Chip PC’s Thin Client Jack-PC

By | October 31st, 2005 comments icon (6) Comments


chip pc jack pcPrepared to be impressed. Chip PC has introduced a “computer in-the-wall” thin client PC called the Jack-PC that is so small and so self-sufficient that anyone who has a home wired up for Ethernet will want to take notice (via WindowsForDevices). The Jack-PC basically replaces your in-wall Ethernet LAN jack and swaps in a network virtual PC that interfaces independently with the home’s central server. The Jack-PC includes connection ports for a keyboard, monitor (DVI/Analog), 4 USB devices, audio speakers (through a headphone jack), and microphone jack (MSRP $299).

In other words, you don’t need to buy a seperate full-blown PC for every room, Jack-PC will interface with the central server it’s configured to. This is a great feature because when you update your main PC’s hardware, software, or OS it will affect all the thin client PCs home-wide. But, the best part in my opinion is… since all the Jack-PCs are connected to a central server via Ethernet, each virtual PC will have access to all the shared software applications, media content, and storage space. Plus, Jack-PC, theoretically, will never have to be upgraded.

Any IT geeks out there want to share some insight or links on how to set this up using Windows, OS X, or Linux? The eHomeUpgrade community thanks you in advance.





Filed in: Entertainment PCs

  • Qooop

    I am not a IT pro so I do not understand some of what this is but I am wondering if this could be a NAS solution for the home integrated media sharing that is coming of age. Would this device work as a NAS just by plugging in some USB hard drives or maybe even a USB hub? A $300 MSRP could make a sweet set up for running my 8 hard drives.

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    Hopefully the diagram graphic I just added will help with how a thin-client environment can be setup. Note: Each thin-client PC (red) works independently but uses the resources from the server PC (blue). And, of course, a NAS (green) can easily be added to the wired LAN for shared storage.

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    I’m going to continue doing research on this. What ever links I find I’ll post here.

  • Mayhem9

    I see support says RDP or Citrix. Citrix and the MS Server licenses might be a bit expensive for the home user. Windows Destop Terminal Services seems to be supported, but that means only one terminal at a time will be active. Also, I understood that these thin client archetectures did not support Audio and were generally weak in any graphic/multi-media applications. (I understood Citrix has invested much here) Why does the unit have a high resolution video option and audio I/O if it is targeted at the home market (Terminal Services user? Otherwise, I love the idea of thin client solution for home.

  • melovesha

    are there any official reviews of it? anyone actually use it?

  • http://www.mustation.cn Pety

    MuStation could turn 1 pc into 2-30 pc or more. MuStation is based on the host computer, share the information resources with the host, one host can serve up to 10 network PC share terminals (Windows 2000/2003 server edition can serve up to 30 terminals), each user can visit host resources safely, independently and synchronously.

    Take an example, there are 10 staffs in an office, you only need to purchase I set standard computer, another 9 user only need to user thin client MuStation. MuStation is much lower in price than a standard computer .

    http://www.mustation.cn/index-1.html