HP Expands Thin Client Portfolio with First Linux Offering

HP Compaq t5000 series thin clients are used for server-based computing in which most applications run on the server, and all data is stored on the corporate network. Thin clients are small, solid-state devices with no hard disk staging or complex image management. This allows the thin clients to be deployed quickly -- and at dramatically lower information technology (IT) costs -- with more reliability and security than standard PCs.

"With the affordability, reliability and security offered by today's thin clients, now is the opportune time for business customers to take a closer look at how a thin client computing model can help increase returns on technology investments for their company," said Jeff Groudan, vice president of commercial desktop marketing, Personal Systems Group, HP. "The HP Compaq Thin Client t5515 provides customers with the reliability and manageability needed for demanding corporate environments."

Starting at an estimated U.S. street price of $349,(1) the HP Compaq t5515 is ideal for call centers, medical environments, financial services and other IT infrastructures where access to centralized applications in a desktop-like experience is required. The t5515 brings industry-leading features and performance to thin client users with an 800-megahertz (MHz) energy-efficient Transmeta ™5800 processor, rich ATI graphics with 16 megabytes (MB) of dedicated graphics memory, up to 128 MB DDR SDRAM(2) and up to 128 MB Flash memory - all using a standards-based architecture.

The t5515 also offers increased security in the IT environment. With no removable media, users are unable to introduce new software to the system, reducing the likelihood of software and hardware conflicts, configuration issues and threat of system viruses. Also, as thin clients function only when connected to a server, there is a decreased risk of product or data theft.

The HP Compaq t5515 features energy-efficient Transmeta Crusoe processors with low thermal output, allowing higher performance in a small design. In addition, four USB ports are available for connection to a variety of peripheral devices such as printers, modems or external storage devices. An optional PCI slot adds flexibility by allowing support for expanded graphics, wireless connectivity(3) and port expansion.

The t5515 is available with the Linux operating system for customers requiring expanded hardware and application support. It also features a free copy of Altiris Deployment Solution, comprehensive management software for remote deployment, management and update of HP thin clients. Only HP offers business customers the ability to manage all of their networked clients - desktops, notebooks, workstations and thin clients - with this industry-leading package from Altiris.

The HP t5000 series thin clients offer business customers rapid deployment and key manageability features. Individual thin clients can be deployed in minutes, as all required configuration management and software application maintenance can be performed via a central server or administrator's console. These key features help customers reduce both initial deployment and ongoing support costs.

Availability and pricing

Starting at an estimated U.S. street price of $349,(1) the entry-level HP Compaq t5515 features an 800-MHz Transmeta Crusoe processor, 64 MB DDR SDRAM,(2) 32 MB Flash, ATI Radeon 7000-M graphics with 16 MB of dedicated video memory for better multimedia capabilities, four USB ports (including one serial, PS/2 and parallel port) and an optional PCI slot for added flexibility. The t5515 can be expanded to include 128 MB DDR SDRAM,(2) 128 MB Flash and a Mozilla browser for an estimated U.S. street price of $439.(1)

The original press release can be found here.