X550 PCI CARD with L230 Box

[Multi-user]

MiniFrame is a SOFTWARE ONLY solution and doesn't have any propitiatory device. You can check ZDNet's Dan Kusnetzky's blog on this subject: MiniFrame SoftXpand | Virtually Speaking | ZDNet.com

[dhicks]

Not that many restrictions with the volume license

Ah, no worries for us, then. Thanks for the link.

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David Hicks

[dhicks]

MiniFrame is a SOFTWARE ONLY solution and doesn't have any propitiatory device.

Okay, but if I understand correctly you have to have a suitable number of graphics cards installed to provide a VGA port for every monitor. Also, how much is the MiniFrame system? I had a look around the website but I couldn't find a price anywhere.

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David Hicks

[Multi-user]

MiniFrame doesnt use any proprietary hardware. Therefore they are no added device. You can read the ZDNet blog regarding software licenses here:
MiniFrame SoftXpand | Virtually Speaking | ZDNet.com

[Multi-user]

If you are located in the UK. You should contact MiniFrame UK (MiniFrame Multi-user PC Software- Thin Client - MultiSeat - Multi-user computing - Green IT)
The average end user license price is $100 per workstation

[dhicks]

MiniFrame doesnt use any proprietary hardware.

Does MiniFrame require a VGA (or DVI) port for every workstation? If so, does it support dual-head graphics cards? To support 8 workstations do I need to buy 4 dual-head graphics cards? Is there a list of compatible graphics cards somewhere?

Do you know how much MiniFrame costs?

Are you a reseller / employee of MiniFrame?

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David Hicks

[Multi-user]

Hi. Yes SoftXpand supports dual head video card.
In our school we have SoftXpand with 6 workstations (the current PCs supporing 4 video cards are too expensive at this point)

I am from a school using SoftXpand in the UK.

We bought from their distributor here.

I assume you can ask Miniframe.com to point you to a reseller in your area

[dhicks]

In our school we have SoftXpand with 6 workstations (the current PCs supporing 4 video cards are too expensive at this point)

Do you have any idea, in total, what that 6-workstation setup cost you? I'm guessing you had to buy a PC, 3 graphics cards, some sort of operating system and licenses for SoftXpand - any idea what the total was? When I total up the cost for our 4-workstation NComputing setup (PC, NComputing card, second-hand screens, Windows Server license) it comes out at around £800, so £200 per workstation, which isn't bad but is still starting to sound expensive when compared to a £99 laptop.

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David Hicks

[Multi-user]

Frankly I dont know the price, we bought a turn-key solution with a high speed PC *6. If you are in the UK I think you should check with MiniFrameUK.com

[verygreenpc]

Hi All,

For any new / late comers to this post like me I would like to provide some comments:

1 - SoftXpand is £65 SRP per user
2 - It is software only which means that the host PC must have a motherboard with enough slots for the graphic cards. If 6 users required, then 3 dual head graphics cards will be needed. We keep the solution software only as you as end users can then transparently keep up with the best mix of cost / technology. It stands to reason that as the hardware develops, SoftXpand will beome even better too.
3 - Most customers buy pre built Multiseat Computers already populated with their requirements.
4 - We had the Ncomputing sales manager from e92plus in our offices last month and he stated that they prefer customers to use Windows Server. On the latest webinar the US Country Manager suggested 1 copy of Windows per computer.

I remember that in July of last year Ncomputing was suggesting serious cost savings on software licensing. What has happened since then for this to no longer be a sales argument is what I'm wondering?

Any further SoftXpand questions do let me know or try tmcd35 or dhicks & see if they'll help. Their knowledge is growing significantly and their views are unbiased.

Kind regards,
Col

[Nick_Parker]

Just a warning to those using the ncomputing stuff, just tried to install it on a newly updated PC and having issues with a Windows Update clashing with the NCS Software.

[dhicks]

Also, if you've just Googled on in, this thread contains further discussion:

Softxpand system

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David Hicks