Identity, Security, Payments, Biometrics, Smart Cards and Authentication News

Wyse introduces thin notebooks offering integrated smart card and Bluetooth support

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

California-based Wyse Technology has rolled out two new thin notebooks, the first mobile clients to offer built-in smart card support. The laptops, which feature multimedia video playback and integrated Bluetooth capabilities, don’t have hard drives. The data is meant to be stored on a server which traditionally has higher security features in place.


SAN JOSE, Calif.–Wyse Technology, a leader in thin computing, has announced the availability of its X90 and X90e thin notebooks. These are the first mobile thin clients to offer multimedia video playback, integrated Bluetooth(TM) 2.0 and built-in smart card support, 802.11b/802.11g, optional 3G wireless capabilities and a 12.1-inch LCD wide screen. Now the key benefits of thin computing such as greater security, flexibility and overall lower operating costs, can be extended to mobile users.

Powered by a VIA C7-M ULV, 1.2 GHz processor, the X90e utilizes the latest version of Microsoft Windows XPe. Unlike traditional notebooks, the Wyse X90e thin client displays applications housed on VMware(R) Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Citrix(R) Application Delivery and Microsoft(R) Windows Terminal Server data centers, and has no hard drive so information can’t be stored locally posing no security risk. All files and applications remain on the server where they are better protected from data theft and viruses.

“Given the shift to notebooks on the PC side, it’s critical for thin client vendors to come up with solid offerings and it finally seems as if those efforts are starting to bear fruit,” said Bob O’Donnell, Vice President of Research at IDC. “For the first half of 2007, mobile thin client shipments only represented 1.6 percent of the market. However, we expect that percentage to grow strongly over time.”

With no hard drive or fan, the Wyse X90 and X90e thin client notebooks have no moving parts, and therefore operates silently, with superior reliability. Other key features on these notebooks include 512MB of flash, 512MB of RAM, an overall weight of 3.88 Lbs with battery, capability for Ethernet, USB, built-in Wi-Fi, or cellular connections. This enables users to access data from any location served by cellular or Wi-Fi wireless providers, including sales and home offices or hotels.

“Our new Wyse X90 models deliver all the benefits of thin computing into the hands of workers who need mobile capabilities,” said Jeff McNaught, Chief Marketing Officer for Wyse Technology. “Thin clients have always been more secure and easy-to-administer but were largely confined to a desk. With the Wyse X90 and X90e, users get the flexibility of a notebook computer, while being able to take advantage of the hallmarks of thin computing – a secure, reliable and easy to manage operating environment.”

Additionally, the Wyse X90e comes with built-in support for the most popular ISO 7816 Class A and AB smart card standards, giving users a secure single sign-on system for accessing Microsoft Windows applications.

The Wyse X90 thin notebook complements existing Wyse thin client lines and comes in two configurations – X90 and X90e. The X90 retails for $699 while the X90e with built-in Bluetooth and smart card support retails for $779. Both models support Wyse’s zero client computing vision. Volume shipments will begin in late September. Wyse is offering introductory pricing until November at $599 (X90) and $679 (X90e).

About Wyse Technology Wyse Technology is the global leader in thin computing. Wyse and its partners deliver the hardware, infrastructure software, and services that comprise thin computing, allowing people to access the information they need using the applications they want, but with better security, manageability, and at a much lower total cost of ownership than a PC. Thin computing allows CIOs and senior IT professionals to reduce costs, manage risk, and deliver access to information. Wyse partners closely with industry leaders Microsoft, Citrix, VMware, and others to achieve this objective. Wyse is headquartered in San Jose, California, with offices worldwide.

For more information, visit the Wyse website at www.wyse.com or call 1-800-GET-WYSE. [end] 

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