Thin client is an umbrella term for a simple hardware device that usually doesn't have a hard drive, CD-ROM drive or expansion slot.
Thin clients rely on servers for processing power and for loading applications.
Users can't load applications directly onto thin clients, so the devices require less maintenance and less help desk support and therefore cost less. There are various types of thin clients, including network computers and Windows-based terminals. Thin clients, also known as network computers, are one of the most confusing hardware developments because of the different forms they take. It runs the Windows Terminal Server operating system to give users access to Windows applications. A PC without a floppy drive or CD-ROM drive.