Thin clients

Thin clients are referred to as purpose-built devices that run a streamlined OS (for example, Microsoft Windows 7/8 Embedded, SUSE Linux, or the new Chromebooks) meant to deliver a minimal desktop environment to the end user. From this minimal desktop environment, the end user launches the VMware View Client and is then connected to their virtual desktop. Thin clients often have a write-protected or write-filtered system partition.

A few examples of thin clients are as follows:

• ClearCube I8520

• Wyse R50

• Dell Latitude 13 mobile

Let's see another example. By mid-2013, basic Chromebooks, which are web thin clients, had become relatively popular among US buyers looking to buy an affordable laptop. With their lower entry price, high security (due to the secure design of their browser-based operating system and Chrome OS), and simplicity, the Chromebook might be a desirable choice.

A Chromebook could be a good platform to use when you want quick access to a Windows application through a...