New full-size, high-res ultra-thin client a cost-efficient solution in secure, reliable client-server systems
(by Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, June 2010)

On June 28, 2010, the Tadpole product group of General Dynamics Itronix released the Tadpole M1500 Ultra-Thin Client, an industrial-quality, full-sized mobile platform for server-hosted applications running on Linux, UNIX or Windows hosts, and also offering complete Oracle Sun Ray compatibility.

While looking like a regular netbook computer, the Tadpole M1500 is an entirely different animal. Configured as a "thin client," the M1500 does not have local storage or computing capabilities. Instead, it is acting as a remote terminal to applications running on a host server (or multiple application servers). This means that the usual specs and performance criteria simply do not apply as all the processing is done on the host. The M1500 simply acts as a display with a keyboard that can be used anywhere within reach of a network. Tadpole's ultra-thin client software handles all connectivity and security, and even provides advanced features such as support for streaming HD video and real-time 3D graphics.

As far as specifications go, the Tadpole M1000 measures 14.1 x 11.0 inches, is 1.8 inches thick, and weighs just under 6 pounds. That is about the size of standard notebook computer, meaning the M1500 can go anywhere a notebook can. The M1500 also shares its display size and resolution with standard notebooks: 15.4 inches diagonally, 16:10 "wide format" aspect ratio, and gratifingly 1440 x 900 pixel WXGA resolution. The backlight is of the modern, efficient LED variety.

There's an 86-key keyboard that can emulate all the keys and functionality of a full 101-key standard keyboard. There's also a touchpad with two mouse buttons. No touch screen.

As far as connectivity goes, tthe Tadpole M1500 has three USB 2.0 ports, VGA and HDMI ports, audio in and out, and an RJ45 LAN jack for when you want to connect the device to a wired LAN. For wireless connectivity, there is 802.11a/b/g/n WiFi, and you can also get 3G Mobile Broadband or even old-fashioned modem functionality via USB. The M1500 also offers Smart Card security in addition to session manager-based secure access.

Tadpole's mobile think clients are not designed to be field-rugged devices, but they are sturdy and well-built and can handle heavy use.

The emphasis here, however, is not on the hardware, but on the inherent strengths of the client-server architecture where all apps are on the network. These are:

• Reduced total cost of ownership
• Remote management
• Greater security and data protection
• Multiple OS support
• "Instant on" functionality
• Access to advanced desktop features on minimal local hardware
• Seamless, sustainable operation
• Potential "green" advantages