HP Drives Desktop Virtualization with Expanded Portfolio

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HP has introduced new mobile thin client hardware, extended software offerings and deeper industry alliances. The new HP 2533t Mobile Thin Client combines the best of HP's thin client and business notebook technologies to enhance data security and improve both ease of use and reliability. These professional innovations provide customers peace of mind to focus on business, while the company's plans to expand its Remote Graphics Software technology will provide one of the richest media experiences available among client virtualization solutions.

In addition, HP has announced its full portfolio of Citrix-Ready thin clients and blade client products is now available with Citrix XenDesktop, as well as being certified by VMware for compatibility with its VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure.

HP's broad remote client solutions portfolio of desktop virtualization offerings includes its Thin Client lineup, Blade PCs and workstations, HP Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), HP streaming clients with HP Image Manager, remote deployment, management software, and services. HP Remote Client Solutions help business customers dramatically reduce security risks and management and support costs by centralizing computing hardware and sensitive data within the data center.

HP has designed the HP 2533t Mobile Thin Client with an array of hardware and software that provide the mobility of a notebook and the enhanced security, improved ease of use and reliability delivered by thin clients. As security is a continuous customer challenge, the HP 2533t provides enhanced access to virtual computing solutions, such as blade PCs or a virtual desktop infrastructure, and increased protection of corporate data and software applications by storing files on a secure, centralized server. No data resides on the actual mobile thin client, so companies are assured that data is not compromised in the event the client is lost or stolen.

To remedy the reliability risk of that comes with true mobility, the HP 2533t is similar to traditional desk-based thin clients in that it is a solid-state system with flash memory and no moving parts. This provides faster data access and cooler operation for overall improved reliability and product lifespan.

Inspired by the durability, precision and lightness of aircraft construction, the new mobile thin client also features the HP DuraCase design for higher reliability, lower ownership costs and extended product life. The HP DuraCase is an incredibly strong outer casing that protects the top and bottom of the product for use in rigorous mobile user environments.

A magnesium/aluminum display enclosure uses an inner magnesium shell bonded for a more solid construction and enhanced display impact-protection. In addition, HP DuraKeys and HP DuraFinish both help keep the thin client looking new, longer.

The HP 2533t weighs only three pounds and features a 12.1-inch diagonal widescreen LED display, adding a smaller and lighter option to the portfolio's previously introduced 15.4-inch HP 6720t Mobile Thin Client. Integrated Wi-Fi certified WLAN provides access to the Internet, email and instant messaging while at work, home or any favorite hotspot, along with support for 3G broadband wireless via PC memory card slot for the ultimate secure, mobile computing experience. The HP 2533t also offers three flexible battery configurations for lightest weight or all-day computing and a convenient docking system.

The new mobile thin client simplifies IT operations by allowing administrators to manage multiple client types simultaneously from a remote location with features such as HP ThinState Tools to configure software and Altiris Deployment Solution to easily distribute applications over the network with little or no interruption to users.

Additional features help the HP 2533t lessen an organization's environmental impact. It includes power management features for more efficient performance and lower energy costs, as well as an HP Smart AC Adapter with built-in sensor to alert the notebook user of the power rating. It also includes the HP Illumi-Lite display, a highly efficient, mercury-free LED backlit display that reduces hazardous materials use and can extend battery life by up to 90 minutes.

The HP 2533t Mobile Thin Client is available now in the United States, Latin America, Asia and Japan.

HP also is announcing plans to further invest in the advanced multimedia technology on which the HP Remote Graphics Software (RGS) was created. HP is working with virtualization software vendors to expand the technology to significantly enhance the rich multimedia experience available through thin clients or other remote devices.

Originally developed in HP Labs, RGS is already in broad use by customers spanning financial services, healthcare, education and research, engineering, and digital content creation. HP will be working with its key software virtualization vendors to develop additional solutions for improved video performance, interoperability and scalability of large virtual desktop implementations serving business PC users.

HP RGS supports a remote, yet collaborative work model that helps overcome the distance barriers that can impede global organizations and delivers to remote client environments rich, local desktop-like user experiences. With HP RGS, professionals can work together, from any physical location with Internet access, and make decisions in real-time with more secure access to multimedia content including flash animations, video, hardware accelerated 2D and 3D applications.

Rather than sending user data or graphics commands that grow with image complexity, the RGS software captures the desktop image of the remote or "virtual" system and transmits it over a standard network to a window on a local thin client using advanced image compression technology, specifically designed for text, digital imagery and high frame-rate video applications.

While HP's thin clients have long been deployed in Citrix environments, the company's full thin client, blade PC and workstation portfolio has been designated "Citrix Ready" to ensure a simple and reliable Citrix experience.

In addition, HP thin clients are certified for the new Citrix XenDesktop appliance program across the line, with the HP Compaq t5730 Thin Client delivering the "Desktop Appliance Plus" experience and verified Citrix-Ready for Citrix Password Manager, Citrix XenApp (Citrix Presentation Server 4.0 & 4.5), Citrix XenDesktop and an embedded Desktop Receiver.

Citrix XenDesktop enables organizations to virtualize Windows desktops in the data center and deliver them on-demand to office workers in any location. This provides a flexible and streamlined software architecture for users working from remote locations, ensuring high-speed application across virtual infrastructures.

HP also now provides support for Citrix XenServer as well as the HP Select and Enterprise Edition of Citrix XenServer on select HP ProLiant and HP BladeSystem platforms. Using HP StorageWorks arrays and HP ProLiant servers, Citrix customers can easily and reliably deploy new virtual machines and optimize their technology infrastructure.

Additionally, HP's full portfolio of thin clients will be thoroughly tested and certified for the VMware Thin Client Certification Program, has also been announced by the company. With this certification, customers can be assured that HP thin clients will be easy to deploy, manage and reliably deliver the flexible, open platform and security of the VMware virtual desktop platform.

This expansion of the HP virtualization portfolio also extends the recently introduced ProLiant iVirtualization joint venture with Citrix, VMware and Microsoft, which uses customers' existing server management tools to integrate virtualization technology directly into a broad range of HP ProLiant and BladeSystem platforms. As such, when a server is powered on, it is automatically and immediately configured into a fully capable server virtualization environment. This enables companies to adopt server virtualization with greater speed and simplicity.

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