Network computers cut business costs.

Although models have been on the market for less than a year, the network computer industry is already stirring waves of interest throughout corporate America.

Network computers (NCs) are a new type of affordable computing device which costs much less than traditional PCs to buy and maintain. This is possible, because unlike PCs, NCs have minimal RAM and no hard disk. Instead, they use a network connection to store most data and applications on central servers.

NCs present a "tremendous cost savings" to corporate customers. The no-frills business systems start around $650, including a computer keyboard and monitor, according to Tom Downey, sales development manager for Micro Center corporate sales division in Hilliard, while "bottom end" PCs start between $1,400 and $1,500.

Home NCs are even cheaper, starting around $300, said Randy Brasche, spokesman for Network Computer Inc., an affiliate of the Oracle Corp. …