Acer Unveils Its First Thin-Client Offerings

Acer America Corp. became the latest systems vendor to enter the thin-client market on Monday when it introduced two Windows-based terminals.

The company's entry into the thin-client arena followed that of Compaq Computer Corp. in October. Other systems vendors, including Sun Microsystems Corp., IBM Corp. and Hewlett-Packard Co., also sell thin clients.

Acer's new unit initially will be targeted at Acer resellers working with thin clients and Unix terminals, said Brad Richey, business development manager at Acer.

"However, the biggest target is the PC VAR," he said. "Thin clients are not a complete substitute for PCs, but an option for them to sell. We see PCs for content-oriented users, and thin clients for task-oriented users."

The WT 300 comes with embedded Windows CE and is based on a 200MHz Cyrix MediaGX LV processor. It supports 32 Mbytes or 64 Mbytes of RAM and has built-in audio and 10/100BaseT Ethernet capabilities.

In addition, one version of the WT 300 includes an integrated smart-card reader, while the other does not.

"The reader gives an extra level of security and [makes it] easier for users to access their desktops," said Richey. "In an environment where users are allowed to access data from any terminal, they can use the smart card to bring up their desktop from wherever they are. This is useful in areas such as hospitals, where a nurse may have to move from station to station," he said.

The WT 300 is currently available. Street prices start at about $529 without the Smart Card reader and $629 with the reader, Richey said.