Guide to choosing and managing VDI thin clients

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  Article

  Determining which PCs to convert to thin clients

  Using your existing PCs to access virtual desktops is a great way to save on hardware, costs and training. It's not just a matter of adding a shortcut, however. You need to manage virtual desktop updates and consider which PCs you'll use as thin clients. For instance, computers that are more than three years old may fail more easily, and they probably won't support the latest graphics. Also consider the screen size and quality -- is it something virtual desktop users will want to use? Read Now

1Choosing VDI thin clients

The purpose of thin clients is that they make management easier, so it's important to make sure you choose the right hardware. The wrong product or features can actually complicate management, so stick to only the features you need and make sure to weigh your options before you buy.

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  Choosing VDI thin clients

  There are a lot of options out there for thin client hardware, so get to know a few popular choices that might suit your VDI environment. Read Now

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  What to look for in thin clients

  When you're choosing thin client devices, consider if you can centrally manage them and whether you'll configure them all identically. Also take into account remote display protocol support: Cheap options don't have the best support, and vendor-specific thin clients usually only work with that vendor's protocol. Finally, how many advanced features do you need? Browser redirection and other capabilities can add to client complexity and defeat the purpose of having a slimmed-down endpoint. Read Now

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  Considering cost, display and app support

  Remember that the point of deploying VDI thin clients is that they are simple and inexpensive. Video conferencing, multimedia and 3-D graphics support will add to the cost. Those capabilities are important for many users, however, especially those who require computer-aided design or 3-D apps to do their work. To make sure your thin clients can support those types of applications, take note of the display protocol quality and how much network bandwidth you'll require. Read Now

2How thin clients compare to other VDI hardware

Are thin clients truly the right choice for your organization? Before you take the plunge, it's a good idea to consider your other options, including thin clients, zero clients and even Android thin clients. Each one has pros and cons, and knowing which one fits your needs will help make management and deployment easier.

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  Thin vs. thick vs. zero clients

  You can use thick clients for desktop virtualization, but that eliminates many of the benefits of VDI, because you're not saving on hardware. Thin clients help you reduce hardware and power consumption, apply base images to virtual desktops users and centralize management, but they don't suit every organization. Zero clients are another option; they require no configuration or software and can be even more cost-effective and power-saving than thin clients. Read Now

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  Other ways to access virtual desktops

  Accessing a virtual desktop from a tablet is also a possibility, but it doesn't always provide the best user experience. Many Windows applications aren't meant for touch-screen use, and remote users tend to lack the necessary bandwidth. To see how the tablet method compares to others, check out all the pros and cons of different endpoint options for VDI. Read Now

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  Android as a thin client option

  Bring your own device programs often take Apple devices into account, but what about accessing a virtual desktop from an Android device? There would be a number of benefits to using the Android platform, which could serve as an open source version of the Linux-based thin clients on the market. But Android was made for mobile, so it doesn't lend itself to desktop use yet.  Read Now