Back in the early 1990’s companies like Sun, IBM, and Lotus were talking about and developing solutions for “the network PC revolution”. The idea behind the network PC - for those who managed to escape the hype and disappointment - is that all of your applications and data reside on a server somewhere an all you need is a lightweight PC connected to the network. Today that sounds obvious but 15 years ago it was a pipe dream born of the promise of one Java running everywhere like magic.

Today, the premise still holds only now, Java on the PC has finally be dumped as just not a good idea. Instead, the applications rely on a powerful local web browser to provide most of the compute power and some industry standard programmed methods - HTTP, AJAX, HTML, XML, JavaScript - to create the user experience and interface to the server. It all works pretty well.

So now that we have the “good apps” and the “fast network” where is the Network PC ? I mean, an $800 Windows Laptop or $1200 MacBook are loads of fun but with presumable everything running out on the Internet somewhere, what do we need these high end machines ? It’s a bit like driving to the Starbucks for a coffee in a Ford Excursion or Chevy Suburban or the not soon enough forsaken Hummer. All you need is a city car. The same is true for the network PC.

If they build it, will they come ? That is the real question. Can we get over the consumerist mentality of “more is better” ? McDonalds would cringe at the thought of people getting only what they actually need.

Fortunately, there are a few but growing number of computer manufacturers see the opportunity. Asus now has Eee PC, Everex has the “green PC” (at Walmart) ntel has the Classmate, Nokia has the 810 ultra portable tablet you will even be able to buy one of the OLPC computers (one of the One Laptop per Child) for your very own. These are all *new* computers below $400. If you don’t need a laptop, the price can go even lower.

So, if you use Gmail or Google Apps or spend most of your time on Facebook then one of these new breed of computers may be an option. They are not true network PC’s but they are getting close. If they make the screens more “normal sized” and made Linux flashed or use a hot-start mode for that “instant on” feeling, then we have the elusive network PC.

I plan to take a 10 year old computer and give it a try <recycling is green too you know>.

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Posted in Facebook, Gmail, Google Apps, Network PC |

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