How Do Thin Clients Compare to Zero Clients? An easy-to-understand guide to the key differences and optimal uses of zero clients, thin clients, and thick clients.
I grew up in a business services world where “client” was the term we used for a customer. We had a Client Services team who built and nurtured the relationships with our clients. For decades that was the business language I spoke and heard. Then, several months ago, I landed a job at an outstanding company in the tech hardware world. Here “clients” are computing devices, and customers are simply customers. I also have a good deal of HR experience in my work history. So, roll all of that into a 30-year work history and then imagine the deprogramming I had to go through until the terms “thin clients” and “fat clients” no longer made me twitchy and uncomfortable.
I’ve completed my self-therapy and have jumped headlong into this world of motherboards, processors, memory, I/O types, and virtualized desktop solutions. I have far more ahead of me to learn than I have come to understand, but perhaps my new entrance into endpoint technologies will allow me to structure an explanation of thick, thin, and zero clients that almost anyone could understand.
I created the table below; it won’t cover every situation and every detail, but it should be a helpful guide to get you started. Our friendly, U.S.-based team of experts is available to help you with your technical questions and decisions when you are ready.
| Category | ZERO CLIENTS | ZERO+® CLIENTS | THIN CLIENTS | THICK CLIENTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Description | No local computing, simply a secure terminal connecting to a remote server. | Limited local computing done, with locked down, non-removable OS and apps. | Limited local computing done, relying mostly on a remote server for most tasks. | Traditional desktop, laptop, or mini- PC, offering robust local computing. |
| A Few More Details and Some Examples | Zero clients are sandwich-sized devices with a network cable and display connections, allowing access to virtual desktops. | Exclusive to ClearCube Technology, Zero+® clients offer a bit more flexibility with minimal local computing capabilities. | From a Raspberry pi to a tablet or repurposed laptop, thin clients vary widely in form and function. | Mini-PCs, laptops, desktop PCs, Blade PCs, and workstations, running various operating systems and applications locally. |
| Storage, Memory, OS | No (i.e., “zero”) storage, memory, and OS | Limited storage & memory. OS locked down and non-removable. | Storage, memory, and processing power vary greatly, depending on the client used. | Robust storage, memory, and processing power. |
Some common misconceptions about the devices outlined above:
Power users cannot use a zero client or a thin client (FALSE)—A host card can be installed in a remote PC (either a blade PC or rack-mounted PC in a server room or a standard workstation (fat client) in another room or location. The zero client or a thin client can be connected to the host card computer over a network, allowing powerful computers with expensive graphics cards to be utilized through an inexpensive, tamper-resistant, secure, fan-less unit. Under this method, even engineers, data scientists, and video editors can work effectively from afar without sending them home with $6K computers. Check out ClearCube’s rack-mounted computers and host cards.
Zero clients don’t work with multiple high-resolution monitors (FALSE)—That may have been true in the past, but newer zero clients can handle 4 HD (1080p), 2 WQHD (1440p), or 1 UHD (4K@30Hz) displays. Click to see ClearCube’s quad monitor Zero Clients (and Thin Clients).
Zero clients only work with VMWare or PCoIP (TRUE…and FALSE)—Traditional zero clients work with VMWare, PCoIP, and Amazon Workspaces. ClearCube Technologies pioneered the Zero+® Client, and it offers more flexibility. The Zero+® has a small amount of non-removable and tamper-resistant memory that allows it to also work with Citrix, Blast, and Windows. This flexibility is desired by organizations who are on those other platforms and by those who desire to “future proof” their virtualized desktop environment by deploying endpoints that work across multiple protocols and platforms. Click to see ClearCube’s exclusive line of Zero+® clients.
The best solution for home-based (or remote) employees in fixed locations is to send them a laptop (FALSE)—Laptops are ideal for people who travel, but many employees who work from home or from a remote site don’t travel frequently. In those instances, a zero client or a thin client connected to a virtualized or centralized PC may be a better solution. For instance, a zero client can be easily locked down so no mass storage devices may be connected, establishing added data security. Also, home-based or remote workers using multiple monitors can work more efficiently with two side-by-side monitors of the same size and height (a challenge if a laptop is one of the monitors). Laptops require more maintenance and take more abuse than zero or thin clients. If a laptop needs maintenance, it’s remote from the IT team and may require end-user help (that can make for special times). Employees who work with large data files, video editing, AI, or design software are limited by even some of the best laptops, but they could access robust, GPU-equipped machines through a thin, affordable client.
Hybrid employees who work part-time from home and part-time from an office need a laptop (FALSE)—Hybrid employees could conveniently carry a sandwich-sized zero or thin client between office locations and simply plug in the interface peripherals upon arrival. Hybrid employees could also simply take a zero or thin client home and use a regular workstation in the office, utilizing that office-based PC from home through their zero or thin client. Whether the PC is in the server room, in the cloud, or in the office, the expensive equipment stays secure and accessible to IT, and a durable, low-maintenance device is used remotely.
There is no good solution for a mobile, unconnected worker who needs a more powerful computer than a laptop (FALSE)—ClearCube has created a modest-sized power PC in a ruggedized case with a fold-flat handle. This computer can accommodate highly capable GPUs, creating an easy-to-carry power PC. Click here to see ClearCube’s Tiny Titan mobile workstation. Additionally, a thin client can be paired with a Blade PC to allow remote use of a powerful, GPU-equipped computer.
If you would like to talk to a member of our friendly team of experts for help understanding and selecting the best product(s) for your situation, give us a call at 866-652-3500, email us at Sales@ClearCube.com, or fill out our Contact Us form at ClearCube.com. We are ready to help, and our team provides terrific pre- and post-sales support.
Check out ClearCube Technology’s innovative accessory products that allow you to do things such as:
- Rack mount up to 10 mini-PCs in a 4U drawer (Client Drawer)
- Provide blade PCs or rack-mounted workstations for access by remote users or in broadcasting vehicles, airplanes, etc.
- Consolidate 2-8 separate network connections into a console (ClientCube) at one desktop with a switchable KVM
- Add a mountable DVD tray or 7 additional USB ports to zero clients, thin clients, or mini-PCs
- Get TAA-certified products and expert, available support from a U.S.-based company.
