Tektronix Inc has announced its next network computer as the NC400 Business Network Computer, which replaces the XP400 series and is designed for the high-end, financial services, process control, telecommunications, manufacturing and engineering markets. It is based on an NEC MIPS R4310 RISC processor running at 165MHz and uses an embedded VX operating system from Windriver Systems Inc, although the user only sees the web browser interface. The product comes as standard with 8Mb of synchronous DRAM and is expandable up to 72Mb. While the NC400 doesn’t comply with the rival WintelNetPC standard, it does feature support for Citrix Systems Inc’s ICA client which means that users can still access Windows-based applications. David Pinckard, Tektronix’s VP and general manager, Network Displays, said the fact that the NC400 contained no hard drive (in keeping with the standard network computer specification) meant it was easier to maintain and about 20 times more reliable as most PC-based systems. Support for dual monitors also allows customers to display twice as many windows as is possible with other thin clients. Pinckard said this is important for applications such as critical call centers or for systems monitoring large power plants or oil refineries who need to view vast amounts of data at one time. Each of the 21-inch monitors can provide resolution up to 1600×1200 dpi and they can be controlled by a single keyboard and mouse. The NC400 also provides digital video support, delivering 30 frames-per-second MPEG-1 video. It also comes with the Tektronix’s version of the Navio browser, which enables users to play MPEG-1 video files and still have an ICA client window running at the same time.
