On Wed, Mar 29, 2006 at 11:33:15AM -0800, Joseph Toman wrote: > > I couldn't help but notice that Dell is selling their entry level PC, > complete with all the trimmings, for around $400, which is less than the > cost/client of a thin client system when you factor in the server cost, > etc..
The problem with your argument is, of course, in the "etc.." bit. *MANAGEMENT* of a PC is a very expensive proposition. It's like a car: anyone can buy a $400 beater. Keeping it on the road, insured, in oil, replacing the engine, etc, is a completely different matter. > This is assuming you're buying your thin client system new and not > building it out of old hardware. Another completely bogus assumption. *LOTS* of people re-use equipment they've already got: in fact, the vast majority of people who come to #ltsp are looking to do exactly that. > So I'm wondering how one makes the case > for thin client systems when the up front cost for thick clients is > less. Less, for what? Is that thick client gonna come with WinXP professional? Is it gonna integrate into the network? Who's gonna set up the corporate proxy/email/apps? Does it already come with MS Office/OpenOffice.org installed? You can't just unbox a thick client, plug it in, and have the user sit down and work. You CAN however, with a thin client. Set up the app once on the server, and everyone's got it. Make global desktop changes, etc. > You could claim that maintenance costs are less, but who really > maintains Win32 systems? Uuuuhhh, huh? So, when one of our lawyers word processors doesn't launch, or she gets a virus, we're supposed to run out and buy a whole new machine? > Home users or small businesses certainly don't, > they can't afford the IT costs. I guess that's why all these small businesses/home users never have their computer literate friend over to help them get their pictures back after a virus, or take their computer down to the local computer shop to get it fixed, at $50.00/hr shop rates. Nope, that doesn't happen. > The model seems to be that the OS > degrades at about the same rate as the hardware until the system becomes > completely unusable, at which point a new computer with a new > preinstalled version of Windows is purchased and the cycle continues. So > how do you compete with disposable computers running disposable OSes ? > Just a thought. Yeah, you're right. I vote we shut down LTSP, and let the millions of people in Africa, Brazil, Europe and here in North America just keep buyin those $400 pc's. Regards, Scott -- Scott L. Balneaves | "Looking beyond the embers of bridges glowing behind us Systems Department | To a glimpse of how green it was on the other side..." Legal Aid Manitoba | -- Pink Floyd "High Hopes"
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