I was thinking about how we could use a PDA sans its screen as a thin client. We need just the processing power and memory (100 Mhz, 16 MB) on the board, along with 5 connectors: for keyboard, mouse, monitor, Ethernet and power. It should be possible to do this for under USD 30 (Rs 1,500). I don’t know if these boards (or devices) exist. But taken together with server-centric computing and open-source software, these can help create low-cost solutions for enterprises.
The problem with most of the existing thin clients is that they have too much processing power and are quite expensive (comparatively). We don’t need all of that power. What is critical is the low-cost. Of course, old computers are the ideal solution, but in India, there is an anti-dumping duty of USD 200 (Rs 10,000) on these computers, which dissuades any import of such PCs.
