Thin Client Buyer’s

Guide
In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
In this e-guide:
With the growing need of personal computers for employees within companies across all
industries, providing these resources can become quite costly and difficult to manage.
However, thin client systems can offer a streamlined alternative to traditional desktop
deployments.
The perks of thin clients range from their cost-effective nature to the security benefits they
offer. This e-guide will give you a comprehensive overview of all the factors you need to know
about when considering incorporating thin client systems within your business. Keep reading
to better understand the thin client landscape in today’s businesses, and make the best
decision for your own business moving forward.
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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
Implementing thin client systems in your
enterprise
Rachel Meltzer, Associate Products Content Editor
While a capable server and robust network are the backbone of a successful thin client
deployment, decision-makers must select the right end-user hardware to fully realize thin
client benefits. Looking beyond the age-old form factor decision of laptop or desktop, vendors
offer specific thin client systems to serve many business needs and IT realities.
There are two potential benefits for companies that decide to move forward with thin clients.
One is the total cost compared to procuring and managing a fleet of traditional PCs. The other
is related to security and overall management. For example, a law firm may purchase thin
clients for their security capabilities, while schools may utilize thin clients for budgeting
purposes. Keeping up with a central server is a simpler proposition than managing hundreds
or thousands of individual laptops.
Thin client systems come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from small compute sticks and
single-board computers, like Raspberry Pi, to bulky and rugged tablets built to function in
punishing industrial and military environments. The relatively inexpensive Chromebook is
available from multiple vendors and puts a new spin on thin clients. It has also proven popular
in school settings.
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 In this buyer's guide, we explore thin client hardware, starting with the cost and security
In this e-guide benefits, IT challenges, and its various uses in numerous industries. This buyer's guide also
covers specifications and functions for the different forms of thin clients, as well as the
 A guide to enterprise thin importance of network and server connections. We also highlight thin clients uses, benefits
client systems and drawbacks. Finally, we identify the major thin client vendors, as well as specialty players.

 Discover thin client benefits

and learn the benefits it
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offers

