LG launches virtualisation monitor

 

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By Reuters

Posted on 19 Jun 2009 at 08:12

LG will start selling flatscreen monitors this month that can function as virtual computers, saving costs by allowing multiple users to run programs off a single PC.

LG's new liquid crystal display SmartVine N-series monitors will include embedded virtualisation technology from US-based NComputing. Users can connect a keyboard and mouse directly to the monitor, which will in turn connect to a standard PC.

Through virtualisation, the LG monitor will allow as many as 11 users to share a single PC for a total cost of roughly £1,800, NComputing claims.

"Every single one of our workstations needs a monitor, so why not build our technology directly into the monitor," said Stephen Dukker, chief executive of NComputing.

Dukker previously founded and was CEO of low-cost PC outfit eMachines, which was eventually sold to Gateway in 2004.

A 19in SmartVine N-series monitor will cost $199 in the US. The displays, which LG will begin marketing globally this month, can also be used as traditional monitors.

LG said the target market for the monitors is mainly education and service environments such as call centers. LG shipped more than 15 million monitors in 2008.