Pano Zero Client: I'm A PC, A Tiny PC

Someday, this whole operating system fan war will end and you may not even require an operating system at all to run the things you need. This idea is called "cloud computing" and Google's doing all it can to try and streamline this idea. The Pano Zero Client apparently has the same idea - no operating system, no software, nada. Basically, it's meant to be used only through a network connection where you can basically do all your normal day things. The only difference is that you'll be in the "clouds," consuming about 3% of a normal PC's power, feeling all good and green about yourself.

The idea is pretty bold and we're probably going to need to keep a close eye on it in case it explodes like the whole "netbook" revolution. It's an interesting concept - to be able to work completely without having to purchase expensive hardware to run the latest and greatest software. Surely, it'll cut down on wastes for everyone and the meaning of "green" might actually start to truly go into effect.

The computer does have the bare basics - a VGA plug and a USB hookup, as well as audio in/out jacks.

No word on street date or pricing as of yet.

[via GearCrave and Dvice]

Comments (2)

These devices are actually out and available now, although the article doesn't really cover the concept very accurately.

The Pano device, while small and chrome-covered, still requires a computer someplace to connect to. This computer provides the big CPU and memory and all the good stuff you need to run the latest and greatest applications. So it doesn't really remove these components from the picture, but it does at least let you move them out of sight.

The real idea behind Pano today is for companies to have a small bank of servers in the computer room or data center that have all the processing, and to just have the Pano on the floor. These servers would run many virtual desktops and each Pano device would connect to one - the shiny chrome cube acts as a remote display over ethernet. The performance is pretty good for business applications, but you need to have 100mbps ethernet at a minimum. They are effectively just pretty thin clients, similar to a Wyse S10 or a SunRay.

Someday companies like Google and others could host your desktop for you and let you jump off to other applications and services, but the display protocols and line speeds will need to improve before it's viable for most computing tasks.

~K

posted by kingtd on December 9th 2008 at 6:08pm
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Pano is an incomplete solution – here’s why

The challenge with Pano is the limited desktop performance – display resolution, video and graphics. While better than plain RDP, it is a compromised experience compared to a PC at the user desk.

There is another Zero Client solution that provides and un-compromised user experience and that is PC-over-IP (PCoIP) technology.

To be truly cost effective a Zero client needs to handle any user - from terminal/task workers, mainstream office users and power users that may require full DVI resolutions and full frame rate 3D graphics. This is what PCoIP delivers.

Check out this Zero Client that is an all-in-one display that Samsung just announced (SyncMaster 930ND) it supports VMware View (aka VDI) and PCoIP to be forward compatible when Vmware VIew integrates PCoIP technology (see vmware announcement with Teradici at the Sept08 Vmworld)

See this performance demo including HD video and 3D graphics. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzGmwNIpFG4

Also, this flash overview from Samsung http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fl5MolZgp4Y

For full disclosure, I am the Director of Business Development at Teradici. For more info go to www.teradici.com