| Apr 2001 | Thin Client vs PC |
 What are thin clients? Basically, any user device connected via the thin-client protocol is a thin client, even a 286 PC or a Macintosh LC. Thin clients use the network to access data and applications from servers rather than storing information or processing power at the desktop. Are thin clients the same as terminals and mainframes? Similar, but they are more flexible than mainframes. Thin clients are the next step in the computing evolution, not a return to the past. Thin-client devices are smaller than typical desktop computers
(about the size of a textbook) and contain fewer parts:
With fewer parts to breakdown, a thin client will function without failure significantly longer than a typical computer. The small, sealed-case design has no vulnerable openings such as floppy drives or CD-ROM drives. They cost less than other computers because they do not need a hard disk or require much memory (RAM). Donated computers and older machines could have a new life on the network with a thin-client environment. Even 286 PCs and Macintosh LCIIIs (68030) can connect to the thin-client network and run up-to-date software. HITEQUEST Apr 2001 |