Making desktop computing almost free

With a new $20 chip from Ncomputing Inc., and $10 worth of computing components, just about any device might be used as a multimedia PC that runs applications from a local server or the Internet. The new chip, called Numo, was designed for business applications, such as virtual desktops in branch locations, and for a wide range of consumer applications.

Ncomputing CEO Stephen Dukker said upon announcing the chip that it will help move the cost of client computing "closer to zero." The type of enterprise devices Numo will power are very low-cost virtual desktop thin clients, network monitors, workstations running cloud applications and netbooks, smartbooks, tablet computers and more.

Numo integrates Ncomputing's distributed computing desktop virtualization technology, which enables multiple users to run as many Windows programs as they need while sharing a single computer. Dean Takahashi points out in a VentureBeat post that thin clients with Numo will be able to display high-definition video and multimedia, and the deployment cost would be much less than a desktop computer--possibly as low as $200.

FastCompany's Kit Eaton notes that Numo is much more powerful than nComputing's earlier chip technology. With the earlier system, an enterprise can create approximately 10 to 20 clients from a single desktop PC. Even though computing will always cost something, Eaton predicts that a super low-cost option like nComputing's Numo could be a very disruptive force.

For more:
- read nComputing's Numo announcement
- here's Dean Takahashi's post at VentureBeat
- check out Kit Eaton's post at FastCompany

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