AWS reveals a new pocket-sized PC that is strictly for business
Your next work PC could be small enough to take home in your pocket after a new release from Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Ahead of its AWS re:Invent 2023 event this week, the cloud computing giant unveiled the new Amazon WorkSpaces Thin Client, a small PC ideal for hybrid work and virtual desktop tools.
The new Thin Client is modeled after the company’s existing Amazon Fire TV Cube streaming offering, but still offers big computing power, offering an eight-core processor with a top speed of 2.2 GHz, 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage, USB – and HDMI outputs and Bluetooth connections, all for just $195 per device.
AWS ThinClient
AWS says the new launch is purely aimed at enterprise, reducing technology costs while improving security. AWS says many laptops sent to remote or hybrid workers are simply never returned, costing companies huge amounts of money to replace.
“Customers told us they needed a lower-cost device, especially in high-volume environments such as call centers or payment processing,” said Melissa Stein, product director for End User Computing at AWS.
“We looked for options and found that the hardware we used for the Amazon Fire TV Cube provided all the tools customers needed to access their cloud-based virtual desktops. So we built an entirely new software stack for that device, and since we We don’t have to design and build new hardware; we pass those savings on to customers.”
The device, which reportedly takes just five minutes to set up, with preset user data and permissions before the item is shipped, will initially support only Amazon’s own services, including the AWS WorkSpaces streamed virtual desktop platform, the AWS WorkSpaces Web remote browser and AWS AppStream published apps service.
For users who need a little more power, an optional hub that lets you use a second monitor can be yours for $280, although there is a $6 per month fee to manage, maintain, and monitor each device, and you also pays for the underlying virtual desktop service.
The Amazon Workspaces Thin Client is available to order now through the company’s Amazon Business platform. It will initially only be available in the US, with Europe launching in early 2024 before other markets follow suit shortly after.