 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems

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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
Discover thin client hardware and
learn the benefits it offers
Ed Hardy, Site Editor
Just because almost every employee these days needs a computer doesn't mean they all
need a powerful, expensive, stand-alone PC. Thin clients are a good option for many
organizations.
Thin client hardware is a simple desktop or mobile device with a fast connection to a powerful
remote server. The user interacts with the thin client as if it is a PC, but all the applications
and files are actually stored on the server.
There are two main benefits for organizations that equip their workers with thin clients: One is
that the total cost of the hardware is often much lower because thin clients are quite basic.
The extra cost of the servers shouldn't offset these savings.
The other primary benefit is that with applications and files all running on servers, it's easier
and cheaper for IT to maintain everything than if the information lived directly on users'
endpoints.
A range of options
The capabilities of thin clients vary depending on the needs of the organization that uses
them. Some organizations can employ ultrathin clients known as zero clients. Zero clients do
not have a hard drive. In fact, the only thing stored locally on a zero client is the software that
boots the operating system from the server.
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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
A thin client stands in contrast to a fat client -- a traditional PC -- which is a computer that
stores its own software and files. For reasons of cost or convenience, some companies use
regular PCs as thin clients because there is client/server software available for sale that can
make a general-purpose computer obtain its applications and storage from a server.
Thin client designs
IT might assign thin client hardware to all the employees who work in the organization's main
office space every day. These could be ultrathin, which are the most secure and are a good fit
when employees are unlikely to need their computers when they don't have direct access to
the application server. A wide range of vendors, including HP, Dell, NComputing and Lenovo
offer desktop thin clients.
A compute board is a computer at its most basic, and it can function as an extremely stripped
down version of a thin client. It only has the bare essentials, such as a CPU, RAM, storage
and ports. Compute boards are an option for an organization that wants the cheapest thin
clients with a minimal number of ports and functionality. Raspberry Pi is the best-known
provider of compute boards, but others, including Intel, supply them as well.
A desktop isn't right for everyone, though. Salespeople and other field workers might need
mobile computers. As a result, many organizations must equip some of their users with
notebook thin clients.
Google's Chrome OS popularized this type of computer. A Chromebook can only run a web
browser, with users accessing all the other software from a server through the browser. Acer
and Samsung are two vendors that offer Chromebooks. A number of companies make other
types of thin client laptops, including HP and IGEL Technology.
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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
Employees on a job site or in a warehouse can access files on a tablet thin client. These
portable computers work best when it's more important for an employee to access information
than it is for him to enter it. HP and 10ZiG make dedicated tablet thin clients.
Companies can also deploy tablets that stay fixed in place on factory floors. Users work with
these tablets like desktops, but with the touchscreen taking the place of a keyboard and
mouse. Manufacturers of this type of thin client hardware include Siemens and Advantech Co.
In some situations, it could make more sense to employ Apple iPads or Google Android
tablets. These clients perform specific functions without wireless access to the server, but
they also act as thin clients by displaying the contents of files stored remotely.
Ruggedized notebooks or tablet thin clients are most useful for workers in the field and can
protect against rain and dust. Drop protection is also critical. Cases can add significant
protection to standard tablets. Dell, HP and others make ruggedized computers in multiple
designs.
Companies can utilize smartphones as thin clients when portability is the most important
criteria. This is easier with devices that have USB-C ports that can be used to attach external
monitors. Finding good client and server software for Android and Apple iOS can be
challenging, though.
Samsung's DeX technology allows a smartphone to function like a PC when a keyboard and
external display are connected. DeX is available on some high-end handsets.
Thin client specifications
By definition, the hardware requirements for all thin clients are modest. The whole point is for
the client computer to perform only basic functions while the server does the hard work.
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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
Some thin clients run versions of Windows and, therefore, require a processor made by Intel
or Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). There are also operating systems for this type of
computer that run on Intel or AMD processors, such as Dell's Wyse ThinOS. The majority of
Chromebooks run Intel chips.
Any thin clients that use Intel processors typically use quad-cores with low clock speeds,
negating the need for cooling fans, which is beneficial for mobile devices.
Some thin client computers run on advanced RISC machine (ARM) processors, including
some Chromebooks. These chips power mobile phones and, therefore, require less power
and generate little heat. They sometimes run various versions of Linux. Windows for ARM is
not yet available.
True thin clients don't need very much RAM by their nature. Some thin client hardware
includes as little as 512 MB, though others go up to 4 GB or even 8 GB. Regular PCs utilized
as thin clients need enough RAM for their operating system to run easily.
Minimal local storage is another hallmark of thin clients. All files are stored on a server, so
there's no need for much internal capacity. The extreme version of this is zero clients, which
include no storage at all. Compute boards often use Secure Digital cards to hold any local
files.
Ports are a different story. Workers with thin clients need access to the same accessories as
someone with a regular PC, such as a keyboard and mouse. Users also expect multiple USB
ports, as well as video ports. Some desktop clients even offer multiple video ports.
Because thin clients depend on accessing servers more than traditional PCs, networking is
critical. Desktop clients need an Ethernet connection, while devices in a warehouse might
depend on Wi-Fi. Computers meant to go into the field should ideally have 4G LTE built-in,
but can utilize mobile hotspots, as well.
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 ▼
In this e-guide
Next Article
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems

 Discover thin client benefits

and learn the benefits it
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 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems

Page 8 of 23
In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
Compare the top vendors of thin
client systems
Ed Hardy, Site Editor
The market for thin client systems is robust, with quite a few brands to choose from, so
admins must conduct a thorough comparison before making a final decision.
The major thin client vendors include large enterprises that offer thin clients as part of their
extensive product lineups, as well as smaller businesses that specialize in producing this type
of computer.
Thin client systems are simple computers designed to get all their software and files from a
centralized server. The shape of the client depends on how and where it will be used. There
are desktop thin clients and others that look like laptops and tablets. Some of the companies
that produce this type of device offer many designs, whereas other vendors offer only a few or
just one.
The right thin client provider depends quite a bit on the size of the planned installation. A
small or medium-sized business might have trouble getting attention from HP Inc. or Dell Inc.,
but it could be just right for IGEL Technologies GmbH or NComputing Co. Ltd.
Conversely, a corporation that requires 50,000 thin clients might be more than a smaller
provider can handle.
"We have customer deployments in excess of 120,000 thin clients and growing," said Damon
Muzny, who works in corporate communications at Dell. In contrast, IGEL's largest installation
is 30,000 clients.
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In this e-guide Advantech Co. Ltd.
 A guide to enterprise thin While many thin clients are designed for office use, Taiwanese company Advantech produces
models intended for use in industrial settings, such as on factory floors and in warehouses.
client systems These are all-in-one units, with a touchscreen taking the place of a keyboard and mouse.

