Tech Shout!

NComputing, a provider of virtual PC solutions has announced the availability of its products on the open-source Ubuntu Linux OS. This offering provides for a cost-effective solution by leveraging the excess power of PCs and open-source license-free software.

NComputing’s latest offering capitalizes on the fact that most PC’s today are so powerful that the vast majority of applications only use a small fraction of their computing capacity. It uses this unused capacity so that it can be simultaneously shared by multiple users. Thus, each user’s monitor, keyboard and mouse are connected to a very small, yet reliable access device which is then connected to a shared PC. It must be noted that this access device has no CPU, memory or moving parts.

Previously available only for Windows OS, this solution allows schools and businesses worldwide to use virtual PC stations, complete with hardware, software, the Ubuntu operating system and the OpenOffice.org productivity suite.

According to Stephen Dukker, CEO and Chairman of NComputing, “NComputing has dramatically reduced the cost of PC computing to empower a new generation of users in underserved markets worldwide with affordable PC solutions.”

“Our virtual PC solutions, when combined with open-source software such as Ubuntu Linux and OpenOffice.org, are hard to beat,” added Dukker.

In fact, this innovative solution was the winner of the Wall Street Journal Technology Innovation Award for computer systems. Moreover, the Republic of Macedonia was able to fully deploy 1,80,000 student seats complete with 15-inch monitors, shared PCs and all software, peripherals, installation and training.

The latest NComputing solution is now available with both Linux and Windows operating systems. NComputing systems carry prices starting at just $70 per seat.