Pano vs Wyse
If you are administering or thinking of implementing a virtual infrastructure then you will hear about the new kid on the block - 'Pano Virtual Desktop'. Pano (by Pano Logic) is a new desktop device design to replace your desktop in your VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) environment. Some say it is the answer to cloud computing and virtualization.
The Device comes with a beautiful and sleek design, consume less power than your PC (*consuming only 3% of the energy consumed by a traditional desktop computer); it is the industries first zero client - no CPU, no memory, no operating system, no drivers, no software and no moving parts. “The Pano device connects keyboard, mouse, display, audio and USB peripherals over an existing IP network to an instance of Windows XP or Vista running on a virtualized server”.
*Pano Features:
| Supported Peripherals | Connectors | |
| Video display (resolutions up to 1600x1200) | One VGA | |
| Ethernet (10/100 Mbps) | One RJ-45 | |
| USB peripherals | Three USB 2.0 | |
| Audio Out | Internal speaker | |
| Audio Out | One mini-jack | |
| Audio In | One mini-jack |
*Table source Pano Logic website
So the question is being asked: Wyse or Pano? I don’t intend to give you the answer in this article but I hope to help you decide.
In our infrastructure we have already implemented about 250 virtual desktops and still counting. The desktop we have implemented is served using Wyse S10 and V10L device. Like you I am asking the same question should I continue with Wyse or change to Pano. Some may say there is no comparison but I think there is; for the simple reason that they are competing for the same market – the virtual desktop.
The Wyse S10 and V10L, I think they are the closest to the Pano. The Wyse S10 and V10L come with the Wyse Thin OS. A very small foot print approximately 32M of RAM.
*Wyse S10 Features Technical Specifications:
| Processor | AMD Geode GX 366MHz | |
| Memory | 0 Flash/128MB RAM | |
| I/O peripheral support |
-VGA-type video output |
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| Networking | 10/100 Base-T Fast Ethernet twisted pair (RJ-45) | |
| Display | - VESA monitor support with Display Data Control (DDC) for automatic setting of resolution and refresh rate - 16-bit/64K colors: up to:1600x1200@85Hz - 24-bit/16.7M colors:up to:1280x1024@85Hz |
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| Audio | - Output: 1/8-inch mini, full 16-bit stereo, 48KHz sample rate - Input: 1/8-inch, 8-bit mini microphone |
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| Physical characteristics |
Height: 1.38 inches (34mm) |
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| Mountings | Horizontal feet (optional vertical stand) Optional VESA mounting bracket Built-in Kensington security slot (cable sold separately) |
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| Power | Worldwide auto-sensing 100-240 VAC, 50/60 Hz Average power usage with device connected to 1 keyboard with 1 PS/2 mouse and 1 monitor:5.6 Watts/hour |
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| Temperature Range | Horizontal and Vertical positions: 50° to 104° F (10° to 40° C) | |
| Humidity | 20% to 80% noncondensing | |
| Safety Certifications | German EKI-ITB 2000, ISO 9241-3/-8 cULus 60950, TÜV-GS, EN 60950 FCC Class B, CE, VCCI, C-Tick WEEE, RoHS Compliant |
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| Warranty | Three-year limited warranty |
*See link for differences in features between Wyse S10 and Wyse V10L
Looking at the features available, I would say Wyse is more feature rich. Do we need all these features that are offered by Wyse? I think a lot of us do.
Should you buy Wyse or Pano?
The answer is will depends on these 4 factors:
Use/Users: A lot of what you offer you staff to work with will depend on them and there work processes. So when you are looking for a desktop solution for your virtual desktop you need to now which of these devices will give you the best performance. One thing I know will change is how your staff/users use the system. Which system offer the flexibility that you will need – bear this in mind.
Price: With the current economic climate a lot of organization are looking at the bottom line so you implementation of VDI will be affected by budget. You also need to plan for the system to be in place for about 3-5 year before it needs upgrading. Anything short of that will be waste of money or might as well get PC desktop instead.
Environment: What type of environment does your business operate in? Is Pano or Wyse for you? Virtualization and all the products that have developed to support it are changing so think about this before you take he leap.
Infrastructure: Can your infrastructure manage with a Pano? It has nothing inside that will help with the processing. So a lot depends on you network and servers (this will affect amount of client you have on each host). Wyse have available the TCX suite of software that will help the desktops offer a better experience with multimedia. I think this is where Pano falls short. Users of Microsoft Windows XP and Vista will at some time are the other needs help with processing multimedia.