LG Electronics is going to produce a new category of SmartVine N-series LCD monitors that include embedded 'virtualization' technology from US-based NComputing Inc., enabling up to 11 people to share a single PC. These monitors will be marketed worldwide by LG beginning this month, reports efytimes.
Virtualization refers to technology that allows one computer to perform the work of many machines. The sub-$200 computing solution will further drive the acceleration towards desktop virtualization and 'cloud computing' in which computing is centralised and done over the Web.
Customers are increasingly turning to desktop virtualization, Software as a Service (SaaS), and Web-hosted applications to lower their IT costs. NComputing estimates that customers for LG SmartVine N-series monitors with embedded NComputing desktop virtualization technology can lower their computer hardware costs by 60 per cent, maintenance costs by 70 per cent and electricity costs by 90 percent.
LG's new flatscreen monitors will work with both Windows and Linux computers. Users connect their keyboards and mice directly to the monitor, which then connects to the host PC via a standard cable. An NComputing X550 PCI Card Kit with vSpace software enables the host PC to connect to five additional monitors. With two kits, a total of 11 users can share one PC.
In the United States, the LG SmartVine N-series line will include 17 and 19-inch class monitors (models N1742L-BF and N1941W-PF) covering both standard and widescreen resolutions. A 16-inch class model will also be available in other countries. All LG SmartVine N-series monitors can also be used as traditional monitors that connect through VGA for ultimate flexibility.