 Discover thin client benefits Screen sizes on these devices range from 5 to 17 inches. The thin clients are functional in
temperatures ranging from -4 degrees to 140 degrees -- -20° to 60° C. Advantech also offers
and learn the benefits it IP66 enclosures, so the thin clients are dustproof and able to resist even powerful jets of
offers water.

 Compare the top vendors of Asus

thin client systems Taiwanese multinational company Asus makes virtually every type of computer and related
accessory. Their technology includes a wide variety of thin clients, which they refer to as Mini
PCs.

For example, the Asus VivoMini PC UN65U is a desktop that is compatible with Citrix
XenDesktop VDI. It integrates with various Intel processors, plus it has four USB ports, two
video ports and a storage card reader built in. Prices range from $386 to $669.97.

Asus also makes zero clients for VMware, Citrix and Microsoft virtual desktop environments. It
offers all-in-one models and desktops, as well.

Editor's note

Using extensive research into the thin client market, TechTarget editors focused on the
vendors that lead in market share, as well as those that offer traditional and advanced

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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
functionality. Our research included data from TechTarget surveys, as well as reports from
other respected research firms, including Gartner and Forrester.
Centerm Information Co. Ltd.
Centerm is a top thin client supplier in the Asia-Pacific region, except Japan. It's based in
China.
The company offers zero clients, as well as desktop thin clients running either ARM-based
processors or x86 processors. Centerm also makes some all-in-one devices -- thin clients
built into displays. Retail is a popular industry for this type of computer.
Google Chromebooks
Desktop thin clients have been popular in classrooms, but Chromebooks are starting to
replace them. Chromebooks are mobile thin client systems that run the Chrome OS created
by Google. Chromebooks are only capable of running a web browser, but that browser can
run a wide variety of other software that is accessible from servers.
A number of companies license the Chrome OS, including HP, Dell, Acer Inc., Asus, Lenovo
Group Ltd. and Samsung. Most of these vendors make multiple models of thin clients.
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In this e-guide

 A guide to enterprise thin

client systems

 Discover thin client benefits

and learn the benefits it
offers

 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems
The main advantage of
Chromebooks is cost. Because their processor, RAM and storage requirements are modest,
Chromebooks sell for much less than a comparable Windows laptop. Beyond that, schools
don't have to give each student his or her own computer. Instead, individuals can use any
Chromebook to sign into their account and gain access to their cloud-based applications and
files.

Companies that want mobile thin clients also frequently turn to Chrome OS. Employees who
can do their jobs with Google's G Suite productivity applications or who need access to
information that is available in a web browser are good candidates for Chromebooks.

Dell

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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
In 2012, Dell acquired Wyse, a pioneer in client/server computing, making it a significant part
of the thin client market. As a result, Dell installs almost one million units each year for a
multitude of industries.
Among Dell's options is the Wyse 5000 and 7000 series thin clients. These desktop models
are the purest type of thin client, with no local storage. However, that doesn't mean they lack
other features. For example, the Wyse 7020 is configurable with up to four display ports and
six USB ports.

 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems

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In this e-guide

 A guide to enterprise thin

client systems

 Discover thin client benefits

and learn the benefits it
offers

 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems

Dell also has a selection of

desktop offerings in the thin client category. The Wyse 3030 ($419) has an Intel processor,

