HP jumps on XenClient bandwagon

HP has added to its client virtualisation offerings with new thin client devices plus the first systems designed to work with Citrix's XenClient technology, although the latter is not even available yet.

Announced at Citrix's Synergy conference in San Francisco, the HP Compaq Elite 8000 desktop and HP EliteBook 8440p laptop are the first 'Citrix Ready' systems designed to support Citrix's XenClient technology, according to HP.

However, HP would only say that the two systems are "expected" to be the first with XenClient support, as XenClient itself is not yet available.

Citrix has today released only XenClient Express, a free trial and evaluation kit, while the full product is now slated to appear later this year, long after it should have been available.

At the time of writing, HP had not responded to requests for clarification on exactly what support for XenClient is currently implemented in the new systems.

XenClient uses virtualisation to partition client systems up into a centrally managed corporate environment and a personal environment, both operating on the same device, with the corporate environment synchronised back to the datacentre.

HP also introduced a new thin client designed for mobile workers, the HP 4320t. The 13.3in laptop-style device runs Windows Embedded Standard and features a brushed aluminium metal finish and weighs in at 1.95kg.

HP said that the new system helps reduce the workload of IT staff with manageability features such as HP ThinState tools, HP Device Manager and preinstalled Altiris Deployment Solution software.