Thin client draws only 11 Watts

By Eric Brown
2009-07-20

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Fujitsu is shipping a fanless, Linux-compatible thin client touted for its low power consumption. The Fujitsu Futro S100 is equipped with a 500MHz Via Eden ULV processor, offers a 512MB internal flash drive, and consumes less than 11 Watts under full load, claims Fujitsu.

The latest in a long line of Fujitsu Futro S-series thin clients, the Fujitsu Futro S100 is designed for both server-based thin clients and "virtual workplace solutions," says Via Technologies, which is promoting the thin client as a design win.

Equipped with a 500MHz Via Eden processor and the Via VX800 graphics chipset, the S100 is said to support 1GB of DDR2 memory. The VX800's Chrome9 HC3 integrated graphics core offers full DirectX 9.0 support, and its Via Chromotion video engine provides hardware acceleration of MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, and VC1 video formats, says Via.

According to Fujitsu, the Futro S100 ships with a 512MB solid-state internal flash drive. I/O is said to include an Ethernet port, four USB 2.0 ports, and serial and PS/2 ports.

The 1.7 x 7.3 x 7.3-inch device can be mounted on the back of a monitor, says the company. Thanks in part to the Via Eden ULV, which consumes only 1 Watt peak power and as low as 100mW (0.1 Watt) idle power, the device is said to consume 11 Watts at maximum load.

Three views of the Futro S100
(Click to enlarge)

The Futro S100 offers a default install of the company's Linux-based eLux RL or eLux Lite, but the device is also compatible with Windows CE 6.0, and supports both VMware and Citrix virtualization environments. In addition, the device provides ICA, RDP, and Tarantella clients, as well as supporting several terminal emulation protocols, says the company (see list below).

Futro S100 mounted on a monitor
(Click to enlarge)

Specifications listed for the Fujitsu Futro S100 include:

Processor -- Via Eden 500 ULV (500 MHz)
Chipset -- Via VX800
Memory -- up to 1GB via 1 x SODIMM (DDR2, 800MHz)
Storage -- 512MB CompactFlash module (IDE)
Graphics:
- VX800-based Chrome9 HC3 graphics engine
- Chromotion video engine for acceleration of MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV9, and VC1
- Up to 1920 x 1440 resolution; 32-bit colors
- 256MB shared memory
- 1 x VGA port
Networking -- 10/100 Ethernet
USB -- 4 x USB 2.0 ports (two front-facing)
Serial -- 1 x RS-232
Mouse/keyboard -- PS/2 port
Audio:
- Via VT1708S codec
- 16-bit, high-definition stereo
- 1 x Line-in and mic
- 1 x Line-out and headphone
Other features -- Monitor mounting option; Kensington Lock support
Customization options:
- Wireless LAN support
- Remote administration
- Printer support
- Firewall support
Software features and client support:
- ICA-Client (incl. connection broker)
- RDP-Client functionality
- Mozilla, Opera, or Firefox browser
- Acrobat Reader
- Tarantella-Client
- Terminal emulations for ANSI, 97801, VT320
- X.11 terminal application
- Local SAP GUI (optional, provided by UniCon Software Development)
- VPN -- optional Linux version from Cisco (license required, provided by UniCon)
- IBM 3270 / 5270, Fujitsu 9750 emulation (license requested, provided by UniCon)
- Virtual workplace support
Power -- AC input 100 - 240 V, 50-60Hz
Power consumption -- 11W maximum; 10W idle; 1W "Minimum"
Dimensions -- 1.7 x 7.3 x 7.3 inches (42 x 185 x 185mm); Mini-ITX motherboard
Operating temperature -- 41 to 104 deg. F (5 to 40 deg. C)
Operating system -- Linux-based eLux RL and eLux Lite; Windows CE 6.0; VMware; Citrix

Stated Richard Brown, VP of Marketing, Via Technologies, "The Futro thin client series from Fujitsu represents the leading edge of energy-efficient client computing, something we are proud to be a part of."

Stated Rajat Kakar, VP, Clients Group, of Fujitsu Technology Solutions, "The Fujitsu Futro S100 offers business users extremely low energy consumption per seat, helping to minimize the environmental impact and expense of doing business in today's competitive economic landscape."

Availability

The Fujitsu Futro S100 is available now to business customers, at an undisclosed price. More information may be found here.

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