Dell reveals faster, more efficient OptiPlex 980; FX100 Zero Client
Dell on Tuesday announced its faster, more energy-efficient OptiPlex 980 desktop and FX100 zero client, intended for IT professionals looking for alternatives to deploy in the enterprise.
Dell calls its new OptiPlex 980 its highest performing business desktop to date, with up to 35 percent greater performance than previous generation OptiPlex systems.
The company also says the OptiPlex 980 has a more energy-efficient design, and includes new management features such as virtual remote control capability with Intel KVM (keyboard, video and mouse) and simplified task management with Dell's Update Catalog for Microsoft Systems Center.
Highlights of the system:
- Intel Core i5 or Core i7
- Solid state drive options
- A 90 percent energy-efficient power supply
- Rated Energy Star 5.0 and EPEAT Gold. Also contains more post-consumer recycled content than previous generations.
- Optional EcoKit delivers 50 percent lower volume than competing desktops.
- The latest generation of Intel vPro remote management support
The OptiPlex 980 will be available "in coming weeks" and starts at $807.
So what is a zero client, exactly? (As opposed to a thin client?) A zero client can be managed without the need of a processor, operating system or corporate image.
The FX100 uses PC-over-IP technology (PCoIP) to help businesses centralize client desktops and preserve the performance of a traditional PC over LAN and WAN. The FX100 supports VMware View 4.0 with PCoIP.
(The FX100 was previously only available as an access device for the Precision R5400 rack workstation.)
Highlights of the system:
- Centralized client image management, storage, and processing
- Real-time secure access to corporate resources
- Flexible access to virtualized client desktops
- Support for PC capabilities such as optional support for host-based OpenGL graphics, USB, motion graphics and audio interactions
- "Near-zero" footprint: the FX100 has a fanless, driverless and stateless form factor
More information can be found on Dell's Flexible Computing site.