Intel thinks the NC and NetPC are cool technology to cut cost of ownership for PCs

Intel thinks both the Network Computer (NC), an Oracle

initiative and NetPC, an idea Intel had with Microsoft to

trim cost of ownership by using a server centric network

or the Internet for PC maintenance are cool.

Ray Van Eng (03/20/97)                    .

At the Millennium Conference in California, Oracle Corp. showcased a prototype network computer (NC) built by Intel Corp. Larry Ellison, chairman of Oracle showed how the Intel device could be used to run web based collaboration tool such as Oracle's own InterOffice suite of applications right off an open network such as the Internet.

Oracle, the originator of the Network Computing Architecture and the leading enterprise database company often pitched the simple and low cost NC as an alternative to the personal computer when cost of ownership and operation complexity become major issues for big corporations. Intel is the major supplier of computer chips for PCs running the Microsoft Windows operating systems.

On April 15, Ellison is scheduled to appear in Japan to demonstrate how to hook up a NC computer based on an Intel 200 Mhz Pentium Pro microprocessor to an Ethernet network and uses a smart card to gain secure access to the server. It will only take 15 minutes to open up a sealed box and get things up and running, Ellison claims.

While prototyping for the NC, Intel is also working closely with Microsoft to devise the NetPC in an attempt to address the cost of ownership and ease of maintenance concerns raised by some corporate managers.

Like the NC, the NetPC design is also server centric that allows a central computer to take over management task of any device that is attached to the network. This arrangement could save a corporation thousands of dollars a year for every PC it owns.

A Forrester Research study claimed businesses spend more than $10,000 annually in operating a single PC, driving up the true cost of ownership dramatically even though the purchase price of a PC is around $2000.

According to Intel, the NetPC will be a sealed case with no expansion slots and hence not hardware upgradable. Right out of the box, the NetPC will be configured to recognize a printer or network connection. The first NetPCs will debut in mid-year from companies such as Hewlett Packard, Dell, Compaq etc. and would include models with the new Pentium 200 Mhz chip from Intel which would retail for about $1000.

Intel have indicated that home PCs sould borrow an idea or two from NetPC. For example, future PCs could simply plug into the Internet for software upgrades and maintainence work.

Given the fact that there will be 80 million PCs sold this year which more or less equal to the number of TVs that will be purchased, Intel CEO Andy Grove commented that the PC and TV industries would have to slug it out in the marketplace for eyeballs in the home entertianment arena.

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