Sun Microsystems to press ahead with its JavaStation NC Tom Foremski
Despite falling PC prices that have undermined the attractiveness of network computers (NCs) Sun Microsystems is pressing ahead, and plans to introduce a $500 JavaStation NC in early 1999.
NCs have been criticised for offering too little in terms of a stripped down hardware platform compared with full featured PCs which offer more and cost less. Sun hopes that its low cost JavaStations will address that complaint and show that NCs are still a viable platform for large corporations.
IBM, Wyse and Sun are the major proponents of NCs but the focus has shifted from low hardware acquisition costs to looking at total cost of ownership with a strong reliance on server based systems networking a wide range of thin client platforms.