Analysis: Why PC Blades Are The Next Gen In Desktop Security

Leading Vendors

Neither the PC blade nor the thin client approach is for everyone, though there is one company providing both types of systems. In fact there is only one vendor, thanks to IBM’s exit from the marketplace, which provides a full spectrum of PC technology and that is HP (they have thin clients, blades, and are second in the PC market). HP recently announced a re-architected AMD and VIA based solution that provides the highest blade densities in the market today.

With Lenovo’s rise and IBM’s fall in the PC space, Lenovo coupled with Clear Cube is a best choice for enterprises not willing to go with HP. Hitachi is currently only providing their blade PC solution in Japan (where it apparently is very well received largely due to its space, heat, and noise advantages).

For thin clients, Wyse is the most aggressive non-HP solution and they recently partnered with Sun (which probably has the Sun employees hoping Sun will dump SunRay for Wyse) to broaden their capabilities. With their new AMD-based servers Sun may be able to get better user densities, however I’m still doubtful that anyone will use Sun as a viable choice for the desktop given the vendor’s clear lack of experience in this space.

It shouldn’t be surprising that industries that thrive on security, education (due largely to the physical security of the hardware and kids that like to take things apart), and government (particularly agencies like homeland security and the military) like the solution a lot because of its security advantages.

Ready or not, and primarily because of their sharp security advantages, blades are coming and it is worth your while to take a look and see just how much better things could potentially be for your team.

Rob Enderle is an analyst specializing in emerging personal technologies. He heads the Enderle Group, and has been an IT analyst since 1994. He spends his free time building computers and playing with personal technology prototypes. He can be reached at [email protected].