What is Thin Client?
The term for client was originally used to describe the “dumb terminals” connecting to mainframes to act as displays and input devices, but without ability to run programs. A thin client follows a similar model where the bulk of processing and workloads are performed on a server accessed over the network.
Thin client was coined in 1993 by Tim Negris, vice-president of server marketing at Oracle Corp. and further popularized by founder and CEO Larry Ellison to promote Oracle’s products. It has since evolved to help differentiate between older text-based terminals and thin clients with higher graphics.
These minimalist PCs became more common in the ’90s with wider use of computer networks, but remain popular today.
They function like PCs, but lack hard drives or CD-ROMs and typically do not have software installed. They also tend to lack additional I/O ports or other features allowing users to plug in peripherals or accessories, relying completely on the network. (In fact, because of this, they are sometimes referred to network computers.)
Thin client systems can provide cost savings when multiple workstations are performing the same activities. Manageability is improved, since software issues are handled on the server rather than on each client, and the lack of a hard drive or CD-ROM drive are seen as methods to increase security.
Thin clients are seen to have a number of advantages and disadvantages:
Single point of failure on the server—Because processes and data are primarily on the server it provides a single point of failure, which can be an advantage and disadvantage. Servers however can be backed up and made redundant.
Cheaper client hardware—Thin client machines can have minimal processing capabilities, RAM and storage (if any). On the other hand, they require a more robust server.
Simplicity—Along with low-cost, because there are fewer moving parts in a thin client it can be built to operate in more hostile environments, have less risk of data loss if stolen and are easily replaced if stolen or broken.
Basic office applications—Thin clients tend to be optimized for use with simple graphics and text, as such making them ideal for applications like spreadsheets, word processing and data entry, but not for high detail bitmaps or graphically intense applications like 3D drawing or games.
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Apple fried over taxes U.S. Senators grilled the company's CEO over where it puts -- or doesn't put -- its profits. But who's really to blame when any company uses all available loopholes?
Friday, May 17, 2013
Pentagon approves devices running Apple iOS6 The U.S. Defense Department okays government-owned handsets and tablets running the operating system, along with BlackBerry and Samsung's Knox
Wednesday, May 08, 2013
Why stick with Microsoft? CRM expert Gene Marks says most enterprises will stick with Microsoft over Google and Apple. Is he right?
Friday, April 26, 2013
Coffee with Apple’s Tim Cook now at $500,000 The iPhone’s slumping sales may have cast a shadow on Cook’s leadership, but bids being pulled in by a charity auction featuring some coffee time with him proves the Apple chief is still very popular
Monday, April 08, 2013
Mobile trend hurts IE, Firefox Internet Explorer still accounts for largest desktop usage but its weak mobile presence has hurt its overall standing
Thursday, April 04, 2013
Analysts weigh in on Apple’s apology to China Three China-based industry analysts give their take on Apple's decision to apologize to Chinese consumers following two weeks of attacks from state-owned media
Monday, April 01, 2013
Apple fails to get iPad Mini trademarked The United States Patent and Trademark Office says the word "mini" merely describes the smaller iPad's size
Monday, March 25, 2013
Apple snaps up mapping app startup WiFiSLAM WiFiSLAM's indoor mobile navigation technology could help Apple get over its mobile mapping problems
Friday, March 22, 2013
Canadians at risk of Apple password breach? Security patch released by Apple is not available in Canada yet
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Five new Java fixes released Oracle promises to accelerate patch cycle amid growing concern over its ability to keep Java safe
Friday, February 08, 2013
Apple all alone in eBook price fixing probe MacMillan has become the fifth book publisher to settle with U.S. Department of Justice, leaving Apple Corp. the sole company facing the DOJ’s allegations of eBook price fixing
Monday, January 14, 2013
RIM nets 15,000 new BB 10 apps A little more than a week to the formal launch of its BlackBerry 10, Research in Motion reports snagging 15,000 new apps for its much anticipated new phone 
Friday, January 11, 2013
Mobile devices to get power boost from IPv6 The next version of the Internet Protocol will enable mobile devices to perform better and work longer, according to experts
Tuesday, January 08, 2013
RIM, Apple sued over 3G, 4G patents The Canadian smartphone maker and its U.S. nemesis are among 15 companies named in a lawsuit filed before a Delaware court
Monday, January 07, 2013
iPad, Android tablets to flood enterprise space Despite its much lauded effort on Surface, Microsoft will be thwarted once more in its bid to capture the tablet market as Android and Apple units are poised to make solid inroads into the enterprise space in 2013
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Samsung faces antitrust charges from EC The European Commission says Samsung abused its dominant position in the market by filing patent lawsuits against its rival Apple
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Oracle to end Java 6 security support After February 2013, Oracle will no longer post updates of Java SE 6 to its public download sites according to a post on the Oracle Java SE Support Roadmap 
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
No new trial in Samsung-Apple fight The judge in the US$1 billion trial has refused to order a new hearing in the case. However, both sides can appeal to higher courts 
Friday, December 07, 2012
Macs to wave stars and stripes Apple CEO Tim Cook says the company will spend US$100 million to bring some Macintosh manufacturing to the U.S. A columnist looks at what it means
Monday, December 03, 2012
Why Apple needs an enterprise strategy iPhones and iPads are sprouting up in organizations as bring-your-own-device strategies are embraced. But if Apple wants to be really taken seriously it has to do more
Friday, November 23, 2012
BlackBerry 10: Excited yet? RIM's long-term prospects may seem bleak, but a lot of short-term success could put it back in the game
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Steve Wozniak talks about the IT culture clash Apple co-founder tells a Toronto audience that rebellious minds in an organization can lead to brilliant ideas 
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The ultimate limit of data centre resiliency In Hurricane Sandy’s aftermath, customers may start to pay closer attention to where their cloud provider’s data centres are located, says CentriLogic president and CEO 
Monday, November 12, 2012
Apple and HTC bury the hatchet The two companies have come to an agreement after many months of litigation
Monday, November 05, 2012
Three more dragons to slay before RIM’s return Blackberry 10 needs to be cooler than the competition, says guest blogger Tim Collins