Windows PCs can run almost any type of software. They are cheap, powerful and office workers are familiar with them. They are also prone to virus attacks and need constant patching with security updates. Local files need to be backed up. Thin clients promise to reduce such problems.

What is a Thin Client?

Thin clients, dumb terminals and network computers are roughly the same. The main program runs on a central server. The end-user controls the program over the network, using a thin client. Data files are also stored on the server. Mainframe terminals, Unix telnet, Unix X Windows, and many web applications; are thin clients.

Some client-server applications aren't strictly thin client solutions, because a new application-specific client is installed on the PC for each new application. Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Mail are fat clients, with the email client running on the local PC. The emails are also stored on the PC's hard disk. Gmail and Hotmail are thin clients.