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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
four USB ports and two video ports, while at the opposite end of the spectrum is the Wyse
7040 ($1,049.0), which offers a Core i5 or Core i7 chip, six USB ports and two video ports.
Dell doesn't neglect the mobile thin client market, but it has fewer products in this category
than its rival HP. One of its offerings is the Inspiron Chromebook 14 ($599.99), a convertible
tablet/laptop.
"Wyse offers a simplified thin client portfolio that delivers performance and more than a
thousand configurations to ease the task of asset management without restricting
customization," Muzny said.
Fujitsu Ltd.
Fujitsu is a large corporation that creates a wide array of products for businesses, including
Futro desktop thin client systems. In addition, the company can configure its rich client mobile
devices with VDI software. The Japanese company supports Windows 10 IoT Enterprise
Edition, Windows Embedded Standard 7 and Linux eLux.
Fujitsu thin client offerings range from the Futro S520, which has an AMD 1.20 GHz
processor, eight USB ports and two video ports, to the Futro S940 ($365), which has an Intel
2.8 GHz processor, up to 14 USB ports and two video ports.
Hewlett Packard
HP is a big player in the thin client market. It installs roughly one million units each year. Not
surprisingly, it makes multiple versions of almost every device.
There is a range of HP desktop thin clients designed for use in an office. These range from
the basic HP t430, which has an Intel 2.40 GHz processor, three USB ports and a pair of
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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
video ports, all the way to the top-of-the-line HP t730, which offers an AMD 3.6 GHz quad-
core chip, nine USB ports and four video ports.
In the mobile thin client market, HP offers options such as the Chromebook 14, as well as
laptops like the HP mt21 that offer a choice of VDI options. There is also the HP ElitePad
1000 G2, a tablet that runs Windows Embedded.
While complaints about HP's hardware are common, there are some people who find it
acceptable. For example, the HP t430 is just $249, but, according to user reviews, it doesn't
offer the same build quality as HP's much more expensive consumer PCs. Reviews of the
$600 HP mt21 notebook criticize the dim screen, but users otherwise seem to find the device
well-suited as a mobile thin client.
The most frequent complaint about HP thin client installations is difficulty reaching tech
support. As with any large multinational corporation, customers seeking assistance have to
work their way through various levels of the support structure, with the lowest tier apparently
receiving minimal training.
Because HP offers so many thin client systems, its products are in virtually every type of
organization, including banking, government, education, sales and aerospace companies.
IGEL
Europe-based IGEL offers desktop thin clients and zero clients that run either Microsoft
Windows 10 IoT or its own version of the Linux OS.
IGEL is best known for thin client hardware, and it offers a broad range of devices. For
example, its high-end UD7 ($816) runs on a 1.6 GHz dual-core AMD processor and supports
up to three monitors.
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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
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 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
But IGEL is putting an increasing focus on its VDI software. One result is the IGEL UD
Pocket, a miniature USB drive that holds a version of IGEL's Universal Desktop software. It
can plug into almost any PC and turn into a thin client.
"I can walk into my Aunt Mabel's kitchen, plug my UD Pocket into an x86 device, boot to the
USB key and, suddenly, that PC laptop is a thin client," said Simon Clephan, VP at IGEL.
"The second I pull that plug out, that machine goes back to exactly what it was before. There
is nothing local."
LG Electronics USA Inc.
Another large corporation that offers thin clients is LG. The Korean enterprise primarily makes
all-in-one desktops that have thin clients built into 24- or 38-inch displays.
Prices for these thin clients start at $1,562.99. These tools include AMD processors, four USB
ports and two video ports so users can connect additional monitors. Instead of using a hard
drive, LG uses flash memory from its thin clients, which then saves onto a central server.
LG also makes the LG 14ZT980-G ($2497.99), a laptop thin client with a 13.8-inch screen.
Lenovo
Lenovo is another enormous enterprise with global reach. The China-based company
currently offers two thin client devices, as well as tablets, PCs, desktops and all-in-ones.
The Lenovo ThinkCentre M625 ($585) is a desktop that can run either Windows 10 IoT
Enterprise or Linux LeTOS. It uses an AMD processor and has six USB ports and a video
port. It's possible to configure these thin clients with additional ports, as well.
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In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
NComputing
NComputing integrates its compute sticks into client/server products. The company used to
design its own chips and client hardware, but the R&D costs were heavy, and it was taking up
to two years to develop a new thin client. This led the company to take a different route.
"Two years ago, we embarked on a journey to basically turn a Raspberry Pi 3 device into a
commercial, reliable enterprise thin client," said Richard Sah, chief technology officer at
NComputing.
The Raspberry Pi computers that NComputing's thin clients are based on are inexpensive, so
it offers some of the cheapest options available. For example, NComputing's RX300 comes in
at about $99.
NComputing still offers other desktop thin clients, as well as a variety of software options,
including Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, Citrix and its own proprietary Verde VDI.
Star of the Sea Catholic School and DHL Peru are among the organizations that have
installed NComputing thin clients. Schools and SMBs are typical examples of its client base.
Over the past 10 years, NComputing has installed about six million thin clients in such
organizations, according to Sah.
Raspberry Pi
The most basic type of desktop thin client is a compute board. This is a very simple device
consisting of a carrier board with CPU, RAM, storage and ports. Raspberry Pi famously
specializes in producing computers of this type. These are inexpensive, costing perhaps 10%
of the price of a typical desktop thin client without the enclosure.
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In this e-guide

