By IT Brew Staff
less than 3 min read
Definition:
A “thin client” is a low-cost computer with limited storage and processing power that relies on a remote server to perform key tasks. Thin clients are a cheap way to supply an office with PCs, provided they have the virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) in place to provide fully provisioned virtual desktops to those users.
Thin clients offer some additional benefits for sysadmins and other IT pros. For example, they centralize management: A software patch or operating system update to the central server will apply to all thin-client users, sparing an IT pro from having to manually update dozens or more PCs. Thin clients are also secure, because the data is stored on a server as opposed to a local hard drive; if the device is lost or stolen, unauthorized people can’t access anything sensitive or valuable.
Thin clients are cheaper to purchase and maintain than “regular” PCs, helping keep hardware budgets in check. For IT pros in industries such as manufacturing and healthcare, where devices can take a physical beating, purchasing “durable” thin clients with fewer parts is often a necessity.
The downsides
Thin clients also have some drawbacks. Because they depend heavily on networks and virtualization technology, a badly architected network may force them to crash frequently. They’re also not suitable for employees who need lots of localized processing power to accomplish tasks, such as video editing, graphic design, and some kinds of data science. Setting up a network of thin clients also requires a significant degree of technical proficiency on the part of IT pros.
