), that allows it to display full-screen HD video, complex graphical content and rich media without compromising on performance.
“You’re letting the DSP do the hard work, talking to the server and delivering the rich media experience, thereby reducing the requirements on the CPU,” said HP product marketing manager Walter Jurek, speaking to Techworld at HP’s Global Influencer Summit 2012 in Shanghai.
Meanwhile, polarising filters from 3M, similar to those deployed on smart TVs, allow HP to retain screen brightness while using “less power than the light bulb in your refrigerator,” said Jurek.
HP claims that delivering power over Ethernet means that customers get a cleaner, more reliable power source that requires less cabling and set-up time, and only requires one UPS at the switch level.
The t410 AiO supports multiple protocols and can be reprogrammed on the fly. It also includes auto-sensing technology that automatically connects to the network and searches for a customer’s existing client virtualisation environment, be it from Citrix, Microsoft or VMware.
The HP t410 AiO will available in the summer. For organisations that don’t have power over Ethernet capability, each unit also has an AC power jack. 3M is deploying the zero clients in its own factory for use as part of production.
Also at the Global Influencer Summit in Shanghai, HP announced Z220 Workstations and EliteBook Mobile Workstations, offering improved performance and efficiency for professionals, as well as the touch-enabled HP RP7, aimed specifically at the retail sector.
