I've managed to use the laptop successfully as a thin client with ZERO configuration. There is some tweaking to do, but it works perfectly well, even streaming a DVD from the Core.
Core system is a Dell Precision 370 with 2gb ram, 80gb hdd, dvd drive, and dual gigabit nics. Also, zero configuration.
The quick release DVD was a quick and painless install, and the thin clients are beyond simple. Set it to PXE boot, and that's it. Core will automatically detect the "orbiter", and ask a few quick and easy questions (what room is this device in? What do you want it to do?).
I'll be continuing to experiment with this setup, building a whole home solution for under $1000.
-Luke122