DisplayLink-Userful Partnership Gives Students Full PC Computing Experience for Fraction of Cost

Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011 Turns One Linux-based Computer into 11 Independent Stations

PALO ALTO, Calif. & CALGARY, AB – December 15, 2010 – DisplayLink and Userful today announced a software/hardware partnership that will allow schools to deploy large numbers of Linux-based computer stations in the classroom for very low cost. Working in conjunction with DisplayLink USB virtual graphics technology, the Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011 software turns one Linux-based computer into 11 high-performance independent computer stations, ultimately giving students the features and computing experience of a full PC, but at a fraction of the cost.

“We have enjoyed great success deploying our Linux-based zero client solutions in developing regions such as Latin America and Asia because of the low cost of implementation and the growing awareness of the long term economic benefits of deploying Linux desktops in Education,” said Tim Griffin, president of Userful. “Regardless of region however, over 50,000 schools around the world have adopted Userful MultiSeat Linux not only because of the cost-effectiveness, but also the ease of configurability, and the high-quality computing experience that it provides students.”

The combined solution reduces hardware costs by up to 80 percent, and reduces required infrastructure (power plugs, cabling, etc.) by a factor of 10 as compared to a traditional PC-per-seat solution. It also reduces energy costs by up to 90 percent, enabling organizations to recover the cost of their computers through electricity cost savings over a few years. On average, customers report saving 60 percent in up-front costs, and 80 percent in annual power savings as compared to their previous PC-per-station solutions. The significant savings could bring computing to millions of people without access today.

Currently, the Userful software solution and their high-performance DisplayLink Linux driver is compatible with the full line of DisplayLink chips, allowing plug and play graphics over standard USB cables. DisplayLink USB virtual graphics technology has been widely adopted and can be found in devices like adapters, docking stations, monitors and projectors from leading PC accessory and monitor OEMs.

“We are excited to work with Userful on the development of drivers and MultiSeat Linux software solutions that enable the use of our USB virtual graphics on a robust open-source platform,” said Dennis Crespo, executive vice president of marketing and business development at DisplayLink. “Now schools can spend less time and money configuring systems, and more time providing students with practical computing experience.”

Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011 is available for download at www.userful.com/products/userful-multiseat-linux. To find out how DisplayLink technology is enabling cost-effective, cutting edge devices, please visit www.displaylink.com.

To read Userful's press release about the partnership, and to learn how to turn a universal docking station into an additional computer station, visit: http://userful.com/press/displaylink-userful-partnership.

Additionally, Userful is running a special promotion, offering every DisplayLink USB docking station customers a free two-user version of their MultiSeat Linux 2011 software.

About Userful
Userful Corporation is the world's leading Linux desktop virtualization company with millions of users in over 100 countries. The company's software which turns one computer into 11 lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both electricity consumption and e-waste. Userful's software is sold through a partner network of resellers and OEMs worldwide. To learn more about Userful, visit: http://www.userful.com.

Userful provides custom development and consulting around Linux platforms for DisplayLink OEM customers interested in deploying innovative products and uses of DisplayLink technology on the Linux platform.

About DisplayLink
DisplayLink Corp. is a hardware and software company that offers a unique technology to enable easy virtual graphics connectivity between computers and displays over standard interfaces such as USB, wireless USB and Ethernet. DisplayLink technology is used in dozens of globally branded PC accessories including monitors, universal docking stations, display adapters, projectors, and zero client systems that make expansion of the desktop visual workspace possible, at significantly lower cost and energy usage than traditional solutions.

DisplayLink is ranked the fourth fastest growing EMEA Company by Deloitte, and was awarded the CES 2011 Best of Innovation Award Honoree in the Enabling Technologies category for its forthcoming Interactive Networked Graphics for SuperSpeed USB. For more information and product details visit DisplayLink Shop and follow DisplayLink on Facebook and Twitter.

# # #

DisplayLink is a trademark of DisplayLink Corp. Userful™, Userful MultiSeat Linux 2011™, and Userful MultiSeat™ are trademarks of Userful Corporation. All other trade names and trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Note to editors: For more information, news, and photos from Userful, please visit the Userful press kit at: http://userful.com/company/news-and-reviews/press-kit.

About Userful
Userful Corporation is the world's leading Linux desktop virtualization company with millions of users in over 100 countries. The company's software which turns one computer into 11 lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both electricity consumption and e-waste. Userful's software is sold through a partner network of resellers and OEMs worldwide. To learn more about Userful, visit: http://www.userful.com.

Userful
200-709 11th Ave. SW
Calgary, Alberta T2R 0E3 CANADA

This release was published on openPR.