Launch! Thank you!
Thank you to our first-day backers! Awesome!
We've already gotten some questions, and want to answer them here. And we also have some other updates.
First of all, I wanted to mention that I'm typing this on a Plugable DC-125 connected to a Core i5 box running Fedora 17 Beta 1. We have 5 other terminals attached to the same box. So while you're backing (thank you!), we're really using this as our main computers. We want what we deliver to you in September to be as rock solid and well-tested as possible.
News: What others are saying
- Quentin Stafford-Fraser, Founder of DisplayLink and Ndiyo, and his thoughts on the Plugable Thin Client
- Michael Larabel, of Phoronix.com, and his experiences using the Plugable Thin Client.
What's included with each DC-125?
Questions and Answers
"I was wondering, what are the server's requirements in terms OS, USB ports, and power to handle a certain number of clients? I mean, there should be a limit to how many thin clients you can support."
Yes, definitely. Generally, we say a "limit of 16 thin clients per server".
But it can actually go higher. In terms of absolute limits, USB's limit of 127 devices per host controller and the fact that each thin client internally is several devices (5 for the DC-125, and 8 for the UD-160), means you have a top there of 16-25 devices per host controller, assuming everything is maxed out, and a perfect USB topology.
Performance-wise, we've run 2-4 thin clients with PCs as slow as a single core Atom with 2GB RAM, and they're quite usable (although you'll just generally have rendering delays on a platform like that). I wouldn't recommend it for anything more than 4.
There are lots of older PCs (Pentiums/Core Duos, etc.) that you could reuse or repurpose that would work great for 5 or so thin clients.
For a full deployment of 5-20 thin clients per machine, we'd recommend a Core i3 or higher class processor. If everyone is running lots of different apps, max out memory if possible.
Here in our office, we're running a Core i5 Sandy Bridge machine with 3GB RAM for 6 thin clients getting heavy use for information work. Unless multiple people are playing video, performance appears identical to us each having a computer of our own.
"So, the only option for people outside US is a pack of five of the lesser model? It's a lot for one person, but a group by might be possible. But, the resolution is a bit limited for my taste, since I've grown accustomed to having two displays all for myself :)
So any other options for us outside the US?"
We would love to have more options for those outside the US! The limitation is shipping cost, VAT, and customs (and for the UD-160, localizing the power plug). So we've focused on what we know we can deliver: A 5-pack of DC-125 (which uses only USB bus power), delivered in a known flat rate box.
The idea of gathering a group together to buy a set of 5 and have it delivered to one place -- that's an awesome idea. Please do that, and let us know if we can help facilitate it in any way. That's a great way to cost-effectively get units around the world.
And if you're a backer who would be interesting in coordinating distribution in your country, please let us know (you can email kickstarter@plugable.com). We can get you on a list to help figure out better solutions.
And if you have a specific idea or request, please just email us. We plan to add more Rewards over the course of the project, and hope to figure out more than the one current option to serve those outside the USA!
"Being able to easily merge two or more displays/desktops together (temporarily) would be awesome and a great selling point, since not all seats would be taken all the time."
We sell thousands of USB graphics adapters to provide this kind of functionality on Windows - and I'm totally with you, this would be cool. It's some significant modifications to what's currently working, but it is doable. If this KickStarter exceeds its goals, it's a great stretch project to look at. Thank you!
Again to our backers so far: THANK YOU!!
103
Backers
$8,478
pledged of $125,000 goal
0
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Funding Unsuccessful This project reached the deadline without achieving its funding goal on June 20, 2012.
Funding period
May 1, 2012 -
Jun 20, 2012
(50 days)
- First created · 7 backed
- Bernie Thompson 189 friends
- Website: plugable.com
Pledge $1 or more
26 backers
You'll receive our sincere gratitude and your name proudly displayed on the plugable.com/multiseat backers page. This reward also applies for all pledge levels below.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $10 or more
1 backer
You'll receive a bootable CD that lets you easily try multiseat thin clients on any PC without having to install anything or change the system at all. Just plug in thin clients to automatically get additional logins. USA shipping for CD only. Included in all for all higher pledge levels (USA and International)
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $25 or more
16 backers Limited (84 of 100 left)
Help a school or organization. For each pledge of this amount, we'll set aside one DC-125 to add to our lending library. Schools can request a kit of 5 DC-125s to try for 90 days, with software and instructions. See http://plugable.com/multiseat/dc-125-lending-library/ for details and a form to recommend a school or nonprofit for the program (US organizations only). As a backer, your name will be matched to a particular unit and you'll be able to track the schools your unit visits on its travels.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $60 or more
7 backers
You'll receive one Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Client (model DC-125), enabling two people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (monitor up to 1280x1024, keyboard, mouse, and headset). USA Only Shipping Included.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $75 or more
26 backers
You'll receive one AC powered Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Client (model UD-160-M), enabling two people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (each with their own monitor up to 1920 x 1080, keyboard, mouse, headset, and 4 other USB devices). USA Only Shipping Included.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $80 or more
1 backer
INTERNATIONAL. You'll receive one Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Client (model DC-125), enabling two people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (monitor up to 1280x1024, keyboard, mouse, and headset). Worldwide Shipping Included.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $95 or more
3 backers
INTERNATIONAL. You'll receive one AC powered Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Client (model UD-160-M), enabling two people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (each with their own monitor up to 1920 x 1080, keyboard, mouse, headset, and 4 other USB devices). US style plug only, but supports 100-240V input. Worldwide shipping included.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $275 or more
2 backers
You'll receive five Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Clients (DC-125), enabling up to six people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (each with their own monitor up to 1280x1024, keyboard, mouse, and headset). USA Only Shipping Included.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $335 or more
2 backers
INTERNATIONAL. You'll receive five Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Clients (DC-125), enabling up to six people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (each with their own monitor up to 1280x1024, keyboard, mouse, and headset). Worldwide shipping included
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $350 or more
7 backers
You'll receive five AC powered Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Clients (UD-160-M), enabling up to six people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (each with their own monitor up to 1920 x 1080, keyboard, mouse, headset, and 4 other USB devices). USA Only Shipping Included.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $410 or more
3 backers
INTERNATIONAL. You'll receive five AC powered Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Clients (UD-160-M, US PLUG STYLE 100-240V 50-60Hz), enabling up to six people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (each with their own monitor up to 1920 x 1080, keyboard, mouse, headset, and 4 other USB devices). Worldwide shipping included.
Estimated delivery: Oct 2012Pledge $500 or more
0 backers
The $50 Additional Computer. You'll receive ten Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Clients (DC-125), enabling up to 11 people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (each with their own monitor up to 1280x1024, keyboard, mouse, and headset). USA Only Shipping Included.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers
"The Classroom Kit". You'll receive 20 Plugable USB Multiseat Thin Clients (DC-125), enabling up to 21 people to use your Fedora 17 Linux PC at the same time (each with their own monitor up to 1280x1024, keyboard, mouse, and headset). PLUS 5 Plugable powered USB hubs and 5 Plugable 10 meter cables to flesh out your entire USB setup to span a classroom. USA Only Shipping Included.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012Pledge $10,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
Philanthropist Level. "Seed the World". 200 Plugable DC-125 thin clients shipped in cases of 20 to anywhere in the world that the backer specifies. We can send all to one location, or the backer can give us a list of schools / non-profits around the world to send to. We'll include materials in every case communicating the backers' message. If the backer has any other special requests, we'll do whatever we can to fill them.
Estimated delivery: Sep 2012
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