PC virtualization will spark renewed interest in thin client computing. Remote access virtual PCs promise more efficient hardware utilization and a rich end-user experience. Enterprises already pursuing a centralized virtual machine hosting strategy should evaluate the potential of PC virtualization and thin clients.
Virtual PCs and Thin Clients
A thin client – sometimes called a diskless workstation or a network computer (NC rather than PC) – is a workstation with minimum processing and memory capacity and no internal disk storage. Application processing, as well as storage, is centralized on a server and accessed by the thin client. A classic example of thin client architecture is Sun Microsystems' Sun Ray line of servers and workstations.