This Buyers Guide features thin clients that run Microsoft Windows, Unix or Linux. Like the general-purpose terminals, they contain no moving parts no spinning media in the form of hard or floppy drives or fans and they store and process no local applications, with the possible exception of a Web browser or optional terminal emulation software. Most of the thin clients listed run Windows CE, although Linux and Embedded NT are making inroads into the marketplace, as well. At your server Aided by sophisticated network operating software from Microsoft Corp. and Citrix Systems Inc., the terminals can inexpensively serve up your favorite PC server productivity or business software, including Internet browsers, complete with graphics, pictures and sound. They aren t for everybody.
Knowledge professionals prefer to be in charge of loading and unloading their own applications.
Many power users want to be able to unscrew a machine s cover and tinker with the insides. But for information services managers overseeing the requirements of customer service workers, sales representatives, administrative workers, reservation agents and even health workers, thin client computing supplies distinct advantages. TCO includes the base price for the machine and other factors such as maintenance, setup time, software administration, spare parts inventories and employee hours spent keeping a particular device up and running. In just about all these areas, thin clients offer a much more favorable TCO ration than either PCs or NetPCs. Low MTBF rate.