UK-based thin client manufacturer VXL Instruments is making an assault on the corporate desktop market with the release of a £99 machine.

The Itona TC23 desktop computer is designed solely for use on corporate networks.
The thin client device runs Linux or Windows CE as well as Citrix, using a company's central server to provide documents and software.

Users maintain access to all the standard office software, such as word processing, email, web browsing and spreadsheets.

"By slashing the cost of a thin client to £99, we are challenging the dominance of the PC," said Frank Noon, vice president of sales at VXL.

"In the majority of cases, the company PC is a waste of money and a security risk. Thin client technology pares the machine on each desk right down while still giving every user the software, data and performance they need."

The thin client computer can be managed centrally, does not require backup and is more reliable and secure. It also consumes around £40 less electricity than a PC each year, the company claims.

The TC23 is diskless, does not allow users to load their own software, does not store data, and is immune to regular Windows viruses.

VXL is aiming to sell over 250,000 of its computers in the coming year around the world.