Desktop platforms Toolkit
Story: Blade desktops need sharper competition
Interesting to compare HP and ClearCube
It is interesting that everyone compares HP and ClearCube when HP is strictly a thin-client solution and ClearCube can be either thick-client or thin-client. It is also interesting that no one reviews Cubix (www.cubix.com). Cubix is the real competition for ClearCube on the thick-client front. Here are a few comparision points:
Marketing
ClearCube is great on the marketing front.
Cubix significantly lacks marketing.
Motherboard/CPU Options
ClearCube uses a proprietary motherboard and is limited to following the Intel roadmap. This enables greater vertical density.
Cubix uses the standard ATX style motherboard permitting use of any CPU available in the format.
Desktop Connectivity
ClearCube uses IP based networking for their thin-client desktop connectivity. They use a proprietary analog signal for their thick-client desktop connectivity. This proprietary analog signal limits desktop connections options (i.e. USB 1.1 is available but not USB 2.0 or FireWire.)
Cubix uses PCI Express via fiber for desktop connectivity providing a 2.5GHz digitial signal and PCI slots at the desktop. Desktop connection options include USB 2.0 and Firewire.
Video
ClearCube offers Intel and NVidia video controller solutions.
Cubix will permit the intallation of any PCI video card in the desktop box.
Questions
1. Is thin-client the right environment for you or your customer?
2. How does proprietary hardware and software effect your solution and support picture in the long term?
There are many other factors that play into the comparison but they will need to wait for another day.
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