Thin Client Computers - Understanding The Differences Between Pc's

What is a thin client? A thin client is a tiny, low-powered local device giving lower costs to purchase and to operate per-seat or operator, that is fed and controlled by the server or servers.

Because the thin client is relatively passive and low-maintenance, but numerous, the entire system is simpler and easier to install and to operate. As the cost of hardware plunges and the cost of employing a technician, buying energy and disposing of waste rises, the advantages of thin clients grow. Flash memory is the critical component of the Thin Client terminals.

Thin Client hardware is easier to seal against environmental hazards and contamination, just place them in a protective thin client enclosure and can sometimes withstand a wider temperature and vibration level, due to simplified components and lack of moving parts, such as hard drives and cooling fans.

The thin clients, were replacing standard PCs in machining areas, were coolant was present, thus causing a problem with electrics and fluid!

They found that, the cost of the thin clients plus protective thin client enclosures were more cost effective than using standard PCs, saving them a massive 47% on the project cost, with the added benefit that the IT investment had a higher level of data security.

Executive Summary about Thin Client by Roberto Bell

The Progress Of Thin Clients

In the early days of thin clients, networks were still employing hubs instead of switches. Hubs share all network traffic with all the attached devices; therefore, this type of technology did not work well with the boot-server type of thin clients.

Windows CE, Small in size, Windows CE could fit on the Disk-On-Chip (DOC) mounted inside the thin client as well as provide a place to embed applications.

Windows 2003 for thin clients now has high-color support, sound delivered to the desktop, data compression, and better printing support. Thin client technology has finally caught up with the vision. Today there are many thin client models to choose from with varying CPU speeds, memory capacities, storage capacities, and operating systems.

Customized Thin Clients, Customization of thin clients is gaining importance with both Linux and XPe models because customers have their own ideas of what is needed on a machine. Barcodes require a more sophisticated printer session on the thin client.

Tablet Thin Clients, A new thin-client device that is proving to be beneficial to many companies is a wireless tablet. Some thin-client manufacturers now sell wireless thin-client tablet displays so that existing full-screen inventory programs can be used directly on the tablet anywhere in the facility, eliminating the need to modify the inventory program.

All-in-One Thin Clients, Another growing trend is the use of "all-in-one" thin clients. These thin clients have the thin-client technology contained inside an LCD flat-panel monitor.

Biometric Security Features, The ability to secure access to thin clients with a biometric device is beginning to appear in thin-client applications. Once a user is verified by a biometric device, the thin client can start various programs based on who the user is and how the software is programmed.

A New World of Thin Clients, The demand for thin-client technology is increasing while smaller, faster, more portable, more secure, and more adaptable thin-client products keep appearing on the market. BOSaNOVA, Inc. is a leading developer of enterprise-class thin client and network appliance solutions for Linux, XP, and CE.Net.

Executive Summary about Thin Client by Martin Pladgeman