Days after tying up with Haier Computer Group, the second-largest PC maker in China, so they can chase big government and educational contracts worldwide together, LG, the big Korean electronics chaebol, said it will put NComputing's virtual desktop technology directly into its new network SmartVine N-series LCD monitors starting this month.

The move gets LG into computers without having to build low-margin PCs; gives LG an edge as a cloud computing takes off and users access computing resources from a range of devices like smartphones; gives NComputing a powerful global partner to sell its virtual desktop technology to businesses worldwide (LG shipped over 15 million monitors last year); and marks the first OEM deal in NComputing's bid to be the technology powering cloud computing.

NComputing enables multiple people to use a single ordinary PC simultaneously as if each one had their own for $70 per seat. Last month it got a deal with the United Nations for a 500,000 computer project for developing countries.

NComputing reckons that by using LG's monitors, customers can lower their computer hardware costs by 60%, maintenance costs by 70%, and electricity costs by 90%. The LG monitors work with both Windows and Linux computers.

In the U.S., the SmartVine N-series line will include 17- and 19-inch models covering both standard and widescreen resolutions. A 15-inch model will also be available in other countries. All LG SmartVine N-series monitors can also be used as traditional monitors.

With NComputing virtualization circuitry inside LG's monitors, users connect their keyboards and mice directly to the monitor, which then connects to the host PC via a standard cable. An NComputing X550 PCI Card Kit with vSpace software enables the host PC to connect to five additional monitors. With two kits, a total of 11 users can share one PC.