 A guide to enterprise thin

client systems

 Discover thin client benefits

and learn the benefits it
offers

 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems
That doesn't mean they don't
have decent specifications. For example, the Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+ ($34.99) offers a 64-
bit, 1.4 GHz quad-core processor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Ethernet, four USB ports, and an
HDMI port.

Even so, Raspberry Pi's computers aren't designed with thin clients specifically in mind.

"We've been lucky that our standard feature set is a good match for the requirements of this
market," said Eben Upton, the creator of Raspberry Pi.

When asked what VDI software he recommends using with his micro PCs, Upton said, "Citrix
Receiver is the best-optimized client software, and Citrix has built up a great ecosystem
around the platform. We usually encourage people who want to use Raspberry Pi as a thin
client to look in that direction."

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In this e-guide Samsung
 A guide to enterprise thin A handful of desktop thin client systems are among the huge array of products Samsung
offers to both consumers and businesses. Its NX Series Tera2 is a zero client with six USB
client systems ports and a single display port. The Korean company also offers a few all-in-one thin clients.

 Discover thin client benefits In addition, Samsung offers nearly a dozen Chromebook models, including both laptops and
convertible 2-in-1s. These have screens that near 12 inches in size and use a variety of Intel
and learn the benefits it processors.
offers

 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems

Page 20 of 23
In this e-guide

 A guide to enterprise thin

client systems

 Discover thin client benefits

and learn the benefits it
offers

 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems

But that's only part of the

story. Samsung suggests that companies replace their PCs with its most powerful
smartphones. The Samsung DeX software enables an Android OS phone connected to a
screen, keyboard and mouse to also function as a desktop. "It's time for IT departments to
take a hard look at the costs and time required to support what are increasingly duplicative
infrastructures," Samsung said in a DeX white paper. "If you are able to transition early to
mobile-only, the cost savings and increased focus obtained are significant."

The primary drawback of DeX is limited software; while Microsoft Office and other powerful
applications are available for Android, users can only have one document from each app
open at a time.
Page 21 of 23
In this e-guide
 A guide to enterprise thin
client systems
 Discover thin client benefits
and learn the benefits it
offers
 Compare the top vendors of
thin client systems
Siemens AG
Germany-based Siemens makes industrial thin clients designed to compete directly with
Advantech's offerings. Designed for warehouses, factories and rugged conditions, this type of
thin client is ideal for manufacturing industries.
Siemens' all-in-one thin clients have touchscreens that range in size from 12 to 22 inches.
They can also withstand temperatures of up to 122 degrees (50°C), making this the perfect
hardware to install in control centers with uncertain conditions. These thin clients are available
either as stand-alone products or with several control stations, depending on the industry and
use case.
10ZiG Technology
Unlike its larger rivals, 10ZiG specializes entirely in producing thin clients and zero clients.
This U.S.-based company offers multiple desktop models, but no mobile models. 10Zig's
devices are compatible with Microsoft, Citrix, VMware and Parallels VDI software.
The base-model 10ZiG 4400 ($315) series thin client uses an Intel 1.33 GHz dual-core
processor and includes four USB ports and two video ports. Those looking for something
more powerful might choose the 10ZiG 7800q series (starting at $739.99) with 2.4 GHz quad-
core processor, eight USB ports and two video ports.
10ZiG gets high marks from its customers, which include the Clark County, Nevada District
Attorney and Krispy Kreme.
▼ Next Article
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 A guide to enterprise thin client systems
In this e-guide
Discover thin client hardware and learn the benefits it offers
 A guide to enterprise thin
Compare the top vendors of thin client systems
client systems

 Discover thin client benefits

and learn the benefits it
offers

 Compare the top vendors of

thin client systems

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