Chip PC's Thin Client Jack-PC

[Chris Gohlke]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/1580/chip_pc-s_thin' target='_blank'>http://www.ehomeupgrade.com/entry/1580/chip_pc-s_thin</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Prepared to be impressed. Chip PC has introduced a "computer in-the-wall" thin client PC called the Jack-PC that is so small and so self-sufficient that anyone who has a home wired up for Ethernet will want to take notice (via WindowsForDevices). The Jack-PC basically replaces your in-wall Ethernet LAN jack and swaps in a network virtual PC that interfaces independently with the home's central server. The Jack-PC includes connection ports for a keyboard, monitor (DVI/Analog), 4 USB devices, audio speakers (through a headphone jack), and microphone jack (MSRP $299)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/chip_pc_jack-pc.jpg" /> <br /><br />Pretty cool idea, but I think it is priced a bit too high. These days you can buy a full (albeit low-end) PC for about that price, so unless you are looking for a truly minimalistic approach or space is at a really high premium, this might not be the best option.

[follick]

If you have purchased alot of software or media it might be worth it. If I understand correctly you just need one copy for your main computer. So, for example you would only have to buy one copy of Microsoft Office for your home rather than one for each computer/terminal.

[Chris Gohlke]

Your absolutely right, I had not thought about it from that perspective.

[rlobrecht]

You can't legally use a single copy of your apps for multiple people without multiple licenses.

These devices are designed to be used in a Citrix or Windows Terminal Server environment. You have a large server on the backside, with your apps installed, and this device connects to the server to receive a desktop.

You probably can use one of these with yrou Windows XP Pro box over Remote Desktop, but only a single person would be working at a time.