"Dell is reportedly working on a project codenamed 'Ophelia,' a USB-sized self-contained computer that provides access to virtually every major operating system — from the Mac OS, to Windows, to Google's Chrome OS, to cloud-based solutions from Citrix and Dell — all via the cloud. Powered by Android, Ophelia works just like a USB port: Just plug it into any flat panel monitor or TV, and boom, you have a computer. Ophelia connects to the Internet via Wi-Fi, and can connect to keyboards and other peripherals over Bluetooth. Not only is the computer portable and power-efficient, but to make it truly accessible, Dell plans to sell the device for just $50."
Silver Lake Partners was in discussions Tuesday with Dell for a leveraged buyout at around $13 to $14 a share, according to a person familiar with the matter. The buyout group would include the private-equity firm, at least one other investor such as a pension or sovereign wealth fund, and Mr. Dell, this person said.
You watch, Dell is going to score big for a season or two on their USB computer stick. Then everybody and their brother is going to follow their lead and make one for the market place. And then the TV manufacturers will have an option in their setup programs that will allow you to choose an operating system for "Computer Mode" that makes the USB computer a thing of the past.
My friend Erik and i were once talking a few years back about making a device that you can plug as many cheap USB thumb drives into that you want and make one really big disc out of the thing. Then one day someone came out with a solid state disc. Today the prices are down and the SSD's are much bigger. I run one in my studio rig and it is much faster then a standard hard drive. But it beefs up every now and then on boot up.
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